what to feed a cat after giving birth

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What do mother cats eat after giving birth to kittens?

While she is lactating and feeding her kittens with milk, the mother cat will need the protein and nutrients that the kitten food offers her. However, once the kittens have weaned (usually around 6–10 weeks after birth), you can transition the mother cat back to an adult food.

How can I Help my Cat gain weight after giving birth?

Do not overfeed your cat to the point of obesity. Give your cat a food high in calcium. It’s important that your mother cat consumes food containing plenty of calcium shortly after giving birth. Calcium will increase the mother’s milk production, which in turn will encourage bone growth in the developing kittens.

How do you take care of a nursing mother cat?

Keep the mother cat's litter box, food, and water bowls close by. Make sure you are feeding her a high-quality canned kitten food, supplemented with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). These specially formulated foods ensure that a nursing, postpartum mother cat gets the nutrients she needs.

How to care for a newborn kitten before birth?

Before Birth. Proper care for a mother cat begins long before she gives birth. To properly nurse her kittens, momma cat needs to be in good physical condition. She'll need a nutrient- and calorie-dense food such as good-quality commercial kitten kibble.

When should I feed my cat after she gives birth?

Feeding. During the birthing process and immediately after, most queens are not interested in eating. However, within 24 hours after the birth of the last kitten she should begin eating again, and most likely will eat a lot.

Can a cat eat after giving birth?

She may eat very little or refuse food and water, and a brownish vaginal discharge may be evident. If you notice these signs, your cat requires immediate veterinary care.

How do I take care of my cat after giving birth?

After your momma cat gives birth, you'll want to keep the space clean, quiet, and free of any other animals. Weigh the kittens as soon as mom will allow and continue weighing them daily. Do not take the kittens away from mom while weighing. Instead, bring your grams scale right next to the nest and weigh them there.

Can I give milk to cat after giving birth?

However, you or their mother can start introducing solid food at about 4 weeks. The kittens may mostly play with the food at first, but will eventually begin to eat more of it. Use a milk replacement if necessary.

What do I do when my cat's giving birth?

Most of the time, cat owners should not interfere with a mother cat that is delivering because in most cases, mother cats instinctually know what t...

What are the signs that your cat is in labor?

Signs of labor in cats include clear or colored vaginal discharge, intense abdominal straining, and the appearance of kittens. A cat that is about...

How long can cats be in labor?

Cats have three stages of labor, and labor can last anywhere from 16 hours to 3 days in most cats, depending on how many kittens are being delivered.

Should I leave my cat alone while giving birth?

Most of the time, cat owners should not interfere with a mother cat that is delivering because in most cases, mother cats instinctually know what t...

How long after a cat is born can you take her kittens to the vet?

If you haven't already done so, after one week, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a well-check. If the mother cat was not vaccinated, this would be a good time to do it. Also, she might get treatment for roundworms, to protect both her and her kittens.

How to keep kittens warm?

Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. 1  Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Stack clean towels to line it. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate.

What causes a cat's milk ducts to swell?

Mastitis. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the milk ducts, which occurs when the mother cat's milk production gets blocked by inflamed mammary glands. The teats become swollen and hot, with apparent "bruising," and the mother cat may refuse to allow the kittens to nurse. Mastitis is a veterinary emergency.

What does it mean when a kitten is fading?

Fading kitten syndrome occurs when a kitten fails to thrive. 3  If you notice one of the kittens is generally more lethargic and sleeping a lot more than its siblings, it can be a sign of the syndrome. That kitten requires immediate attention from a veterinarian who specializes in kitten care.

How long does it take for a kitten to crawl?

This twitching is entirely normal and indicates the development of their nervous system and muscles. By two weeks, the kittens will start crawling around and will be attempting to stand.

How long does it take for a cat to develop a kitten?

The first two to three weeks are the most crucial for a mother cat and her newborn kittens. The kittens should be developing rapidly, and if the mother is going to have any postpartum problems, it will happen during that period.

What are the health problems of kittens?

Intestinal parasites are most common in kittens. 2  Other health problems in young kittens are infectious diseases, such as respiratory infections, and congenital diseases.

What is it called when a cat gives birth?

When cats give birth, it is called queening. The queening process looks very similar to birthing in humans. When a cat gives birth, it is called queening. Most cats give birth to kittens in the same way that humans give birth: they deliver kittens including the placenta and the umbilical cord through the birth canal and out the vagina, ...

What temperature does a cat have to be before giving birth?

The mother cat will usually refuse food starting 24 hours before giving birth, and her body temperature may drop under 100 degrees F. Pregnant cats in stage one rarely have discharge from their vulva.

How do cats go through labor?

Stages Of Labor In Cats. Cats go through several stages of labor, starting when the uterus starts to contract, the cervix relaxes, and the cat’s water breaks. Just like humans, cats go through several stages of labor when they are about to give birth. The first stage of labor happens when the uterus, the hollow organ inside a cat’s belly where ...

How to keep kittens in nesting box?

The nesting box should have sides that are tall enough to keep the kittens in for the first few weeks. Provide mother cat with a litter box and food and water bowls that are in the same area as the nesting box. If the mother cat isn’t nursing or is sick, then you will need to bottle feed the kittens.

What does it mean when a cat is hot and red?

sore abdomen. vomiting. panting. muscle tremors or spasms. inflamed nipple/mammary gland, may be hot, red, and have discharge (mastitis) In addition to supervising your mother cat, you’ll want to keep an eye on the kittens to ensure that they’re healthy. Newborn kittens need to stay warm and well fed.

How long does it take for a cat to deliver kittens?

This surgery is done under general anesthesia by a DVM. Normal gestation (the length of a cat’s pregnancy) lasts 63-65 days. Mother cats typically know what to do when it is time ...

How long does it take for a cat to labor?

Stage one lasts anywhere from 6-12 hours on average (up to 36 hours in first time mothers).

When to feed a pregnant cat?

Switch her to a wet kitten food at about the midpoint of her pregnancy, which is around the 5th week. As her kittens grow, your cat will eat smaller portions of food, but she’ll want to eat more frequently, ...

Why is it important for a cat to eat calcium after giving birth?

It’s important that your mother cat consumes food containing plenty of calcium shortly after giving birth. Calci um will increase the mother’s milk production , which in turn will encourage bone growth in the developing kittens. Check the nutritional information on canned cat foods to find one that is high in calcium.

What is a pregnant cat called?

A pregnant cat is referred to as a “queen.”. Thanks! Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Throughout your cat’s pregnancy and nursing, make sure that she always has access to clean, fresh water.

How long does it take for a cat to eat kitten food?

A cat’s pregnancy typically lasts from 58–70 days. Plan to switch your queen to the nutritious kitten food by about the 5th week (35 days).

When can you transition a cat back to adult food?

However, once the kittens have weaned (usually around 6–10 weeks after birth), you can transition the mother cat back to an adult food.

How to help a kitten grow during pregnancy?

During the early and middle stages of pregnancy, your cat can keep primarily eating their typical food. However, you should mix in added protein to help facilitate healthy kitten growth.

How to help a cat gain weight after giving birth?

Give the cat a dish of this food three times daily, spaced at regular intervals . If you notice the cat continuing to gain weight after giving birth, you may need to cut back on the food.

What to feed a nursing mother cat?

A nursing mother needs extra nutrition and calories, so feed your cat a high-quality kitten-formula food. Offer plenty of wet and dry food to the mother, and increase the amount of food that you offer so that she always has access to it. Always have fresh water available, too.

How long does it take for a cat to give birth?

It can take your cat from two to 24 hours to give birth, so you may need to carefully monitor the birth for a while. Keep an eye on the process without disturbing the mother cat, though, by entering the room quietly and staying away as much as possible. While it's best to let your cat handle the birth herself, sometimes you may need to intervene.

How to cut a cat's cord?

If your cat has just given birth and doesn't do this, you should cut the cord using sterilized scissors and tie it off about an inch from the kitten's body. Make sure that the remaining cord attached to the kitten is short so that the mother cat doesn't chew on it.

How to help a nursing mother?

Increase the mother's nutrition. A nursing mother needs extra nutrition and calories, so feed your cat a high-quality kitten-formula food. Offer plenty of wet and dry food to the mother, and increase the amount of food that you offer so that she always has access to it. Always have fresh water available, too.

Can a cat handle a kitten's birth?

While it's best to let your cat handle the birth herself, sometimes you may need to intervene. As the kittens are born, they'll be in a thin membrane sac, and your cat should remove this sac immediately. If she doesn't, you'll need to tear it open with your hands so that the kittens can breathe.

How long does it take for a kitten to eat after birth?

The queen may not be interested in food immediately after the birth but should resume eating within 24 hours, if she hasn’t, seek veterinary attention. The socialisation of the kittens is important, but avoid handling the kittens as much as possible for the first two weeks.

How to clean a cat after birth?

Immediately after the birth: Quickly transfer the mother cat and her kittens to a soft blanket or towel, remove the soiled bedding and replace it with clean. Line the bottom of the nest with newspapers or puppy pads and place soft blankets on top. Kittens eat and sleep for the first two weeks of life and during this early period ...

What does it mean when a kitten cries?

Disinterest in a kitten or kittens: Not nursing or responding when a kitten cries, pushing a kitten or kittens away. Acute metritis: Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, foul-smelling discharge. Mastitis: Swollen and painful mammary glands, fever, the milk may be blood-tinged.

How many placentas should be in a kitten?

Keep a close eye on the queen and count the number of kittens and placentas. There should be one placenta per kitten. If there are more kittens than placentas, seek veterinary help as a retained placenta can lead to a uterine infection.

How to keep kittens warm?

Kittens are unable to regulate their body temperature, therefore ensure the temperature of the room they are housed in is warm. Provide water, good quality food, and a litter tray within close proximity to the nest.

How long do kittens sleep?

Kittens eat and sleep for the first two weeks of life and during this early period the queen will only leave them to eat, drink or toilet. Place the nursing box in a quiet area of the house, free of drafts.

How many calories should a nursing mother feed her kittens?

Nursing mothers with more than two kittens need between 2 and 2.5 times the calories they needed at the time of mating (page 5). Feed a highly palatable, high-calorie food during this time, your veterinarian can recommend the best product to meet the queen’s needs. Ensure fresh, clean drinking water is also available.

What happens to a cat after giving birth?

Here you can find a list and brief description of complications that can be seen after a cat has given birth: 1. Retention of Fetal Membranes. Sometimes a queen won’t pass the final set of fetal membranes/tissue after birthing is completed. When this happens, the membranes will begin to break down and rot in her uterus.

What to do if your cat has milk fever?

This is a life-threatening condition. If you suspect your cat is developing milk fever, seek veterinary care right away. Treatment involves IV injections of calcium preparations with rapid reversal of the condition. The queen may need to be hospitalized with monitoring of her calcium levels until she is stable.

Why is my cat's nipple swollen?

If the mastitis is due to infection, the gland will be painful, swollen with an abnormally colored discharge from the nipple, and the cat will refuse food, be feverish, and inactive. An abscess can also form, resulting in a purplish area of tissue with thick, foul-smelling discharge.

How long does it take for a kitten's vagina to discharge?

The discharge becomes more red-brown and decreases in amount over 4-6 weeks and up to 12 weeks after giving birth. Sometimes people get concerned because they don’t notice the newborn kittens urinating or having stools.

Why doesn't my cat have a discharge after giving birth?

Most people don’t see post-birthing vaginal discharge in their cats because they're fastidious about grooming themselves and keeping themselves clean. Normal vaginal discharge is greenish-black to brick red with no significant odor. The discharge becomes more red-brown and decreases in amount over 4-6 weeks and up to 12 weeks after giving birth.

What are the symptoms of milk fever in cats?

Often, the cat is nursing a large litter of kittens. Early signs of milk fever include restlessness, panting, muscle tremors, and incoordination. Without treatment, it can progress to tetanic (rigid, stiff-legged) muscular spasms, followed by convulsions (seizures) or coma. This is a life-threatening condition.

How long does it take for a cat to get eclampsia?

Eclampsia, also called milk fever or lactation tetany, can occur 3-5 weeks after giving birth to kittens. This happens due to a sudden drop in the amount of calcium circulating in the nursing queen’s bloodstream, related to the increased demands of milk production. Often, the cat is nursing a large litter of kittens.