what to feed mom cat after birth

Full Answer

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 do you take care of a pregnant female cat?

Pregnant cats: Feed the suggested amount on the packaging. Continue to feed a kitten food to the mother until her kittens are weaned. Nursing cats: Leave food available for the mother at all times after the kittens are born.

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 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.

How much should you feed a nursing mother cat?

The exact amount of food a nursing cat needs will vary in proportion to its litter size. Cats nursing more than two kittens typically need 2 to 2.5 times more calories than usual. A 10-pound cat nursing 4 kittens needs approximately 603 calories per day.

What can I give my cat to produce more milk?

There is nothing specific you can give Bella to increase her milk supply. I would give her a kitten formulated food, as diet can sometimes help. You likely will need to supplement the kittens with KMR (kitten milk replacement).

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

post-labor Care 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.

Can nursing cats drink milk?

A Nursing Cats Nutritional Requirements. A nursing cat has some extreme energy demands on her body. Not only does she need to maintain her own internal functions and body condition, but she also needs to produce milk that can support the rapid and healthy growth and development of her kittens.

What do I do if my cat doesn't have milk?

The most commonly available type of kitten formula is called KMR, which stands for "kitten milk replacer." KMR comes in cans or cartons and is available to buy in most pet supply stores and on websites that sell pet supplies. There are other brands of kitten formula available as well.

How do I know if my cat has enough milk for her kittens?

The best way to determine if your cat is producing milk is by observing the kittens. Newborns spend long hours nursing - up to 8 hours per day - with sessions lasting up to 45 minutes. When the mother's milk is being let down, the kittens will each latch onto a preferred nipple and stay there.

How do I know if my mother cat has no milk?

The teats will still be swollen initially and produce milk. Then the milk will stop coming, the swelling will decrease, and after one to two weeks, the mammary glands should no longer be swollen under the teats.

How should these foods be fed to pregnant or nursing cats?

Pregnant cats: Feed the suggested amount on the packaging. Continue to feed a kitten food to the mother until her kittens are weaned.

How to feed a pregnant cat?

How should these foods be fed to pregnant or nursing cats? 1 Pregnant cats: Feed the suggested amount on the packaging. Continue to feed a kitten food to the mother until her kittens are weaned. 2 Nursing cats: Leave food available for the mother at all times after the kittens are born. This will ultimately help to wean the kittens to a regular food and provide the mother with high-energy food she will need during this time.

How long is a cat pregnant?

Typical gestation (pregnancy) averages 63-65 days. 2 We recommend that you see a veterinarian weekly during pregnancy and nursing to assess weight and food intake. Please speak with your veterinarian to determine how often your cat should be examined during pregnancy and after the birth of her kittens.

When do I wean my kittens?

Weaning is usually a gradual process. Most kittens begin eating solid food between 3-4 weeks of age. Weaning should be effectively completed between 6-10 weeks of age. 3

Why are kittens high in protein?

Increased protein for growth and development of the kittens. Increased fat to meet the high demand for calories of the mother. Increased calcium and phosphorus for bone growth of kittens and milk production of their mother. High digestibility to provide more calories in a smaller amount of food.

What are the effects of calcium and phosphorus on kittens?

Increased calcium and phosphorus for bone growth of kittens and milk production of their mother

Can you feed a pregnant cat Hill's Science Diet?

It is extremely important to feed your pregnant or nursing cat a food that provides the increased nutrition she needs. We recommend feeding Hill’s® Science Diet® Kitten Food formulas as soon as you discover your cat is pregnant. These formulas are rich in essential nutrients and support development of the kittens during pregnancy.

How to help a pregnant cat?

Switch your cat to a wet kitten food. Towards the midpoint of your cat’s pregnancy, begin switching her onto a high-quality wet kitten food. Kitten food contains higher percentages of nutrients and vitamins than do adult cat foods, and will provide the queen with more of the protein and calories she needs during pregnancy.

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.

How long does it take for a kitten to transition 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. Do this by mixing a small amount of the adult food in with the kitten food. Increase the percentage of adult food over one week, until the cat has fully transitioned to adult food.

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 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.

What to do if your cat is overweight after giving birth?

If you notice the cat continuing to gain weight after giving birth, you may need to cut back on the food. Do not overfeed your cat to the point of obesity.

What happens if a cat is pregnant?

If your cat is pregnant, she’ll begin to gain weight rapidly. Even an already-overweight cat will put on a noticeable amount of weight if she becomes pregnant. When a female cat becomes pregnant, her nipples will increase in size and become noticeably darker in color.

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 warm up a kitten's nesting box?

Because kittens can't regulate their body temperature until they're 3 weeks old, you'll need to make the nesting box cozy. You can use water bottles or a heating pad to warm the box, and should line it with towels or blankets. Make sure that the towels and blankets aren't frayed, since a kitten could get caught up in the strings. If towels or blankets get wet, remove them and replace them with dry ones.

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.

When can kittens be weaned from their mother?

Once the kittens are 8 weeks old they'll be ready to be weaned from their mother, but until then you can best help your cat by carefully monitoring her and her kittens and providing them with a safe place where they feel secure.

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.

What to do after a cat gives birth?

After your cat has given birth, she'll usually provide the warmth and nutrition that her kittens need. Keep a careful eye on her, while maintaining a respectable distance, to make sure they are all safe and well. Help! My cat has had kittens during lockdown!

What to do if kittens don't start feeding?

If the kittens don't start feeding, ask your vet for advice. You may need to start giving the kitten a substitute milk - but follow the instructions carefully. Remember, newborn kittens cannot go more than a few hours without milk. If the queen is calm and settled, you may wish to quickly and quietly check each kitten.

How to get kittens to suckle?

Keep the room temperature warm and the bedding clean and dry. Feeding - the kittens should start to suckle from their mother almost immediately. If they haven't started after half an hour, gently guide them towards the teats. If the kittens don't start feeding , ask your vet for advice.

How old should kittens be to be pregnant?

Ensure they stay indoors until they can be neutered by a vet - remember, kittens can get pregnant from four months of age. Don't advertise your kittens on Facebook.

How to keep a newborn kitten warm?

Warmth is important as newborn kittens can lose heat very quickly. If the mother is attentive, she will clean the kittens and use her body heat to keep the kittens warm. If she is tired or disturbed she may ignore them, in which case you will need to provide warmth, either via a heat pad or a covered hot water bottle - no hotter than body temperature - and the kittens should be covered with a light towel or blanket. Keep the room temperature warm and the bedding clean and dry.

What to do if the Queen refuses to give birth to a kitten?

if the queen seems to ignore or reject one of her kittens, putting some of the birthing fluids on the kitten may help her to accept it. if the queen is not comfortable in her environment, she may try to move the kittens in her mouth to a preferred location.

Can you advertise kittens on Facebook?

Don't advertise your kittens on Facebook. You can find out more about how to sell them responsibly here

What to do when the queen delivers kittens?

Offer the queen a meal once she has delivered her kittens.

What is the name of the condition in which a lactating cat's mammary gland is inflam?

Mastitis: Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) occurs when the lactating queen’s mammary gland (s) becomes inflamed, blocked or infected. Symptoms include pain, heat, and swelling of the affected gland (s), fever, milk may be bloody, yellow or thick, the queen may refuse to let her kittens nurse from the affected gland, ...

How long does it take for a kitten to leave the nest?

General Care. Provide the queen with a quiet, safe comfortable, warm area to care for her kittens. The new mother will rarely leave the nest in the early days. Within 24 hours of the birth, the queen should see a veterinarian for a check-up.

Can a cat raise a litter without a mother?

Most queens (mother cat) require little or no assistance during the delivery and can successfully raise a litter without our assistance. However, the prudent carer should be aware that there will be some requirements to help the queen stay healthy and well so she can care for her new family.

Can a female cat go into heat?

A female cat can come into heat soon after birth, keep her inside and away from entire male cats to prevent pregnancy.

What should the mother cat eat?

Feed a highly palatable, high-calorie food during this time, your veterinarian can recommend the best product to meet the queen’s needs.

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 ...

When do kittens wean?

Kittens will show an interest in solid food from 4-5 weeks of age. Offer them soft and palatable food which can be moistened dry food or canned. They will continue to nurse from their mother until 8-10 weeks.

Why do kittens cry?

An apparently healthy kitten (or kittens) who rapidly deteriorate after birth may have neonatal isoerythrolysis, a serious and life-threatening condition caused when kittens who have type A blood nurse from their mother who has type B blood during the first 24 hours of life.

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.

What to do with kittens when they are bored?

Playtime. Provide a range of different toys for the kittens to interact with.

When is the best time to socialize a kitten?

Three weeks and older, the critical socialisation period: The key socialisation period begins at three weeks of age and it is important the kittens receive adequate socialisation, if deprived, kittens have a higher risk of developing into adult cats who are fearful and aggressive.

How Cats Give Birth?

When cats give birth, it is called queening. The queening process looks very similar to birthing in humans.

What do you need to provide a cat with a litter box?

Provide mother cat with a litter box and food and water bowls that are in the same area as the nesting box.

What is it called when a cat has a difficult birth?

A difficult birth is referred to as dystocia and may involve intense straining, excessive bleeding, and more. 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 to do. Provide a quiet, warm, safe place to deliver, and check on her at least once an hour.

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 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).

How to tell if a cat is pregnant?

Signs of labor in cats include clear or colored vaginal discharge, intense abdominal straining, and the appearance of kittens. A cat that is about to give birth will likely seek and stay in a nesting box where she can safely deliver kittens.