Best Cat Food for Nursing Cats – Our Top 5 Picks
| Food | Price |
| Nutro Kitten Soft Loaf Chicken Recipe Gr ... | $1.06 / 3 oz can |
| Nature’s Variety Instinct Kitten Grain-F ... | $1.79 / 5.5 oz can |
| Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Li ... | $1.52 / 5.5 oz can |
| Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kit ... | $1.14 / 5 oz can |
What is the best food for a nursing cat?
- A protein-packed, highly-digestible food
- Meat-based
- Calorie-dense
What is the best canned food for a nursing cat?
- Chicken is the first ingredient
- Meat-based, carnivore-appropriate food
- Low carbohydrate content
- No carrageenan
What should you feed your cat as she is nursing kittens?
Nursing mother cats usually do well on commercial foods made for kittens. Dry and moist foods are both suitable. While nursing, they require foods with elevated levels of protein, just like developing kittens, hence the need to temporarily stay away from adult formulas. Extra protein isn't the only necessity for feeding nursing cats.
How much cat food should you feed a pregnant cat?
Specifically, here are nutritional priorities:
- Increased energy from calories for the growth of kittens and milk production for the mother
- 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
What can I give my cat to help her produce more milk?
To boost milk production if she doesn't have an appetite, you may be able to entice her to eat by making some of her own kitten gruel or mixing wet food into her usual dry food. Sometimes the strong smell of moist food encourages felines to eat.
How much food should a nursing cat eat?
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.
How often should I feed a nursing cat?
Feed momma the best quality wet food you can; if you also feed dry, then leave some dry available for her. Mom needs lots of good quality wet food so that the babies get the best nourishment possible from her while they are in their growth phase. Kittens will nurse every 1-3 hours for the first three weeks.
What should I feed my kitten while breastfeeding?
If the kittens are still nursing from their mother, feed one-third to one-half the recommended amount. Supplemental feeding is needed until the kittens are old enough to eat kitten food, usually around two to four weeks of age. Goats milk is not recommended as it is far too low in protein and fat.
Is tuna good for pregnant cats?
Harmful Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat: Tuna, Milk, Raw Fish, and More.
Why is my nursing cat so skinny?
Nursing. Pregnant cats lose weight after giving birth. However, their nutritional needs increase dramatically. Energy needs can be two to three times normal, depending on litter size, in order to produce the milk supply that will support the offspring.
How do you take care of a mother 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.
How much should a cat eat after giving birth?
Make sure to keep your cat's food bowl full at all times. Some new moms can eat up to four times their normal amount while they are nursing.
How do I know if my mother cat is producing enough milk?
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.
Can kittens have scrambled eggs?
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.
How do you make sugar water for kittens?
Following are the steps of making sugar water for kittens:Boil a pot of water for 5 minutes.Add two teaspoons of white sugar per liter of boiling water.Stir the sugar into the hot liquid until dissolved.Cools down the sugar solution.Filter the sugar solution, before giving it to your kitten.
What homemade food can kittens eat?
8 Foods to Feed Your Kitten in Her First YearHer Primary Kitten Food. Your kitten should be eating a good quality kitten food or a food labeled for all feline life stages. ... Canned Cat Foods. ... Scrambled Eggs. ... Fresh and Salt Water Fish. ... Cooked Meats. ... Salad Greens. ... Squash and Pumpkin. ... Cat Grass.More items...•
How much water does a nursing cat need?
The nutritional composition of cat milk is approximately 10.8% fat, 10.6% protein, 3.7% sugar, and 1.0% ash. That means that it’s about 73.9% water. Every time she feeds her kittens, your cat loses water.
What do mama cats need?
Mama cats have an increased requirement for calcium and phosphorus to support the kittens’ bone development. What you feed your mother cat will also feed the kittens. As kittens grow, they require elevated levels of key minerals and other nutrients to stay healthy.
How old do kittens need to be to get a calorie diet?
As the kittens grow and need more and more calories, your cat’s calorie requirements will also go up, peaking when the kittens are about 4 weeks old.
What to do if kittens don't get enough food?
If the kittens don’t seem to be getting enough nourishment, you can supplement their diet with a kitten milk replacer.
How often do kittens nurse?
Newborn kittens do two things—nurse and sleep. They nurse every one to two hours, day and night. For the mother providing this nutrition, nursing is a physically and emotionally demanding time. She needs rich, high-calorie food to nourish both herself and the babies.
What is kitten food made of?
This ultra-simple kitten food is primarily made from chicken and chicken liver. Both are highly-digestible sources of protein and other nutrients.
When can kittens eat kitten food?
She’ll need to continue eating kitten food until the kittens have been fully weaned at around 8-10 weeks of age. By this time, her appetite should have returned to normal and she can start eating her normal, smaller portions.
How to get kittens to eat 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.
How much does a cat eat during pregnancy?
Keep in mind that your cat’s food consumption will increase during pregnancy. She’ll usually eat about 50% more than she would when not pregnant.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Ingredients
To help you accurately compare the benefits of various foods, it’s a good idea to learn how to read a pet food label and what ingredients are found in pet diets. Americans spent over $100 billion on their pets last year which means the competition for your cat food dollars is fierce.
Bag Size
If your mother cat is eating 2-3 times the amount of food she usually would, you’re going to be buying a lot of food.
Ease of Purchase
If you lead a hectic, over-scheduled life, you may not have time to make a separate trip to your veterinarian or the pet store to buy cat food. Online pet food delivery is an option but if shipments are delayed or damaged you may find yourself needing to pick up an emergency bag of cat food.
What to feed a nursing mother cat?
Dry and moist foods are both suitable. While nursing, they require foods with elevated levels of protein , just like developing kittens, hence the need to temporarily stay away from adult formulas. Extra protein isn't the only necessity for feeding nursing cats. They also need considerably higher portions of food -- double of what they consume in times other than pregnancy. If a nursing mother cat has additional caloric intake, it helps her body make milk and properly feed her little ones.
Why is free choice feeding important for nursing cats?
Nursing asks a lot of a female cat's body, and free choice feeding can help accommodate those needs by allowing mothers to determine their portions by themselves. Free choice also enables nursing cats to decide exactly when they want to eat.
How long do kittens eat kitten food?
Kittens, for the most part, are weaned once they get to between 8 and 10 weeks old. Once the kittens are weaned, they're mature enough to eat solid foods 100 percent of the time -- and mom is ready to go back ...
What to do when a cat is pregnant?
If your cat is pregnant, it's crucial not only to pay special attention to her diet during gestation, but also to her meals after, while she's busy nursing her litter. Remember, feeding newborn kittens calls for tons of energy, and mom's body needs to make up for all of it.
Is it important to give your cat lots of water?
However, lots of water is even more crucial for nursing mamas because of how much of it they require to make milk . Ensure that your mother cat always has lots of clean and cool water available in front of her.
Do nursing mothers need more food?
They also need considerably higher portions of food -- double of what they consume in times other than pregnancy. If a nursing mother cat has additional caloric intake, it helps her body make milk and properly feed her little ones.
Can kittens eat solid food?
Once the kittens are weaned, they're mature enough to eat solid foods 100 percent of the time -- and mom is ready to go back to eating cat food for adults, rather than for kittens. At this point, she's also ready to revert back to her usual portions.
Why is it important to feed a nursing cat?
Pregnancy, giving birth and nursing brings a lot of changes in a cat's body. Consequently, you should pay particular attention to diet for the nursing cat, which is important both for the cat and the kittens' well-being.
How long does a cat eat during lactation?
Serving Guidelines. Throughout the lactation period (4 to 5 weeks) cat eats more, because producing milk will be highly demanding on the body. Generally, the food intake of a nursing cat will be doubled.
Why is it important for a cat to eat kitten food?
It is essential that the mother cat eats kitten food and not adult cat food, so that the cat can pass on the necessary nutrients to the kittens.
How long does it take for a kitten to eat solid food?
Make sure to include enough water in the diet; the cat needs to produce enough milk and stay hydrated. 4 to 5 weeks after birth , the kittens will start being attracted to solid food.
How long does it take for a kitten to stop eating?
4 to 5 weeks after birth, the kittens will start being attracted to solid food. By this time the lactating cat will produce less milk and this process should stop eventually. Meanwhile, the cat will start eating less and should balance back to her normal weight.
Why does my cat's appetite change?
Changes in Appetite. The entire process of gestation and lactation signal major changes in the life of your cat and her appetite change accordingly. Due to hormonal changes during and after pregnancy, you will observe that your cat is eating too much or too little.
Do kittens need milk after giving birth?
Immediately after giving birth, a cat mother starts producing milk and it is highly recommended that the kittens get this milk. The cat milk is a vital source of nutrients and antibodies which will make the cat litter immune to different bacteria and diseases. Consequently, the diet will have to be nutritional and balanced, ...
What should a nursing cat eat?
A lactating cat should be given high-protein food that is energy-dense and rich in vitamins and minerals . The best type of food for mama cats is kitten food because it is rich in essential nutrients and supports the development of the kittens. Canned kitten food is also highly-digestible and provides calcium and phosphorus that are good for kittens’ bone development.
Why should nursing cats eat energy dense food?
Nursing cats should eat energy-dense food to sustain milk production, body condition, and weight. The calorie needs of mother cats are affected by certain characteristics of the kittens such as their size and their age. As the kittens grow and require more calories the mama cat’s calorie requirements will also increase.
How many calories should a cat eat a day?
In terms of calories a 10-pound cat nursing at least four kittens should have more or less 603 calories each day, and a 15-pound cat with at least four kittens should eat at least 851 calories per day.
What to do if a mama cat moves her kittens?
If the mama cat decides to move her kittens, just let her be but see to it that it is a safe area for them.
When should kittens start eating solid food?
This is because the kittens are consuming more of the mama cat’s food as they approach the weaning stage. At about four weeks old, the kittens may be gradually transitioned to solid food although vets recommend that they should drink their mother’s milk until they are nine weeks old.
When is the peak food requirement for a cat?
The peak food requirement for mama cats is during the sixth to the seventh week after childbirth.
Is canned food good for kittens?
Canned kitten food is also highly-digestible and provides calcium and phosphorus that are good for kittens’ bone development. Mama cats should also have all-day access to dry food or kibble which should be mixed with a little water to moisten it.
How to feed a new mom cat?
Feed new mother cats larger portions. After your cat gives birth, you should continue to feed it more than she typically eats. She will need more calories, since she is now providing energy to her kittens by nursing them. The exact amount of food a nursing cat needs will vary in proportion to its litter size.
How to take care of a nursing cat?
While a nursing cat isn’t very different from a regular cat, it’s important to give it enough food and space if you want to take care of it properly. When your cat is pregnant and after it gives birth, give it at least twice as much food as usual, since it will need the extra calories for nursing its kittens. Instead of giving your cat food at certain times of the day, leave its dish full all day so it can get enough to eat. Additionally, give your cat food specially formulated for lactating cats. Since your cat will want to create a nest where it can nurse, lay down towels or a blanket in a private area or box where it can take care of its kittens. For more help from our Veterinary co-author, including how to socialize the new kittens, read on!
How to get kittens used to humans?
Socialize the kittens. At first, your cat will be very protective of her kittens. Gradually, however, you can start to touch, play with , and pick up the kittens. Handling the kittens will get them more used to humans, and help with transitioning them away from their mother.
How to keep kittens' nests dry?
Change the cat’s bedding frequently. Lay towels or a blanket down in the cat’s nesting site. After the cat has its kittens, you will need to change the bedding regularly. You will likely need to change it daily at first, but in general, do it as often as necessary to keep the nest dry and clean.
Why do nursing cats need protein?
A nursing cat will need lots of protein to keep herself healthy, and to provide nutrition to her kittens. Quality cat food will normally provide enough protein. However, if her kittens are especially noisy or mobile, it can be a sign that the mother is not getting enough protein.
How to get a cat to start looking for kittens?
Give your cat a space of its own. A mother cat will need a place to set up a nest for its kittens, and will probably start looking for one while still pregnant. You can offer her a spare bedroom, an unused closet, or a carrier—even a box is fine. The most important thing is that the space is quiet, safe, and free from disruptions or dangers (other pets, traffic, etc.).
How to keep a pregnant cat from losing weight?
Mother cats will typically lose weight while nursing their kittens. To prevent the cat from losing too much weight, you should begin feeding her more than normal in the final third of her pregnancy.
