- Protein Needs of Nursing Mother Cats. Nursing mother cats usually do well on commercial foods made for kittens. Dry and moist foods are both suitable.
- Switch to Regular Cat Food. Mother cats need to continue to eat kitten foods until their kittens are completely weaned and done nursing.
- Water. Ample water is imperative in any feline diet, no exceptions. ...
- Free Choice. The free choice feeding style is a common way to handle a nursing cat's portions. ...
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?
What to Look for in a Good Cat Food for Nursing Mothers
- Very energy dense. After delivery, most pregnant cats lose 40% of the body weight they gained during pregnancy and the rest will be lost during lactation.
- Highly digestible natural ingredients. ...
- Complete and balanced. ...
- Higher moisture content. ...
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?
Pregnant cats should consume their usual diet and number of calories until 4-5 weeks after breeding. They can then be switched to a kitten or growth diet and the amount fed should be increased. A 5-pound pregnant cat needs about 240 calories per day. A 10-pound pregnant cat needs about 390 calories per day.
Do nursing cats need more food?
Feed new mother cats larger portions. 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 Should I Feed My mother cat to produce more milk?
Diet. Diet is the first and most crucial factor in improving your cat's milk production. Not only does a lactating mother need to eat more calories overall to provide nutrition for growing kittens, but the food she eats also needs to be nutrient-dense and packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
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.
How do I know if my mother cat has 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.
What do I do if my mother cat has no 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.
Can a mother cat run out of milk?
The End of Lactation Once kittens are eating solid food, they usually don't try to nurse so the milk production will dramatically decrease in the mother cat. The milk should be completely dried up after a couple of weeks but this is a gradual process.
How much wet food should a nursing cat eat?
Many wet foods come in three-ounce cans and recommend feeding approximately one can a day for every three to three and a half pounds of body weight.
How long do mother cats produce milk?
That means a healthy mother cat's milk supply usually doesn't dry up until her kittens are 10 weeks old. The longer kittens actively nurse, though, the further back this timetable is pushed.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
Why do cats move their kittens around?
In the wild, mother cats may move their kittens around frequently as a way to protect them from predators. Don’t be alarmed if your cat wants to pick her kittens up and move them to a different location, as long as it is a safe one. Socialize the kittens. At first, your cat will be very protective of her kittens.
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.).
What to feed a nursing mother cat
If you’ve just given birth to kittens and your veterinarian has recommended a special diet for a nursing mother cat, then you might find yourself wondering what to feed a nursing mother cat.
Conclusion
We all know how important it is for mothers to eat healthy food. The same goes for cats. A nursing mother cat should eat a high-quality, nutrient-dense diet that helps her produce milk in adequate volumes.
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.
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.
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.
Why do cats lose weight during lactation?
More weight is lost during the lactation phase because they are continuously feeding their kittens. 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.
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 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.
What is the best food for a nursing mother cat?
Most Popular Cat Food for Nursing Mothers: If you’re not sure what to feed your nursing mother cat, you can always go with a popular brand like Wellness. The Wellness Complete Health line of cat foods includes wholesome, nutritionally balanced recipes like this kitten food formula. It features real chicken and chicken liver as protein-rich sources of quality nutrition with carrots and cranberries for antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This recipe contains plenty of moisture to support lactation and is high in calories at 97 calories per 3-ounce can. This recipe provides a healthy blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. Overall, it’s a great option for any nursing mother cat.
What to feed a pregnant cat?
When it comes to feeding a pregnant cat, the easiest thing to do is feed her kitten food. Kitten food has more protein and calories than adult cat food, making it ideal for supporting your cat’s health and nutrition in addition to that of her growing kittens.
How much weight does a cat gain during pregnancy?
Most female cats gain 2 to 5 pounds during pregnancy, depending on the number of kittens they carry. Queens tend to have a bigger appetite later in the pregnancy which contributes to weight gain. She may also act more maternal, purring more often and seeking extra attention. If you know when your cat mated, you’ll be able to track her due date and monitor her appetite throughout to know when she might need to start eating a little extra.
What is the minimum amount of protein for kittens?
Here are some of the general requirements for a cat food to receive our recommendation: A source of high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient. At least 30% crude protein for kittens and at least 26% for adults. A minimum of 9% crude fat for kittens and adults.
How long does it take for a cat to become pregnant?
The first signs of pregnancy in cats appear around 15 to 18 days after conception.
How long does a cat's pregnancy last?
Pregnancy in cats is very different from human pregnancy. The gestation period is much shorter – it only lasts about 65 days, on average. During that time, you need to make sure your cat is getting the calories and nutrients she needs to help the kittens develop properly. The work doesn’t stop after the kittens are born, either.
Why do nursing mothers need more water?
Higher moisture content. Cats need water just as much as any animal, but nursing mothers need even more because their milk is made up of over 70% water. Choosing a fresh or canned food for your nursing cat is a great option, or you can add a wet food topper to kibble.
