Cat Pregnancy: What Is the Right Diet?
Cat Pregnancy: What Should You Do?
For a cat, pregnancy is a delicate and important time, during which her body undergoes profound changes to support the development of her future kittens. For this reason, it is essential to pay special attention to her diet.
In cats, gestation lasts an average of about 65 days (about 9 weeks), during which the body prepares for the arrival of the kittens. As the pregnancy progresses,nutritional needs also change: understanding theseneeds means taking care of the well-being of the cat and her future kittens.
At Diusapet, we know how crucial nutrition is to the health of our four-legged friends. That’s why we’ve created the Kitten products Allevato help you best manage your cat’s pregnancy by providing her with all the necessary nutrients, while also supporting the kittens’ growth during the early stages of their lives.
Cat Pregnancy: What Happens During Pregnancy?
Unlike other species, a pregnant cat tends to gain weight steadily from the very beginning of her pregnancy. This is because her body not only supports the growth of the kittens but also begins to build up the energy reserves needed for lactation, one of the most nutritionally demanding phases.
To prepare for the birth and the subsequent nursing period, it is essential to provide the cat with all the necessary nutrients. To do this, it is essential to increase her intake of energy, minerals, vitamins, and protein, which must be ensured through a balanced diet.
A pregnant cat that does not receive proper nutrition may experience certain problems, such as:
- anemia;
- malnutrition;
- reduced milk production;
- harm to the kittens' health.
To avoid these risks, it is important to choose high-quality food tailored to her specific needs during pregnancy.
Cat Pregnancy: Nutritional Needs
The nutritional needs of a pregnant cat vary depending on several factors:
- age;
- health status;
- the number of puppies she is carrying.
However, there are some nutritional principles that apply to every pregnancy and help support the mother’s well-being and the proper development of the puppies. In particular, it is important to ensure:
- an adequate intake of essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6);
- an increase in energy intake (calories) that rises gradually throughout pregnancy(up to about 25–50%);
- an increase inprotein ( high-quality, rich in essential amino acids);
- an adequate intake ofminerals (such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, and zinc);
- an adequate intake ofvitamins (vitamin A, the B complex, vitamin D, and vitamin E).
In addition to deficiencies, it’s important to remember that excessive amounts of certain minerals and vitamins can also be very dangerous. For this reason, you should avoid giving additional supplements if you’re using a feed specifically formulated for pregnancy (unless advised by your veterinarian).
REMEMBER: Your cat may have a reduced appetite during the final stages of pregnancy because her stomach capacity is reduced as a result of the enlargement of her uterus. In addition, it is essential that she always have access to clean, fresh water.
How should I determine the appropriate portion sizes for the new food?
To help ensure your pet's digestive system adjusts well, it is advisable to switch to the new food gradually. You can start by replacing about 25% of the usual portion with the new food, gradually increasing the amount over the following days until the transition is complete, generally within 5–7 days.
If, on the other hand, the swap is between two foods from the same line (for example, from Alleva Holistic Adult to Alleva Holistic Kitten), the transition may be quicker and can even be completed in a couple of days.
Nutrition During Breastfeeding
For the first 3–4 weeks after birth, the kittens’ only source of food will be their mother. For this reason,it is essential to maintain a high-quality diet even during the nursing period.
During breastfeeding, energy needs are even greater than during pregnancy.It is recommended to always have food available.
As the kittens are gradually weaned (usually 6–7 weeks after birth), milk production also decreases. At this stage, you can gradually reduce the amount of food and return to a maintenance diet (again, gradually, just as you did at the beginning of the pregnancy).
Discover Kitten Alleva products: for pregnancy and lactation
Diusapet has developed a complete and balanced diet designed to support the mother cat during pregnancy, lactation, and the early stages of her kittens’ growth. Alleva ’s “kitten” recipes are the result of a combination of scientific research, careful selection of raw materials, and functional ingredients, designed to meet the increased energy and nutrient needs typical of this period.
The high content of animal-based protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals helps support the mother’s well-being during pregnancy and lactation, while also promoting the proper development of the kittens. In addition, carefully selected functional ingredients support the development of the digestive system, the immune system, and cognitive functions, helping kittens grow in a healthy and balanced way.
Discover Kitten Alleva products!
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