Pregnancy in cats: What is the right diet?
Cat Pregnancy: What Should You Do?
For a cat, pregnancy is a delicate and important time. As humans, we have a responsibility to ensure her well-being and that 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, during which the body prepares for the arrival of the kittens. During this time, nutritional needs also change: understanding these needs is key to ensuring the well-being of the mother cat and her future kittens.
At Diusa Pet, we know how crucial nutrition is to the health of our four-legged friends. That’s why we’ve created the Kitten Alleva line of products to help you best manage your cat’s pregnancy.
Cat Pregnancy: What Happens During Pregnancy?
Starting as early as the second week of pregnancy, a cat’s body tends to store fat in preparation for the arrival of her kittens. During the final 20 to 25 days, the weight gain is primarily due to the kittens’ growth.
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 doesn't 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, we can provide some general guidelines on the nutritional needs of a pregnant cat:
- an adequate intake of essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6);
- increase in calorie intake (by about 30–50%);
- increased protein intake;
- an adequate intake of minerals (iron, phosphorus, calcium, selenium, and zinc);
- an adequate intake of vitamins (vitamin A, B vitamins, 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).
Early in pregnancy, your cat may have a reduced appetite due to stress and nausea. Conversely, she may also eat less toward the end of her pregnancy because her stomach has less room as her uterus grows. We recommend dividing her food into smaller, more frequent meals. Also, remember that it’s essential for your cat to always have access to clean, fresh water.
How should I determine the appropriate portion sizes for the new food?
To avoid (or reduce) any digestive upset, the transition to the new food should be done gradually. Start by mixing 25% of the new food into your pet’s usual diet.
Over the course of 5 to 7 days, you should gradually increase the proportion of the new food until you are feeding it exclusively. This step is important if the two products are from very different lines. However, if you are switching from an Adult product to a Kitten product within the same line, the transition can be completed in just a couple of days.
Nutrition During Breastfeeding
For the first 5 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, your energy needs are even greater than during pregnancy. Our recommendation is to stick to the same portion sizes but increase the number of meals you eat.
As time goes on, the cat’s milk production will also decrease (about 6–8 weeks after giving birth). At that point, you can start gradually reducing the amount of food you give her, returning to the normal portions she was eating before pregnancy (just as you did at the beginning, you’ll need to reintroduce the food slowly).
Discover Kitten Alleva products: for pregnancy and lactation
Diusa Pet has developed dry food with nutritional formulas specifically designed to promote the well-being of female cats during both pregnancy and lactation. It is also perfect for supporting healthy growth and the development of kittens’ digestive systems.
Discover Kitten Alleva products!
Follow us on social media to stay up to date on the latest news.
The post " Cat Pregnancy: What Is the Right Diet? " first appeared on Dog and Cat Food | Alleva .
Share
