| Cats have special needs when they are expecting a litter, and these are very different to those of dogs. One major difference is that queens experience linear weight gain during their 9-week pregnancy, much like a human, whereas bitches only gain weight in the last trimester. This is because kittens begin a steady continuous growth from the moment they are conceived (unlike puppies who grow very slowly in the first two trimesters, and then rapidly in the last trimester).
It is important to take extra special care of your pregnant cat and to feed her enough to allow her to increase her body weight by 40 to 50 percent by the end of her pregnancy.
It is also important not to change her diet – which should be a good quality, complete and balanced food – during the first trimester, as this is when birth defects and irregularities can occur caused by nutrient intake variances.
During the second trimester, start feeding her kitten food, which is specifically formulated for growth, so she can pass the necessary nutrients to her growing kittens.
On average, mothers with more than two kittens need double the number of calories they needed at the time of mating.
Feeding during pregnancy
Nutritional requirements change for cats during gestation and lactation. The diet must supply essential nutrients in the proper balance for the developing kittens and prepare the female for the stress of lactation.
A queen's food intake will depend on the number of kittens she is carrying. It is advisable to consult your vet who will recommend a feeding schedule based on the number of kittens due to be born.
Hormonal and behavioural changes that occur during reproduction may cause periods of under-eating, overeating, or not eating. For example, queens may experience partial appetite loss at about the third week of gestation, lasting anywhere from 3 to 10 days. Owner anxiety is normal, but resist changing her diet or feeding program if your queen reaches a "dip". However, if undereating is prolonged, or if her body condition begins to deteriorate, you should take her to your vet.
A day or two before giving birth, the female will likely lose her appetite. Food refusal during the ninth week of gestation is frequently a good indication that littering will occur within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Usually within 24 hours of delivering her litter, the mother cat's appetite will start to increase.
The importance of water
During reproduction, water carries nutrients to the developing foetus and removes wastes for elimination. Water helps to regulate body temperature and is critical in milk production.
Keeping water bowls clean and changing water frequently will encourage water consumption. Fresh water in a clean bowl should always be available.
Feeding during lactation (nursing)
Once the kittens have been born, continue feeding the mother kitten food which is high in protein. It will make it easier to wean the kittens onto the correct food later, since they will acquire a taste for it by copying their mother.
Milk production is nutritionally demanding on the mother cat, so ensure she is eating enough.
The demand for milk by nursing kittens will continue until the third or fourth week. Consequently, the mother needs more food and water and she should be allowed to feed as often as she wants. If you normally feed only dry food, try offering canned food to increase her moisture intake. If you usually feed canned food, encourage your queen to eat more often.
Kittens need supplemental feedings from three to four weeks after birth, because a mother's milk is no longer sufficient. At this time, the mother's interest in nursing usually declines and as she spends less time nursing, her milk begins to dry up. However, some queens continue to produce too much milk, which can cause mammary congestion and discomfort, and without proper care, this can lead to mastitis. It is best to consult your vet if you are concerned about your nursing female.
As the kittens' interest in solid food begins from about three or weeks, begin by offering moistened kitten food in a shallow dish to the kittens for several hours each day. By the time they are six to eight weeks old they should be fully weaned. At this stage, you can steadily decrease the moisture content of the food until they are able to eat dry food.
Kittens should only be removed from their mothers when they are 8 to 10 weeks old. It is particularly important that kittens are socialised with people between the ages of two and six weeks. Cats are less domesticated that dogs, and this period of socialisation is critical for their development.
A note on breeding and sterilisation
Breeding requires a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise. If you do not plan to breed, consider having your kitten sterilised , which should be done at about six months of age.
Tomcats in particular, usually become real homebodies once they have been neutered; they will rarely spray to mark their territory and they will no longer prowl the neighbourhood looking for fights. It is through fighting that cats get abscesses and pick up diseases such as Feline AIDS.
Contrary to the myth, sterilised animals do not become fat as a result of the operation. However their decreased activity and metabolism can lead to weight gain, so it is important to watch their food intake. Cats usually regulate their food intake, but continual exposure to large quantities of food may lead to over-eating and subsequent obesity and health problems. Remember, that like people, cats need to balance their energy intake with their energy expenditure. If they eat more than their bodies need, they will put up weight. Monitor your cat's weight to ensure it does not become overweight.
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