Do you have a cat, and you just found out she’s pregnant? Amazing! Or perhaps you feel you’re ready to breed your cat; you’d love to have some kittens around or possibly sell. Now you’re concerned with how to make sure your cat eats healthily during the gestation period. It’s both essential for the unborn kittens and the female cat herself.

Here’s a guide to feeding a pregnant cat:

How Much Should She Eat?

The feeding requirements in terms of quantity do not increase steeply overnight. Instead, it gradually increases as the pregnancy progresses. The chances are that you’ll know when your cat is full and when she isn’t. Please don’t attempt to force-feed your cat when she’s full, and don’t starve her because you feel she’s overeating. Work on making sure she eats each time satisfactorily. Keep in mind that your cat’s food consumption should be up to 50% more than her pre-gestation consumption towards the end of term.

Nutrient Requirements and Why?

The nutrient requirements would differ significantly from that of a non-pregnant cat. You want to focus on highly digestible food, so your cat doesn’t have to overeat before getting the nutrients they need.

Focus on increasing the calorie intake. Growth takes energy, and your cat needs to provide that energy for the kittens growing in her, alongside milk production. Increasing calorie intake can come from fats or carbohydrates.

They also need an increase in proteins. Because of the development going on in the womb of your cat, a protein-rich diet is required. Proteins are the primary bodybuilders.

Calcium for good bone growth. Lack of adequate calcium can lead to bone deformity. Consider looking for food rich in calcium and phosphorous, too, as they ensure your kittens develop good and strong bones.

Try Wet Kitten Food

Wet kitten food typically contains a higher concentration of nutrients and vitamins needed for a pregnant cat. Midway through your cat’s pregnancy, you can switch your cat to wet kitten food, which should be around the fifth week.

Make Food Accessible

Your cat may want to eat at odd times or when you won’t be available. Consider leaving some amount of food accessible to your cat. While you don’t want your cat getting obese, it’s more dangerous if she’s undernourished. Besides, fat is also essential for a pregnant cat.

If you’re going to feed your cat wet food, remember that wet food goes bad when left out for long. Just leave out a small amount when you won’t be available. You’ll get to know the amount your cat eats when you’re not around with time.

Conclusion

Pregnancies are amazing experiences, both for those pregnant and those around them. Pregnant cats require a specific diet tailored to meet their growing nutritional needs. The tips mentioned above would see that your cat produces healthy kittens.

If you’re somehow in doubt, seek professional help. Get in touch with your vet or a local vet if you don’t have a specific one, and get advice from them.

There you have it, a guide to feeding a pregnant cat.