Spaying your cat is a good idea if you do not plan on breeding her in the future. However, you’ll need to provide them a lot of attention if you let your cat have kittens because pregnancy in felines is a big deal. A mother cat is usually efficient in giving birth on her own. But there are some basic things you can do to make things much easier for them.
How to Care for a Pregnant Cat
While it’s suggested to have most pets neutered or spayed, it’s still essential to guarantee that your feline is given the care she needs when pregnant. Here are five tips to help you care for your pregnant cat.
1. Confirm their pregnancy
It is crucial to know your feline is pregnant before caring for them. People frequently use easy blood and urine tests in your home to verify pregnancy, but this does not apply to cats. At the beginning of pregnancy, your feline’s body will show signs that she’s carrying kittens. Cats have a relatively very short pregnancy duration of 60 to 70 days that you will have to observe.
You may approach animal experts who provide breeding consultations to find out the common signs to watch for when a feline is pregnant. For concerns that have something to do about services related to reproductive planning, C-sections, and insemination, pet breeding consultants in facilities like Summerville Animal Hospital can accommodate your questions.
2. Know when they will give birth
If you are an observant owner who has been keeping track of your cat’s pregnancy since you noticed some signs, you may already have a rough evaluation about their birth delivery date. However, there are methods to know that labor may be near if you’re uncertain of the timeline. A few of these signs include:
- Your feline always looks for quiet places for nesting
- They are less active and eat less
- A decrease in body temperature
- Persistent licking of the genital area
3. Guarantee they’re healthy
While healthy felines do not often have health problems introduced by pregnancy, it’s still necessary to check up on them daily to ensure they are healthy throughout their pregnancy and birthing. Taking your felines to animal centers for routine wellness exams, up-to-date vaccinations, and tick prevention is necessary to prevent any health conditions throughout their pregnancy.
4. Pay attention to their nutrition
Being sure your pregnant feline is in a healthy condition will ensure the growing kittens in them are healthy. By their sixth week of pregnancy, you should be giving them 25% more food. Make certain their diet plan is high in calcium and protein, as this is important for the lactation of the mother and her kittens.
Kitten foods are a good choice to include in your pregnant cat’s diet as they are rich in calcium and protein. Continue feeding them with cat foods in their gestation and even after delivery. Buy high-quality and trusted brand meals for your feline to get the very best nutrition they require. Freshwater is just as significant as food, so make sure your cat always has access to it.
In addition, you might refer to a veterinarian to learn more about the necessary nutrition your feline will need throughout her pregnancy. If you’re looking for a vet to consult your pregnant cat, you may search the web for “veterinarian near me” for accurate results.
5. Make a nesting area
Your feline’s comfort and safety are critical throughout the birth process. In addition to bringing your household pet inside your home, making a cozy and safe nesting area where they can give birth and nurse their babies is a vital thing to consider. If your cat has a preferred blanket or bed it lays on, it should be relocated away from the noise and busy traffic from your residence.
A nesting area might be a big cardboard box lined with her bed. A day or less before the pregnant cat gives birth, she will likely begin to settle herself in a nesting place. If your feline selects a nesting spot outside the one you created, assist her to her preferred spot rather than moving her.
