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How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Cat

Luke Blair

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Published in How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat: The Complete Guide To Safely Deliver And Raise Healthy Kittens

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Congratulations! You're expecting a furry little bundle of joy. Here's everything you need to know about caring for your pregnant cat, from nutrition to exercise to labor and delivery.

How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat: The Complete Guide To Safely Deliver And Raise Healthy Kittens

by Richard Woodman

4.1 out of 5

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Nutrition

During pregnancy, your cat's nutritional needs will increase significantly. She'll need to eat more calories and protein to support her growing kittens. You can either feed her a high-quality kitten food or a regular cat food that has been supplemented with extra calories and protein.

It's important to avoid feeding your cat any human foods, as many of them can be harmful to pregnant cats. Some foods to avoid include:

Raw meat or fish
Dairy products
Chocolate
Caffeine
Alcohol

Exercise

Your pregnant cat will still need to get regular exercise, but it's important to avoid any strenuous activity that could put her at risk of injury. Gentle walks or playtime with a wand toy are good ways to keep her active and healthy.

Veterinary Care

It's important to take your pregnant cat to the vet for regular checkups throughout her pregnancy. Your vet can monitor her health and progress, and make sure that her kittens are developing properly.

Your vet may also recommend that you have your cat vaccinated against certain diseases, such as feline panleukopenia and feline herpesvirus. These diseases can be harmful to pregnant cats and their kittens, so it's important to protect them.

Labor and Delivery

The average gestation period for a cat is 63 days, but it can vary from 58 to 71 days. When your cat is ready to give birth, she'll start to show signs of restlessness and nesting behavior. She may also lose her appetite and start to vomit.

When labor begins, your cat will start to have contractions. These contractions will be strong and regular, and they will gradually increase in intensity. Your cat may also start to push. If you see any signs of labor, it's important to take your cat to the vet immediately.

The delivery process can take several hours. Once your cat has given birth to all of her kittens, she'll need to rest and recover. You can help her by providing her with a quiet place to rest and plenty of food and water.

Caring for Your Kittens

Once your cat has given birth, you'll need to start caring for her kittens. Kittens are born blind and deaf, and they're completely dependent on their mother for food and care. You can help your kittens by providing them with a warm and comfortable place to sleep, and by bottle-feeding them if necessary.

Kittens will start to open their eyes and ears at around 10 days old. They'll also start to become more active and playful. You can start to introduce them to solid food at around 4 weeks old.

By 8 weeks old, kittens should be fully weaned and eating solid food. They'll also be able to play and explore on their own. You can now start to introduce them to their new home.

Caring for a pregnant cat is a rewarding experience, but it's also important to be prepared. By following the tips in this article, you can help your cat have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat: The Complete Guide To Safely Deliver And Raise Healthy Kittens

by Richard Woodman

4.1 out of 5