The duration of pregnancy in cats is 65 days or about 9 weeks. All this period in the diet of a pregnant cat should not be monotonous. Each next stage of bearing kittens is another portion of the new menu needs and the volume of food received. At the same time, during the entire period of gestation, the ration of a pregnant cat should be rich in proteins, the minerals, calories, microelements and vitamins should be sufficient in food.
The cat changes appetite almost immediately after fertilization - the animal begins to eat much more. Increased appetite and a sharp increase in weight is a definite sign that kittens will be born in your home after a while. During the first 1, 5 - 2 weeks, the feeding of a pregnant cat should be increased by 10% of the usual diet. But an important point: you need to increase the number of meals, and not the portions, because the cat's stomach, in fact, is quite small. It is best to feed it 4-5 times a day.
From the 3rd week of pregnancy, the cat needs another 50% more to feed. However, be careful: do not overfeed your favorite, or else this can lead to obesity and the development of excessively large kittens. As a result - heavy childbirth, up to serious complications.
From the 7th week, you can feed a pregnant cat a little less. Usually, the appetite for this period is decreasing. This is due to increased pressure in the abdominal cavity, which becomes crowded with kittens. During this period, the animal eats less at a time, but it will often have to be fed. During the period of the alleged delivery, the pet should not be fed, it is enough to feed 3-4 times a day with not very large portions. If the cat began to refuse food altogether, it means that soon it will begin labor. Do not disturb the animal and try to provide it with the greatest rest.
What should be in the nutrition of a pregnant cat
In general, the diet of any cat (including pregnant) depends largely on its age, its involvement in a certain breed and size. But one way or another, nutrition should provide the cat and its future kids with all the necessary substances: vitamins, protein, minerals, calories and microelements. Therefore, a certain number of products must necessarily enter the diet of a pregnant cat, regardless of anything. So, for example, from raw beef should consist of half of its daily ration.
Boiled and raw fish to the cat during pregnancy is not recommended, but if the pussycat loves this food, you can sometimes pamper it. But you can only give boiled fish low-fat varieties. In the diet of the cat must necessarily be dairy products and milk itself. However, they can be offered to the animal only after the main food, otherwise milk can provoke a serious upset stomach. Mandatory products for the pregnant cat are also: cottage cheese, kefir, beef, yogurt (without additives), yogurt, egg yolk, vegetables, boiled chicken and turkey, cereals (rice, buckwheat).
If your cat before the pregnancy was fed with exclusively prepared feeds, then during pregnancy it is necessary to choose a special food. But before you feed it, study carefully the instructions and calculate the correct amount of feed for each reception. There is an opinion that it is better to feed pregnant cats with kittens, as it contains all the substances necessary for fetal development.
If you feed your cat with natural food, then it will be necessary to give it an additional complex of vitamins and minerals as complementary foods. But to do so it is expedient only under condition of its natural ration, as the ready forage already contains all necessary additives.
The second semester of pregnancy is characterized by increased milk production. During this period, you can include in the feeding of the cat leaves of nettle, scalded with boiling water and finely chopped. And in order to prevent miscarriages and facilitate future birth, it is recommended to water the cat with a decoction of raspberry leaves. To make it, you will need: 1 spoon of crimson leaves on a glass of water, all this boil, allow to cool and then strain. To water a cat with a broth it is necessary throughout all pregnancy on 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach and in the evening.
If the animal has frequent constipation (it happens during pregnancy), it is recommended to add to the cat's diet products with butter in the composition, for example, canned fish. In this case, sometimes mashed potatoes from vegetables (preferably from cooked beets), watered with vegetable oil. Good for constipation is also young sprouts of wheat, "cat grass", barley or oats.
To feed a cat during pregnancy is necessary, having excluded any delicacies, low-grade forages, poor-quality products and all that in common people is called "chemistry". Also, do not give the animal pieces from your table. Remember that the diet of the future mother is called to be not only useful and nutritious, but also delicious. It is very important that the cat enjoys the food and devours its bowl with pleasure.