How to care for a pregnant cat

A pregnant cat does not need special care. But there are some nuances that the owners should know about. Its diet should change a little, and it is better not to allow physical activity and high jumps, especially in the last stages.

How to recognize pregnancy

Pregnancy in almost all cat breeds is about 9 weeks. However, this period may be more or less by about 7 days. And this is quite normal. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the cat begins to eat less. Sometimes this condition is accompanied by short vomiting and apathy of the animal. After about a month, the cat's nipples turn pink. After a month and a half, embryos are already being probed.

To do this, very carefully press the abdominal cavity. By 6 weeks, the cat’s stomach is rapidly growing in size, and the embryos are no longer felt separately. Only after 7 weeks you can grope kittens. Cats at this time begin to behave very restlessly and are looking for a place for childbirth.

Cat Feeding During Pregnancy

In the first month of pregnancy, the nutrition of the cat can not be particularly changed. But it is not superfluous to add foods high in calcium, protein and vitamins to the diet. You can use special feeds for this. After a month, you can enter protein-rich foods in your pet's diet.

In mid-pregnancy, veterinarians recommend starting feeding the animal more often than usual. But the portions do not need to be increased. The cat must not be allowed to get much better, otherwise the kittens will be large and the birth will be very difficult. Cats usually lose their appetite a few weeks before giving birth, so no need to be scared.

In the case when the cat is fed only with natural products, most of its diet during pregnancy should be meat. And it should only be in boiled form. In addition, the cat needs fish, boiled eggs, cereals, dairy products and vegetables. At the same time, special additives containing vitamins and minerals must be added to the diet.

Also, the cat needs to drink a lot, so she should always have access to clean and fresh water. A cat can be given a special decoction of raspberry leaves, which is prepared as follows - 1 tsp. leaves poured into a glass of boiled water. Before the birth, an animal can be given nettle leaves. They are poured with boiling water and fed to them cat after cooling. It helps the secretion of milk.

Caring for a pregnant cat

During pregnancy, it is better not to disturb the cat especially, giving her the right to choose where and when to sleep, etc. If the animal is too active, you need to slightly limit its movement so that it does not harm itself and the kittens. This is especially true for high surfaces, as cats usually become very awkward due to their size. It is also important to limit the communication of the pregnant cat and young children. In this state, animals can react aggressively to games, tail jerking, etc.

It is also forbidden to admit other cats to a pregnant cat, and in general it is better to keep her at this time. Otherwise, she can fight, and street cats can easily infect a pet with a dangerous plague. When a cat is pregnant, she really needs various manifestations of love from her owners. Therefore, it is necessary to iron it as often as possible. Moreover, cats often change their mood during this period. And young cats do not always understand their condition and can be very nervous.

It is also necessary to take care of the cleanliness of the pet. But bathing a cat, especially with shampoo or soap, is not recommended. It is best to comb it thoroughly with a brush.And if bathing is indispensable, it is best to consult a veterinarian about this. And choose a cleaner that is safe for the animal.

Be sure to find a place so that the cat can easily give birth to kittens. A shallow box is suitable for this purpose. Inside, you need to lay something soft, for example, an old blanket. The box will need to be put in a quiet secluded place where the animal will feel safe. There should be no drafts. During childbirth, it is better not to touch the cat, but you can be nearby so that it sees the owners. Usually from one litter an animal brings from 3 to 6-7 kittens.

Pet health

If the mating was planned, then shortly before this the cat must be shown to the veterinarian. He will determine her physical condition, identify possible violations of the reproductive system, etc. You also need to do prophylaxis against parasites, since during pregnancy this is prohibited.

It is impossible to give the animal even the safest medicines during this period. The only thing that veterinarians allow is probiotics. Dangerous symptoms during a cat’s pregnancy are fever, bloody or purulent discharge, lethargy and exhaustion.

During pregnancy, a cat may have estrus. This usually occurs approximately 20–25 days after fertilization. During this period, the animal may begin to ask the cats and behave inappropriately. Often, these cats mate with cats and can become pregnant again. Such kittens are born with a difference of several weeks. But the danger is great that a miscarriage can occur during the "first" birth. Therefore, it is better not to allow this.

Miscarriage can also occur due to malnutrition, any injury, infection, hypothermia or overheating. If this happens, the cat needs to be urgently taken to the veterinarian. In healthy cats, pregnancy and childbirth are easy. But the owners still need to carefully monitor the state of their favorite and help her during. You can do a cat ultrasound to find out the number of kittens. It is also important to control the birth of the animal and to prevent the cat from giving birth in hard-to-reach places.

It is normal for a cat to have a fever before delivery. But her increase suggests that the inflammatory process has begun. And after giving birth, it is best to leave the cat with newborn kittens alone. Near the box it is necessary to put a tray and a bowl of food so that the animal does not excommunicate from the kids.

Video: how to find out that the cat is pregnant