Mary Allen
Cats need a special diet during the lactation period so that the cat mother and kittens remain healthy. Read here about how to properly feed a nursing cat.
During the lactation period, the queen has special dietary requirements. To ensure that both the mother cat and the kittens are optimally cared for, the diet should be adapted to the special circumstances during the lactation period.
Suitable Food For Nursing Cats
Due to milk production, lactating cats have a higher energy requirement than other cats. In addition, the energy requirement of the queen increases greatly depending on the number of puppies. Between the second and fourth week of the lactation period, it can even increase to three times the normal requirement. Lactating cats, therefore, need high-energy food that meets the following criteria:
- the high energy density (number of kcal/kg)
- the high content of high-quality protein
- low content of starch and carbohydrates
Tips: Feed Lactating Cats Properly
In addition to the composition of the food, it is also important to ensure that the cat is fed correctly:
- The queen needs a larger daily ratio than usual. If she is hungry, you should always give her something.
- Don’t leave leftovers in the bowl for too long as they can spoil easily.
feed several small meals per day. - Drinking water must always be available because they need for liquid increases significantly due to milk production.
Return To Normal Feed Amount
If puppies become interested in solid food at three to four weeks of age, you should offer their food to the mother separately from the puppies. After weaning the puppies, you should gradually reduce the cat’s food. However, if the queen has lost weight during the lactation period, she may have more food until she reaches her normal weight. The fluid requirement then slowly drops to the normal level, otherwise, there is an overproduction of milk or milk engorgement.