A Balanced Diet for a Cat With Kittens

Your cat is a valuable member of your household, and its health is important. This is true at all times, but especially during that special time when your cat is nursing her kittens. You can help your cat to maintain a balanced diet by following a few simple guidelines.

General Health

It is best if your cat begins the road to motherhood as a healthy animal. Signs of good health can be easily recognized--for example, a shiny coat. A cat who is either overweight or underweight may have difficulty during both the birth and nursing of kittens.

Nursing and Nutrition

Your cat will lose weight after giving birth. Nursing causes the mother cat to use a lot of energy. The cat will have to produce the necessary milk for its offspring as well as maintain its own health. For this reason ensure that your cat is getting enough food and water. Water is an important part of your cat's milk production, and she should have access to water at all times.

While there are a number of different products and recommendations when it comes to choosing a cat food for the new mother, the most important thing is that the food is high in nutrients. You may use a kitten food that provides extra calories or a specialized food for nursing cats. Whichever type of food you choose, be sure that the cat has as much food as it wishes to eat. Again, depending on the type of food, this may mean leaving extra food out or simply feeding the cat more often.

References

• Nutrition Guide for Pregnant and Nursing Pets
• Care of the New Mother Cat
• Cat Health