Pregnant Cat Tips

Veterinary Care

• Ideally, you will already have a vet for your cat, but, if not, be sure to find a vet and know how to get to the office before the kittens arrive. Pregnant cats should not be given any sort of medication during pregnancy and nursing. However, if there are parasites on the cat, she can pass them to her kittens. Only a vet will be able to determine if the mother cat is healthy enough or early enough in her pregnancy to take a pesticide without harm to the kittens. Keeping the cat indoors will help reduce chances of accidents. According to "Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," it is normal for a pregnant cat to get morning sickness in the early part of the pregnancy. There is no need to give any medication during this time. The morning sickness passes on its own in about a week.
  
  

Nesting Box

• The average gestation time of a cat is about 60 to 63 days. During the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, make a suitable nest box for the cat to have her kittens in. "Cat Owner's Veterinary Handbook" reports that the leading cause of kitten fatality is being exposed to drafts and damp. Pregnant cats prefer quiet, warm and dry areas to have their kittens in. The bottom of a closet, a small laundry basket or even a sturdy cardboard box with one side cut out will make a nice den. Unfortunately, many pregnant cats use their litter box as a nest. Because mother cats are reluctant to lick litter off of a kitten, this can potentially kill a newborn. Change the litter to a non-clumping kind just in case the mother cat jumps into the litter box.
  
  

Feeding

• The pregnant cat's appetite will not begin to rise until she is about three or four weeks along in her pregnancy. If she is not on a high-quality cat food, she needs to be so at this time. Talk to your vet about what brands are recommended or if the cat should be switched to kitten food, which has higher calories. Encourage her to exercise every day to help avoid obesity. Acceptable treats include lean cuts of broiled or boiled chicken, fish or chicken liver. According to Dr. Dawn Ruben, more food should be gradually added so that the cat is eating 50 percent more food than usual by day 55. If the cat seems exhausted during the middle of labor, a bit of food may perk her up.