10 Essential Pregnant Cat Care Tips
1. Keep your pregnant cat indoors.
Don't expose an expecting kitty to danger. But there are more
reasons. Some queens go into heat even during pregnancy. Cats
are capable of being pregnant of two different litters at the
same time. And of course, a pregnant cat should not give birth
in a cold place outside.
2. Give your kitty the right food.
It should be high on calcium and protein. Kitten food is
specially designed to meet the need of pregnant and nursing
felines. Vitamin supplements are recommended too.
3. Do not give any medication during pregnancy.
A pregnant cat should get medication only in emergency. The same
goes for deworming products, or products against fleas. If she
has worms or fleas, first consult your vet.
4. Make your cat a comfortable nest bed.
A box filled with newspaper usually does the trick. Put in a
warm sheltered place, preferably a location your cat frequently
visits. Make sure all is ready two weeks before birth.
5. Find a home for your kittens - before they are born.
It will give you peace of mind to know where the kittens will
go. Finding a home for a kitty can be time consuming. You'll
have more time for that before they are born.
6. Use non-clumping litter for her box.
Sometimes cats give birth in the litter box. If a kitten is
delivered in clumping litter, the mother kitty might refuse to
clean her newborn off as the clump is all over the sac. And the
baby drowns in its own fluid.
7. Keep other cats away from her.
You have more than one kitty? Your pregnant cat wants privacy.
She doesn't like the company of other cats during this period,
even if she knows these cats very well.
8. Buy enough food for your kitty... and you.
You should have no reason to leave your kitty alone on the days
before and after birth.
9. Check which vet is available.
Have a piece of paper with the phone number of the closest
emergency veterinary clinic. If there's no such clinic in your
area, find out which vet is available for emergency care. One
phone call to a local vet is usually enough.
10. Get the right information about cat pregnancy.
Only if you understand what you see and hear, you will be able
to recognize complications. Plus... there are many problems you
can solve yourself, if you know how. So, do not panic. Get the
right information instead.