Although it may seem like a reason for concern, loss of appetite is typical behavior among pregnant cats.
Are you a first-time cat mom? Is every little thing about your cat’s pregnancy worrying you?
You might wonder why your cat lost her appetite, what to feed her while she is nursing, and whether it is a serious enough problem to see a veterinarian.
Don’t worry; by the time you’re done reading this article, you won’t have any questions.
Let’s dive into it.
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Do Pregnant Cats Lose Their Appetite?
Given that many cats actually have a transitory decrease in appetite after conception, you might be able to tell if your cat is pregnant by observing changes in her appetite.
You should anticipate an increased hunger as the pregnancy progresses because your cat will now be feeding not just herself but also a litter of kittens.
Do Cats Stop Eating Before Giving Birth?
Yes, cats do stop eating before giving birth.
If the expectant mother starts to lose her appetite near the end of the term, don’t be alarmed.
This is a typical sign that she may give birth shortly. Even if she refuses to eat, make sure you keep food and water on hand in case she feels the need for a quick snack while this is going on.
Why Is My Pregnant Cat Not Eating?
At around the third week of pregnancy, be ready for your cat to experience a 3 to 10-day period of decreased appetite. If the cat is at least eating a little quantity, this is a common occurrence and not a big deal.
This is a result of anxiety. Cats are naturally independent in the way they give birth. They handle the entire delivery of her kittens by themselves.
All of these factors stress out your furry baby before her due date, which inhibits her from eating because she is also responsible for taking care of herself in order to preserve hygiene.
Also, check out Why Is My Cat Not Eating After Giving Birth?
How Much Should I Feed My Pregnant Cat?
The simple answer is, “As much as they want”!
The amount of food your pregnant cat eats will steadily increase from the time of mating until the end of pregnancy.
She will then consume almost twice as much food as usual (although it is not uncommon to increase her normal ratio by 40% -50% ).
Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to feed pregnant cats. They usually act rationally, eating only what they need and stopping when they’ve eaten enough, as long as you give them enough food.
Make the transition gradually to give your cat’s digestive system time to adjust to the new food. Over the course of 7 to 10 days, gradually substitute the new formula for the regular meal.
Feed the mother frequently in modest portions to maintain her energy levels. Whenever possible, leave plenty of fresh water and dry food on the table.
She will store the majority of her extra weight as fat, which she will use to help her kittens when feeding. She should shed these extra pounds throughout the three to four weeks she breastfeeds, which is entirely natural.
Interesting Read: How To Fatten Up A Nursing Cat?
How Long Can Pregnant Cats Go Without Food?
Pregnant cats tend to have a decreased appetite for one week (sometimes two weeks) before giving birth to their kittens.
She doesn’t feel like eating as her stress hormones start kicking in. She finds it rather important now to find a secure place to deliver her children, and her hunger comes second.
Cats in general can go without food easily for 2 weeks, provided they have a proper water supply.
But as a parent, it is your responsibility to look after your queen since she is bearing children. Not only does she feed herself, but she eats to provide nutrition to the growing kittens in her belly. Although a lack of appetite is a common symptom of pregnancy, it must not be neglected.
If your cat completely stops eating a few days prior to giving birth, then immediately consult the vet as it may be a sign of some other serious problems.
Interesting Read: Do Cats Drink A Lot Of Water Before Giving Birth?
How Often Should Pregnant Cats Eat?
A pregnant cat eats at least four to six times a day. But that is not fixed for every cat. If your baby requires more food to feel full, give her. She has kittens inside her to feed as well.
High-quality cat foods have both the extra calories and protein that pregnant cats require.
Pro tip: Feeding the mother kitten food benefits the litter since they will do everything in their power to imitate their mother and will begin eating solid food while they are being weaned.
If your cat has a sensitive stomach, select a formula for sensitive kittens. Consult your veterinarian before making any modifications if your cat consumes a special diet because of a medical condition.
You might also like to read Cat Losing Weight After Giving Birth: Reasons & Solutions
How Do I Get My Pregnant Cat To Eat?
Take note of these points and you will be good to go:
- It’s crucial to maintain a good quality diet while nursing just as it is to give nourishment to pregnant cats, keeping in mind that mum will be her kittens’ entire source of food for their first eight weeks.
- The kitten food formula’s higher calorie content and other nutrients will keep the mother cat’s energy levels high, which is just what she needs when caring for a mischievous litter!
- While nursing, increase the number of meals you offer her while maintaining the same portion amounts.
- By adding a little water to her meal, whether wet or dry, you can increase her fluid intake. Given that moistened food is easier to consume, this may also encourage the kittens to show an interest in solid food.
- After the delivery of the baby, the mother’s milk production will progressively stop, usually 6 to 8 weeks later. Once that happens, you can gradually start reducing her food consumption until she is eating as she did before her pregnancy.
- Start to gradually reintroduce adult meals over the course of 7–10 days, just like you did at the beginning of her pregnancy.
Must Read: How Long Can A Cat Go Without Eating?
What To Feed A Pregnant Cat That Is Refusing To Eat?
- Cats who are pregnant should consume lots of calories and protein.
- Some vets advise pregnant cats to receive vitamins.
- According to many veterinarians, if fed correctly, cats will get all the nutrients they need from their regular food.
- If your veterinarian hasn’t given you specific instructions, don’t add anything to your cat’s diet.
- Certain vitamins or minerals are taken in excess can have terrible effects on pregnant cat and their unborn children.
Must Read: What To Feed Mother Cat After Giving Birth?
When Should You Consult Your Vet?
- Although mild eating disorders in your cat’s pregnancy are normal, a vet should be referred to them when she has completely stopped her food intake just before or immediately after she gives birth.
- Other health concerns, such as vomiting and diarrhea, are also causes of concern if the reason is unknown.
- A vet’s recommendation is necessary when you are providing your cat with some nutritional supplements.
- Take your queen for regular routine checks to make sure her pregnancy is going on smoothly without any complications.
Interesting Read: Pregnant Cat Vomiting: Reasons & Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a pregnant cat not eat?
Avoid eating fish, particularly larger fish like tuna. It is so hazardous with mercury as one of its contents that the risk is not worth it.
They consume meat as pure as possible and are obligate carnivores like all cats. For a cat, any carbohydrate is a non-food item.
Avoid feeding your cat uncooked raw meat because it contains parasites and could be harmful to her health.
In addition, most cats, especially those of Asian descent, are lactose intolerant. They may experience diarrhea and stomach trouble from milk or cream, which is the last thing a pregnant woman wants.
Giving the mother cat her regular food may be acceptable, but if you can, supplement it with kitten food formula to increase the amount of calories and protein in her diet.
Can cats eat human food?
What is BEST for it is what matters most, not what foods humans can eat! Feed premium cat food to your pregnant cat.
You should feed a pregnant cat kitten food up until the time that the kittens are born and weaned. Your veterinarian ought to be able to suggest a suitable kind and brand.
Both the required nutrients for the mother cat’s unborn kittens and all the nutrients she needs for herself are present in kitten food.
Final Words
With that, we come to the end of this article. Hopefully, with all that we have provided you with, your doubts have been cleared.
Cats and their pregnancy can be daunting, especially if you are experiencing it for the first time. But there is nothing to worry about; we are there with you every step of the way.
Let us know in the comment section if your cat has shown any of her pregnancy symptoms yet. How did you handle it?
