I am getting ready to breed my female cat. What role does nutrition play?
Appropriate nutrition in support of reproduction is important for:
- ensuring a successful conception and pregnancy;
- providing the mother (also referred to as a dam or queen) with the best ability to deliver all her kittens; and
- providing the mother the best ability to nurse her kittens so they can thrive from birth and through weaning.
The various stages of reproduction–heat (estrus), pregnancy, lactation, and weaning– create unique stresses for the body. Each stage has nutritional concerns that should be addressed to maximize the health of the mother and kittens.
Can nutritional issues cause problems around pregnancy?
Good nutrition sets the stage for successful breeding and pregnancy. A mother who is malnourished (either over- or underweight) may suffer reproductive consequences that could directly impact one or more kittens.
Obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in pregnant cats. Obesity can decrease the number of eggs released at ovulation, resulting in smaller litter sizes. Obesity can also decrease milk production during lactation, negatively impacting kitten health and growth. An overweight or obese cat should lose weight before breeding. There are no specific nutritional requirements (other than meeting nutrient requirements for healthy adult cats) for a mother during her heat cycle.
How should I feed my cat during her pregnancy?
Cats are typically pregnant for 63–65 days, but pregnancy can range from 58 to 70 days. The pregnancy is divided into trimesters and a healthy, well-nourished mother will experience steady weight gain throughout the pregnancy. This weight gain appears to function as energy storage to support upcoming lactation.
Avoid over-feeding or under-feeding. Over-feeding can result in obesity at the end of pregnancy, increasing the risk for difficult or prolonged labor and added stress on the kittens. Under-feeding during pregnancy can result in embryo loss, abnormal fetal development, spontaneous abortion (or stillbirths), small litter size, and low birth-weight kittens. Kittens that have low birth weights may not be able to thrive.
During the first two trimesters of pregnancy, the mother’s nutritional requirements are the same as those for a young adult cat. It is important that the mother not lose weight or body condition during this time. Consult your family veterinarian for help in monitoring and for guidance on adjusting food portions as needed. Meal feeding is the best way to control body condition and weight gain during pregnancy.
High-quality commercial kitten food or growth formulation is recommended during feline pregnancy. Veterinary nutritionists and many general practitioners recommend diets that have passed a feeding trial for gestation/lactation or for all life stages, through the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Feeding multiple small meals may help the mother to maintain adequate nutrient and calorie intake, especially in the final trimester. It may be wise to change foods before breeding and pregnancy to prevent any unnecessary stress associated with changing food.
I have heard that lactation requires even more energy than pregnancy. Is this true?
Yes, the mother's energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. At delivery, mother cats lose about 40% of the weight they gained during pregnancy, and they will lose the rest during lactation due to the workload it places on the body.
Once the kittens are born, the mother will have more space in her stomach, so she can increase her food intake. However, the kitten food must be energy dense or she will not physically be able to eat enough to sustain milk production or maintain her weight and body condition.
During lactation, it is best to feed a commercially prepared kitten food from a reputable company. Periodic assessments of the mother's body condition provide opportunities to fine-tune her daily portions.
Peak milk production occurs at 3–4 weeks of lactation, but the queen needs the most food as the kittens approach weaning, around 6–7 weeks of age. At this age, the kittens are also consuming their mother’s food, so you must supplement her food to make up for what the kittens eat.
Free-choice feeding during the first 3 to 4 weeks of lactation provides several advantages. The mother can eat on her own schedule, consuming smaller amounts each time she goes to her food bowl, and the kittens can begin sampling solid food as soon as they are able (about 3 weeks of age). Free-choice feeding is not advised for a mother nursing only one or two kittens, because it allows the mother to make more milk than she needs, potentially predisposing her to a condition called mastitis (inflammation of the milk glands).
Should I change how I feed my cat as I wean the kittens onto solid food?
Restricting the mother’s food intake before and during the weaning period will reduce her milk production and help her to be more comfortable.
On day one of weaning, withhold her food but provide her with clean, fresh water to drink. Offer solid kitten food to the kittens while they are separated from their mother. They can all be together that night, and the kittens will suckle a bit.
On day two of weaning, separate the kittens from the mother and feed her about 25% of her pre-breeding portion of the adult food she was fed before late gestation/lactation. Continue to provide her with clean, fresh water at all times. Over the next 4 or 5 days, gradually increase her daily food amount to her full pre-breeding portions. The kittens should not be allowed access to nurse during this time as that delays “drying up” (or stopping milk production).
With advice from your family veterinarian, you can create a nutritionally sound plan for your cat’s pregnancy and lactation; this will be invaluable for setting the stage for delivering healthy kittens.
