Stray cats that are usually fed outside, or cats that have been recently adopted into the home, are living too happily, and their figures are gradually becoming rounder. Could it be that the cat is pregnant? Although with the government’s encouragement to spay and neuter cats, and cat lovers gradually establishing the concept of TNR (trapping, neutering, and returning to their original habitat), it is now less common to encounter pregnant cats, and therefore feel at a loss when encountering them. . Don’t worry~ This article will take you through the 3 major signs of cat pregnancy, as well as the care methods from pregnancy to before and after delivery, and help furry parents check whether the furry child is simply eating nutritious and slightly blessed, or whether it is because it has not been neutered yet. Possibility of pregnancy.
Read the 3 major signs of cat pregnancy at once!
1. Physical changes
Weight gain: In addition to the harmful symptoms of pregnancy in early pregnancy, cats will also gradually increase their appetite, and their weight will increase by about 1 to 2 kilograms.
Belly enlargement: After the 5th week, you will notice that your fur baby’s belly swells up. Although it looks very healing, you are reminded not to hold or touch the belly to avoid putting pressure on the mother and baby cat.
Nipple changes: Nipples that are originally light pink and difficult to notice will gradually turn dark pink and become slightly swollen. This process is called “pinkification”. In addition, the hair around the nipples will also fall off, making the nipples more visible. .
Hair changes: When a cat is pregnant, her hair will become shiny due to hormone secretion.
Slow movement:
*Although weight gain is normal for cats during pregnancy, the weight gain should be controlled within 40% of the ideal body weight!
2. Changes in eating habits
Just like the symptoms of harmful cravings in humans, cats will also experience a loss of appetite and even vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, after experiencing the harmful craving phase, cat mothers’ appetites will improve and they will begin to absorb nutrients and save energy.
3. Personality changes
In most cases, cats become more affectionate and gentle after pregnancy, but only a few cats become more withdrawn. In order to find a safe and comfortable environment for the delivery room, cat mothers will also show behaviors that have never been seen before, such as stacking towels in corners to increase comfort.
In addition to the above three major signs, it is recommended that fur parents still take their fur babies who are suspected of being pregnant to the animal hospital for examination and seek professional advice from the veterinarian!
Cat Pregnancy Care Guide
There are many priorities for cat care during pregnancy, among which diet and environment are the top priorities.
Cat Pregnancy Diet Guide
As the cat mother’s belly gets bigger, in order to avoid increasing the gastrointestinal and digestive burden on the cat mother, she should increase her intake of high-calorie foods without increasing her diet. Therefore, you can choose formulas labeled as pregnant cats and foods rich in fat. cat food.
After the cat mother gives birth, she can choose cat food specially developed for the production of breast milk and nursing kittens. In addition, cat mothers will lose a lot of calcium during lactation, which will lead to fever symptoms called “lactation fever.” According to the veterinarian After professional diagnosis, calcium powder can be added to the special tank for female cats to replenish the lost calcium.
*Special reminder: Whether it is pregnant cat formula or female cat formula, it should be mixed with daily food first, and the proportion of new food can be gradually increased to help cat mothers gradually adapt.
Guide to Cat Pregnancy Environment
If the cat has just been brought home and is not familiar with the home environment, stability and comfort are far better than novelty and fun. You can first arrange a quiet corner for the cat mother; if the cat mother is already familiar with her own environment, or If you already have childbirth experience, it is recommended not to interfere too much and let the cat mother find her own comfort.
Precautions before and after cat birth
prenatal preparation
🐱 Emotionally: Sometimes a mother cat will become anxious and aggressive on the eve of giving birth. Parents can give it more space.
🐱 In terms of space: You can prepare a cardboard box and lay quilts and towels inside as a delivery room. Also remember to open a hole in the cardboard box for the cat mother to enter and exit to avoid making it difficult to jump.
postpartum care
🐱 In terms of space: also provide a quiet and comfortable space for the cat mother and baby cats, and try not to disturb them.
🐱 Observe the cat: Pay attention to the feeding status, breathing, weight, and any abnormal behavior in all aspects.
🐱 Proper socialization: On the one hand, let the cats get used to interacting with humans; on the other hand, do not touch the cats excessively and interfere with their parent-child relationship.
To prevent cat pregnancy, neutering has many benefits!
In addition to preventing cats from getting pregnant, spaying your furry has countless benefits for your furry and the overall environment.
🐱 Controlling breeding: Neutering reduces the number of wanderers, which in turn reduces problems associated with stray animals, including overbreeding, wanderlust survival issues, and the spread of disease, among others.
🐱 Reduce problem behaviors: Neutering can help cats improve certain undesirable behaviors, such as aggression, breaking out of the house, marking behavior (peeing), etc., especially for male cats.
🐱 Improves health: Both genders benefit. Female cats can reduce the chance of lymphoma, breast or ovarian cancer; male cats can reduce the chance of testicular cancer.