Postpartum Cat Care: Essential Tips for New Mommy Cats

After a cat gives birth, it's essential for pet owners to provide comprehensive care, focusing on three key areas: the cat's diet, living environment, and overall health.

Cats' Diet:

Postpartum, cats are exceptionally vulnerable, which can lead to a decline in bodily functions. For instance, during lactation, cats lose a significant amount of calcium through their milk. Therefore, the diet of a postpartum cat should be rich in nutrients, high in protein and calcium, and easy to digest.

Dishes like crucian carp soup, chicken breast, shrimp, pork feet, liver, and dairy products are all excellent choices, as they are rich in nutrients, easily absorbed, and less likely to cause allergies. It's appropriate to increase these in the cat's diet.

Moreover, to stimulate milk production, it's crucial to provide the cat with ample clean drinking water. Proteins are vital for cats, playing a significant role in maintaining health, promoting growth, and ensuring tissue repair. Pet owners can supplement the cat's energy by feeding cooked egg yolks and nutritional supplements.

Cats' Living Environment:

Prior to giving birth, it's important to ensure the cat has a quiet, comfortable, dry, and wellventilated living space. This is crucial for the cat's postpartum recovery and immune system strengthening.

After the birth, avoid disturbing the birthing area, as this may scare the mother cat and lead her to move her kittens. Regularly change the bedding to keep it clean. Also, clean and disinfect food and water bowls, remove any leftover food and waste promptly to prevent disease spread, and ensure warmth.

Cats' Health:

Before the cat starts lactating, clean the nipples with alcohol or saline solution to prevent inflammation from the kittens' vigorous nursing.

Additionally, assist the mother cat with turning and moving her limbs to prevent postpartum bedsores. It's also important to be vigilant about preventing uterine and breast diseases, which are the two main postpartum health issues in cats. If these conditions arise, seek veterinary care immediately.

Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbirth, some cats may develop psychological disorders such as depression. Therefore, pet owners should always be attentive to the cat's mental health and carefully observe any changes in behavior following the birth.