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The Best Cat Foods For Pregnant Cats : What You Need To Know

If you've recently discovered that your cat is pregnant or are anticipating a future pregnancy, one of the most important things to focus on is ensuring that your kitty receives the finest nutrition possible, both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Carrying and feeding kittens will put a lot of strain on your cat's body, and the entire process can be extremely nutritionally demanding.

During her pregnancy, your female will require a diet that will accommodate her constantly increasing weight, and she will likely require 50% - 100% more food.

It is critical that she not only eats enough, but that the food she eats is high in protein and nutrient-dense.

Most veterinarians advise switching to kitten diets during pregnancy because they include the high protein content that your cat requires to raise her pups.

Choosing the perfect food for your cat is hard enough, but providing proper nourishment for a pregnant cat is even more challenging.

That's why BestForPets (bestforpets.org) put together this list of %product_count% of our best cat foods for pregnant cats, complete with detailed reviews, to help you select the finest food for your pregnant cat. Let's get this party started!

Reviews

Best Buy: Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Pate Wet Cat Food
 

For the money, the Instinct Grain-Free Pate canned cat food is the finest cat food for pregnant cats.

The diet is heavy in protein, with whole chicken as the first ingredient and nourishing cow liver as the second, but there’s also salmon, which is high in important omega fatty acids for a beautiful coat.

The dish has a delightful pâté texture that is particularly soft due to the added chicken broth, and it contains natural sources of DHA and vitamins E and A.

The cuisine is grain-free and has no artificial colors, preservatives, or by-product meals, making it appropriate for pregnant women.

This food contains fish and kelp, which imparts a strong odor that some cats may dislike.

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Protein-rich diet
  • The first component is real chicken.
  • Beef liver and salmon are included.
  • DHA and necessary vitamin sources found in nature
  • Grain-free, artificial color, preservative-free, and by-product meals

Cons

  • Fish odor is pungent.

 

Mother & Babycat Mousse Cat Food by Royal Canin
 

If you want to pamper your pregnant cat, the Royal Canin Mother and Babycat Ultra-Soft Mousse is a perfect choice.

The diet is designed specifically for pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as weaning kittens, and has a high protein content derived from real chicken and chicken liver.

The meal has all of the nutrients your cat requires, including immune-boosting antioxidants and prebiotics for digestive health.

Combine this canned food with Royal Canin Mother and Babycat dry food for a nutritious daily meal for your pregnant cat.

Unfortunately, this dish has a few problematic components, such as pork by-products, wheat, and corn, which is disappointing.

Pros

  • Real chicken and chicken liver provide high-quality protein.
  • Ideal for expecting and nursing mothers, as well as weaning kittens
  • Contains important vitamins and minerals
  • Antioxidants that boost the immune system
  • Prebiotics have been added.

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Animal byproducts are present.
  • Wheat and corn are present.

 

Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food by Royal Canin
 

The Royal Canin Mother and Babycat dry food is specifically designed for pregnant and nursing cats and kittens, and it is another excellent food for pregnant cats in general.

This meal is perfect for your pregnant kitty, and she can continue to consume it while nursing. The diet is also appropriate for weaning kittens.

The diet is high in critical nutrients such as DHA for optimal brain development and potent antioxidants and vitamins that promote a healthy immune system.

It also contains prebiotics to aid digestion and fish oil to provide a natural dose of omega fatty acids to keep your cat’s coat lustrous and healthy.

The main problem with this diet is that the primary protein source is chicken by-product meals. We would also want complete chicken meat and a higher total protein level.

Pros

  • Formulated specifically for pregnant and lactating cats.
  • Also suitable for weaning kittens.
  • DHA and antioxidants are abundant.
  • Prebiotics have been added.
  • Natural source of omega-3 fatty acids

Cons

  • The first ingredient is chicken by-product meal.
  • Protein content is relatively low.

 

Canned Wellness CORE Turkey & Chicken Kitten Food
 

The Wellness CORE Natural Pate kitten food is high in protein and contains turkey, chicken, chicken liver, and herring broth to make the pâté wet and tender.

The included herring and fish oils, as well as the flaxseeds, are excellent natural sources of important omega fatty acids, while the cranberries are high in antioxidants.

The diet also contains dried kelp, which contains calcium for bone formation and taurine for heart health. It also contains critical vitamins and minerals that your cat requires to grow.

The recipe has no grains and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. This food is expensive and may be too rich for some cats.

In addition, the diet contains small chunks of bone, which is not ideal for kittens but is probably good for adults.

Pros

  • Contains a lot of protein
  • Natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Dried kelp and cranberries were added.
  • Contains important vitamins and minerals
  • Recipe without grains
  • Artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives are not used.

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Small bone shards are possible.

 

Grain-Free Protein Dry Cat Food Purina ONE True Instinct
 

The Purina ONE True Instinct dry cat food‘s first mentioned ingredient is ocean whitefish, and it has a high protein content of 35% overall, making it appropriate for expectant mums.

The omega fatty acids in this product will help keep your cat’s coat silky and luscious. There are four natural antioxidant sources that can help build a healthy immune system, including vitamins E and A.

The food also contains additional critical vitamins and minerals, such as calcium for strong teeth and bones, as well as a combination of delicate meaty morsels and crunchy texture for added dental health.

The cuisine is completely grain-free and has no harmful fillers. Although some customers reported sickness and vomiting in their cats, this meal is difficult to blame.

Pros

  • Protein-rich diet
  • The first component listed is ocean whitefish.
  • Essential omega fatty acids are present.
  • There are four natural antioxidant sources.
  • Grain-free at all times
  • Void of filler substances

Cons

  • Some cats may experience nausea and vomiting.

Buyer's Guide: Choosing The Best Pregnant Cat Food

You’ll notice that as your cat’s pregnancy progresses, she’ll start eating more food. This will be especially noticeable in the final few weeks, when she will eat about double the amount of food she normally does.

Pregnant cats require additional nutrients and calories to keep energized while carrying kittens, as pregnancy can be taxing on their bodies.

Protein is one of the most important nutrients to consider, but there are a few additional elements to consider as well.

Pregnant Cats’ Nutritional Requirements

Protein is the most important nutrition for pregnant cats, and because her caloric consumption will increase by up to 10% every week, so should her protein intake.

Because kitten chow has a relatively high protein content, veterinarians frequently recommend it as the best choice for pregnant cats.

She should ideally continue on this diet until she is through weaning, but simply moving to a high-protein diet for the final 2-3 weeks of pregnancy is sufficient. Pregnant cats require more calories overall, but these calories must be nutritious.

Avoid diets high in grains and filler components, since these are empty calories that will not provide your pregnant kitty with the nutrition she requires.

Kitten food is strong in nutritious calories, protein, and important vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent choice for pregnant cats as well.

What to look for in pregnant cat food

Protein is an essential nutrient for pregnant cats, but not all protein is created equal. Ascertain that it is derived from animal sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, and that one of these is the first item stated.

Kitten food contains more of these protein sources, but it also contains more calories. Calcium is another important mineral for pregnant cats, as they require additional bone and tooth support.

Pregnancy can drastically deplete your cat’s body of minerals. This is essential not just for the mother, but also for the kittens as they grow and develop.

Essential omega fatty acids are essential and are typically found in fish or fish oils. These are beneficial not only to the kittens’ coats and skin, but also to their entire development.

Immune support is especially vital in pregnant cats, so look for immune-boosting fruits and vegetables as well as antioxidants like as blueberries or cranberries.

Conclusion

All of these foods are excellent for your pregnant cat, but the Small Fresh Cat Food Ground Other Bird is our overall favorite. This meal is high in critical nutrients and vitamins and contains everything your pregnant cat requires.

For the money, the Instinct Grain-Free Pate is the best cat food for pregnant cats. The food is high in protein, necessary vitamins and minerals, is grain-free, and does not contain any artificial colors, preservatives, or by-product meals.

Because pregnancy saps your cat’s energy, appropriate nourishment is essential during this time.

Hopefully, BestForPets‘ (bestforpets.org) in-depth reviews of the best cat foods for pregnant cats have assisted you in finding the ideal food for your expecting cat!

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Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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