Care for the Pregnant CatCare for the pregnant cat will give you some guidance on how to best care for your pregnant cat. Before I get into the topic, allow me to make a disclaimer: I don't believe cats (or dogs) should be pregnant unless it's within the confines of a limited, responsible breeding environment. With all the low-cost or free spay/neuter programs available in many communities, there is no excuse for unwanted pet pregnancy.Consider this statistic: one unaltered female cat can produce 2,071 unwanted kittens in 4 years. Of course, if she lives that long. Pregnancy depletes the mother cat's body each time she carries a litter, making her weak and susceptible to disease. Moreover, her kittens are born to her in a weakened state, also susceptible to disease. This is a sad, sorry cylcle for anyone who cares about animal welfare. Please, spay or neuter your cat! Now, I'll climb down off my soapbox and impart some advice should you find yourself caring for a pregnant cat!
Nutrition for the Pregnant CatOnce again, natural nutrition is of the utmost importance in the care for the pregnant cat. Nearly everything the mother cat consumes goes to the nutritional support of her developing kittens. If her nutrition is inadequate, then her body will sacrifice what the kittens need to grow. If you are caring for a pregnant stray, you may be her only source of decent nutrition; be certain you give her everything she needs. Cats ideally should have 47% protein in their diets and about 33% fat and this is especially true for gestating cats. Good choices for meeting these numbers are high fat ground beef, beef chuck or beef heart mixed with cooked mullet and egg. Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Cats and Dogs has great recipes for the pregnant cat. If you must feed "cat food" use a high-grade kitten chow for your pregnant and nursing mom cat; the higher levels of fat and protein are nutritionally adequate for the pregnant or nursing cat. What Happens at Birth?When the mother cat is nearing the time of labor, she will exhibit "nesting" behavior. She will begin to gather toys or scraps for her birthing place; this will be a place of her choosing, but you can provide a comfortable box for her and her kittens. Be sure to give her a box lined with old towels or sheets and she will do the rest to make the spot "just right." Make sure she has easy access to the litter box and if there are other cats in the home, provide a separate box just for mom and her new family. This box must be low enough for easy entry and exit. Above all, keep the box clean and fresh; a mother cat can be especially particular about the litter box and you want her to use it instead of your carpet! 
Uterine contractions will begin naturally and kittens will tend to make their appearance every 10-60 minutes. The kittens will be born in their amniotic sacs, and the mom-cat will lick these placentas off and ingest them. She will also chew off the unbilical cord to approximately 1 inch. The mom-cat will stimulate the kittens' breathing by licking them with her rough tongue. If for some reason the mom-cat leaves a kitten in her amniotic sac, you may carefully cut it away and stimulate the kitten's breathing yourself, by stroking the kitten with a clean, dry washcloth. As kittens are born, be certain to count the placentas, confirming one to a kitten. If any are left within the mom-cat's body, seek a veterinarian's help.
There really is little for you to do within the confines of natural care for the pregnant cat. Your role is to assure that the mom-cat is comfortable (as comfortable as a mom in labor can be) and to assist with any potential problems. The mother cat will begin to nurse her kittens immediately, even as she is in labor with the remaining kittens. She will also clean them and stimulate elimination. Your job in care for the pregnant cat is basically the two "c's"-cleanliness and comfort. Return from Care for the Pregnant Cat to All Natural Pet Care home.
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