Answer: For most of the pregnancy she should be treated just as she is normally and not fussed over, though care should be taken when she is picked up not to put under pressure on the abdomen. It’s important not to put restrict her exercise or jumping until the end of the pregnancy because this has the beneficial effect of maintain muscles tone. Unnecessary medication and radiography should be avoided, especially during the first three weeks when the development of the fetuses is at a critical stage.
A good, balanced, high-protein diet should continue to be fed throughout pregnancy, but during the last month the amount should be gradually increased until she is receiving between about a quarter and a half more food then usual, depending upon her appetite. This extra quantity is best fed as a separate meal. Care should be taken to ensure that adequate calcium and vitamin A are supplied, if necessary by giving calcium tablets are cod liver oil. It’s advisable to give routine treatment for roundworms (ascarids) a month before you believe she is due to give birth to reduce contamination of the kitten’s environment later though this is a matter you can discuss with your vet.
Constipation may occur in the last few days of pregnancy and can be countered by giving more milk or oily fish, teaspoonful of liquid paraffin. To increase the amount of maternal antibodies which will be passed on to the kittens, a booster vaccination can be given to the queen before mating or during pregnancy, although in the latter case only dead vaccines should be use to avoid foetal damage. When the cat’s abdomen become so large that she has difficulty in cleaning her hind quarters, it is desirable to wash the region beneath the tail with lukewarm water each day, carefully drying it off afterwards.
