There are many things that you need to consider when caring for kittens and a lactating mother. The following information addresses some of the most important issues however, the RSPCA strongly recommends that you seek veterinary advice to ensure that your cat and her kittens receive the best care possible.
Milk production requires a lot of energy and it is therefore necessary to increase the amount of food that you give your cat while she is lactating. It may be necessary to offer her food at least 3-4 times a day if not more. Please see the article titled "What should I feed my cat?" for more information about feline nutrition.
Where possible allow the kittens to wean naturally from their mother. This generally occurs gradually between 8-12 weeks of age. It is important for them to receive their mother's milk up until this age as it contains substances that are vital to their health and immunity. Consult your vet for advice on how to start moving your kittens onto solid food once it is time to begin weaning them. Please see the article titled "What should I feed my kitten?" for more information about kitten nutrition.
Socialisation is also an important aspect of a kitten’s development and it is important that your kittens have had plenty of time to socialise with their siblings and mother as well as humans before sending them off to their new homes. The more socialisation a kitten receives, the easier the transition to a new home and environment will be. This is another reason why it is important to delay the re-homing of your kittens for as long as possible (no earlier than 8 weeks of age).
RSPCA Australia strongly recommends that all cats be desexed to minimise the population of unwanted pets and the number of animals that RSPCA shelters around Australia receive every year. Consult your vet for more information about cat desexing and please consider having your cat spayed after she has weaned her kittens.
This website provides general information which must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice, including veterinary advice. We make no warranties that the website is accurate or suitable for a person’s unique circumstances and provide the website on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.
