Within a week of successfully mating, the queen sets to the task of laying down substantial energy stores which will carry her through her pregnancy, delivery, and the feeding of her kittens. During the average 63-65 day pregnancy a healthy queen will increase her food intake by around 50% in order to gain the necessary energy reserves to carry her through successfully[1].
The increased food intake provides a steady increase in weight which can be tracked linearly all the way from mating right through to the birth of her kittens. Delivery of the kittens requires a significant amount of these energy reserves with approximately 60% of the weight she has gained being lost at this time, the remaining 40% must see her through lactation if she is to maintain a good healthy condition whilst providing the kittens with the nutrients they need[2].
Ideally the Queens’ pregnancy diet will be made of nutritious energy dense, species appropriate foods to provide her with the necessary energy reserves required to provide adequate milk supply for the kittens as well as maintaining her own body condition.
The above is provided to inform only, animal breeding involves many complex issues and with an abundance of kittens already available, adoption is recommended.
Sources
[1] Liera, R., 2020. Breeding and Queening Cats. Retrieved November 28th, 2020, from VCA hospitals web site: https://www.vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/breeding-and-queening-cats [2] Williams, K., 2020. Feeding the Pregnant Cat. Retrieved November 28th, 2020, from VCA hospitals web site: https://www.vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feeding-the-pregnant-cat
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