How long does cat breastfeeding last? This is a recurring question of many guardians, especially during the pregnancy and postpartum of felines. Like all mammals, breast milk is the first food that kittens need at this stage. It has all the necessary nutrients to help the animal's development, improve its immunity and even create antibodies. Be itto find out how to know if the cat has milk or what is the postpartum care of a cat, it is important to be prepared to know how to deal with this period. To help you, the Paws of the House talked to Vanessa Zimbres, a veterinarian specialized in cats, to clarify all doubts about feline breastfeeding!

Feline breastfeeding: how long do cats suckle for?

As soon as they are born, kittens seek breast milk in the first hours of life. In addition to feeding and nourishing them, breastfeeding is very important for them to bond with their mother cat. In the first few weeks, breast milk will be the kittens' only source of food. "The kittens' exclusive breastfeeding period consists of the first four weeksIn the initial phase, during the first hours of life, the colostrum is secreted, which is rich in immunoglobulins and confers passive immunity to the kitten, that is, in this phase the kittens receive the antibodies already ready from the mother. After delivery, the kittens begin to suckle in approximately two hours ", explains Vanessa Zimbres.

In addition, another very recurring question is about when the kitten should stop feeding. The veterinarian explains: "The pre-weaning period, which consists of a food transition, begins between the third and fifth week, where the kittens naturally become interested in other foods that are offered gradually, until weaning is done completely in approximately seven weeks.weeks of life."

How to breastfeed a kitten that was rescued without its mother?

Caring for a kitten is something that requires special attention, but when we talk about felines rescued from the street, this care is even more important. Therefore, many people are at a loss as to how to breastfeed a kitten in this context. The ideal is always to look for a nursing cat to give milk to the orphan, but this is not always possible. However, it is possible to find formulasspecific for kittens, as veterinarian Vanessa explains: "There are several milk substitutes for kittens on the market, which is the safest way to feed kittens. Recipes for homemade milk substitutes can be used, but it is difficult to determine the actual absorption of the food and the amount to be offered. Usually, in the first week, theThe kitten should be fed seven times a day, then the feeding frequency decreases over the weeks and the amount of milk per feed increases. Commercial products already provide this calculation, so it is easy to use them."

To know if the food is being effective it is important to monitor the weight gain and growth of the kittens, the help of a veterinarian is paramount. In addition to the care with the feeding of the orphaned kitten, the guardian must pay attention to the heating of the feline, stimulation of urination, hygiene and rest.

What is the postpartum care of a cat?

There is a lot of talk about postpartum cat care, but do you know what it is? Few people know, but it is not only the kittens that need attention, the mother cat will also need some specific care in the postpartum period. "The kitten should be provided with a quiet, warm place, with everything she needs nearby, such as good food, clean and fresh water and a litter box.Her energy needs remain high, so specific food for pregnant cats or kittens should be maintained until between the fifth and seventh week postpartum, which is the lactation period. If the litter is large and the cat is losing weight, it is recommended to meet the energy needs or assist in the lactation of the kittens, also offering a substitute for the kitten's food.milk," the expert details.

Breastfeeding cat: can milk stall?

When the nursing cat does not receive the necessary care, the risk of some problems during the breastfeeding process increases. One of the best known is when the milk stalls. "It can occur, especially if there is a problem of excess milk and few kittens. The recommended thing, initially, and in simple cases, is to make a compress with warm water in an attempt to soften the milk." Butin more serious cases, seeking specialized veterinary care is recommended to rule out a possible infection or inflammation of the mammary glands and to institute appropriate treatment. Using drugs on your own to "dry up" the cat's milk is contraindicated."

After all, how do you know if your cat has milk?

The question that remains unanswered is: how do you know if your cat has milk? Even though it may seem very complicated, unraveling this mystery is easier than we think. "The cat's breasts become enlarged and it is possible to observe the milk by making a discreet pressure on the breast and nipple area. However, depending on the size of the litter, the amount of milk may be insufficient to maintain a good milk supply.Therefore, in addition to observing the cat's milk production, attention should also be paid to the growth of the kittens ", says the professional.