My cat won't stop eating...

Question

One of my cats recently had babies (about 6 weeks ago) and she is obviously still nursing, as they are too young to be weaned yet.

She had a litter of 5 kittens, and we feed them all twice a day (1 can of canned cat food in the morning, and 1 can of canned cat food at night), and she also has a food bowl filled with dry food that she can eat throughout the day as well. They all eat all of the food (they seem to like it just fine) and they munch on the dry food throughout the day (they seem to like that as well).

However, the mama cat acts like she is starving all day and all night long. If anyone makes something to eat, she is right on top of them, begging for their food. If anyone makes a move like they might feed her, she goes nuts, meowing over and over. When we do go to feed her, it's like she can't wait until we set it on the floor for her. It's even gotten to where the kittens have started meowing, like they are very hungry too. Within the past few days, we have increased the amount of food we feed her, thinking that maybe the kittens are eating a lot of it, and that she's not getting enough. But we have watched them all eat, and usually only 3 kittens eat during the feedings (it's never the same 3 kittens, it just depends on who's hungry when we feed them), so it's not like the kittens steal all of the food.

We are now feeding her and the babies about 4 times a day, and dry food. They get fed 1 can in the morning, 1 can at night, 1 packet of food in the early afternoon, and 1 packet of food in the early evening, and we also make sure her bowl of dry food is full all day and all night long. Also, the kittens nurse on her throughout the day. We make sure they have plenty of fresh water every day, so they should be getting plenty of food.

But the mama cat still tries everything she can to get extra food. She tore open a bag full of trash to get to leftover chicken bones, she climbs in the sink to try and eat leftover food out of the pots, she'll try to get into empty pizza boxes, and anything else she can. Why is my cat still starving?

We thought maybe it was because she is nursing, and that she burns a lot of calories doing that, and therefore she needs more food, but one of our other cats had a litter of 5 kittens about 10 months ago, and she and her kittens never acted this way. We fed them more, but not 4 times a day, and they never acted like they hadn't been fed. It's probably something the vet needs to look at, but I didn't know if someone might have an answer not involving the vet?

Thanks :)

Answer 1

let it have a science diet

Answer 2

She may be missing something in her diet. I know nursing humans need to make sure they get enough on the right kinds of food.  Maybe there is a special food she needs to get her through this time, not just more food! Just a thought as a nursing mom myself, not of kittens!!  

Answer 3

Your Mama Cat needs to see a vet.  Her dietary situation needs to be checked and it's time to make arrangements to have her neutered.  This is also a good time to check with your vet about inoculations for the kittens and the best age to have them neutered.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Nursing mothers need to take in more calories than normal.  Is she de-wormed?  If not, worms can be taking most of the nutrition away from what she's eating.  Please get this cat spayed after this litter.  You're adding to the pet overpopulation by continuing to let her have litters of kittens.

Answer 5

I breed cats and this is nothing to worry about... it is mostly likely 1 of three things...

1. She is not getting enough attention because the kittens are here and(cats are smart) she knows that acting this way will get her rewarded with food/treats and she feels that she is being acknowledged. In this case make sure she gets lots of exercise and attention.

2. She is spoiled and this cat knows she can get away with it. Dont give into her cute little face and ignore her when she beggs thats all this is.

3. This option is dangerous. She may be trying to tell you something. Something like "Mom im not producing milk anymore" or "Mom i dont feel very good" and thing like that. And although the kittens dont depend on her for her milk anymore its still something to get checked out with a vet. I have seen this happen before and i dont know if you are planning on having another little with her but make sure she gets checked out first.

It is most likely the first two options but if you see that she has black dots on her nipples get her checked out other then that just take her in for a check up the next conveinent time. Wait a while before you have another little with her and if she is still doing this in 6 months deffinitaly take her in. Good luck.

Answer 6

I would take the mother cat to the vet to make sure that she's healthy. If she's healthy, ask the vet what to do regarding her diet.

Answer 7

Cats will not over eat unless they have a lack of protein. It is not in their nature. Your cat will only over eat if it isn't getting what kind of protein it requires.