It was incredibly worrying to witness my cat’s sudden change in behavior shortly after she gave birth to her kittens. Within 24 hours of delivery, she started exhibiting a series of distressing symptoms. I immediately noticed she was panting heavily and becoming increasingly vocal, constantly meowing and seeking my attention. This was coupled with a noticeable weakness; she couldn’t jump onto her usual spots, something that was very unusual for her. Her breathing was rapid, exceeding 100 breaths per minute, and she was even sweating. I also observed subtle muscle twitching when she tried to rest. Adding to my concern, she seemed to avoid her litter of kittens for most of that first day.
Driven by worry, I turned to the internet, frantically searching for answers to what could be wrong with my cat. That’s when I stumbled upon information about milk fever, or postpartum hypocalcemia, in cats. The more I read, the more concerned I became, especially after learning that this condition can be fatal if left untreated. Veterinary care was unfortunately not immediately accessible for me, so I was determined to do everything I could at home to help her recover.
Her background added another layer to my anxiety. She was the runt of her litter, abandoned by her mother and found in front of my house when she was only about 4-5 weeks old. My parents rescued her, and even then she was tiny enough to fit in the palm of my hand. Now fully grown, she remains significantly smaller than the average cat, which always made me extra cautious about her health and wellbeing.
Seeking advice online, I received a helpful suggestion that pointed towards the importance of calcium and nutrition. This prompted me to contact my local pet shop to inquire about food specifically formulated for nursing mother cats. They recommended a food brand designed for mothers and kittens: Royal Canin Mother & Babycat.
https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Canin-Nutrition-Babycat-Pregnant/dp/B00ECQ98V0
They also advised purchasing the wet, canned version of the same brand and mixing it with the dry food to make it more appealing and palatable, especially given her weakened state.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003P9WUAG
Within 24 hours of starting her on this new diet and after eating 3-4 times, I began to see a significant improvement. Her breathing became much more regular, the sweating stopped, and she started spending considerably more time caring for her kittens.
Now, she seems completely back to her normal self! She dedicates most of her day to her kittens and even ventures out into the backyard in the evenings for short breaks. She is incredibly attentive to her litter, only leaving them when they are asleep and remaining close to them for around 90% of the time. The weakness has vanished. While I still occasionally notice a slight twitch, I believe this might just be a normal quirk of hers.
I am incredibly grateful for the online feedback and support I received. It guided me towards finding the right nutritional support for her during this critical postpartum period. It truly seems that adjusting her diet was the key to resolving the issue, especially considering she was previously only eating Friskies Seafood Medley. This experience highlighted the importance of proper nutrition for a “Cat In Milk” and the potential dangers of conditions like milk fever.
