Chinchilla Cat

    1. Pregnancy Test

　　The earliest physical sign of a cat pregnancy is that the color of the nipples changes from light pink to deep pink, and the fur around the nipples will fall off, making the nipples particularly prominent. These symptoms should appear within 3 weeks after mating, and after 3-4 weeks of conception, a noticeable round shape can be seen. After this period, the fetus is not as easy to feel, but it is still possible to touch it. If necessary, an ultrasound can be done within 2-3 weeks to observe the fetus; after 5 and a half weeks of pregnancy, an X-ray can check the number of fetuses.

　　2. Care

　　The pregnancy period for cats is approximately 63-66 days, but some can last up to 71 days. If premature birth occurs, most are stillborn or die shortly after birth. Pregnant cats require more protein and calories, but if you feed high-quality, nutritionally balanced food, there is no need to specially change the food quality in the first 2-3 weeks of pregnancy.

　　3. Nutrition

　　High-quality proteins, such as dairy products, eggs, and meat, can be added to dry food (about 10% by quantity) to increase the protein content and flavor without disrupting nutritional balance. Kitten milk formula can also be given to pregnant and nursing mothers. The feeding amount should gradually increase as the pregnancy progresses. By the end of pregnancy, the mother should eat twice as much as before pregnancy. However, because the growing fetuses press on surrounding organs, the mother cannot consume the required amount in just two meals, so you must increase the number of feedings or leave food out for the mother to eat freely.