Instructions
Allow your cat to wean her kittens naturally. Separating the mother from her kittens before the kittens are fully weaned can be traumatic for both the mother and her babies. Further, mother cats may get mastitis when nursing suddenly stops. Most cats will gradually reduce the frequency with which they nurse their kittens starting at five to six weeks, completely ceasing nursing around eight or nine weeks.
Feed your cat a high-quality cat food labeled "growth formula" for a month after she stops nursing her kittens. Your cat's diet should be 25 to 50 percent protein, 2 to 4 percent of which is added animal protein. Follow the directions on the food package and avoid overfeeding. Obesity is especially common in female cats who have stopped lactating. You should also avoid attempting to rush your cat into losing her pregnancy weight. If she is dropping weight very quickly or appears emaciated, contact your vet.
Give your cat lots of extra attention in the first several weeks after she stops nursing. She may cry or become destructive for several nights after her kittens go to their new homes. Provide her with a warm bed and extra toys, and spend an hour or two every day playing with her. When cats get lots of love and attention, they are less likely to mourn the loss of their kittens for an extended period of time.
How to Care for a Mother Cat After Kittens Are Weaned
The birth of a litter of kittens can be both exciting and stressful. Pregnant and lactating cats require special care, but an owner's obligations to the mother cat don't end after the kittens have been weaned. The weaning process can be stressful for both the mother and her kittens, and there are several steps that cat owners should take to ensure that their cats return to full physical and psychological health after weaning their kittens.