Pregnant cats need special nutrition—they require extra protein, fat, and nutrients that the average adult feline doesn’t need. Therefore, you need to feed your pregnant cat a special cat food. While foods designed specifically for pregnant cats are rare, there are several foods that can tick all the boxes. Most of the time, these are kitten foods.

Below, we’ll take a look at the best foods for pregnant cats, complete with reviews and a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right option for your feline.

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The 10 Best Foods for Pregnant Cats

1. Smalls Human Grade Cat Food Smooth Bird Recipe– Best Overall

If there was ever a time to feed your cat the best cat food available, it’s when they’re pregnant. Smalls Human Grade Cat Food Smooth Bird Recipe is a human-grade cat food that’s made with fresh ingredients. It’s minimally processed and includes everything your feline needs to thrive. The main protein is chicken, including several kinds of organ meats.

The smooth texture is well-liked by many cats (though the company makes other textures if your cat doesn’t like it). This food is extremely high in protein and fat, which is exactly what your pregnant cat needs. There are no artificial ingredients, either, just fresh veggies and meat. Based on these ingredients, it is the best overall cat food for pregnant cats.

While this food is a bit more expensive than others, you’re certainly getting what you pay for.

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2. Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Pate Wet Cat Food – Budget Buy

If you’re looking to save a bit of money, Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Pate Wet Cat Food is another quality food to consider. It is very high in animal protein thanks to the included chicken, chicken broth, and salmon. In fact, the majority of this food is meat, which is exactly what your pregnant cat needs. The salmon also adds omega fatty acids to the mix, which are essential for brain growth.

This food is completely grain-free. However, it doesn’t contain any legumes, either.

The pate texture works well for many cats, and the added moisture can help keep your feline hydrated while pregnant. If your cat will eat it, this is the best cat food for pregnant cats for the money.

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3. Orijen Free Run Chicken & Turkey

For those with a bit of extra money to spend, Orijen Free Run Chicken & Turkey is a great dry food for pregnant cats. The first several ingredients are some form of meat, including several kinds of fish. This ensures that there is enough protein and fat for the growing kittens, and the fish include natural DHA for brain development. In fact, 90% of this food is animal ingredients.

This food is designed for brain development, muscle growth, and digestion. It hits on all the areas needed and then some. It includes all the protein, fat, and nutrients your feline needs.

Plus, it is coated with freeze-dried liver to ensure it tastes wonderful. If your pregnant cat has suddenly become picky, this can be exceedingly helpful.

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4. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe

Our vet recommends Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe, as it contains 74% animal protein and healthy fats, mostly from chicken. However, some turkey meal is also included. This added protein helps ensure your pregnant cat has enough for herself and her kittens.

This formula is specifically made for kittens. However, it works well for pregnant cats, too. (You’ll notice most of the recipes on this list are actually for kittens.) The recipe also includes plenty of fiber, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids. It includes added DHA for brain health, too.

We love that this formula is crafted in the USA and doesn’t contain any artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. However, it does include several non-animal forms of protein, including potato protein.

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5. Purina One +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula

Purina One +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula is a solid choice for most pregnant cats, especially if you need to save money. This formula has everything your feline needs while pregnant, including added DHA and antioxidants. However, it does include some less-than-stellar ingredients, like by-products and corn gluten meal.

While these aren’t harmful, they aren’t the best choices, either.

As a dry food, this recipe is better accepted by felines used to dry food. It’s also easier to feed, which is why many cat owners prefer dry food, to begin with. The crunchy texture can also help keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy.

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6. Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is packed with protein thanks to the chicken and added menhaden fish meal. This fish is also high in omega fatty acids, which are vital for brain and eye development. Plus, it includes all the extra nutrients a pregnant cat needs, making it a solid choice in most situations.

We like that it includes added antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress. This is associated with tons of health problems, so antioxidants are thought to help the body’s immune system in general.

Plus, this formula is free from artificial flavors and preservatives. It is grain-inclusive, but only whole grains are used. These have added fiber that is actually quite helpful for cats. Sadly, this formula also includes a lot of peas, although it’s hard to tell because of “ingredient splitting.” Simply put, the company split up the peas into “pea protein,” “pea fiber,” and other portions to make it look lower on the ingredient list.

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7. Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Chicken Cat Food

Fancy Feast Kitten Tender Chicken Cat Food is a cheaper wet food option for pregnant cats. It contains everything they need to thrive, including high amounts of protein and fat. These largely come from the first ingredient—chicken. However, there are many other lesser ingredients that aren’t necessarily the best.

For instance, unnamed liver and by-products are included. While not being named doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad, it does mean that we have no idea what they are. Vague “fish” is also listed. While all fish contain higher levels of omega fatty acids, we still don’t know what kind of fish this is.

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8. Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Kitten Chicken Wet Food

There are many things we like about Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Kitten Chicken Wet Food. It’s crafted with real chicken as the first ingredient and includes high amounts of chicken broth, which only add to the nutritional value of this food.

The recipe also includes added DHA for brain health, which is exactly what growing kittens need. The minced texture is well-loved by many cats, too, especially if they don’t like the usual wet food. Plus, added taurine helps support eye and heart health.

However, the small pouches don’t work well for an adult cat. They were obviously made for a kitten and work great for tiny cats that don’t eat much.

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9. Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food

We love that Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula Dry Cat Food is made in the United States, though it does use ingredients from all around the world. It’s specifically formulated for kittens and nursing cats, adding all the nutrients they need to thrive. For instance, it includes added DHA and tons of other omega fatty acids. It contains several veggies and fruits, too, like blueberries and oranges.

However, the first ingredient is chicken, which provides all the protein and fat your feline needs. Grains are included, but only whole grains are used. These provide some added fiber, which can help with your cat’s digestion.

Plus, the company also added probiotics, which are sadly missing from many cat foods. These ensure your cat’s digestion stays in tip-top shape while pregnant.

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10. Wellness Complete Health Kitten Deboned Chicken

Wellness Complete Health Kitten Deboned Chicken is significantly less expensive than many other options on this list. However, it still includes everything your pregnant feline needs to thrive. Chicken is the primary ingredient. Tons of healthy grains are also included, such as oats and barley. However, many of these are whole grains, which provide plenty of extra fiber and other nutrients.

This formula also includes added DHA from salmon oil, as well as taurine. These help support your feline’s pregnancy and the growing kittens.

With that said, there are many reports that cats don’t like this food as much as others. It may be that it’s overly processed and not “smelly” enough for many cats. Plus, it tends to make some cats gassy.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Food for Pregnant Cats

Choosing the right food for your pregnant cat is extremely important. After all, the right food should keep her and her kittens healthy. Luckily, choosing the correct pregnant cat food isn’t all that difficult. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s pretty easy to judge food and select the right one for your cat. Here are some factors you should keep in mind:

High-Quality Protein

Protein is essential for building tissues and organs in the kittens and maintaining the mother’s muscle mass and immune system. Pregnant cats need extra protein as they’re growing kittens. Without it, they may suffer from diminished muscle mass, and the kittens may not develop properly.

Look for foods that have animal-based protein sources as the first ingredient, such as chicken, beef, eggs, or fish. Named proteins are always better. For instance, “meat meal” isn’t necessarily a good option but “chicken meal” is.

Avoid foods that have low-quality protein sources, such as meat by-products and soybean meal. These aren’t necessarily the best option for your feline, though they aren’t blatantly harmful.

High-Quality Fat

Fat has an unnecessarily bad reputation, but it is necessary for new kittens and pregnant mothers. It provides energy and supports the development of several body parts, including the brain and eyes. Therefore, you want it in higher amounts than you may necessarily want for your average adult cat.

Most types of fat are fine for felines. Animal-based fats are best, though.

Avoid foods with tons of fat, however. Fat is good, but too much fat can cause digestive upset and similar issues. If your cat is unnecessarily gassy, it may be due to the type or amount of fat in its food.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Calcium and phosphorus are important for bone formation and milk production in the mother and the kittens. Look for foods that have at least 1.2% calcium and 0.9% phosphorus on a dry matter basis. These vitamins are often added directly to the food, though foods can use bones and other natural materials, too.

Avoid foods that have too much or too little of these minerals, as this can cause skeletal problems or eclampsia (a life-threatening condition) in the mother. Some mothers may need higher or lower amounts of these minerals, though. When in doubt, talk to your vet.

Digestibility

Mother cats have less room in their stomach, so they often eat less than they might otherwise. Therefore, it’s important that their food is highly digestible, as they may eat less overall. Purchase foods with chelated minerals, as these are easier for cats to digest and use. Look for calorie-dense foods, too, as your feline will need the extra energy.

Generally, higher-quality ingredients have more digestibility.

Fortified with Vitamins and Minerals

Your cat will need extra vitamins and minerals when pregnant. Therefore, it’s important you get fortified food that has all the necessary nutrients for your feline. Generally, those designed for kittens work best, as your pregnant cat is growing kittens. You can then start the kittens on the same food when they start to eat solids.

If you don’t meet your pregnant cat’s nutritional needs, the kittens will often be fine. However, the mother cat may suffer and end up with nutritional problems later down the line. Therefore, it’s vital that you provide everything she needs and account for the added burden of being pregnant.

Conclusion

While there are many suitable cat foods for pregnant cats on the market, we recommend Smalls Human Grade Cat Food Smooth Bird Recipe. This human-grade cat food is made with exclusively fresh ingredients and includes high levels of protein and fat. Therefore, it works great for pregnant felines.

If you’re trying to save a bit of money, you should consider Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Pate Wet Cat Food. This wet food is another solid choice for cats, but it isn’t made with fresh ingredients like our top pick.

Hopefully, one of these cat foods works well for your pregnant feline.

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Featured Image Credit: Lilia Solonari, Shutterstock