How much to feed nursing mum?

[AintNobodyHereButUsKittens]

Currently fostering four adorable 3 week old kittens and their skinny teenaged mum. We're feeding her mostly kitten pouches at the moment. I know we're meant to just give her as much as she'll eat, but many should we aim to get into her?

With a dog it's 4 times the usual amount. Not sure about cats.

I usually with dogs have dry food down adlib then meat 3x a day. They eat LOADS.

I'd go for as much as she'll take right now - and plenty of water. Is she getting enough food and water do you think?

She has access to water but doesn't seem to be drinking it. I want to know partly because she sometimes doesn't eat everything we put down and I don't know whether she's had enough or if she just doesn't fancy that particular brand/flavour and partly because I'm just off to the shops and want to know how much to stock up on for the next few days.

Should also say that my own cats are overweight and getting on in age so we don't feed them much and we don't worry if they don't finish their food - so I don't trust my instincts when it comes to feeding cats who are a bit underweight and I tend to panic.

Hmm. Cats generally get most or nearly all of their liquid intake from their food if it's wet. (Depending on brand - have a look some time at how much you're paying for water in a pouch if you want to depress yourself.)

A nursing mother would probably need more liquid, though, for obvious reasons.

Have you tried mixing a little water into her food to see if she'll take some in that way? Oh - and are you feeding her little and often? Some cats are real fussy about the food being fresh and, if circumstances permit, you're best to give them smaller fresh amounts more frequently and to vary the flavours, meal to meal.

No need to panic.

Kitten food is a good idea for nursing mother cats because it contains all the nutrients etc that are needed - and also, particularly if you can give it to her in a sloppy form on a flattish dish, the kittens should be able to follow her example. They're getting close to weaning stage now.

Hope you have some kitchen towel around or something by the way. Kitten feeding can be real messy.

I think she'll eat as much as she wants and you can be led by her. There are foods designed for Mum and kittens once they start eating but kitten food is great too. what my vet recommended. Pictures please!