Very thin mother cat

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My cat is mum to 5 week old kittens and is now looking very thin. She is eating plenty, a mixture of cat food and fresh cooked chicken but is still very thin. I am trying to wean the kittens but they don’t seem very interested so am looking for advice to get them to leave her alone. She is a fantastic mum despite her poor body condition and the kittens are thriving.

Are you giving her kitten food, and plenty of it? Think that's what's recommended for nursing mums

The vet advised against kitten food in case it gave her an upset stomach. Having said that, I have been giving her some, both wet and dry. Perhaps I’ll just stick to the kitten food. I’m feeding her as often as she asks for food, which is very often.

I would leave dry food down all the time and give wet at regular intervals

I am doing this, but she just ignores the dry food mostly

They recommend kitten food as it is higher in fat and helps the mum gain weight she loses from having to feed the babies..... I kept dry food down all the time and wet food given whenever she got up to the biscuits or cried for food.

She is extremely vocal, seems to be crying for food, but the leaves itvafterca few mouthfuls.

Yes to kitten food or if not that then a very good quality (high protein/grain free) adult cat food is OK too.

You could also give her a break from kittens a few hours every day (in a different room). At 5 weeks old they still need her around for their social development, though.

Have you booked her in for a spay yet? It's a shame she has had to go through the experience of having kittens at all, it takes its toll on their body as you can see. And contributes to the cat overpopulation problem unfortunately as those of us involved in cat rescue see day in, day out...

Viccat how is your sanctimonious preaching actually helping op or her cat? Op has a cat with kittens and is trying to do her best for them - she can't send them back. Mum cat can't be spayed until her milk dries up according to my vet. And before you comment- I have taken in and looked after 2 pregnant strays not wantonly bred my own cats....

Mum cat can be spayed now, sounds like she is in season again as she is vocal so she will try to escape and get pregnant again any day now... It's a shame the neutering message doesn't get through to people.

Our local rescue took in mum and kittens. Got the kittens weaned and mum spayed mum went back to owners and kittens rehomed. They’re awesome!!
If she’s acting out of character and losing weight I would consult a vet.

Mum cat can't be spayed until her milk dries up according to my vet

Your vet is talking utter bollocks. Spaying doesn't affect milk supply. We spay cats within days of their kittens being born and recommend that our clients do too (obviously we recommend that our clients have their cats neutered at four months to avoid pregnancies full stop, but that ship has sailed here).

Viccat's message was very helpful and not sanctimonious at all.
I agree it really is a shame the neutering message doesn't get through to people. Good on you for taking in and looking after 2 pregnant strays. It should give you an indication of the prevalence of this issue.
Mum cats get spayed all the time whilst they are still feeding. No, it doesn't dry up their milk.

As to the OP's question. I would leave wet food down all the time and kitten food is fine.

And I think we/society need to be sanctimonious. We need to make allowing cats (and dogs) to reproduce to be as morally frowned upon as say drink driving or smoking and drinking while pregnant. It will still happen of course, but the mindset of the generally population will slowly change. Unfortunately there is no chance of that happening any time soon.

Thank you for the helpful replies. Knew as soon as I mentioned the word kittens I would be in trouble here but hopefully some posters will keep suggesting solutions. I’m also keen to know how to encourage the kittens to try solid food. One of them has shown an interest in chicken but none of them wants to touch the kitten food.

Something else I've had success with is to mash up normal kitten food with warm water to make it mushier. Also Gourmet Gold Pate, which isn't for kittens but it doesn't really matter, mixed with warm water makes a sort of lap-able soup that kittens seem to like.

Ok thanks, I’ll try that

Mother cats nursing kittens are often very thin. This is very common.

If she's eating plenty and the kittens are doing okay, and she's not showing signs of poor nutrition (fur and skin issues, lethargy) it may well just be the nursing that's doing it. She will likely put on weight after the kittens are weaned.

I do second having a spay done sooner rather than later, if you are able to do so.

Have you tried offering her goats milk? I gave it to my dog after she had puppies and wasn't eating.(And she was pregnant when we got her, before you start)