7 Best Cat Foods for Pregnant Cats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you’ve just found out that your cat is pregnant or you are planning for an upcoming pregnancy, one of the most important factors is making sure your feline gets the best nutrition possible while both expecting and nursing.

While your female is pregnant, she should have a diet that can accommodate her steadily growing weight, and she will likely need 50%–100% more food during this time. Her meals should also be high in protein and nutrient-dense.

Choosing the right food for your pet can be stressful on its own, but ensuring that you’re providing the correct nutrition for a pregnant kitty can be even more so. So, we created this guide of our favorite foods for pregnant cats, complete with in-depth reviews, to help you find the best product for your expecting feline.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription	High-protein Fresh, real food Includes taurine, an essential amino acid	Click to Save 40% Use code: PetKeen24
Budget Buy		Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Wet Cat Food	Inexpensive High protein content Contains beef liver and salmon	CHECK PRICE
		Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Wet Cat Food	Added prebiotics Premium protein Packed with immune-strengthening antioxidants	CHECK PRICE
		Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Food	Packed with DHA Added prebiotics Suitable for weaning kittens too	CHECK PRICE
		Wellness CORE Turkey Canned Cat Food	Packed with protein Grain-free recipe Natural sources of essential omega fatty acids	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Cat Foods for Pregnant Cats

1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription — Best Overall

Cats need high-protein food when they are pregnant, as it will support them through their pregnancy, labor, and lactation. We love Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription, specifically the Ground Other Bird recipe, as the best overall food for pregnant cats because it has the highest protein content of any of the formulas, with a 17% minimum that’s mostly sourced from turkey thighs. Your queen will appreciate real turkey and chicken as the first ingredients, and she’ll likely find it tastier than overly processed dry kibble. It might even become her pregnancy craving!

We like how Smalls Ground Other Bird includes a nutritious blend of vegetables, vitamins, and minerals for a balanced diet. Each meal also contains 346 mg of taurine, an essential amino acid in felines that’s especially important for your cat to have a healthy pregnancy.

The only negative aspects of this food are that it is subscription-only and a little expensive. The plans can be a bit costly, though they’re about the same price as premium wet food at the pet store. Considering that Smalls is more nutritious and takes an all-natural approach, we recommend it over any wet or dry food options. We think that Smalls Ground Other Bird is a fresh, wholesome blend fit for a queen!

2. Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Pâté Wet Cat Food — Budget Buy

The Instinct Kitten Grain-Free Pâté Wet Cat Food is the best cat food for pregnant cats for the money. It’s high in protein, most of which comes from whole chicken as the first ingredient and nutritious beef liver, but there’s also salmon, which is a great source of essential omega fatty acids for a luxurious coat. The food is made with a delicious pâté texture that is extra soft due to the added chicken broth that your cat will love, with natural sources of DHA and vitamins E and A. The high protein content is ideal for pregnant mothers, and the food is grain-free and contains no artificial colors or preservatives.

This food contains fish and kelp, which gives it a pungent odor that some cats may not enjoy.

3. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce Wet Cat Food

If you are looking for a premium option for your pregnant kitty, the Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce Wet Cat Food is a great choice. The food is specially crafted for pregnant and nursing mothers and weaning kittens, with a decent protein content that comes from real chicken and chicken liver. The food is packed with all the essential nutrients that your cat needs, including immune-strengthening antioxidants and prebiotics for good digestive health. Pair this canned food with the Royal Canin Mother and Babycat dry food for a healthy daily meal for your pregnant feline.

This food, unfortunately, uses a few questionable ingredients, including wheat and corn.

4. Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food

Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food is formulated especially for pregnant and nursing cats and kittens and is a great food for pregnant cats overall. This food is ideal for your pregnant kitty, and she can keep eating it while nursing. It’s suitable for weaning kittens too. The food is packed with essential nutrients, like DHA, optimum brain development, and potent antioxidants and vitamins that help encourage a strong immune system. It also contains prebiotics for good digestive health and fish oil, a natural source of omega fatty acids that will keep your cat’s coat shiny and healthy.

The main issue we have with this food is that the main protein source comes from chicken by-product meals. We’d prefer whole chicken meat and higher overall protein content too.

5. Wellness CORE Turkey & Chicken Canned Kitten Food

The Wellness CORE Turkey & Chicken Canned Kitten Food is packed with protein from turkey, chicken, chicken liver, and herring, with turkey broth to keep the pâté moist and tender. The included herring and fish oils and added flaxseeds are great natural sources of essential omega fatty acids, and the added cranberries are a potent source of antioxidants. The food also includes dried kelp, which is packed with calcium for healthy bone development, and taurine for heart health. It is also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals that your cat needs to thrive. The recipe is 100% grain-free and free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

This food is pricey and might be a bit too rich for some cats. It also contains small pieces of bone, which is not ideal for kittens but is most likely fine for adults.

6. Purina ONE True Instinct Grain-Free Protein Dry Cat Food

The Purina ONE True Instinct Grain-Free Protein Dry Cat Food contains ocean whitefish as the first listed ingredient, with a high protein content of 35% overall, ideal for pregnant mothers. The included omega fatty acids will help keep your cat’s coat silky and luxurious. There are four natural antioxidant sources, including vitamins E and A, to help promote a healthy immune system. The food also contains added essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium for healthy teeth and bones, with a combination of tender meaty morsels and crunchy texture for additional dental health. The food is 100% grain-free and is free from filler ingredients.

This food is difficult to fault, though some customers did report that it caused nausea and vomiting in their felines.

7. ACANA First Feast High-Protein Kitten Dry Cat Food

The ACANA First Feast High-Protein Kitten Dry Cat Food is packed with high-quality protein from chicken, herring, turkey, eggs, and quail for a 36% protein content overall that’s ideal for pregnant kitties. The food is made up of 70% animal ingredients and free from nasty artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. It also contains taurine for heart health, DHA and EPA for cognitive function, and whole cranberries as a great natural antioxidant source. There are also added probiotics for digestive support and natural omega fatty acids to keep your cat’s coat healthy and vibrant.

This food has a slightly higher fat content than we’d like, and some customers reported that the food caused vomiting and diarrhea in their cats.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Food for Pregnant Cats

You’ll notice that as your cat progresses through her pregnancy, she’ll gradually begin eating more food. This will be especially apparent during the final few weeks, when she’ll eat almost double the amount of food that she typically eats. Pregnant felines need extra nutrients and calories to help them stay energized while growing kittens, as pregnancy can take a real toll on their bodies. Protein is one of the most important nutrients, but there are a few other factors to look at too.

Nutritional Needs of Pregnant Cats

Protein is the most vital nutrient for pregnant felines, and since your cat’s caloric intake will increase by up to 10% per week, so should her protein intake. This is why vets often recommend kitten food as the best choice for pregnant cats, as it usually has a comparatively high protein content. She should ideally stay on this diet until she is finished weaning, though even just switching to a high-protein diet for the last 2–3 weeks of pregnancy is sufficient.

Pregnant cats also need more calories overall, but these must be healthy, nutrient-rich calories. Steer clear from foods with loads of grains and filler ingredients, as these will not give your pregnant kitty the nutrition that she needs. Kitten food is typically high in healthy calories and protein and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal choice for pregnant cats too.

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What to Look For in a Food for Pregnant Cats

Protein is one of the most vital nutrients for pregnant cats, but not all protein is made equal. Make sure it comes from animal sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, and that one of these is the first listed ingredient. Kitten food is typically higher in these protein sources but also higher in overall calories.

Calcium is another vital nutrient for pregnant cats, as they need the added bone and teeth support. Pregnancy can quickly deplete minerals in your cat’s body. This is important not only for the mother but also for the growing and developing kittens.

Essential omega fatty acids are crucial, and they usually come from fish or fish oils. These are good not only for a healthy coat and skin but also for the healthy development of the kittens overall. Immune support is also important in pregnant cats, so be sure to check for immune-boosting fruits and veggies and antioxidants like blueberries or cranberries.

How We Determined This List of Cat Foods for Pregnant Cats

All the cat foods reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which cat foods to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.

Why Trust PangoVet?

We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top cat foods on the market, so you can make an informed decision.

Conclusion

All these foods are great for your pregnant feline, but the Small Fresh Cat Food Ground Other Bird is our top choice overall. This food is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins and has everything that your pregnant kitty needs.

The Instinct Grain-Free Pâté is the best cat food for pregnant cats for the money. The food is packed with protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, and it is grain-free and contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or by-product meals.

Pregnancy can take a great deal of energy out of your feline, so proper nutrition is vital during this period. Hopefully, these in-depth reviews have helped you find the perfect food for your expecting cat!

See Also:

• Wet vs. Dry Cat Food
• Best Cat Foods for Nursing Mother Cats in Canada

Featured Image Credit: Capri23auto, Pixabay