pregnant mum

Question
HI Teresa,
my cat is due in the next week..ive just noticed that her nipples are very very dry..and a little cracked...is there anything i can bathe or put on them..before suckling starts i imagine they will be very sore..kind regards Sam x

Answer
Hi Sam, Bathing her or the nipples will just dry them out, so don't do that. You can get a thick cream that the farmers use on the cows nipples and I believe you can even buy it at a feed store or  in the pharmacy section of people stores as women who are breast feeding use it also !!ie udderly smooth or bag balm (yes, they are not much on names... haha) But... vaseline also works very well.... and it gives no strong taste to the kittens but when they are first born make sure her nipples are clean of it as the kittens will really be relying on scent to find mommy and to start nursing. But until she delivers the vaseline will soften her nipples and make her more comfortable. Just use a thin coat of it. I actually rub it into my hands first and then onto the cat. I hate to promote particular products but vaseline or any other petroleum gelly is the best thing for skin problems !
Good luck with your babies... and her nipples will toughen up once the kittens get nursing so a thin application once or twice a day AFTER the first day of nursing will be all she needs. Teresa