Cat always eating

Question
This is a new behavior.  My mother's cat recently had 4 kittens.  Since this litter, she has been stealing food from the garbage, from the stove, etc.  She goes outside and gets into neighbors garbage as well.  The cat is feed in the morning and evening (can food and dry food mixed)  She is not gaining any weight.  We are confused about this new behavior.  Thanks for a response.

Answer
Hello Ruth,

Being a mama requires a TON of calories, she is basically simply not getting enough from her current food.  I usually recommend against free feeding but nursing mama's need to have access to high calorie food at all times.  You should be feeding her a high quality kitten food and she should be getting as much as she can eat at all times because making milk for those wee ones takes so much out of them, it is really a tough job.  I am a big supported of raw food, but royal canin also has a food especially for nursing mothers called 'Queen 32,' but I'm not sure if it's widely available.  Some other good foods are Evo, Wysong, Solid Gold amongst others all have kitten formula's and although a bit more expensive well worth it for the health of your kitty.

Natoma