If your female cat is around a male cat that is not neutered, she could become pregnant again before she is even done weaning her current litter. According to the ASPCA, a cat can have an average of four to six kittens per litter, and can have one to two litters per year. Pet statistics. Newborn kittens should be nursing every one to two hours, so your cat will likely be with them constantly for the first week or two. Examining Your Cat Take the cat’s temperature. During the later stages of your cat’s pregnancy, your cat may start becoming more unfriendly and grumpy , especially with other household pets or people. If the mother cat fails to remove the fetal membrane within the first minute after birth, you will need to break the sac and wipe away any fluid from the kitten’s nose. Just as it is with human childbirth, cats do not give birth to a tightly fixed schedule. In order to determine pregnancy look for a range of range signs. Your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medication if her stool sample shows evidence of parasitic infection. The first sign of labor for cats giving birth to kittens is restlessness with some growling or rhythmic purring. … This guide has everything you need to know about cat pregnancy and birth, including how to tell if a cat is pregnant, how long cats are pregnant for, nutritional needs, stages of cat labor, and how to care for the newborn kittens. It is very important to know the age of your cat to give your pussy the care it needs. Kittens are unable to regulate their own body temperature until they are 3 to 4 weeks old. Signs to watch for include: Listlessness or restlessness, looking for a place to hide (show her the nest) St. Louis, Mo. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days. Here’s what you need to know about providing the right food for a pregnant cat. Often the date of birth of a pet is not known because it has not been with us since birth. https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics. Fetal membranes are usually reddish-yellow in color and surround the fetus that’s floating in amniotic fluid. Whilst enlarged nipples can be a sign of pregnancy then can also simply mean that your cat is in heat. In the cat pregnancy generally lasts for 63 to 65 days; however, it is not unusual for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer time (range 58 to 70 days). During the first few weeks after birth, the mother cat will stimulate her kittens to eliminate by cleaning their genital areas. While cats tend to be pretty self-sufficient, there are still some important things to consider during your cat’s pregnancy and birth. Second stage – Contractions become stronger until she delivers her kitten. Queens should be kept on this higher-calorie diet through weaning. You may notice some cream colored thick secretions coming out of her nipples. 4. Many cats have a favourite person, and they can check up on her, but now is not the time to let children or strangers come and pester her unless that is what she is happy with. A nesting box should be provided for the queen two weeks prior to delivery so she can settle in. Keep an eye on Kitty, but bother her as little as possible. Common spots queens choose is the back of a wardrobe or inside drawers. Approximately 2 days before your cat gives birth, she’ll start to produce milk. Although you may want to pet and hold the kittens constantly, do not intervene too much in the first week or two of their lives. She enjoys photography, gardening and running in her spare time. Bella: As labor becomes imminent, your cat will start licking her genitals, and may even make some anxious noises. Sometimes it’s so hard to tell that a cat is pregnant that you don’t know until you’ve got a litter of kittens. If your queen starts behaving unusually nervous and on edge, it may be a sign that she's ready to go into labor. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952101, 5. Pregnant cats can have four to six kittens in a litter. At this age, you also can put out a small litter pan with a thin layer of litter. Pregnancy and parturition in cats. It can be very difficult to see the signs that a cat is pregnant. Click below to jump to a specific section: How to Make Your Cat Comfortable for Giving Birth. Merck Veterinary Manual. Avoid giving medications and vaccines while your cat is nursing. They should still have constant access to the queen, who will continue to nurse them. Most kittens will naturally scratch in the litter and learn to relieve themselves in the litter box. Just a minute ago your cat may have looked for attention and cuddles – in the next it will suddenly retreat and wants to be left alone. You’ll notice a very distinct sound to it, and this will give you the biggest heads up. 2014. However, these signs will sometimes not occur until later in the pregnancy. Genital licking:  This is a sign that delivery is very close. On the other hand, a normally friendly cat may withdraw and spend more time on her own. It can be hard to tell, but there are a few signs to look out for that indicates a cat is done giving birth. You can mix dry kibble with water (and let it soak to make the kibbles softer) or canned kitten food to make it easier for them to eat. Purina says your cat will likely not show cat pregnancy symptoms until she is at least two or three weeks into her pregnancy. When you see this last behaviour, you can be quite sure that your lovely cat is entering the first stage of the birth process — your cat’s labour has begun. Vaccines can put a cat at significant risk of birth defects for the developing babies. During this time, kittens are very susceptible to disease, and it can be stressful to the mom and babies. The first kitten should be born about an hour after labor begins. This can lead to fever, infection, lack of appetite, and failure to care for the kittens. Pregnant cats are very independent and will usually find their own quiet area to nest before giving birth. Cat Themed Official Days – January to December 2021, Plasma Cell Pododermatitis (Pillow Foot) in Cats. Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. Tear it with your first two fingers and thumb, but be careful not to pull on the cord, as this may cause damage to the kitten’s organs. Going into labor is generally known as Stage 1, and will last between 12 and 24 hours. And while your cat might decide for herself where she wants to give birth, it’s a good idea to set up a nesting box or area in a quiet part of the house. She may rest in her nesting box and knead with her front paws. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}), Julia Wilson is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Any queen that is being used for breeding should be current on her vaccinations and preventatives prior to pregnancy. For many people, finding out that their cat is pregnant comes as a surprise. You can use a large cardboard box with low sides, making it easy for your cat to step in and out, or simply put down soft, clean bedding. She may purr, lick you, follow you around the house. Do NOT move or distract your cat during the birthing process because she may stop labor and begin again the next day if she feels stressed. The mother and her kittens should be kept in a quiet, low-traffic area of the house. Vaginal bleeding is abnormal during any feline pregnancy and should be a cause for concern. However, for some breeds (the Siamese for example) this may be a day or so longer. Your cat may go to a quiet place like a closet and start arranging blankets, towels, or other fabric to create a place to give birth to her kittens. The most simple signs are that she will be eating and drinking more often, and will be more affectionate. Elsevier. Here’s what you need to know about postpartum care, nutrition, and lactation. They should never be separated from their mother if they are younger than 8 weeks old. If you think that your cat may not be producing milk, or isn’t letting the kittens nurse, contact your veterinarian right away. Pregnant cats have different nutritional needs. Restlessness: About 24 to 48 hours before labor, the pregnant queen may seem restless or anxious.She may go in and out of her nesting area, almost as if pacing. And while your cat might decide for herself where she wants to give birth, it’s a good idea to set up a nesting box or area in a quiet part of the house. Watch for “poor doers” or the “runts of the litter” (kittens who are much smaller and not growing as quickly as their littermates), as they could have underlying health conditions affecting their ability to grow. Her personality may change: Often queens become quite clingy and affectionate with their owner right before labour. If you do not know when the pussy cat was born, you have to approximately calculate the cat's age through certain observations. If your cat becomes ill, call your veterinarian immediately and make sure to let them know that she is nursing so that they can prescribe safe medications if needed. But make sure there are accessible unheated areas, as kittens will need to be able to move away from the heat source if they become too warm. They may also start showing other signs of being ready, like pacing the room. Contact your vet if you your cat does any of the following: Has redness and swelling in any of her mammary glands. They may have even thought that their cat was just getting a little round from extra snacks. Veterinary Information Network. Swollen nipples and milk discharge: In the days leading up to the birth, her nipples will increase in size, around two days before she gives birth, they will produce milk. After your cat has given birth, mum will normally bite through the umbilical cord, but your help might be needed again if she doesn't. Generally, two types of temperament are seen in cats at kittening: the independent type which will go t… Nesting: A day or two before labor, your cat will seek out a quiet and safe place to have her kittens. Cats usually have 4 pairs of mammary glands. Keep the nesting area private enough for the pregnant queen to feel comfortable, yet still accessible so you can monitor any possible complications. Your cat will show typical signs during the gestation period that are often comparative to those indicating human pregnancy, such as frequent sickness and mood swings. Socializing them at an early age can help ensure that they fit well into a household. Cats can also suffer from false pregnancy, or pseudopregnancy. Always check with your veterinarian to ensure that a specific flea preventative is safe for use in pregnant cats. First stage – The beginning of uterine contractions. Another physical sign that your cat is in labor is that her temperature will drop two days before her delivery day. You can use a timer to keep track of the time between kittens to make sure there isn’t a problem. There are some signs that she may be close to giving birth (known as “queening”). Stay up to date with the latest cat news and published articles. 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