When should i start to worry that there is still no kittens??

Ellap

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Hello,

Me and my partner recently rehomed 2 cats, a mother who we were told was 4 or 5 and a son who they think was about 2. The son has been neutered, but they said that she hadn't been done. So, I took them to the vet to be checked and to see if they had microchips, which they didn't! So I got them both chipped. I also booked the mum into be fixed (they weren't doing it at the time because they were only doing emergencies because of covid). So, we never let them out. We wanted to wait until she was done. Then she started getting fat!
So now, we have had them for 63 days exactly - she looks like she has swallowed a bowling ball and still no sign of kittens. I have read everything possible and guess the case must be that she got pregnant literally before we got them. The people we got them from seem a bit careless.
I'm just wondering at what point I should be worried? She seems happy but uncomfortable with how big she is! Still eating, but only wants meat and even then - just licks the jelly off for the most part! She has lots of nests around and occasionally looks at them. But never goes in them. Although the son thinks they are great! She is still fairly playful too!
Any advice would be appreciated, I've found this site fab! Thanks.
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StefanZ

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Hello,

Me and my partner recently rehomed 2 cats, a mother who we were told was 4 or 5 and a son who they think was about 2. The son has been neutered, but they said that she hadn't been done. So, I took them to the vet to be checked and to see if they had microchips, which they didn't! So I got them both chipped. I also booked the mum into be fixed (they weren't doing it at the time because they were only doing emergencies because of covid). So, we never let them out. We wanted to wait until she was done. Then she started getting fat!
So now, we have had them for 63 days exactly - she looks like she has swallowed a bowling ball and still no sign of kittens. I have read everything possible and guess the case must be that she got pregnant literally before we got them. The people we got them from seem a bit careless.
I'm just wondering at what point I should be worried? She seems happy but uncomfortable with how big she is! Still eating, but only wants meat and even then - just licks the jelly off for the most part! She has lots of nests around and occasionally looks at them. But never goes in them. Although the son thinks they are great! She is still fairly playful too!
Any advice would be appreciated, I've found this site fab! Thanks. View attachment 378569View attachment 378571
As long she is happy and well, continue to observe but dont worry. It may take even a full week more! (I suppose you feel and see the kittens move?).A day or two before delivery, she will prob drop, ie suddenly look a little less preg. And you will feel the kittens move less, because they are more squeezed.
Rub her belly, they usually allow / appreciate this, its a nice massage.

Does she take goats milk? Or youghurt? If so, give her. Good supplements both, and also, contain calcium.
She should get extra calcium as she eats mostly meat. So give her some calcium source, whatever she takes.

Many high pregs take to the nest first after deliver, or at least, just shortly before delivery. So good she knows they are there.

I presume she and her son are best friends? If so, its OK he is around. If not, better to separate them, so she wont get stressed by his presence.

Toms may get a female preg also a couple of weeks after being neutered.. This perhaps happend here, they let their guard down too early...
 

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This might sound like a stupid question but is it definitely pregnancy and not ascites? Were you able to confirm it?
I suppose checking to see if her nipples are enlarged or for movement in her abdomen will answer that but just to be on the safe side!
It does look like pregnancy from the photo though.
The mammary glands grow in size as the time of birth nears so you might try to check them to see how she’s doing.
 
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Ellap

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As long she is happy and well, continue to observe but dont worry. It may take even a full week more! (I suppose you feel and see the kittens move?).A day or two before delivery, she will prob drop, ie suddenly look a little less preg. And you will feel the kittens move less, because they are more squeezed.
Rub her belly, they usually allow / appreciate this, its a nice massage.

Does she take goats milk? Or youghurt? If so, give her. Good supplements both, and also, contain calcium.
She should get extra calcium as she eats mostly meat. So give her some calcium source, whatever she takes.

Many high pregs take to the nest first after deliver, or at least, just shortly before delivery. So good she knows they are there.

I presume she and her son are best friends? If so, its OK he is around. If not, better to separate them, so she wont get stressed by his presence.

Toms may get a female preg also a couple of weeks after being neutered.. This perhaps happend here, they let their guard down too early...

I was just expecting her to have had them by now because she started looking pregnant fairly early on! I will try her with some goat milk or yogurt. She is having kitten food, so hopefully that helps!

The son was done as a kitten, so I have no idea who the father is or when anything happened! The person we got them from isn't interested in chatting about them! But I looked on her Facebook and it looks like she might have had a few litters! Poor girl - I've assured her that this is her last.
Her and Tony are absolute best friends, she quite often grooms him and they love to play. He is very sweet and gentle, I'm hoping they will be okay together.. but will obviously keep and eye!

Thank you so much for your help!
 
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Ellap

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This might sound like a stupid question but is it definitely pregnancy and not ascites? Were you able to confirm it?
I suppose checking to see if her nipples are enlarged or for movement in her abdomen will answer that but just to be on the safe side!
It does look like pregnancy from the photo though.
The mammary glands grow in size as the time of birth nears so you might try to check them to see how she’s doing.
Is that because of her shape? I've always had dogs, but not as used to cats - and was definitely expecting or wanting kittens!

Her nipples have gotten bigger and I can feel the kittens move! So, I'm pretty sure she's pregnant. We doubted ourselves for quite some time and treated her with wormer when she first started swelling (we did make sure it was safe for pregnant as first!).

Thanks :)
 

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With fluid build up the swelling is usually more uniform, her stomach seems a little more angular and the swelling contained to a single area, if that explains it?
Loss of appetite during pregnancy is quite common too, try to give her calcium and maybe cobalamin (B12) supplements just to keep her in tip top shape. She’ll definitely need it when the milk hoovers latch on.

I’m not entirely sure but rehoming during pregnancy might have had an effect on the length due to some stress but it’s completely normal for the gestation period to take shorter or longer than usual.
You can pick up the worrying again if there’s still no change by the 70th day. 😊

You’ll probably be saying hello to mewling little gremlins in a week or so, good luck!
 

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She’s definitely pregnant and is nearing the end. Most cats do not go into the birthing box until time to deliver. She’s due any day over the next few days. It sounds like she’s in good hands with you!
 

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Ellap

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She’s definitely pregnant and is nearing the end. Most cats do not go into the birthing box until time to deliver. She’s due any day over the next few days. It sounds like she’s in good hands with you!
Thankyou very much! I watch her like a hawk - she is probably sick of me!
 
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Ellap

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Cats gestation period is 64 days on average, but, like with humans, it can be longer or shorter than that, so it sounds to me like everything is running smoothly. Keep an eye out for tell tale signs that the birth is nearing (e.g., milk production). These articles have some helpful info:

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth? – TheCatSite Articles

Pregnant Cat? What To Prepare For The Birth – TheCatSite Articles
Thank you! It just must mean that she got pregnant right before we got her?! Thank you for the articles 🙂
 
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Ellap

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Still no kittens! Tried her with yogurt, but she isn't keen. I'm still giving her kitten food, and also some chicken. As she is going thin on her bum and shoulders! All belly.
I can't believe they still aren't here.. I thought she might already be a week pregnant when we got her! She's just really holding on!
 
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Ellap

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We have 2 kittens at the moment! She has done amazingly, although she decided to give birth on our bed! She's been sleeping for about an hour, but I can feel more kittens inside! Is she just having a break?
 

StefanZ

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We have 2 kittens at the moment! She has done amazingly, although she decided to give birth on our bed! She's been sleeping for about an hour, but I can feel more kittens inside! Is she just having a break?
Yes. Some pauses are normal. But if she sleeps she is apparently tired.

You can always give her some glucose sugar / dextrose. In USA it may be difficult to find glucose sugar proper, so in USA the usual trick is to give a drop of white caro syrup on the gum, inside of the lip... Or give with her drinking water... Honey is OK too with the same idea. This gives quick energhy.
If you dont have neither at hand, you CAN use common table sugar, but it works slower.

The same tip is if the kittens seems weak or lethargic.
 
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Ellap

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We have 3 very strong little slugs and a very happy mummy! She had the third kitten about 2 hours after the second. She has been eating, drinking and purring away. I think she might have another kitten, but she has made no attempt to try and push it out. This is by no means her first litter. I'm hoping she knows what she's doing!
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stoorworm

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Awww congratulations! Even if she has another one in there she’s probably exhausted and taking a break. ❤
Can you identify the last second knock up culprit from the colour of their fur?
 
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