Pregnant Cat/new kitten questions

[Pramathesh]

Hi! My cat is at least 60 days pregnant. All the usual signs are there. Two questions:
1.) She keeps getting into the litter box and comfortably sitting in it. Although the litter box is clean the times that I have seen her doing this. I feel kind of disgusted. Should I wash her after that? Is it harmful if she licks herself clean after that? (She is a community cat which I took in a month ago seeing her pregnant, and she practically litter trained herself after I put her in gently a few times and made scratching gestures.)
2.) I say 60 days pregnant because I observed her last estrus and probably know one of the males she mated with. That was 60 days ago. Cats have multiple mates, is there a way to accurately calculate the gestation period?

 

[Sarthur2]

She’s probably due very soon. Have you made a nesting box for her and shown it to her?

She may be in early labor and cats lick their bottoms a lot during this time. I would not wash her. I would leave her be but steer her away from the litter box. However, some cats do give birth in their litter boxes but it is messy.

Do you plan to spay her after this litter weans?

 

[Pramathesh]

1.) Yes I have made several comfortable spots for birthing. Though she hasn't chosen one, she is equally comfortable in all of them and spends time in them.
2.) I do not disturb her or pick her up when she gets in the litter box. She gets out when she wants to.
3.) Definitely, as soon as the kittens are weaned, she will get spayed.
But I have decided that she is not giving birth in the litter box. When she is in labour I will set her in her birthing box. Is there any risk of infection from sitting in the litter box?

 

[Sarthur2]

If the litter box is clean there should be no concerns.

Is she using it normally for pee and poop? No straining to pee?

 

[Pramathesh]

Pee and poop normal. No straining.

 

[Sarthur2]

That’s good!

 

[Pramathesh]

My cat gave birth to 3 healthy kittens yesterday. The birth was very smooth without much straining and hard labor. There were almost no signs of imminent labor. The babies slid out effortlessly. Is it common for a mild lethargy to set in after birth because of parturition? Also she is eating well but refuses to drink water. She has not pooped or peed in the 24 hours since birthing. Welcome advices from experienced owners, breeders, and doctors here.

 

[di and bob]

If she hasn't drunk she won't be peeing. The body may have cleansed itself out before birth, so she may not be pooping for a while either. She may be extremely worn out but should be springing back in the next day or so. Her body has gone through an extreme amount of work, at the expense of her other body functions. She needs water though to help produce milk. Offer her wet food with a little water mixed in. Have small bowls of water set around to entice her. If she doesn't start drinking/using the litter box by day three, bring her in, that is not normal.

 

[Pramathesh]

If she hasn't drunk she won't be peeing. The body may have cleansed itself out before birth, so she may not be pooping for a while either. She may be extremely worn out but should be springing back in the next day or so. Her body has gone through an extreme amount of work, at the expense of her other body functions. She needs water though to help produce milk. Offer her wet food with a little water mixed in. Have small bowls of water set around to entice her. If she doesn't start drinking/using the litter box by day three, bring her in, that is not normal.

Thanks for the response. She peed just a while ago (a while after I posted this message) and had a good snack and had a drink as well. I am relieved. She is springing back and will surely poop in the next 12 hours.

 

[di and bob]

That is wonderful news! I know you can't help but worry, you are a great cat parent!

 

[Pramathesh]

Cat mom nursing well since the last 4 days. I post these two pictures of her nipples. Please comment if the change is normal.

 

[Sarthur2]

They are getting a workout, but all looks okay. You can apply olive oil or bag balm to prevent chapping.

 

[Pramathesh]

They are getting a workout, but all looks okay. You can apply olive oil or bag balm to prevent chapping.

Thanks.

 

[Pramathesh]

Can anyone describe what a newborn kitten should smell like? Or to make it clearer, what it should not smell like? How often should the nursing nest be cleaned or sheets changed by the foster parent?

 

[Sarthur2]

The nest bedding should be changed as often as it needs it - basically when it is soiled. This can be daily or every other day.

Is this about the kittens born on July 1st? Is there a bad smell? Is it coming from the mom, the kittens, or the nest itself? Please provide more details so that we can more adequately advise you.

 

[Pramathesh]

The nest bedding should be changed as often as it needs it - basically when it is soiled. This can be daily or every other day.

Is this about the kittens born on July 1st? Is there a bad smell? Is it coming from the mom, the kittens, or the nest itself? Please provide more details so that we can more adequately advise you.

Yes. The July 1st kittens. The three kittens and the mom are doing super fine. One kitten already opened eyes yesterday and another this afternoon. The nest is very happy. I have a layered bed for them and change the top layer every 2-3 days. The mom is very clean and smells like her usual self, and licks her babies clean. Yesterday I held the kitties for a long time and felt like they should be smelling better. So, the concern. Thanks for the reply. Welcome advices/ suggestions.

 

[Sarthur2]

The mom licks the babies’ wastes, and she eats smelly cat food, then she licks the kittens’ fur with her tongue, so it is not unusual that the kittens may smell a bit sour at times from bacteria from mom’s mouth.

The kittens should not be bathed at this age, however, as there are no other issues. They will outgrow this stage once they begin grooming themselves.

You can wipe the kittens with a warm, damp cloth occasionally to help mother out with cleaning, or brush them gently with an old toothbrush.

 

[Pramathesh]

The mom licks the babies’ wastes, and she eats smelly cat food, then she licks the kittens’ fur with her tongue, so it is not unusual that the kittens may smell a bit sour at times from bacteria from mom’s mouth.

The kittens should not be bathed at this age, however, as there are no other issues. They will outgrow this stage once they begin grooming themselves.

You can wipe the kittens with a warm, damp cloth occasionally to help mother out with cleaning, or brush them gently with an old toothbrush.

Thanks Sarthur2!

 

[Pramathesh]

Thanks Sarthur2!

Hi! I noticed something wriggling around the momma cat's anus. I read about it and found it is tapeworm and that the medication is very common and effective. What course of action is effective and viable here considering that veterinarians are not readily available in my area and she is a nursing mother. Is it okay to procure the meds and do a home treatment or does this require a vet visit?

 

[Sarthur2]

You should be able to get praziquantel and/or pyrantel pamoate without a vet prescription. Either will kill tapeworms, but be careful to give the correct dose, and a second dose 7-10 days later to cover the life cycle of the tapeworms.

Tapeworms come from ingesting a flea, so be sure to treat her with a topical flea treatment such as Advantage II for cats or Frontline for cats to deal with the fleas. Vacuum floors and wash bedding to kill flea eggs and larvae.