Pregnant cat belly dropped, then fluffed back up again / permanent personality changes after birth?

[Sarthur2]

This is common in cats who have just given birth. She is in a high hormonal state. She is adjusting and her hormones will calm down over the next 2-3 days. In the meantime, stay close and praise her for a job well done! As long as she nurses regularly, all should be well!

Anniem319

 

[Anniem319]

This is common in cats who have just given birth. She is in a high hormonal state. She is adjusting and her hormones will calm down over the next 2-3 days. In the meantime, stay close and praise her for a job well done! As long as she nurses regularly, all should be well!

Anniem319

Thanks! I haven't left her side. Slept on the floor next to the birthing nest last night. All 3 babies gained weight today, and she is settling down a bit.

 

[Anniem319]

 

[StefanZ]

Wonderful!

How much do they gain? Healthy kittens adds typically 10+ grammes a day (1/3 + Oz). The first day often less.

 

[CodyMolly]

Oh she’s beautiful!!!!! I had a momma years ago and if I remember correctly I didn’t see them move but I did see the breathing up and down in different areas. Your baby is so sweet and precious. If you’re worried bring her to your vet just for piece of mind. Good luck on your sweet arrival! I wouldn’t be able to part with the kittens!

 

[CodyMolly]

Omg! Did realize there was more posts! Such adorable kittens! Nature is beautiful!

 

[Anniem319]

The mom has been really quiet the last 5 hours or so. I thought maybe she was finally just really sleeping, as it seemed she's been awake or alert for nearly 2 days now since the birth. But now she's refusing food too. Should I be concerned? Thanks

Nevermind. I pulled out some tuna and she is eating that. I was just worried!

 

[CodyMolly]

You’re such a wonderful Fur mommy! Bless you!

 

[Anniem319]

OK, so I know that during pregnancy and after, hormones are flying around, changing behaviors. What I want to know is does the experience change the mama cat at all?

We were adopted by a stray and then realized she was pregnant. I mistook the signs as her warming up to us - more friendly/affectionate, wanting to stay inside, etc. She didn't get along with my other cat in the beginning, but we thought that was normal too. Now that she gave birth, she is downright aggressive. Stalks her, tries to attack her. We do have them separate in different rooms, but sometimes Mom sneaks past us. Our poor cat is so stressed she's now peeing and pooping outside her litter box. I took her to the vet and she got a glowing health report, so we know it's not that.

Anyway, I don't what the personality of the stray actually is. Will she still be friendly and affectionate, even if not to the same degree? Will she and my other cat ever get along? Is this hatred of each other mostly maternal aggression?

Anyone have experience with this? Thanks!

 

[StefanZ]

Continue with separating them!

You can also try with a Feliway adapter or 2.
You can also have calming, relaxing music on... there are such on youtube...

it should get better when the kittens are older and no longer need to be protected.

 

[Sarthur2]

Agree! It’s all about protecting her kittens right now. She’ll return to normal down the road.

 

[Anniem319]

Continue with separating them!

You can also try with a Feliway adapter or 2.
You can also have calming, relaxing music on... there are such on youtube...

it should get better when the kittens are older and no longer need to be protected.

Thank you for that. Do you think the stray/mama will still be affectionate towards us? Want to stay inside even if it's part time? I'd love to have her as a member of the family but not at the expense of our other cat, who is an absolute love. It's killing me seeing her so stressed out.

 

[Anniem319]

Agree! It’s all about protecting her kittens right now. She’ll return to normal down the road.

Thing is, I'm trying to figure out what 'normal' might be for her! LOL I only got to know her shortly before she became pregnant. I have no idea if she's actually an affectionate cat, or happy in a home, or if these are completely pregnancy symptoms.

 

[StefanZ]

Nothing is ironclad, but the chances are excellent, if you continue to be friendly with her, she will attach more and more to you... Even if from beginning she come to you mostly to give help with her kittens.

 

[Anniem319]

Thanks everyone for your much needed advice. I have another question. The kittens are a little over 3 weeks now, healthy, thriving. Yesterday and this morning, Mom just won't stop meowing. She's pacing around, looking for places to hide, restless, maybe a little anxious. Any idea why? Everything has been going great. Could she be in heat again? She's not arching her back. I will the kittens have gotten more mobile, have been leaving the crate a lot the past 2 days as well. Could that be upsetting her? They are confined to one room, same room they've all been in since she had them. Thanks!

 

[Anniem319]

Anything I can do to help her feel less anxious? I have a playpen coming today. It's about 3 feet around so the babies can play contained.

 

[Sarthur2]

It’s normal for kittens to leave the nest to explore around the 3-week mark. They need little balls and toy mice at this point. However, when kittens begin their mobility around the room it does cause anxiety in mom cats.

However, it also sounds like your cat needs a break from this one room — a change of scenery. Could you let her out of the room a couple times a day for an hour to get a break? This may improve her restlessness.

It’s also possible she may be going into heat, so do not give her any opportunity to escape the house.

 

[Anniem319]

It’s normal for kittens to leave the nest to explore around the 3-week mark. They need little balls and toy mice at this point. However, when kittens begin their mobility around the room it does cause anxiety in mom cats.

However, it also sounds like your cat needs a break from this one room — a change of scenery. Could you let her out of the room a couple times a day for an hour to get a break? This may improve her restlessness.

It’s also possible she may be going into heat, so do not give her any opportunity to escape the house.

She leaves the room sometimes, just not the kittens. I really think it's heat. Yay me. LOL I'm doing some research on how to soothe her during heat. How soon after birthing can she be spayed? Thanks

 

[Sarthur2]

She can be spayed between 6 and 8 weeks — as soon as the kittens begin to wean to soft foods, so at least another 3 weeks, but go ahead and set an appointment for about a month from now.

 

[Sarthur2]

Also, not much you can do about a heat cycle. It lasts about a week and can occur about every 2 weeks, so if it’s heat, she may have one more cycle before spaying.

You can try putting a plug-in Feliway diffuser in the room. It does help to calm cats.