- Joined
- Jan 1, 2015
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- Purraise
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You'll see the nipples really begin to enlarge and turn pink and the hair around them to go away around 6 weeks. Also, you should start noticing a large bulge around that time too. I know the birth is probably a long way off, but when is close to giving birth she will begin to produce a certain type of milk called collistrum (I have no idea if I spelled that right). If she gets milk she could be anywhere from half a week to just a few hours away from going into labor, so keep a close watch on her then. Make sure to get a birthing box at least a week before you think she's going to give birth. Just take a cardboard box, cut an opening in it, and line it with towels or newspaper. If you use towels like I do, put a softer fabric over them so the kitten's claws don't get stuck in the loops. Encourage your cat to get comfortable and feel safe in this box so she'll have kittens there, which will be much easier than not knowing where your cat is when she gives birth. She may want to rearrange the box to make it a "nest."
When she goes into labor she may pant and purr out of agitation. She'll produce a clear liquid, and don't be concerned if there's blood. During the second stage of labor she'll want to push her hind legs up against something, or squat down like she's pooing. The kitten should come out shortly after that. Each kitten should be followed by a placenta, and is connected to the placenta by an umbilical cord attached to their belly button. Make sure each kitten is followed by a placenta. I had a momma cat give birth to two kittens before the any placenta came out once, and there were some major complications. Your cat should lick the membrane off the kittens' nose and mouth so they can breath. Then she should bite through the umbilical cord connecting the kitten to the placenta. Make sure the kitten can nurse right away. Many cats will eat 1-3 placentas as it's a good source of nutrients. If they don't that's ok. Placentas are really bloody and gross. Also, never assume your cat is done having kittens until you know for sure. She may want a break to nurse for a while. I once assumed a pregnant cat was done and went to eat lunch, then went back a few minutes later and found she had another kitten!
Complications:
- Miscarriage: I've never had a cat have a miscarriage before, as they're often only triggered by traumatic experiences. I've heard they're bloody and there's no way to stop them from happening, so I would keep your cat indoors. If she does have a miscarriage I would take her to the vet.
- Mother cat ignores kitten or can't take care of it: This isn't too common as mother cats should instinctively take care of all their kittens, but sometimes there's a kitten they think won't survive or is just plain annoying. If the kitten is only a few weeks old, this is a problem. Make sure they get lots of milk (not cow's milk. Baby cat milk from the store, or just force it to nurse on the momma cat) and stay really warm (but not hot). New borns need milk every few hours. Encourage the mother cat to take care of them and lick them. After three weeks if the mom abandons the kitten it could just be that she's annoyed with it, she probably won't abandon it permanently. I once had a kitten who was meowing constantly and the mother cat scruffed it and stuck it under the bed to shut it up. We waited a bit, then pulled it out and everything continued like it was supposed to.
- Birth Complications:
- Feet first: I once and a pregnant cat who was only 9 months old :'-( Her first kitten came out feet first and wouldn't move. Its feet started turning blue. Eventually everything was out but its head and its circulation was being cut off at its neck! This is a place where assistance might be necessary. Make sure your hands are clean and very very gently wiggle/pull the kitten until it's not in danger anymore. If you can't tell if you're pulling too hard, just assume you are. Kittens are pretty fragile.
- Mother won't cut umbilical cord: Don't be concerned if she doesn't cut it right away, but if you're sure she's not going to bite through it you may have to do this yourself. That sounded wrong, I meant cut it yourself. I once had a mamma cat who was so over - bread as a persian/exotic shorthair her face was concave. It was smooshed in so far she couldn't even bite wet food let alone bite through an umbilical cord (I would sit with her every morning and make a large mound of wet food on a spoon and every minute or so mound it up again with my fingers so she could eat). To cut the umbilical cord, get some dental floss or thin steril string and tie it around the umbilical cord. Then find some scissors and sterilize those too. Cut the umbilical cord on the side that is closest to the placenta. This is really important, as the point of the floss is to slow, cut off the circulation so the kitten isn't as impacted by the cut. Whether you cut it or the mother cuts it, the umbilical cords will be gross black long scabby things on the kittens for a while, this is normal.
- Mother won't help newborn kitten: This probably won't happen, but if it does wipe the kitten's nose with a clean cloth so the membrane and goop gets out of its nose and it's stimulated to breath. You can actually use one of those things that slurps up stuff in baby's noses. I have one on hand that was originally intended for my nose.
An important/fun fact about kittens: They can't poo or pee on their own for the first three weeks or so. The only way for them to relieve themselves is if the mother cat licks their bottom and EATS WHAT COMES OUT! It's so weird, but it's life I guess. If the mother cat clearly isn't doing this, you can "lick" the kittens yourself with a damp cloth that'll collect whatever comes out. It actually is kind of fun. After 3-5 weeks this reflex will go away and you will then see the benefits of introducing kittens to the litter box before this time :-) They should watch the mother use it too, and make sure the litter isn't harmful if they eat it. Be prepared for a few accidents around this time. You may want to give the kittens a trim around the behind if they're really long haired, but avoid bathing them.
I hope this helps! This is all from my experience as a fosterer for my local animal shelters. I believe in spaying/neutering yada yada but I often mother cats we get are so far along that it would be inhumane. Also, don't be alarmed by the complications I listed, they're pretty rare. These are just what-if scenarios. Good luck with your pregnant kitty!
When she goes into labor she may pant and purr out of agitation. She'll produce a clear liquid, and don't be concerned if there's blood. During the second stage of labor she'll want to push her hind legs up against something, or squat down like she's pooing. The kitten should come out shortly after that. Each kitten should be followed by a placenta, and is connected to the placenta by an umbilical cord attached to their belly button. Make sure each kitten is followed by a placenta. I had a momma cat give birth to two kittens before the any placenta came out once, and there were some major complications. Your cat should lick the membrane off the kittens' nose and mouth so they can breath. Then she should bite through the umbilical cord connecting the kitten to the placenta. Make sure the kitten can nurse right away. Many cats will eat 1-3 placentas as it's a good source of nutrients. If they don't that's ok. Placentas are really bloody and gross. Also, never assume your cat is done having kittens until you know for sure. She may want a break to nurse for a while. I once assumed a pregnant cat was done and went to eat lunch, then went back a few minutes later and found she had another kitten!
Complications:
- Miscarriage: I've never had a cat have a miscarriage before, as they're often only triggered by traumatic experiences. I've heard they're bloody and there's no way to stop them from happening, so I would keep your cat indoors. If she does have a miscarriage I would take her to the vet.
- Mother cat ignores kitten or can't take care of it: This isn't too common as mother cats should instinctively take care of all their kittens, but sometimes there's a kitten they think won't survive or is just plain annoying. If the kitten is only a few weeks old, this is a problem. Make sure they get lots of milk (not cow's milk. Baby cat milk from the store, or just force it to nurse on the momma cat) and stay really warm (but not hot). New borns need milk every few hours. Encourage the mother cat to take care of them and lick them. After three weeks if the mom abandons the kitten it could just be that she's annoyed with it, she probably won't abandon it permanently. I once had a kitten who was meowing constantly and the mother cat scruffed it and stuck it under the bed to shut it up. We waited a bit, then pulled it out and everything continued like it was supposed to.
- Birth Complications:
- Feet first: I once and a pregnant cat who was only 9 months old :'-( Her first kitten came out feet first and wouldn't move. Its feet started turning blue. Eventually everything was out but its head and its circulation was being cut off at its neck! This is a place where assistance might be necessary. Make sure your hands are clean and very very gently wiggle/pull the kitten until it's not in danger anymore. If you can't tell if you're pulling too hard, just assume you are. Kittens are pretty fragile.
- Mother won't cut umbilical cord: Don't be concerned if she doesn't cut it right away, but if you're sure she's not going to bite through it you may have to do this yourself. That sounded wrong, I meant cut it yourself. I once had a mamma cat who was so over - bread as a persian/exotic shorthair her face was concave. It was smooshed in so far she couldn't even bite wet food let alone bite through an umbilical cord (I would sit with her every morning and make a large mound of wet food on a spoon and every minute or so mound it up again with my fingers so she could eat). To cut the umbilical cord, get some dental floss or thin steril string and tie it around the umbilical cord. Then find some scissors and sterilize those too. Cut the umbilical cord on the side that is closest to the placenta. This is really important, as the point of the floss is to slow, cut off the circulation so the kitten isn't as impacted by the cut. Whether you cut it or the mother cuts it, the umbilical cords will be gross black long scabby things on the kittens for a while, this is normal.
- Mother won't help newborn kitten: This probably won't happen, but if it does wipe the kitten's nose with a clean cloth so the membrane and goop gets out of its nose and it's stimulated to breath. You can actually use one of those things that slurps up stuff in baby's noses. I have one on hand that was originally intended for my nose.
An important/fun fact about kittens: They can't poo or pee on their own for the first three weeks or so. The only way for them to relieve themselves is if the mother cat licks their bottom and EATS WHAT COMES OUT! It's so weird, but it's life I guess. If the mother cat clearly isn't doing this, you can "lick" the kittens yourself with a damp cloth that'll collect whatever comes out. It actually is kind of fun. After 3-5 weeks this reflex will go away and you will then see the benefits of introducing kittens to the litter box before this time :-) They should watch the mother use it too, and make sure the litter isn't harmful if they eat it. Be prepared for a few accidents around this time. You may want to give the kittens a trim around the behind if they're really long haired, but avoid bathing them.
I hope this helps! This is all from my experience as a fosterer for my local animal shelters. I believe in spaying/neutering yada yada but I often mother cats we get are so far along that it would be inhumane. Also, don't be alarmed by the complications I listed, they're pretty rare. These are just what-if scenarios. Good luck with your pregnant kitty!