Pregnancy in cats
If you aren't planning to breed your cat it's always best to
have her spayed. Pregnancy in cats is a significant event, and
if you have made the big decision to allow your cat to have
kittens, you're in for quite an adventure.
A mother cat is usually more than capable of taking care of
a birth on her own and it's normally best to leave her to it.
However, there are a few things you can do to help make things
easier.
Tell-tale signs
There are a number of signs that indicate your cat is
pregnant. The first indicator may be that her heat cycle will
stop. Another early sign is that your cat's nipples will swell
and take on a darker, red colour. A pregnant cat will also eat
more and possibly have bouts of 'morning sickness'. After five
weeks, swelling of your cat's stomach will be noticeable and it
will continue to swell until she gives birth.
You may see a dramatic change in behaviour. She might
suddenly become particularly affectionate and eager to spend
time around you. Conversely, you may also find your previously
friendly cat becomes sullen and reclusive. Don't be concerned,
both of these behaviours are entirely normal.
Cats usually manage birth with little difficulty. If you are
concerned about your cat or want to confirm that she is
pregnant, take her to your vet. They'll check to make sure your
expecting mother is healthy and confirm the pregnancy with a
physical check or an ultrasound.
Preparation
In the months leading up to the birth there's not a lot you
need to do for your expecting mother, just make sure she
continues to receive a good, healthy diet and lots of
water.
As soon as pregnancy is confirmed you should switch her to a
premium kitten food such as Hills Science Plan Kitten to
provide extra nutrients for her and her kittens. Keep her on
this food until the kittens are weaned. Don't be surprised if
your mother-cat doesn't seem to eat a lot right away. She's has
an abdomen full of kittens and will probably prefer to eat
several times a day in small portions.
As the birth date approaches your cat will probably start
looking for a quiet, soft place to nest in. Provide something
like a towel-lined box for your cat and encourage her to use
it. Don't be concerned however, if in the end, she chooses not
to use it.
An imminent birth is usually marked by a milky discharge
from your cat's nipples. If you're monitoring your cat's
temperature, it will usually drop to below 38.9 degrees C just
before delivery.
Once delivery begins your cat may start purring heavily and
you will be able to see the contractions. Remember that in most
cases a cat is entirely capable of getting through a delivery
on her own.
Slowly does it
The average litter size is between 2 to 5 kittens. Usually a
cat will pause for anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour
between kittens. If you know she still has kittens inside her
and has taken more than three hours to deliver the earlier
ones, you should get her to the vet.
When the kittens are first delivered they should already be
tearing out of the amniotic membrane or sac. Usually the mother
will help them with this task, if she doesn't, you need to very
carefully cut it open to release the kitten.
A mother cat will lick her kittens once they're delivered to
stimulate their breathing. If she's too exhausted to do this,
or is distracted by another birth, it may be up to you. Rub the
kitten gently with a towel the same way a mother would lick it.
You should tip the kitten so it is face down, this will help
clear fluid from it's airway.
Placenta removal
After every kitten a placenta should also emerge. If a
placenta is retained it can result in infection in the mother.
Count to make sure you have seen a placenta for each kitten.
Don't be surprised if the mother eats some or all of the
placentas. This is perfectly normal and safe. If the mother
appears to have retained a placenta, again you need to get her
to the vet quickly.
The mother cat will also usually chew off the umbilical
cord. If she doesn't, you should help. Tie a piece of sturdy
thread tightly around the cord about an inch from the kittens'
body. Tie another loop of thread an inch further up the cord,
then cut between the two loops with a sharp pair of
scissors.
Once the kittens have been delivered and cleaned, they
should immediately crawl to their mother's nipples and begin to
suckle. At that point it's safe to let your cat and her kittens
have some quite time. Congratulations on your new litter of
kittens.