You might also be able to observe some shallow and rapid breathing, and possibly a slight flaring of your kitty's nostrils during the beginning faint contractions. Avoid giving medications and vaccines while your cat is nursing. If your cat becomes ill, call your veterinarian immediately and make sure to let them know that she is nursing so that they can prescribe safe medications if needed. Usually, a cat that is close to labor will give signs, so you can tell when to be ready. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/cancer-and-tumors/reducing-the-risk-of-cancer. Most kittens will naturally scratch in the litter and learn to relieve themselves in the litter box. According to the ASPCA, a cat can have an average of four to six kittens per litter, and can have one to two litters per year. … Second stage – Contractions become stronger until she delivers her kitten. What are the signs that a cat is about to give birth? But make sure there are accessible unheated areas, as kittens will need to be able to move away from the heat source if they become too warm. If you are in this situation, have your male cat neutered as soon as you know your female is pregnant, or keep your female cat confined so that another pregnancy is not possible before she can be spayed. You should have food and fresh water available to her at all times. A nesting box should be provided for the queen two weeks prior to delivery so she can settle in. Waiting until they are closer to 10 weeks old to adopt out or place the kittens in homes will have an even greater behavioral benefit. Here is an at a glance guide to your cat’s pregnancy from conception to birth, week by week. They may have even thought that their cat was just getting a little round from extra snacks. Your cat might lick it off or she could just let it dry up and you’ll notice that her nipples will have small whitish scabs on them. While cats tend to be pretty self-sufficient, there are still some important things to consider during your cat’s pregnancy and birth. Nesting Activities: As the birth gets closer, your pregnant cat may seek out quiet, private places for the birth to take place.This typically begins up to two days prior to labor, but it may only begin a few hours prior. She will also be looking for a spot when she is in labor, so the cat will be sniffing around secure places. Whilst enlarged nipples can be a sign of pregnancy then can also simply mean that your cat is in heat. Your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medication if her stool sample shows evidence of parasitic infection. At this age, you also can put out a small litter pan with a thin layer of litter. Animal homelessness, shelter intake and surrender. This can lead to fever, infection, lack of appetite, and failure to care for the kittens. These are all pre-labour signs, but many may occur right up to the actual birth. Pregnant cats should be transitioned to a higher-calorie diet at four weeks of gestation. Approximately two months after conceiving, a female cat delivers her litter. The second stage of labor in cats begins with stronger, more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to the birth of a kitten. Both of these changes are completely normal. Cats usually have 4 pairs of mammary glands. After your cat has given birth, mum will normally bite through the umbilical cord, but your help might be needed again if she doesn't. Vaginal bleeding is abnormal during any feline pregnancy and should be a cause for concern. A greenish-black mass of fetal membranes (sometimes called “afterbirth”) is expelled after passage of each kitten. There are some signs that she may be close to giving birth (known as “queening”). Then open the mouth with the head facing down and clear any remaining membranes or fluid. Do NOT use over-the-counter dewormers on your pregnant or nursing cat, as some of these could be dangerous. However, for some breeds (the Siamese for example) this may be a day or so longer. In order to determine pregnancy look for a range of range signs. Eventually, the cat’s abdomen may look rounder or her nipples may become more prominent. Here’s what you need to know about postpartum care, nutrition, and lactation. They may also start showing other signs of being ready, like pacing the room. Milk production – Around two days before she gives birth… Nelson RW, Couto CG. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pregnancy-and-parturition-in-cats, Featured Image: iStock.com/Prostock-Studio, Cat Pregnancy and Kittens: The Complete Guide, Health and Safety Considerations for Pregnant Cats, https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/cancer-and-tumors/reducing-the-risk-of-cancer, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952101, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pregnancy-and-parturition-in-cats. Keep the nesting area private enough for the pregnant queen to feel comfortable, yet still accessible so you can monitor any possible complications. At this point, if the queen will allow it, it’s a good idea to get the kittens used to your presence. Pregnant and lactating cats have a much higher metabolic demand associated with growing, birthing, and feeding kittens, so these diets can help ensure sufficient nutrition. During that final week, the search for the most suitable kittening bed becomes the dominant factor. She needs to feel safe in her nesting box. The cat's belly will get big around 30 days after they mate. You’ll notice a very distinct sound to it, and this will give you the biggest heads up. The average number of days a cat (known as a queen) is pregnant is 63 (or 9 weeks), but birth can occur anywhere between the 60th and 70th day. The gestation period of a cat is 63-65 days. Is It Better Than Dehydrated Dog Food. On the other hand, a normally friendly cat may withdraw and spend more time on her own. Most queens will wean their kittens by 5 to 6 weeks of age. It’s believed to be caused by hormonal imbalances that allow non-pregnant queens to show symptoms such as lactation and behavioral changes. Genital licking:  This is a sign that delivery is very close. The average number of days a cat (known as a queen) is pregnant is 63 (or 9 weeks), but birth can occur anywhere between the 60th and 70th day. Restlessness: About 24 to 48 hours before labor, the pregnant queen may seem restless or anxious.She may go in and out of her nesting area, almost as if pacing. Going into labor is generally known as Stage 1, and will last between 12 and 24 hours. If the queen has a retained placenta, you will need to seek veterinary care for her as soon as possible. This anxious late-pregnancy behavior is a sign that she's about to begin nesting -- essentially looking for a calm, warm, quiet and safe place to give birth to her litter peacefully. During this time, kittens are very susceptible to disease, and it can be stressful to the mom and babies. The discharge will normally appear reddish-black since it consists mostly of old blood. These are all pre-labour signs, but many may occur right up to the actual birth. Last Updated on October 28, 2020 by Julia Wilson. Elsevier. The gestation of a cat is 63-65 days so if your your cat is approaching this, these are the signs to look out for: Increase in size of mammary glands – The mammary glands increase in size during the last week of gestation. Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. Small Animal Internal Medicine. She enjoys photography, gardening and running in her spare time. In the cat pregnancy generally lasts for 63 to 65 days; however, it is not unusual for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer time (range 58 to 70 days). Contact your vet if you your cat does any of the following: Has redness and swelling in any of her mammary glands. If the mother is having strong contractions and has been straining for more than 60 minutes without birthing a kitten, she should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The cat’s behaviour alters little until the final week of the pregnancy. Keep in mind that because of the growing fetuses, there will also be less room in your cat’s stomach. Stay up to date with the latest cat news and published articles. Examining Your Cat Take the cat’s temperature. Swollen nipples and milk discharge: In the days leading up to the birth, her nipples will increase in size, around two days before she gives birth, they will produce milk. Usually the other signs will be so obvious you won’t need to be concerned with checking her temperature as a sign. The mother and her kittens should be kept in a quiet, low-traffic area of the house. Your cat should be kept on a higher calorie (pregnancy or kitten) diet for as long as she is lactating (nursing her kittens). To help with the serious problem of overpopulation, talk to your veterinarian about spaying or neutering your cat. Do NOT move or distract your cat during the birthing process because she may stop labor and begin again the next day if she feels stressed. Signs of Impending Labor The duration of a cat pregnancy is roughly 60 days, give or take five days. Shelters are full of cats and kittens across the United States. Drop in body temperature: A day or two before her birth, her temperature will drop to 99F (37.2C). As the kittens get older and more rambunctious, your cat will want more and more time to get away and sleep, groom, or socialize with members of the household. Reducing the risk of cancer. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}), Julia Wilson is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. The third—and final—stage of labor is the passage of the placenta. When you start to wonder if your cat is pregnant, look for the following signs: After about two weeks, your cat's nipples may grow and become more pink. If you notice that one of your kittens is smaller or has less energy than the others, consult your veterinarian. There are some signs that she may be close to giving birth (known as “queening”). During pregnancy, it’s even more important to keep your cat on a safe, vet-approved flea preventative. Cat Themed Official Days – January to December 2021, Plasma Cell Pododermatitis (Pillow Foot) in Cats. Sometimes it’s so hard to tell that a cat is pregnant that you don’t know until you’ve got a litter of kittens. However, it’s likely that you won’t be able to see or tell that your cat is having contractions at this point in the birthing process. They should never be separated from their mother if they are younger than 8 weeks old. This atypical temperament often starts about 1 to 2 days before a cat is going to deliver. Fetal membranes are usually reddish-yellow in color and surround the fetus that’s floating in amniotic fluid. If the mother cat fails to remove the fetal membrane within the first minute after birth, you will need to break the sac and wipe away any fluid from the kitten’s nose. Checking a cat’s temperature beginning around … VCA Hospitals. During this stage, you can expect your cat to: Her body temperature will also decrease to 99°F or less when she is 12-36 hours from the start of full contractions. During the first few weeks after birth, the mother cat will stimulate her kittens to eliminate by cleaning their genital areas. 4. If your female cat is around a male cat that is not neutered, she could become pregnant again before she is even done weaning her current litter. Your cat may go to a quiet place like a closet and start arranging blankets, towels, or other fabric to create a place to give birth to her kittens. She may rest in her nesting box and knead with her front paws. Dystocia means difficult birth and can occur for a variety of reasons. You can use newspaper or towels as bedding. Signs to watch for include: Listlessness or restlessness, looking for a place to hide (show her the nest) If you are not so sure how far along your cat is, review the telltale signs that birth is imminent. The cat gestation period (cat pregnancy length) is about 63-65 days on average, or about two months. Pregnant cats have different nutritional needs. It is also important to consider the risk of pyometra (infection in the uterus), which is a life-threatening condition that can happen in intact (not spayed) cats. Approximately 2 days before your cat gives birth, she’ll start to produce milk. The pregnant queen to feel safe in her nesting box should be confined from this time to allow observation. Children and other pets is likely to get pregnant if meeting a male cat providing the right food for spot! Time, kittens are born with a towel of the way of children other! 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