Whether you're breeding purebred cats or caring for a pregnant kitten, it's important to know what to do when she goes into labor and starts giving birth to her kittens. Generally, the gestation period for cats is around 65-67 days, so once you have confirmed that yours is pregnant, you need to start preparing for the birth. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Childbirth
Step 1. Look for signs of pregnancy
There are many things you can observe in the cat to understand if she is pregnant or not.
Generally, the nipples begin to swell and turn pink, the belly increases in size and the cat stops making calls for mating
Step 2. Take her to the vet for a check-up
Once you find out that she is pregnant (or even if you just suspect), take her to a qualified vet for a medical check-up.
- The doctor is able to check if the pregnancy is progressing without complications, and can give you some advice to prepare you in the best way for the birth of the puppies.
- When you understand that she is pregnant or suspect she may be, it is even more important to have her examined by the vet, especially if she is overweight or if she had pre-existing health problems, as there is a greater risk of complications.
- In some cases, the vet may determine that carrying the pregnancy to term would be a danger to the mother, and that the best and most humane thing to do in this case is neutering.
- The doctor is also able to estimate how many kittens could be born, which will prove useful later in order to define if they will all be born and the birth can be said to be concluded.
Step 3. Adjust your diet during the third trimester
When the pregnant cat reaches her third trimester (around 42 days after the start of pregnancy or when her tummy is visibly swollen), she starts to have different nutritional needs, so you need to make sure she always has the right amount of food and nutrients.
- In the first two thirds of pregnancy, stick to your usual diet.
- In the last trimester, start giving her specific puppy food, as it is higher in calories in relation to quantity. Since the uterus in this phase presses against the stomach, the ability to eat is limited, so puppy food is ideal for keeping it properly nourished.
Step 4. Prepare a place for the birth
The cat needs a safe and quiet place where she can give birth to the kittens; several days before the expected date of birth the expectant mother will start looking for a suitable place. This is the perfect opportunity to show her the "nest" you have already prepared for her.
- The laundry room or bathroom are ideal places to prepare a suitable bed for her; just make sure there are no children or dogs running around frantically in this space. The cat should feel safe and relaxed where she plans to give birth.
- Make sure he always has fresh water, some food and litter available (which should be about 60 cm away - if it is too close it can increase the risk of disease).
- Find a large cardboard box with high edges and fill it with old, soft fabrics that you don't care if they get dirty, such as towels, fluffy blankets, newspapers, and so on.
- Whatever material you decide to wear, check that it is not steeped in intense scents, as the mother and the puppies recognize each other by the smell.
Step 5. Prepare the cat for delivery
Continue to feed her with high quality foods and check if her appetite drops significantly, as this usually means that the birth is imminent.
- If the cat has long hair, you can think about cutting it in advance in the entire area of the vulva (a few days or a week before giving birth). Some people recommend cutting it around the nipples as well to help kittens drink milk.
- If you can't get her fur trimmed ahead of time, though, avoid doing it later, as it may interfere with kittens recognizing their mother's natural scent after birth.
Step 6. Prepare for the birth
In addition to preparing the container for the cat to give birth, food, water and litter, you should also have all the materials ready for use in an emergency.
- Keep a cat carrier nearby to use in case complications arise and there is a need to take her to the vet urgently.
- Always leave your mobile phone charged and keep the numbers of the vet and a veterinary clinic handy or store them on your phone in case the cat has problems during delivery.
- Prepare plenty of clean, dry towels in case puppies need to be cleaned when they are born.
- Purchase cat-specific milk powders appropriate for kittens and a puppy bottle at your pet store to have them available in case any breastfeeding problems arise.
Step 7. Monitor your pregnancy length
There is some leeway in the actual gestation period, especially since it can sometimes be difficult to know the exact date of conception, but if it exceeds 67 days, it is necessary to have the cat undergo a medical check-up.
The doctor can do an ultrasound of the abdomen to check that the kittens are healthy and consider waiting another 4-5 days. If the puppies are not born within this period, it will be necessary to submit the expectant mother to a caesarean section
Step 8. Check for any dangerous signs of complications
Among these, you must observe in particular if the cat shows abnormal losses or becomes ill.
- Abnormal discharge: It is not normal for a cat to have vaginal discharge during pregnancy. If you notice a loss of green-yellow color it can be a sign of an infection in the uterus, if it is bright green it may be placental abruption, while if it is blood loss it indicates placental rupture. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
- Disease: Pregnancy puts stress on the cat's body and can weaken her immune system. If you notice any signs of being unwell (vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, lack of appetite), you should visit your vet.
Part 2 of 3: Attending Childbirth
Step 1. Keep some distance
Accept that the cat will most likely not need you. However, your presence nearby can reassure her a little.
- Stay far enough away not to invade her space and not hinder births, but still close enough to be able to intervene if necessary.
- Be prepared for the possibility of problems and learn to recognize any signs.
Step 2. Know the signs of childbirth
Familiarize yourself with the signs that the cat is about to give birth. The stage of labor is generally known as stage 1 and usually lasts between 12 and 24 hours. The symptoms you need to check are:
- She is listless or restless and starts looking for a place to hide (show her the "nest" you have prepared for her).
- He licks his hair excessively, especially the vulva.
- The breathing is labored and wheezy.
- It purrs and whines loudly.
- Body temperature drops about a degree or two from the usual 38.9ºC.
- Stop eating.
- Vomits.
- If you see your cat starting to bleed, see your vet immediately. Prepartum bleeding is usually a sign of a problem and you need to see your doctor right away.
Step 3. Wash and sterilize your hands only in case you need your assistance
Remove your wristwatch and rings and wash your hands with antimicrobial soap. Rub the soap on the back of your hands up to your wrists. It would be advisable for the soap to remain on the hands for at least 5 minutes, continuing to rub them all the time. Use a nail brush or an old toothbrush to reach even the hardest spots under your nails.
- Do not use a hand sanitizer! It cannot kill all germs accurately and you must prevent the cat from licking the disinfectant chemicals from your hands and passing them on to the kittens, as that would be quite harmful.
- Washing your hands is just a precautionary gesture, in any case you should let the expectant mother manage the whole birth process independently and take care of the puppies herself. You should only intervene if a kitten is in trouble and return it to mom as soon as possible.
Step 4. Monitor each birth
When you see the cat enter the box prepared for delivery and labor begins, the best thing you can do is to remain calm, be prepared and supervise individual births. Make sure that everything around you - including you - is calm and peaceful. If there are disturbing elements or other pets around or the cat perceives that she is in an uncomfortable place, she will delay the birth. When the actual phase of births, called phase 2, is about to begin, it usually develops as follows:
- The cervix begins to relax and uterine contractions begin.
- The contractions increase when the first kitten enters the vaginal canal. At this stage they should be at 2-3 minute intervals, and the mother presumably assumes a squatting position. Probably screams and gasps.
- First, the amniotic fluid (water bubble) comes out, followed by the puppy (which can be born indifferently cephalic or breech).
- Phase 2, from the beginning, can last from 30 minutes to an hour, after which the first puppy should be born. Each subsequent birth takes an average of half an hour, sometimes up to an hour.
- If the cat is still squatting and you see that she pushes hard, but even after an hour no kittens are born, there is probably some problem. Try looking at her vulva if you notice something popping up. If you don't see anything, you should contact your vet. If, on the other hand, you see a kitten partially outside, let mommy push for another 5 minutes. If it doesn't progress, wash your hands, gently grab the part of the puppy you can see and gently pull; try to follow the rhythm of the cat's contractions. If your kitten doesn't come out easily, contact your vet.
Step 5. Make sure the new mum removes the amniotic sac and cleans all the puppies
It is usually instinctive for her to remove the amniotic sac membrane and vigorously lick the young. Make sure the kittens are breathing and moving within seconds at this point.
- If you see that the mother does not remove the amniotic sac quickly, intervene by breaking the membrane around the puppies' snout with your sanitized hands protected by disposable gloves, and make sure that the newborns can breathe. Wipe their snouts with a clean, dry cloth.
- If you can, return the kitten to the cat right away and, if necessary, place it under her nose. At this point, mom usually starts licking and caring for it. If, however, you see that he is still ignoring it and the kitten remains damp and starts to shake, intervene to dry him by rubbing him vigorously with a clean, dry cloth. In doing so, the cat begins to scream in order to attract the attention of the mother and arouse her interest. Now you can return the creature to the new mom.
Step 6. Check the placenta
Each kitten is wrapped in an individual placenta which should be expelled after each of them is born. Be careful that all placentas have come out, because if one remains inside the mother it could cause infection and even kill her, unless you go to a doctor.
- Don't try to remove a placenta yourself. If you accidentally tug on the umbilical cord and cause some tearing in the uterus, the cat could die. If you are concerned that a placenta has not been expelled, take the animal to the vet.
- Keep in mind that the new mother usually eats the placenta. She is rich in hormones and nutrients that need to be returned to her body, so don't interfere with this process - just make sure she doesn't try to eat the kitten along with the placenta, due to her poor experience.
- The best thing is to let her eat the first two or three placentas and then remove the others, because if she ingests too much of the nutrients they contain she may have diarrhea or vomiting.
Step 7. Do not cut the umbilical cord
In general, it is not advisable to intervene to cut it from the placenta, as almost all new mothers chew it. If you see your cat does not, consult your vet.
Do not absolutely cut the cord if part of it is still inside the mother. Since it is attached to the placenta, the latter could remain trapped inside the uterus and not be expelled, resulting in infection and risk of death for the mother. Instead of trying to intervene on your own, call your vet and follow their directions.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for the cat after giving birth
Step 1. Make sure the kittens are nursed as soon as possible
The first milk contains colostrum which is very precious, as it is rich in antibodies that are essential for newborns.
- Keep in mind that as soon as they are born, puppies are blind and deaf, so they will search for their mother's nipples with their sense of smell and touch. Sometimes they can find them right away, but other times they wait several minutes as they recover from birth, which is a traumatic time for them.
- The mother can wait until all the kittens are born before letting them suck the milk. However, if you see that she seems to repel the kittens and refuses to feed them, prepare the formula you purchased and feed the kittens yourself, using a cat-specific bottle.
- If the mother is willing to breastfeed the kittens, but the milk comes out with difficulty, you know it because the kittens try to suck but actually meow. If you have the impression that no milk comes out, contact your vet, who may be able to stimulate it and, in the meantime, feed the creatures with powdered milk using the bottle.
Step 2. Take care of the kittens' health
After birth, keep them monitored to make sure they are comfortable and that they adapt to their surroundings.
- If a kitten shows signs of choking and makes gurgling sounds, it means that it has fluid in its airways. Hold the puppy in your hands with its head on your fingertips (think about making a sling with your hands) and swing it gently downward. This movement helps him to expel fluids from the lungs. Use a gauze swab to wipe his face. Be sure to use gloves during this procedure and be very careful as a newborn kitten is very slippery.
- If the mother cat appears disinterested in her kittens, try rubbing her scent on them. If you find that she persists in her lack of interest, you will probably have to look after the puppies yourself. This involves constant feeding and continuous monitoring to keep them warm. It's too large and important to be covered right now in this tutorial, so ask your vet for advice or read other wikiHow articles that explain it in more detail.
- Don't be alarmed if one of the puppies is born dead. But make sure it really is before you take care of its elimination and make sure you dispose of it properly. If it is inert, try to awaken it by rubbing it briskly to stimulate its vital functions. Rub his face with a warm, damp cloth. You can also try raising and lowering his legs and blowing on his face and mouth.
Step 3. Take care of the health of the new mother
Provide plenty of good quality food and water immediately after giving birth. The cat will not want to get away from the kittens, not even to eat or use the litter box, so keep all the things she needs as close as possible so that she can satisfy all her needs, while remaining close to the little ones. It is particularly important that she can eat properly, so as to preserve all the energy and transmit the nutrients to the puppies through the milk.
- The first or very first days, however, he will not be able to move much; so keep the food close to her as much as possible.
- Check her thoroughly to make sure she is recovering well from giving birth, that she has bonded with the puppies and is caring for them.
Step 4. Make a note of each birth
Record the time of each individual born, gender, weight (use a kitchen scale) and when the placenta came out.
This information may be useful later to keep records or medical records if you are a breeder
Advice
- As delivery time approaches, consider putting dark sheets and blankets on the bed, because even if you set up a suitable place for her kittens to be born, the cat may decide that the ideal place to give birth. it is your bed, as it feels comfortable and safe there.
- Do not approach the cat during birth until absolutely necessary. You could be subject to bites and scratches from him. Only approach if you see that she needs help during labor.
- Unless you are deliberately breeding cats, you should seriously think about spaying your cat for the sake of all future kittens (many unscheduled kittens end up straying, dying from malnutrition or euthanized) and for the good of the cat herself.. Neutering reduces the feline's risk of suffering from pyometra later in time; pyometra is a condition that occurs when the uterus fills with pus after a heat cycle, resulting in infection and imminent death if left untreated.
- Never interfere with childbirth if the mother is not having problems.
Warnings
- If your cat has gone into labor, but no kittens are born within 2 hours, you must take her to a vet immediately, as there may be some problems. This is true even if more than an hour elapses between the birth of one puppy and the next. If this happens, don't panic, as, as mentioned, the best thing to do is to stay calm, for the sake of both the mother and her puppies, and contact your vet for advice.
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Take your cat to the doctor immediately if you notice any of the following warning signs:
- the first kitten does not come out after an hour of strong contractions.
- the mother begins to give birth to only one kitten but no more are born.
- the mother has a bleeding of blood from the vagina.
