Pregnancy and Birth in Cats

Pregnant cats are no less able to take care of themselves than those who are not preparing for birth. However, there are certain things that you should do and provide for your cat when they are pregnant, during the birth, and after the birth of the kittens as well. If you do these various things and keep your kitty healthy and feeling well, then you can ensure that the process will be a success. When thinking of letting your cat have a litter, it would be wise to ensure that your pet insurance policy is up to date. In the unlikely and unfortunate event of anything going wrong, you will want to make sure that the best veterinary care is available to your pet cat and her kittens.

Before the Birth
All you really need to do during the early stages of a pregnancy for a cat, is to make sure that she receives all of the nourishment she needs. If she is staying around other cats, try to make sure that she gets her share of nutritious cat food each day. As you get closer to the birth in the last few weeks, it is better to separate the cat from other animals and people if possible. A mum cat can get quite aggressive right before giving birth, and it is ideal to avoid any potential problems.

Make a bed for your pregnant cat out of a box with lid, and a hole in one side for her to crawl out of. You can place shredded newspaper or cloth in the bottom of the box and a warm blanket, and try to get her accustomed to lieing in it.

During the Birth
As the labour begins, your cat will start to get restless and pace around looking for a place to rest. You may notice that she begins to meow a lot more or even screech, this is normal and you should not worry at all. If she does not decide to rest in her box, do not ever attempt to move her there just let her find her own resting place.

You should notice a kitten coming once every 30 minutes to an hour after the labour has begun. If at any time you see the mother cat struggling for a while and no kitten arrives, or if you notice a lot of blood becoming present, then you will need to call the vet for help right away.

The mum cat should do several things as soon as the kittens are born. If she does not, then you will need to take over and perform the actions for her. She should begin by breaking the amniotic fluid sac, eating the placenta and licking the kitten to clean it and stimulate its breath. If she doesn't do this, then begin by breaking the sac, remove the membrane from around its face with a clean dry towel, and then briskly run it against the grain of its fur until it is clean and dry. Rub it to stimulate it to take its first breath.

The mother cat should also chew through the umbilical cord. If she doesn't, then take some dental floss and tie it about an inch away from the kitten's stomach, and cut it on the side nearest to the mum not the kitten. If cut or chewed too closely there could be infection and even death.

After the Birth
Make sure that your cat is properly caring for her kittens. If she neglects them, refuses to nurse, or disappears for too long, then you will need to contact a veterinarian right away. Do not put pressure on your cat to do what you think is right, but let her be a mum and care for her kittens on her own. Make sure that she has everything she needs to remain healthy, and enjoy the new additions to your family.

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