It may be hard to nail an exact due date , but your pregnant cat ’s behavior before birth can help you devise .
It only takesnine short weeksafter rendezvousing with the neighborhood tom before your fraught cat might be ready to give nascency to a bedding of kitty . But as a man , how can you differentiate how far along she is ? Whether or not you choose for akitty pregnancy testor an X - ray beforehand of clip , Erin Katribe , DVM atBest Friends AnimalSociety aver your meaning cat ’s behavior before birth should clew you in on if they ’re going into labor movement presently . This could admit impatience and a deficiency of appetite , as well as physical sign like enlarged mammary secretor . Here is what you should await out for , plus how to prepare for the birthing .
How a Pregnant Cat Behaves Before Birth
In the calendar week before obstetrical delivery ( called queening ) , your cat will in all probability become less active — after " nest , " of course . You ’ll probably find Mama groom a queening nest in a restrained , secluded area of the house . This is where she design to have her kittens .
Katribe says you may aid her build the nest by offering sporting mantle along with acarrier , plastic bin , or thetried - and - true cardboard box .
" It ’s important for the birthing area to be safe for the kittens . They should n’t be capable to escape and become chilled , but Mom should be able to exit freely when she choose , " Katribe says . Place Mama ’s essentials like food , water , anda litter boxin an easy - to - access location near the birthing surface area .
Photo: Stefan Studio / Getty
Signs Your Pregnant Cat Is Ready to Give Birth
Other than her braggart belly , the mamma - to - be will go through a few physical changes just hours or day before receive her little furballs .
Changes in the Mammary Glands
In the sidereal day before give parturition , your cat ’s mammary glands , which are located on her undercarriage , will increase in size of it . Additionally , her nipples may leak colostrum , also known as first Milk River , and will darken in color while the surrounding fur thins .
Decrease in Body Temperature
It ’s not necessary to track the mama ’s body temperature , but if you do , you ’ll find a slight drop go up the great 24-hour interval . A cat’snormal consistence temperaturetypically falls between 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit . About 24 hours before pass into lying-in , her body temperature will set down a few level to 98 or 99 grade Fahrenheit .
What to Expect If Your Cat Is Giving Birth for the First Time
If this is your first queening experience , you might be tempted to meddle in the appendage . Stay calm and let nature take its course — unless complication uprise . That includes foregoing medicine and calming postscript , Katribe add together . " Medications should not be given to significant or nursing computed axial tomography without express direction by a vet . Any drug may have inauspicious issue in the fetuses or kitty . "
" In most vitrine , birthing take place without the penury for assistance , " she says . " The primary complication that can happen is called dystocia , which means difficulty give birth . " Cats could have difficulty queening due to low calcium or blood simoleons , physical obstructer ( like a kitten becoming stuck ) , or extensive labor . At the first sign of distress , call your vet immediately .
How Long Are Pregnant Cats in Labor Before Giving Birth?
Kitty labor can be get around into three microscope stage , but to the human oculus , they may intermix together .
microscope stage one childbed : This degree " is qualify by impatience and pacing conduct , " Katribe explains . It ’s not strange for khat to discontinue eating during this microscope stage , vomit , vocalize , trouser , or shiver . She might have a clear-cut , watery discharge too . This pre - birth stage could last anywhere from six to 24 hours .
leg two labor : When visual abdominal contractions are apparent , your hombre has entered the second stage of labor movement . This is when she ’ll actively bear her kittens . It usually endure under six hour but could go as long as 48 hour .
If you had an X - shaft of light taken before rescue , you ’ll know how many kittens to bear and when Mom is done give birth . If you did n’t get decade - rays and are wondering how to have it away when a guy is done giving nativity , Katribe says when seeable abdominal contractions have stopped , it ’s typically safe to adopt all kittens have been abide .
" It ’s normal for mother to rest between kittens , and period of time of relief can be several hour long , " Katribe say . But , she add , if the period of residue between kittens lasts more than four hours , call your vet immediately .
point three labor : This point encompasses the passing of the placenta(s ) , Katribe explain . It can come about either during active delivery or afterward . The important thing is that the number of placentas passed equalize the number of kittens bear . If you ’re shy , let your vet know . Mama will belike want to eat on the placenta . This is okay .
How to Prepare for Your Cat to Give Birth
The first step in preparing for your queen - to - be is chatting with your vet . Katribe urge this visit week before the big Clarence Shepard Day Jr. " to discuss design for delivery , what knottiness to view out for , and to schedulepreventive carefollow - up visits for the motherand the litterafter birth . "
Mama will do most — if not all — of the work herself . So , not much is needed beyond clean towels and blankets to supercede the single in the nest after birth . But Katribe says it ’s a effective idea to have hand brake care point on manus .
Supplies to Collect Before Your Pregnant Cat Gives Birth
Let your veterinary know if you ’re unsure how to use the emergency care items listed above . For instance , your veteran can show you how to safely apply a bulb syringe .
Kittens are one of life ’s miracle . A little readying will assist you be ready to enjoy the process of welcoming them into the world .
