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FACTORS TO CONSIDER!
Is your cat expecting? – This means exciting times for you both!
But not to worry – Cats intuitively know how to manage and are pretty self-sufficient for the
most part.
However, you can help the future mum to be as comfortable as possible and help her with
the task of delivering healthy kittens into this world.
What is the duration of a cat’s pregnancy? What is a perfect birthing box and what will the
event itself look like? Many questions will come to mind when you have not experienced
this before.
This is why we have collected all the necessary information here for you on what a
pregnant cat needs and what important factors should be considered – a digital birth
preparation so to speak!
Until the offspring is developed enough to enter this world, around two months will go by.
The young ones go through different stages of development until they are ready for
birthing.
Depending on the breed, kittens are born after 58 – 67 days of gestation.
Smaller breeds don’t take as long as larger ones.
If nothing has happened around the 70th day, you should consult a vet who will examine the
mother cat thoroughly and give advice on how to proceed.
Duration and phases of the gestation period
Day 6: Transfer of the fertilised eggs to the uterus
Day 12: Settling in the uterine wall
Day 15: Connection of the embryos with the mother cat’s circulatory system.
Day 21: The embryos can now be seen via an ultrasound scan.
Day 28: The embryos are 3-4 cm in size
Day 38: Nerves, sensory organs and muscles are developed.
Day 50: The babies in the making are ca. 7 cm in size now and the fur is growing
Day 60: “Ready for delivery”
The kittens are preparing for the big day. They are now complete, tiny cats “with all the
trimmings” and measure ca. 13 cm shortly before delivery.
The number of kittens per litter varies. One – two – or up to five cat babies enter the world
at once, sometimes even six!
This depends on the breed as well as on the mating ritual: When did the female mate and
with how many partners?
If the cat decides to mate again during the first three weeks of the gestation period, further
fertilisation is well possible.
For that reason, kittens of the same litter often vary a lot – from different fur and eye colour
through to individual stages of development at birth.
“Mule” figure
Pregnant cats with their constantly changing body often develop a so-called mule look: The
bulging belly and developing swayback are indicators for the increasing bodyweight they are
carrying around. The growing embryos in their tummy produce a ball shape which in turn
causes the spine to bend. The result is a sunken back.
This is referred to as “mule figure”.
Nesting instinct
Your cat will show typical signs during the gestation period that are often comparative to
those indicating human pregnancy, such as frequent sickness and mood swings.
Just a minute ago your cat may have looked for attention and cuddles – in the next it will
suddenly retreat and wants to be left alone. For this, the cat will seek out a place where no
one has access.
Respect her oases of peace and tranquillity!
Adjusting to the physical changes is as challenging for your pregnant cat as for a human
mother-to-be.
Consult a vet
Feline pregnancy is never easy to detect in the beginning. If you are seeking early official
confirmation, it is best to consult a vet. The doctor is able to tell you through palpation as of
the 17th day after mating, if offspring is expected. As of the 21st day, an ultrasound allows
for visual confirmation.
The number of kittens can finally be estimated around the 40th day. It takes this long
because the little ones are cramped like sardines in a tin and some may have been
overlooked during earlier ultrasound examinations. That is why you need to wait this long
for an estimate that you can rely on.
– However, you can only be 100 percent sure on the actual day of birth!
Your cat’s body is changing a lot during pregnancy and the needs therefore are different
from those of a non-pregnant female.
What should you be aware of? What could potentially be harming for mother and offspring?
How can you make the gestation period as pleasant as possible for our animal?
Provide enough light and air for the mother-to-be.
Exercise in moderation is always a good idea.
However, high jumps are to be avoided as well as cat fights, which can not only cause stress
but are potentially dangerous for your cat as well.
No need to pamper your cat or treat it like a porcelain doll, but try to avoid stressful and
unfamiliar situations.
Nesting instinct
During the last phase of the pregnancy, you will be able to observe your cat looking for the
perfect spot for giving birth, undisturbed and in peace.
You can help by providing a comfortable birthing box – it should be big enough for the
future mum and their kittens to freely move around.
A lidded box, nice and warm but not too hot, placed in a quiet corner free of drafts would be
perfect.
As the big day nears, your cat will become more affectionate and clingy. Young cats are
often specifically anxious, especially during their first pregnancy.
Don’t leave them alone too much. Spend a lot of time with them and spoil them rotten,
even if to them giving birth is a natural process and may be able to do it all by themselves in
the end. Yes, they prefer to be alone and without the help of a human “midwife” on their
big day, but there is no harm in showing them upfront that we are there for them if needed.
We receive so much affection from them – now is the time to give something back.
The delivery of the little kittens into this world is a very special event.
The wonder of life – and you are right there when the little ones draw their first
independent breath!
You can support the mum and kids and be right by their side!
Giving birth is a natural process and your cat will – usually – know exactly what to do. You
can support your cat by preparing the environment, peace and quiet needed for giving birth
but during the actual act, your cat will need her concentration and her space.
When exactly will it start? What are the signs for your cat entering the birthing phase?
Shortly before start, the kittens have grown quite a bit within their mum’s belly – and may
have even been seen moving around!
As soon as your cat starts looking for a safe delivery spot, you can be sure that things will
start soon.
The mum-to-be walks around and examines everything, from wardrobes to drawers to
laundry basket. All the favourite spots will subjected to a thorough inspection.
Enlarged nipples
During the gestation period, the belly has grown more and more. In the end, it sinks down
which gives your cat a pear-shaped figure.
Shortly before delivery, the nipples are swollen even more. They now look like small
funnels, sometimes already leaking drops of mother’s milk.
There will be some discharge from the vagina and a mucus plug will be released.
On realising that labour may start soon, you should make sure that the birthing box is set up
in a warm, quiet place. But don’t overdo it – tropical temperatures are not wished for.
A room temperature of 21-22 degrees is ideal.
This is important because the kittens depend on a constant room temperature during their
first days. Just like human babies, they are not able to keep their own body temperature on
a constant level in the beginning.
Apart from a cosy birthing place, the following items should be at hand:
Sanitised scissors
Heating pad
Suction catheter
Please avoid terry towels! Cat claws are prone toget stuck in these. Newspaper is the classic
solution for keeping the box clean: There is usually some around in every household and it is
highly absorbent and easy to discard after use.
TIP: Start to collect newspapers early on, you will need a lot of it!
When the birthing box is safely installed and fitted, the aspiring mother can take some
test naps in it. That way, she can get used to the box and make it hers because it smells like
her already. Make sure she will find her litter tray, her food and fresh water nearby.
The distances to litter tray and food should be kept short so that the kittens are not left on
their own for too long. They will stay warm with the help of the heat lamp, but there is no
replacement for the natural warmth of their mum’s body. By the way, it might still happen
that your cat chooses another spot for delivery at the last minute – don’t be cross with her if
that happens.
As you know, cats follow their own mind – especially when it comes to their offspring!
Clean towels
On delivering the babies, they are covered with a membrane which the mother usually cuts
with her teeth, just like the umbilical cord. She will then lick the newborn to make sure it
starts breathing.
If your feline friend becomes tired or irritable, you can help her: Take a clean towel and
gently wrap the little ones dry – thus the membrane will be opened automatically and you
will trigger both the breathing and the circulation.
If the mother fails to bite through the umbilical cord, you can also be of help: Clamp the
cord at a distance of ca. 1 cm from the belly and use the sanitised scissors to cut it above the
clamp.
If the towels are soiled with fluids and blood after birthing, exchange them with clean ones
so that the “cradle” stays dry, clean and warm.
Counting placentas
On delivering the newborn, the cat mum licks its fur dry and eats up the placenta.
One placenta per kitten should thus be taken care of by the mother.
Watch for each placenta to appear and be dealt with.
In the case of placentas remaining in the womb, they must be removed by the vet to avoid
infection.
Register complications
Sometimes, birthing can get problematic.
Young and inexperienced cats especially can
be prone to complications.
If the aspiring mother suffers labour for too long and nothing happens, or if the kittens are
positioned in a problematic way, things can get dangerous for both mother and offspring.
In that case, call the vet, who will be able to help.
Sometimes, there is not enough mother’s milk and the cat is not able to feed her offspring
sufficiently.
In this case, you need substitute formula with colostrum – that is what the newborn kittens
need in the beginning.
For the first time, the cat mother will not leave the box at all, except for a meal or going to
the cat toilet.
Place both toilet and food nearby to keep the distances short and allow her to return to her
kittens quickly.
The little ones don’t need their own toilet at first because her mother take care of cleaning
them up.
Only by the time that you give them extra food parallel to the mother’s milk, an extra litter
tray should be placed in a corner of the nursing box.
TIP: The ideal cat’s toilet should be made from high-quality, easy-to-clean and recyclable
plastic.
It must allow for sufficient space because the kittens like moving around. In addition, they
like to leave their excretions in various different spots.
Kittens need a special cat toilet, which is smaller and easier to access. It must have a lower
rim and an entry aid.
Exchange the litter tray after a maximum of two years at the latest. The constant
scratching on the surface causes it to crack after a while and the plastic is then not
hygienic any more.
The kitten toilet should be filled with non-clotting litter that is well tolerated.
Cat's Best Comfort is perfect for this.
Your cat will be extremely exhausted after giving birth. The act that the body performs is
immense and will leave your cat stressed out. Obviously, labour is no stroll in the park and
the whole struggle and pain leaves its traces.
Allow for some relaxation and peace for your cat now, so she can recover. Make sure that
everything is provided for both mother and kittens and that the surroundings are quiet and
peaceful. Especially visits by other pets are taboo for now – and human flatmates should
also respect the space that the new family needs in the beginning.
Obviously, everyone and anyone will want to take a look at the new offspring and maybe
even take it out of the box for a cuddle – because the little ones are beyond fluffy and cute!
But be aware that for them too much attention means stress at this point and is not doing
them well. The cat mother especially will not be amused and may even try to move her
kittens to a different place all the time.
However, if a baby suddenly doesn’t gain weight for two days or even looses some, you
should monitor it more closely and consult the vet.
Sometimes, a kitten is neglected or not looked after by the mother cat, or there is simply not
enough milk for all.
Then, you need to jump in and feed the little one every two hours. Do not forget to lightly
massage belly and butt after the meal to trigger digestion.
The little rascals will learn how to conquer the world while they are growing up.
The first weeks are the most important ones – when they learn everything a cat needs to
know through play and interaction with their mum and siblings and their two-legged
friends.
We wish all the kittens a happy, long life, filled with everything that cats love and desire!