What to Expect when your cat gives Birth. Usually about two days before giving birth your cat's mammary glands will increase in size and she will begin producing milk. Stage 1 - The onset of labour is often around 12 hours before the appearance of the first kitten.. The cat's temperature will decrease to about 99 degrees F...
What do you feed a newborn kitten after birth?
Make sure you are feeding her a high-quality canned kitten food, supplemented with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). These specially formulated foods ensure that a nursing, postpartum mother cat gets the nutrients she needs. Three days after birth, a kitten's eyes start opening, and the umbilical cord will also fall off.
How do you take care of a nursing mother cat?
Keep the mother cat's litter box, food, and water bowls close by. Make sure you are feeding her a high-quality canned kitten food, supplemented with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). These specially formulated foods ensure that a nursing, postpartum mother cat gets the nutrients she needs.
What should I do if my cat gives birth to kittens?
Monitor the birthing process to make sure momma cat licks the kittens as they are born, not just to clean them, but to stimulate breathing as well as elimination. It's also important that the kittens are nursing and being kept warm by the mother as they can't regulate their own body temperature for the first few weeks.
What does a mother cat do after giving birth?
The first thing a mother cat does after birth is to remove the amniotic sac that is around the kitten's face. She does this by licking it, which causes the kitten to start breathing. The queen usually chews through the umbilical cord and eats the placenta. She repeats this process for all the kittens.
When should I feed my cat after she gives birth?
Feeding. During the birthing process and immediately after, most queens are not interested in eating. However, within 24 hours after the birth of the last kitten she should begin eating again, and most likely will eat a lot.
Do cats need more food after giving birth?
Pregnant cats lose weight after giving birth. However, their nutritional needs increase dramatically. Energy needs can be two to three times normal, depending on litter size, in order to produce the milk supply that will support the offspring. Water intake is also important for milk volume.
How do I take care of my cat after giving birth?
After your momma cat gives birth, you'll want to keep the space clean, quiet, and free of any other animals. Weigh the kittens as soon as mom will allow and continue weighing them daily. Do not take the kittens away from mom while weighing. Instead, bring your grams scale right next to the nest and weigh them there.
Is milk good for cats?
The truth is that most cats are lactose intolerant so giving them cow's milk can actually cause significant health issues. Milk doesn't part of necessary cat nutrition and many cats suffer stomach upsets or other related problems because their owner thought that they were giving them a treat.
Why is my cat not eating as much after giving birth?
They often lose appetite immediately after the delivery, because they had eaten the placentas, which are high nutritious by themselves.
Why is my mother cat not eating after giving birth?
It usually happens within 3 days of giving birth in cats. Queens will be much sicker than with retention of fetal membranes. Signs include fever, completely ignoring her kittens, refusing food, and not being active. She may also vomit and drink more water than usual.
Do pregnant cats eat more?
Your pregnant cat's food intake will increase gradually from mating until the end of pregnancy. At that time, she will be eating approximately 50% more than usual (although it is not uncommon to need to double its normal ration). Fortunately, feeding pregnant cats is relatively easy.
What do I do when my cat's giving birth?
Most of the time, cat owners should not interfere with a mother cat that is delivering because in most cases, mother cats instinctually know what t...
What are the signs that your cat is in labor?
Signs of labor in cats include clear or colored vaginal discharge, intense abdominal straining, and the appearance of kittens. A cat that is about...
How long can cats be in labor?
Cats have three stages of labor, and labor can last anywhere from 16 hours to 3 days in most cats, depending on how many kittens are being delivered.
Should I leave my cat alone while giving birth?
Most of the time, cat owners should not interfere with a mother cat that is delivering because in most cases, mother cats instinctually know what t...
What causes a cat's milk ducts to swell?
Mastitis. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the milk ducts, which occurs when the mother cat's milk production gets blocked by inflamed mammary glands. The teats become swollen and hot, with apparent "bruising," and the mother cat may refuse to allow the kittens to nurse. Mastitis is a veterinary emergency.
What to feed a postpartum cat?
Keep the mother cat's litter box, food, and water bowls close by. Make sure you are feeding her a high-quality canned kitten food, supplement ed with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). These specially formulated foods ensure that a nursing, postpartum mother cat gets the nutrients she needs.
What does it mean when a cat's uterus is smelling?
Metritis is a severe infection of the uterus; it is also a veterinary emergency. 6 The mother cat will usually have normal vaginal drainage after birthing her kittens. But, if you notice a foul-smelling discharge, that is a red flag. Other symptoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of milk production .
How long after a cat is born can you take her kittens to the vet?
If you haven't already done so, after one week, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a well-check. If the mother cat was not vaccinated, this would be a good time to do it. Also, she might get treatment for roundworms, to protect both her and her kittens.
How to keep kittens from defecating?
Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Stack clean towels to line it. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate. It will be easiest to remove the top towel to reveal a clean layer.
How to keep kittens warm?
Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. 1 Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Stack clean towels to line it. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate.
What does it mean when a cat smells like a red flag?
But, if you notice a foul-smelling discharge, that is a red flag. Other symptoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of milk production . The mother cat may have to be hospitalized for treatment and might need an emergency spaying. As the mother cat recovers, feeding and care for the kittens will fall to you.
How Cats Give Birth?
When cats give birth, it is called queening. The queening process looks very similar to birthing in humans.
What is it called when a cat has a difficult birth?
A difficult birth is referred to as dystocia and may involve intense straining, excessive bleeding, and more. Most of the time, cat owners should not interfere with a mother cat that is delivering because in most cases, mother cats instinctually know what to do. Provide a quiet, warm, safe place to deliver, and check on her at least once an hour.
How do cats go through labor?
Stages Of Labor In Cats. Cats go through several stages of labor, starting when the uterus starts to contract, the cervix relaxes, and the cat’s water breaks. Just like humans, cats go through several stages of labor when they are about to give birth. The first stage of labor happens when the uterus, the hollow organ inside a cat’s belly where ...
How long does it take for a cat to deliver kittens?
This surgery is done under general anesthesia by a DVM. Normal gestation (the length of a cat’s pregnancy) lasts 63-65 days. Mother cats typically know what to do when it is time ...
How long does it take for a cat to labor?
Stage one lasts anywhere from 6-12 hours on average (up to 36 hours in first time mothers).
How to tell if a cat is pregnant?
Signs of labor in cats include clear or colored vaginal discharge, intense abdominal straining, and the appearance of kittens. A cat that is about to give birth will likely seek and stay in a nesting box where she can safely deliver kittens.
What temperature does a cat have to be before giving birth?
The mother cat will usually refuse food starting 24 hours before giving birth, and her body temperature may drop under 100 degrees F. Pregnant cats in stage one rarely have discharge from their vulva.
What should the mother cat eat?
Feed a highly palatable, high-calorie food during this time, your veterinarian can recommend the best product to meet the queen’s needs.
When do kittens wean?
Kittens will show an interest in solid food from 4-5 weeks of age. Offer them soft and palatable food which can be moistened dry food or canned. They will continue to nurse from their mother until 8-10 weeks.
Why do kittens cry?
An apparently healthy kitten (or kittens) who rapidly deteriorate after birth may have neonatal isoerythrolysis, a serious and life-threatening condition caused when kittens who have type A blood nurse from their mother who has type B blood during the first 24 hours of life.
How many placentas should be in a kitten?
Keep a close eye on the queen and count the number of kittens and placentas. There should be one placenta per kitten. If there are more kittens than placentas, seek veterinary help as a retained placenta can lead to a uterine infection.
What to do with kittens when they are bored?
Playtime. Provide a range of different toys for the kittens to interact with.
When is the best time to socialize a kitten?
Three weeks and older, the critical socialisation period: The key socialisation period begins at three weeks of age and it is important the kittens receive adequate socialisation, if deprived, kittens have a higher risk of developing into adult cats who are fearful and aggressive.
How to clean a cat after birth?
Immediately after the birth: Quickly transfer the mother cat and her kittens to a soft blanket or towel, remove the soiled bedding and replace it with clean. Line the bottom of the nest with newspapers or puppy pads and place soft blankets on top. Kittens eat and sleep for the first two weeks of life and during this early period ...
How to warm up a kitten's nesting box?
Because kittens can't regulate their body temperature until they're 3 weeks old, you'll need to make the nesting box cozy. You can use water bottles or a heating pad to warm the box, and should line it with towels or blankets. Make sure that the towels and blankets aren't frayed, since a kitten could get caught up in the strings. If towels or blankets get wet, remove them and replace them with dry ones.
How to cut a cat's cord?
If your cat has just given birth and doesn't do this, you should cut the cord using sterilized scissors and tie it off about an inch from the kitten's body. Make sure that the remaining cord attached to the kitten is short so that the mother cat doesn't chew on it.
How to help a nursing mother?
Increase the mother's nutrition. A nursing mother needs extra nutrition and calories, so feed your cat a high-quality kitten-formula food. Offer plenty of wet and dry food to the mother, and increase the amount of food that you offer so that she always has access to it. Always have fresh water available, too.
How long does it take for a cat to give birth?
It can take your cat from two to 24 hours to give birth, so you may need to carefully monitor the birth for a while. Keep an eye on the process without disturbing the mother cat, though, by entering the room quietly and staying away as much as possible. While it's best to let your cat handle the birth herself, sometimes you may need to intervene.
What to feed a nursing mother cat?
A nursing mother needs extra nutrition and calories, so feed your cat a high-quality kitten-formula food. Offer plenty of wet and dry food to the mother, and increase the amount of food that you offer so that she always has access to it. Always have fresh water available, too.
When can kittens be weaned from their mother?
Once the kittens are 8 weeks old they'll be ready to be weaned from their mother, but until then you can best help your cat by carefully monitoring her and her kittens and providing them with a safe place where they feel secure.
Can a cat handle a kitten's birth?
While it's best to let your cat handle the birth herself, sometimes you may need to intervene. As the kittens are born, they'll be in a thin membrane sac, and your cat should remove this sac immediately. If she doesn't, you'll need to tear it open with your hands so that the kittens can breathe.
How to check if a kitten is a queen cat?
Palpate your kitten's pelvic area to make sure all kittens have been delivered . Your vet may need to take x-rays of the pelvic area, too. Take your queen cat's temperature, which should fluctuate only moderately in a healthy queen cat. Check your queen cat's vaginal discharge, called lochia. It should be heavy and look dark red to black ...
How long does subinvolution last?
Subinvolution of placental sites, occurring when the uterus does not quickly repair itself after delivery and indicated by vaginal discharge lasting more than three weeks; this condition usually resolves itself.
How to care for a postpartum cat queen?
Caring for your postpartum cat queen involves making her as comfortable as possible, while closely monitoring for any health complications that might occur. No two cats are alike. You should learn as much as you can about postpartum care of your cat in advance of her delivery, so you may readily apply your knowledge to your own cat's situation ...
Why is my cat not giving birth?
Postpartum Complications in Cats. First-time cats or those with underlying health conditions, like nutritional deficiencies, may need medical assistance in giving birth. Poor uterine contractions (inertia) and pelvic deformities are two other reasons your queen cat's delivery may not go as smoothly as it should.
Why does my cat reject kittens?
Be prepared if your queen cat rejects her kittens and abandons maternal duties, which can be due to behavioral or medical conditions, like internal infections. If this is the case, do not scold or punish your queen cat. Her lack of maternal instincts is not her fault. Do ask your veterinarian in advance of her delivery how you will feed and nurture the newborn kittens yourself, if necessary. After delivery, your vet will advise you on whether you should separate an inattentive queen cat from her kittens.
What is the treatment for a kitten with a uterine infection?
Uterine infection, or metritis, signaled by persistent, malodorous discharge, listlessness, lack of appetite, significant change in body temperature, disinterest in caring for kittens; treatment includes administration of fluids, giving antibiotics and/or surgery.
What is the treatment for postpartum hemorrhage?
Postpartum hemorrhage, controlled by administration of oxytocin
Why do cats move their kittens around?
The Kitten Care website says that mother cats will move their kittens if there is too much light where they are located , or if the mother cat does not feel safe for whatever reason.
Why is it important to not hover around kittens?
If you do observe a nest of kittens that seem as if they are abandoned, this website recommends not hovering nearby, because the mother cat will not return to her kittens if there are people present. It is a natural behavior for the mother cat to not want people around her kittens. If she returns to the nest while people are observing, that means she will have given away the location of her kittens.
Why is my cat not showing maternal instincts?
Sometimes, a mother cat will simply not exhibit the maternal care that cats normally do towards their kittens. For instance, a mother cat may refuse to clean or nurse her kittens. One cause of a failure to show maternal instincts may be stress. If the environment the cat is in is excessively loud, active, or seemingly unsafe, ...
What happens if a cat is not groomed after birth?
This can lead to poor maternal behavior, meaning that many of the typical behaviors of grooming and nursing that a mother cat does after birth may not happen. If this is the case, you may also see other signs of something being wrong with the mother, such as her acting disoriented, panting, whining, or muscle rigidity.
What does it mean when a cat returns to the nest?
If she returns to the nest while people are observing, that means she will have given away the location of her kittens. If you must watch, observe from a distance and trust that the mother cat instinctively knows what to do.
Why is my mother's milk brown?
A related and similar issue is mastitis, which is an infection of the mammary glands. In this case, the mother's milk may be brown or reddish and you may observe her refusing to nurse. She may also not want to eat and may appear listless as her body is trying to fight off an infection. Advertisement.
Do you have to move kittens after giving birth?
That would also give you a good vantage point to observe the mother cat behavior towards kittens after giving birth. Let the mother cat choose to move her kittens or not. Kitten Care says you do not have to move the kittens for her. It is natural for her to move them and she may move them several times.
