How to understand that a cat is going into labor: first signs and assistance

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It is very important for the owner to notice the signs of childbirth in a timely manner for the owner, because this is what makes it possible to accurately determine the duration of the birth process and, if necessary, provide assistance to the pet. If you miss the start of lambing, it may be difficult to determine whether intervention is necessary. If the animal’s condition is good and the process is going correctly, then intervention is not required. When the birth of kittens is delayed, a veterinarian is necessary. After examining the four-legged woman in labor, he will determine the need for one or another assistance.

Complications during childbirth are more often observed in purebred animals and too young females, whose body has not yet fully formed. Outdoor cats, which have the opportunity to constantly be in the fresh air and spend time actively, rarely encounter problems during pregnancy and lambing due to the fact that their bodies are strong and well-trained. He can easily bear the load and easily prepares himself for the birth of kittens without any intervention. However, signs of impending birth in a cat that lives at home should alert their owners. If there is a week left before the birth of the offspring, a female who gives birth not for the first time may have completely absent signs.

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At what age do cats give birth?

From 7 months, the cat begins to be interested in the opposite sex and becomes sexually mature. If you want to get healthy offspring, veterinarians advise breeding the animal during its second heat.

Cats can give birth until old age, but pet owners should stop their pet’s sex life in time so that the quality of the offspring and the health of the cat are not affected. After all, when abusing a cat’s ability to give birth, people often think only about their own wallet. Thus, to avoid problems, veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering an animal at the age of 6-7 years.

How to tell if your cat is pregnant

Signs of pregnancy in a cat can be observed 3 weeks after conception. Some people who let their cats go outside can track this period on a calendar (as a rule, the cat does not spend the night at home and does not appear in front of its owners for 3-4 days). Those owners who specifically breed a cat with a cat can also calculate whether the cat is pregnant. We will tell you further how many months you will have to wait for a replenishment. The most difficult thing to predict pregnancy is for those owners whose cat walks outside on its own.

You can determine that a cat is pregnant by the following signs:

• the cat’s appetite has changed: it happens that favorite treats remain untouched, and any food consumption ends in vomiting and severe weakness;
• changes in behavior: the cat sleeps more than before and moves less (if the cat was previously wild and could bite, now it should be affectionate and calm);
• swelling of the mammary glands and redness of the nipples;
• rounding of the abdomen.

Cat pregnancy

Pregnancy in a cat lasts 65-70 days (9-10 weeks, or 2.5 months). If you are unable to independently determine whether pregnancy has occurred and how many months the cat will still bear kittens, seek advice from a specialist.

In the last week before giving birth, the cat begins to choose a place for itself and put its “stuff” there. Owners are advised to think about creating favorable conditions for the animal from the very beginning of pregnancy: choose a spacious box, put diapers or cloth rags on the bottom. The expectant mother should get used to the nest that you built for her.

The duration of pregnancy in cats may vary depending on the number of kittens, the age of the animal and the conditions in which the pet is in the last month of pregnancy. So, if the cat is stressed, then the gestation period may be delayed, and if the pregnancy is multiple, then labor may begin prematurely, in this regard, it is extremely important to know how to understand that a cat is beginning to give birth.

If the due date is postponed a week earlier or a week later, you should not panic, as this is quite natural.

Problems may arise if labor begins earlier than 60 days (the kitten will be born weak and unable to live) or later than 80 days (there is a possibility that the offspring will develop pathologies).

Signs of the beginning of labor in a cat can be determined a day before, or even 1-2 hours before the start of the process.

How many kittens can a cat give birth to at one time?

It is impossible to telepathically predict how many babies a furry pet will bring. Usually there are 1-6 kittens in one litter, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s the first birth or the fifth. It is impossible to say for sure what exactly will affect the number of cubs. It could be anything:

• individual characteristics of the cat's body;
• health of the “mother in labor”;
• hormonal balance;
• weight of the animal;
• age.

Already at 7-8 months, the cat is considered sexually mature and can become pregnant. However, this is too early an age to safely carry all fertilized eggs and produce healthy kittens. Therefore, at such a young age, a cat’s pregnancy may fail, and among the cubs born, alas, not all may be alive.

The best age for cat birth is 1.5-6 years. During this period, the body is as strong and resilient as possible, and the hormonal background is stable. “Older” cats sometimes also give birth, but generally no more than 2-3 babies at a time. Moreover, childbirth in older individuals occurs with complications, and the ability to conceive gradually disappears. By the age of 9, many cats cross the threshold of “fertility” and no longer bear offspring.

No matter how old the woman in labor is, the owners are not just worried about the number of new household members. Not everyone can leave their children in an apartment, and finding new owners is not so easy. That’s why the owners are fussing, not knowing how many kind hands they will have to look for, and what to do next.

Stages of pregnancy

Cat pregnancy is usually divided into several stages:

• Stage 1 – the first three weeks of pregnancy. The mammary glands and genitals become swollen, cats begin to sleep more, there is no appetite as such, and activity is zero. The animal requires attention, sleeps with the owner, clinging to him, the animal may have a gag reflex when eating, or an increase in the size of the uterus upon palpation.
• Stage 2 – from the fourth to the sixth week. The kittens begin to become active and move. The expectant mother has a good appetite and gets plenty of rest. A cat may refuse its favorite food and prefer dairy products. If your cat is vomiting, it is best to take it to the vet.
• Stage 3 – six to nine weeks. Kittens move actively, this is best noticeable when the animal is sleeping. The abdomen is large, the mammary glands are enlarged, colostrum may be released. Hair falls out on the cat's belly, internal organs are displaced due to the large size of the kittens. The cat moves carefully, tries not to jump too much, and sleeps on its side. To prevent the pet from gaining excess weight, it is transferred to fractional meals (4-5 times a day).

How does the stomach change during pregnancy?

20 days after conception, the nipples change color. If you have already given birth before, your nipples may change slightly. The belly grows as the kittens grow and develop. But if 1-2 kittens develop and grow in the mother’s belly, then the belly may be small until the last weeks.

Before giving birth, a cat's stomach drops. As a rule, this happens within 7 days, and the stomach takes a pear shape. This is due to the fact that the kittens are already preparing for birth, taking the necessary position for this.

It should also be noted that the expectant mother’s stomach is not soft, but hard, which means that the body is ready for labor and childbirth.

Not all kittens were born: what to do?

Sometimes the process of giving birth to furry babies drags on for a long period. This often happens for the first time in cats, and even more often in the case of numerous offspring. Is it possible to use some signs to understand whether all the kittens have been born or not? What should you do if one or more babies remain in the womb, and the cat is not going to give birth anymore? The following manifestations may be reasons for concern:

• the animal behaves strangely;
• when palpating the cat’s abdomen, a lump is felt that is the size of a kitten;
• the size of the abdomen does not decrease;
• body temperature rises to 39 degrees;
• A greenish fluid is released from the vagina.

It often happens that a cat takes a “time out” after the birth of 4-5 kittens. During the rest period, she begins her new maternal responsibilities of caring for the already born babies, and after a certain period of time, the cat cubs temporarily remaining in the womb will be born. In this case, you should not worry.

However, if one of the above signs is present that there is a kitten left in the pet’s womb, the owner’s actions should be clear: it is necessary to urgently contact specialists. You cannot hesitate, because you will have to save not only the fetus, but also the cat.

What to prepare before giving birth to a cat

For comfortable bearing of kittens and their comfortable maintenance in the first weeks after birth, the cat should create all the conditions and prepare a cozy nest. It is best to place this place in silence, away from a noisy room and children, otherwise the cat will look for another place for itself and the kittens.

It is also necessary to organize a spacious maternity area in which the mother and kittens will stay for about two months.

Preparing the site

Preparing for childbirth refers to arranging a place for the birth of kittens, ensuring a comfortable state for the cat in terms of psychological peace.

You need to prepare 2-3 places in advance where the cat could potentially bring kittens. It is best if it is a spacious cardboard box with the bottom lined with something soft and covered with a moisture-absorbing medical diaper on top. This is done in advance so that the animal has time to visit all the places and make a choice where it is more comfortable. This also eliminates the birth of babies in undesirable places.

All selected places must be dark, isolated, and free from drafts.

What is not recommended to do before labor begins

To ensure a smooth birth, pay attention to the list of things you should not do:

• irritate the woman in labor with loud screams, numerous guests, parties;
• actively feel the stomach, as you may accidentally injure the cat or kittens;
• Give your cat medications on your own without consulting a specialist;
• ignore vomiting, discharge and changes in the behavior of the pregnant woman;
• allow your cat to come into contact with animals whose health status you do not know;
• allowing you to sleep in a dirty place, handling the animal with dirty hands, frequently changing the linen in the cat’s sleeping area;
• use chemicals to clean the house.

What to feed a pregnant cat

A cat preparing for the birth of offspring should be fed high-calorie food enriched with vitamins and minerals.

In the first two weeks of pregnancy, the cat's appetite will increase, so the amount of food should be increased by 10%. The animal must be fed 4 times a day in small portions.

From the 3rd week of pregnancy, the cat's appetite is maximum. It is necessary to increase the volume of food by 50%, but in no case should she be allowed to overeat; she should be fed 5-6 times a day in fractional portions.

A cat's diet should include:

• meat (chicken, beef, turkey);
• egg yolk;
• vegetables (carrots, cabbage);
• dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream);
• cereals and cereals (buckwheat, rice, wheat);
• a small amount of fish.

If you feed your pet dry food, then choose food for pregnant cats, and then for nursing mothers.

To increase your cat's lactation, give her fresh nettle, but first pour boiling water over the herb so as not to burn the cat's internal organs and mouth.

Characteristic signs before childbirth

It is extremely important to know what signs to look out for before your cat gives birth:

1. The animal loses its appetite: the cat refuses solid food and eats small amounts of liquid foods (broth, milk, cream, etc.).
2. Weakness: The cat spends almost all of her time in the place where she plans to give birth.
3. Kittens in the stomach begin to become active: this happens 2 days before birth, as they try to take the correct position for birth. The more kittens there are, the larger they are, the earlier they begin to move and behave more actively.
4. The cat often licks its genitals.
5. The animal's body temperature decreases, which helps prevent severe bleeding during and after childbirth.
6. The nipples swell and milk comes out.
7. When labor begins, the cat meows and tries to hide.
8. False contractions begin 4-6 hours before birth.
9. The waters are receding. This is the main sign of the beginning of labor in a cat. Don't go far, your pet may need your help.
10. The cat's plug came out. When will labor begin? A day before giving birth, a white plug comes out as a discharge. The cat may lick it, so watch the animal carefully so as not to miss this moment.
11. The cat goes to the toilet often.
12. The pet begins to walk with shortness of breath and breathes heavily in its sleep.

Postpartum problems

Childbirth is behind us, but the owner must remain vigilant - the cat may develop new problems. The table shows the most common ones and ways to solve them.

Problem What to do

The cat refuses to eat

Immediately after giving birth, the cat may not ask for food for up to 6 or more hours due to the afterbirth eaten. If you fast for more than a day, you can give her low-fat broth; it contains extractive substances that stimulate the digestive activity of enzymes and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have an intestinal disorder (may occur due to a large amount of afterbirth eaten), you need to give the pussy sorbents. When the mother's condition stabilizes, she will have an appetite.

It is important that she drinks water while refusing food.

The animal does not visit the litter box

In the first four days after giving birth, the cat may not want to go to the toilet. This is a normal phenomenon associated with the formation of milk and the restoration of internal organs, which requires a lot of fluid.

There is a discharge mixed with blood

If the volume is small, the cat’s discharge within two days after birth is considered normal and goes away on its own

You need to sound the alarm if the discharge has a pronounced scarlet color, lasts more than two days, or intensifies. This may be a sign of internal uterine bleeding or the presence of serious tissue ruptures. The cat should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

A woman in labor has no milk

There can be many reasons for this phenomenon - from the cat’s stressful state to internal endocrine disorders. It is important to provide the new mother with complete peace: care should not be excessive. There is no need to move the box with the family to a new place or pick up the kittens. It is necessary to ensure that they are not disturbed by other pets or children. If bowls of food and drink, as well as a tray, are located far from the place where the cat and kittens are located, the pet may worry about the cubs, leaving when necessary. In addition, for a cat to have a sufficient amount of milk, its diet must include dairy and fermented milk products and water.

All that's left is the belly

First of all, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of the presence of a kitten in the uterus, while a dead fetus poses a great danger. You can independently determine its presence by palpation, but it is better to go to the clinic and do an ultrasound. In the absence of a fetus, the cause of the abdomen may be intestinal disorders, helminths, or difficulty with defecation.

An empty bubble came out

The amniotic sac may rupture as the kitten passes through the birth canal, or the cub may be born in it. In some cases, the membranes are expelled before the kitten is born. You can't let the cat tear it apart before the baby arrives. An emerging bladder without a fetus after delivery is not considered a pathology and does not pose a danger to the animal - it is a physiological feature.

Signs of eclampsia appeared

Eclampsia is a phenomenon based on calcium deficiency in the cat’s body. Symptoms: increased salivation, poor coordination of movements, anxiety, increased body temperature, convulsive muscle contractions. This condition leads to the death of the animal, so at the slightest sign you need to urgently take the cat to the clinic. A preventive measure is to take calcium-containing products during the period of gestation and feeding of kittens.

How to tell if your cat is going into labor

Throughout pregnancy, the cat behaves in the same way as all animals of its species: it eats excellently and sleeps a lot.

Usually, the question “how to understand that a cat is going into labor” does not arise for owners, since everything becomes obvious from the changing behavior of the animal. When the day of birth arrives, the cat shows the first signs that signal the animal’s readiness to give birth - a symptom of the first contractions: the cat screams unnaturally, refuses to eat, walks from corner to corner, looks into the owner’s eyes. The cat looks tired, constantly licks its genitals, and “points” to its stomach, as if it wants to say that it needs help.

Important facts

An owner planning to breed offspring from his pet should know that:

1. The standard gestation time is approximately two months (65 days +/-2). In some cats (for example, the Siamese breed), pregnancy can reach 70 days. Childbirth before 60 days is very dangerous; premature babies have very little chance of surviving.

1. A pregnant cat cannot be treated with antibiotics, anthelmintics and drugs against ectoparasites; it is unacceptable to vaccinate the animal. All these activities must be carried out before the planned mating. In general, any medications for a pregnant pussy are given only according to the doctor’s decision and if it is vitally necessary.

1. A cat giving birth for the first time can produce litters of 1 to 7 cubs . These are characteristics of the breed, heredity and other factors.

Childbirth

How does labor begin in a cat?

1. The cat lies on its side.
2. Begins to arch his back.
3. Push (strain your stomach). If you put your palm on your stomach, you can feel it.
4. Meows loudly as the strength of the contractions increases.
5. Passage through the genital tract: the cat strains, the muscles of the abdomen and thighs contract. After 4-5 attempts, the kitten appears.
6. The kitten comes out in the amniotic sac or without a sac.
7. Stimulation of breathing: the cat bursts the bladder, licks the kitten, and clears the airways of fluid.
8. Rupture of the umbilical cord. The cat chews the umbilical cord and eats the afterbirth. Be sure to check that there are as many afterbirths as there are kittens.
9. Lactation: Immediately after birth, the kitten attaches itself to the mother's nipple.

Complications during lambing

The owner of a pregnant cat must be prepared for anything, so it is better to familiarize yourself with possible complications during labor in advance, which will allow you to make the right decision in an unforeseen event.

Possible complications:

1. Retained placenta. After the kitten is born, the placenta should come out. If this does not happen, it remains in the cat's body, which is very dangerous for its life. The placenta inside the uterus rots, an acute inflammatory process develops, as a result of which the cat can die. Be sure to contact your veterinarian about this problem as soon as possible!
2. Weak labor activity, which does not allow the cat to give birth to kittens on her own. This pathology can be determined by the following signs: strong contractions are observed within 30-40 minutes, but the babies do not come out into the world. Problems with labor are also indicated by long intervals between the birth of each kitten. If after the birth of the first baby the cat cannot give birth within 1.5-2 hours, it must be urgently taken to the veterinary clinic!
3. The cat's contractions last for several hours, she screams in pain and constantly licks her genitals, but labor does not begin. This pathology occurs for a number of reasons. It will not be possible to solve this problem on your own, therefore, in this case, the woman in labor must be immediately taken to a specialized medical facility, where she can give birth under the supervision of an experienced doctor.

Helping a cat give birth

The animal needs care and support at the time of birth. Therefore, the owner is required to:

• calm your pet throughout the entire process;
• sit near the place where the cat will give birth;
• bring a supply of water so that the cat does not walk around the room again, because she will want to drink in any case (it is necessary to regularly offer the animal to drink warm milk or water at room temperature to avoid dehydration);
• isolating the room where the lambing takes place from other pets and children; it is best to remain alone with the woman in labor - this will make both her and you feel calmer;
• do not forget to ventilate the premises, but without creating a draft;
• Call the veterinarian if complications arise or there are fears that something will go wrong, or if you are not confident in your abilities and are afraid that you will not be able to help your pet

It is impossible to ignore the first signs of labor in a cat, despite the strong opinion that a cat can give birth without any problems without human help.

Beginning of labor

Even the most experienced owner must understand: sometimes unforeseen situations happen, and a seemingly healthy cat has to be called to the house by a doctor. You must take this into account and have a phone number at hand, or better yet, arrange a meeting with the veterinarian in advance at home. Feline labor lasts up to 12 hours. And if this is the first birth, the pet, like a woman, will worry more and feel pain more acutely. Plus, the process itself may take a long time.

The onset of contractions frightens the cat: she begins to fuss, breathe quickly, and may scream in fright. The most important thing: under no circumstances should you scold a cat, even if it begins to behave inappropriately. In a calm tone, you should call the pet by name several times, stroke it (if the cat allows it), try to calm it down or distract it with a toy. The animal must feel human protection.

How to deliver a cat?

Childbirth in cats can be of three levels of complexity:

• Lungs: the cat does not require much human attention and care; it mostly copes on its own. But the owner must observe and control the process so that the cat does not crush her kitten so that the afterbirth comes out. It takes her less than one hour to give birth to a kitten. The cat's discharge the day after birth should not contain mucus, pus, or blood.

• Moderate: at the birth of kittens, the cat has complications that the owner can help cope with, without the help of veterinarians. Lightly stroking the abdomen from the sides to the uterus may help. If the mother does not want to gnaw the umbilical cord, then it is necessary to cut it using disinfected scissors (a few centimeters should remain to the navel), and then treat the incision site with iodine. If the kitten was born in the amniotic sac and the mother is in no hurry to tear it apart, you need to do this yourself so that the baby does not suffocate. To do this, use clean, disinfected hands to tear the film and wipe the baby dry. If the kitten is not breathing, you need to turn it head down and, holding it with both hands, shake it to remove water from the respiratory tract.

• Severe: in this case, you must call a qualified specialist for help. If the cat cannot lamb for more than 5 hours, you can give a Gamavit injection (0.5 cc), which will intensify contractions. If after an hour the medicine does not work, then an injection of Oxytocin (0.5 cc) should be administered. When doing this, you need to massage the belly towards the uterus. To make sure that your cat can be given this medicine, you should consult your veterinarian. The health of your pet depends on you. If the woman in labor can barely move, then sodium gluconate should be administered. The volume of the drug administered depends on the weight of the cat.

What to do if the labor process is very weak?

If half an hour has passed after your water breaks and labor has not begun, this is a cause for alarm. The cat needs urgent help, but you can’t rush too much - careless and thoughtless actions can only cause more harm.

The owner can carry out a number of the following actions:

• lubricate your fingers with Vaseline (baby cream);
• very carefully insert your fingers into the pet’s vagina and try to pull the kitten by the shoulders with weak, screw-like movements (you can’t pull by the head, you can inadvertently break the baby’s neck and kill him);
• support the pet’s abdomen with your other hand;
• if the contractions have stopped, knead the pet’s back and tummy to stimulate a new effort.

These measures should be resorted to only in extreme cases! If 30 minutes have not yet passed after contractions, you cannot induce labor yourself.

Unpleasant consequences after childbirth

Unfortunately, childbirth does not always go smoothly; various unpleasant consequences can occur. So, the first thing you need to pay attention to after childbirth is discharge. Any colored, unpleasant-smelling discharge is a deviation from the norm. If a cat has intense pink discharge, this is a sign of a fungal disease of the genital organs. If they are green, there is a bacterial infection. If the discharge is black-green with a strong unpleasant odor, it means rotting. If they are cloudy yellow or yellow-green, there is purulent inflammation in the womb.

Watery discharge is possible, which may be caused by blood accumulation in the uterus, uterine rupture, or rupture of sutures (during caesarean section).

If after birth the bleeding does not stop for 15 minutes, you should urgently take your pet to the veterinarian and provide qualified assistance.

Another problem after childbirth may be the lack of milk. The reason may be the stress of the mother in labor, so you should create comfort and ensure peace of mind for the mother, feed her well and let her drink milk.

It often happens that after giving birth a cat is left with a hanging belly. The reason may be that there is a dead kitten in the stomach. You need to carefully feel the cat's belly and take the animal to the veterinarian.

After giving birth, it is best to feed a cat with easily digestible food, milk with the addition of fish oil and calcium. Water supplies must be constantly replenished.

British cat giving birth

British cats cannot cope with childbirth on their own, so all responsibility lies on your shoulders. Therefore, it is so important to thoroughly understand the question of how labor begins in a British cat.

If the due date is approaching, you need to carefully monitor when the plug (a white-pink clot) comes out.

During pregnancy, it is better to exclude seafood from your pet’s diet, because they destroy vitamin B, which is necessary for kittens.

As a rule, cats who give birth for the first time may experience complications, so you need to prepare in advance:

• diapers that will need to be changed when dirty;
• antiseptic;
• sterilized scissors;
• sterile disposable gloves;
• cotton pads;
• Vaseline oil;
• syringes for 2 and 5 ml;
• calcium gluconate (to stimulate labor).

What are contractions from a physiological point of view?

This is the name for involuntary contractions of the uterus (i.e., the cat cannot consciously control them), which contribute to the removal of kittens from the uterine cavity and the passage of cubs through the birth canal.

Always remember one important nuance - the presence of contractions does not always indicate the onset of labor.

Interestingly, the question of what exactly stimulates the immediate onset of labor is still being actively discussed. Researchers note that physiological (normal) labor is stimulated not only by the mother's body, but also by her babies still in the uterine cavity. When a cat’s body is already “mentally ready” for childbirth, its placenta, as well as the kittens’ pituitary glands, begin to secrete a complex mixture of hormones, thanks to which contractions begin.

The complete readiness of the cervix (more precisely, the degree of its opening) is of great importance. Throughout pregnancy, the lumen of this organ is tightly closed due to muscle contraction. The first labor contractions are accompanied by a gradual opening of the cervix and the removal of the remains of the mucous plug from its lumen. The latter is responsible for the complete tightness and sterility of the uterine cavity during pregnancy.

At the same time, the pressure inside the uterus itself gently but constantly continues to increase. This stimulates the movement of the fetuses, which will also subsequently help the cat give birth normally. As a result of this process, the rigidity of the uterine muscles increases. This is also extremely important, since otherwise the animal may develop dystonia or complete atony of the uterine muscles, which will certainly lead to the impossibility of natural birth of cubs.

All the processes described above lead to the fact that the fetal bladders, each of which contains one kitten, begin to gradually be squeezed out towards the exit of the uterus, moving along the birth canal. If everything goes well, and in the second stage of labor the first of the amniotic sacs is clearly visible in the birth canal, it is considered that the cervix has opened to the proper extent and the birth process is proceeding normally.

Contractions in primiparous cats can begin about a day before the start of the second stage of labor (“true”).

The beginning of the second stage is indicated by contractions not only of the uterus itself, but also of the walls of the abdominal cavity, which help push the newborn kittens through the lumen of the birth canal.

Another important circumstance must be taken into account. If contractions of the uterine wall (i.e. contractions themselves) are an involuntary phenomenon, then the cat can control the contractions of the abdominal wall muscles quite consciously. This is precisely what the birth rate is connected with: in primiparous pets who do not yet have childbirth experience, it is much lower. Older animals give birth much faster, since they already know when labor began and how hard they need to strain their muscles. For the same reason, primiparous pets may experience pathologies of the birth process much more often.