The ads on this site allow us to raise the necessary funds to continue helping cats in need. Excited, Many of us rescue/adopt our cats, so dealing with an expectant queen cat that is fast approaching her due date isn’t typical for all of us. Even if your cat normally is aloof and detached, she may begin behaving uncharacteristically affectionate and friendly when she is about to go into labor. Once contractions are seen, a kitten should be born within four hours. Let this be a major sign that her delivery is quickly approaching. The First Pregnant Cat Signs of Impending Labor Nesting. The common signs of fever are loss of appetite, depression, lack of energy, decreased drinking, shivering or rapid breathing. Your cat (queen) often won’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is a few weeks into her term. When labor begins for your cat, she will most likely pant, vocalize and may become restless and pace around like she is searching for something. Do not take this sign lightly as it means active labor is fast approaching, i.e. Here are the key signs that you should be familiar with: 1 – It Refuses Food. Before a pregnant cat delivers, there will be changes to her nipple area in the days and weeks leading up to the arrival of her kittens. Don't remain clueless and in the dark -- learn the telltale signs. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days. Increase in sleep – a pregnant cat tends to sleep more and you’ll often find them sleeping in places … There are many cats that are rescued while they are pregnant, or a person could have an unspayed female in their care and may need to know the signs that their cat is in labor. Hopefully your queen will retreat to the safe place you offered her, a box with blankets in the quiet designated area is perfect, but if she does not than you cannot force the issue. The queen loses fresh … Fun Fact About Expectant Cat Mothers: Cats usually have 4 pairs of mammary glands. The Behavioral Problems of Female Cats in Heat→. If some kittens are born you can put them (if the cat allows) on the nipples. Try providing her with a quiet place where she feels calm and safe. Just like humans, cats can go into labor before their due date and it’s your job to closely keep an eye on your cat in the weeks leading up to her impending due date. In the cat pregnancy generally lasts for 63 to 65 days; however, it is not unusual for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer time (range 58 to 70 days). Count to be sure your cat delivers the same number of placentas as she does kittens. So, a cat can have kittens when they are only 6 months old. Also, do not try to handle the kittens in the beginning and allow for two weeks to pass before doing so. The best way to find out is to make an appointment with your vet. In early labor, you might notice behavioral changes in your cat. It’s important as your cat’s caretaker that you are prepared and know what to expect when the big day comes. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. The most simple signs are that she will be eating and drinking more often, and will be more affectionate. Think of all your favorite feline "kisses," from her rubbing up against your leg to headbutting you. The majority of the time, their mother will began to lick her newborn kitten in a way that is persistent enough to break the sac and allow the kitten to take their first breath. Gentle pulling on a trapped fetus causes the queen pain. A pregnant cat may express her anxiety by pacing frequently. If you have a pregnant cat, then you have to monitor her closely towards the end of the pregnancy. If a cat is showing these signs before the 61st day of pregnancy, it is likely that the cat is going into premature labor: Bloody vaginal discharge. Approximately 2 days before your cat gives birth, she’ll start to produce milk. A pregnant or nursing cat is referred to as a queen, and you might agree that she is becoming more demanding as she progresses through her pregnancy. The licking stimulates the kittens circulation and respiration. When labor begins, most cats pant and vocalize and may become restless and pace around like they are looking for something. Because of that, it can be tough to determine whether a cat is ready to deliver her litter. … You also do not want to risk mama cat from rejecting her kittens because your dissatisfying scent is on them. This will be noticeable since most pregnant cats display an increased appetite during the pregnancy’s last weeks. In today’s video I discuss the top 10 signs your cat is in labor. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Monitor Outdoor Cats Carefully: If your cat is prone to outdoor exploring, keep her indoors once you’ve confirmed she is pregnant – in the event she goes into labor during one of her outdoor adventures, her and her kittens are in danger of predators, including neighborhood pets as well as wildlife. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. Before a cat fully goes into labor, there are a few tell-tale signs. Activity - Pregnant Cat Signs of Impending Labor When cat is getting close to labor, she will be less likely to move around Like any animal, their mobility will differ when she is getting close to labor. The cat’s behaviour alters little until the final week of the pregnancy. When labor begins, most cats pant and vocalize and may become restless and pace around like they are looking for something. The signs of impending labor generally include nervousness, overgrooming, and panting; sometimes the queen will stop eating during the final day of pregnancy. Another physical sign that your cat is in labor is that her temperature will drop two days before her delivery day. Pregnant cats are a great deal more loving than they would normally be. Consuming more food also helps for her to store energy for the marathon she’s about to take part in. ️ Signs that the Cat is Entering Labor. Usually the other signs will be so obvious you won’t need to … When a pregnant cat’s queening date approaches, its nipples and mammary glands will enlarge. All of these … Provide her with fresh water and food nearby should she want to eat. If anything seems off or out of the ordinary, please do not hesitate to contact your vet immediately. Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. Mama cat puts her scent on her kittens, and prefers to keep things this way initially. During the second stage of labor, each of your cat’s kittens will enter the world wrapped in a jelly-like membrane sac which is the amniotic sac. Swollen belly. The cat is agitated before going into labor and she refuses to eat. Interrupted labor occurs often in cats where the queen stops straining, appears to be resting comfortably, suckling the kittens already born, and may accept food even though she has more kittens to deliver. Related Story: VERY Pregnant Cat Rescued From Streets ~ Not Only With New Babies On The Way, But 3 From Previous Litter! Prepare Yourself For Your Cat’s 3 Stages of Labor. They can confirm that kittens are on the way, and get an idea of how many, in a few ways: Feeling your cat's belly is sometimes useful but not always accurate. Related Story: Pregnant Black Cat & Her Daughter Both Rescued From Hoarding Situation; Just In Time For Birth Of Her Kittens In Live Video! Don’t be surprised to see your heavily pregnant cat consume nearly twice of what she normally does come feeding time. The Time is MEOW! During the first stage of cat labor… This atypical temperament often starts about 1 to 2 days before a cat is going to deliver. Enlarged abdomen: Sometime around the fifth week of pregnancy, a pregnant cat's abdomen will start to swell noticeably. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. Ten minutes of intense labor does not expel a kitten that can be seen at the queen's vulva. REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER! This also may be accompanied by total appetite loss. A cat’s pregnancy lasts about 63-65 days. She may become increasingly vocal, meowing for attention, affection, and comfort, or because of discomfort from the growing weight of her abdomen and false labor contractions. Provide her with fresh water and food nearby should she want to eat. The queen is depressed, lethargic, or has a fever (rectal temperature greater than 103°F or 39.4°C). In the 3rd stage of pregnancy, the kittens begin growing quickly and your cat will continue to gain weight and develop a belly. Cat Labor - Signs She May Be In Labor, And What To Expect During Birth. Love VERY Pregnant Cat Rescued From Streets ~ Not Only With New Babies On The Way, But 3 From Previous Litter! If you want to give her added protein, you can mix some kitten food in with her food during this time for an extra boost. Allow her to eat more to support the tiny beings growing inside of her belly. Pinking Up. Before a pregnant cat delivers, there will be changes to her nipple area in the days and weeks leading up to the arrival of her kittens. They become a great deal quieter, less interested in other cats-especially male ones. For the first 24-48 hours following your cat’s delivery, she should remain in a resting period which serves to restore her energy and allow her to have time to bond with her newborns. If your cat’s pushing hard, a kitten should be passed within 30 minutes. Top Things to Look Out For During Cat Pregnancy & Labour Complications are rare in cat pregnancies, but can occasionally happen. When labor is near you can always look at the changes in behavior in your cat. Cats have been giving birth for centuries and this circle of life usually does not require human intervention. 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