.
Cat Pregnancy and birth is usually problem free and the majority of queens that will give birth without any trouble. However there are always those that will need help, either once or during each subsequent birth. We know that cats feel they are an integral part of our homes and are often closer to one person. Sometimes queens appear to not want to give birth unless that special person is present. This could be by following the person around until they stop, or by crawling into bed with them to give birth there. This has happened to me on more than one occasion and it is a humbling and wonderful experience.
If you have a cat that is like this, make sure you keep a close eye on her when she is due to give birth. It can be a bit like when we need the reassurance that someone is close by in case we need them. It steadies us and it does the same to the queen, especially if it is her first litter. During your cat’s pregnancy, an excellent ebook called *How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat will give you some excellent tips to make sure all goes according to plan.
There should be no reason for you have to handle your queen when she is giving birth. In fact it is better if she is left to do this herself. Having you there is a psychological help – she knows she can trust you to look after her if necessary. Talk to her while she is in labor, the sound of your voice and the gentle tone will be encouraging. If you must do something, gently stroke her between contractions, preferably on the head and neck only. Remember, the first litter will be the hardest for your queen and yourself. Don’t interfere unless you are sure that something is wrong.
Cat Pregnancy – Signs of Labor
You will know your cat is in labor when you see rhythmical movement in her flanks which are contractions. Just like with humans, they should start with some minutes between them then become more frequent as birth becomes closer. The contractions will become stronger as she pushes the kitten, in its amniotic sac, out. The total length of time of labor will vary due to the number of kittens to be born, the size of each kitten (larger kittens will take more effort) and the muscular tone of the queen. Some queens rest between the birth of each kitten so don’t become alarmed if you see this. It is a good idea to have some fresh water close by so the queen can drink if she needs to.
Cat Pregnancy – Problems During Birth
You should not interfere unless you see signs of exhaustion in your queen. Don’t worry about the time being taken, many queens rest for a good deal of time between each birth. If your queen appears exhausted and unable to push the kittens out, contact your vet immediately. He will be able to assess the situation and if necessary, either give the queen an injection to speed labor along or, in the case of pedigree queens, perform a Cesarean section. While it is normal for kittens to be born head first, some times they can be in the wrong position such as feet first (breech birth) or rarely, butt first where the head becomes turned downwards towards the underside of the queen. The more she pushes this kitten, the more the kitten is turned the wrong way. Medical intervention is necessary to save both queen and kitten if this happens.
Once each kitten is born the mother will bite the umbilical cord and piece the amniotic sac to lick the kitten. If she is unable to do these due either to exhaustion or because of the impending birth of the next kitten, help must be given for the kitten to survive. To sever the umbilical cord, hold the cord firmly around two inches from the kitten’s body to make sure there is no pull on the kitten, and use the thumb and forefinger of the other hand to pull the cord. If the amniotic sac is not punctured soon after birth the kitten will die from asphyxiation. To split this sac, just pinch it using the thumb and forefinger. Do not use any instruments including blunt nose ones in case you damage the kitten.
Occasionally a queen’s waters will break some time before she goes into labor. If this happens contact your vet immediately as she will have great difficulty and pain with a ‘dry’ birth.
Remember, cat pregnancy and giving birth is a natural phenomenon and the majority of queens will do it without any help. Keep an eye on her when she is in labor and only intervene if you know what you are doing. Reassurance for your cat will be of more help than trying to help without knowing the correct thing to do. You should soon be the proud owner of a beautiful litter of kittens, just as nature intended.
Continue reading about Cat Pregnancy – Should You Help When Your Cat Is Giving Birth
.
Your cat is pregnant and due to give birth soon. What should you do in advance to make sure everything goes smoothly for cat and kittens? If your cat is a pedigreed one and the kittens are to be sold, I’d advise having your vet on standby so he or she can be on hand for any problems. Your vet can also record the time of birth, description and weight of each kitten for their pedigree papers. If your cat is a domestic short or long haired variety, the birth can be much more low key.
Most domestic cats will give birth without much trouble. All they need is a box in a warm place free from drafts with a towel in the bottom and perhaps another towel ready to keep the kittens warm. All births are different and the mother (or queen) may not have time to give much attention to her kittens if the labor is continuous. Some cats need something to push against. This can be the sides of the box or perhaps something stronger angled in a corner. Make sure it is covered to keep it sterile and comfortable.
Of course complications can occur at any time. If your queen goes into labor prematurely, the kittens may be born open-eyed. These kittens usually don’t live long but with help, they can grow into normal kittens. In some occurrences the eyelid may be damaged and appear partly paralyzed with the result that the eye never fully opens. Depending on how early the queen gives birth, the premature kittens may not be strong enough to suckle and like all early births, their organs are not fully developed.
Your Pregnant Cat’s Nipples
You may want to check your queen’s nipples a few days before birth, especially if she has had kittens before. Usually the queen will do this herself but check to make sure the nipples are not encased in a tough skin. This occurs if she has had previous litters and the nipple and milk duct are covered. If she has not licked this skin off herself, gently rub them with olive oil in a soft cloth. Allow the oil to soak in and soften the skin then wash the nipples with warm water and a gentle soap then once again with warm water only to remove any trace of soap. Make sure you include the underside of the nipple to prevent possible infection and to remove any eggs of round worms which could be found there. Make sure the bedding is clean in the box to prevent any possible infections.
If you have a long-haired queen, it may be necessary to cut away some of the hair surrounding the nipples. Make sure the nipples are easy to reach for the kittens. Hungry kittens can be very persistent but it doesn’t hurt to make it easier for them. If you have developed a strong bond with your cat she should have no problem with allowing you to do this. By removing any excess hair you are also reduce the chance of it becoming hard and matted with leaking milk. Kittens will rub against this when feeding which will make their delicate skin sore. An excellent and inexpensive ebook called *How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat will be invaluable if you are at all unsure of what to do.
Remember your cat is extremely adept at looking after herself but as with all new mothers, there never seems to be enough time for everything. By helping your pregnant cat with these useful tips, you will not only make her life easier at this busy and tiring time, you will strengthen the bond between you and her which will pay you back in love over the many years you are together.
Continue reading about Your Pregnant Cat – Preparing For Kittening
