What do I do? She is going to have them in three weeks. I really don't know what to do? What do I need to prepare this, and what do I need to get and do? Please put anything you know about mommy kittens that are expecting. Thank You!!!
2006-06-26 16:59:58 · 19 answers · asked by Daisy 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
If mom's vaccinations aren't up to date, you'll have to wait until the kittens are 6 weeks old to get them done. It is a good idea to get momma cat de-wormed at this time. She should also get flea treatment (such as Advantage) so her kittens won't be pestered by those little bloodsuckers.
Make sure she has a safe, quiet place to have her kittens. She should have a 'nesting box' which is well padded, away from drafts, and out of the more active areas of the home. The box should be tall enough that newborn kittens can't climb out but momma can get in and out easily; a 6-8 inch tall box with two inches of padding inside is about right. Padding should be soft absorbent cloth such as towels, old sheets or t-shirts.
Initially the box should have several layers of padding because the birth makes a mess and you will need to change soiled layers frequently. Within a few days you should be able to switch to two layers of thick padding.
Mama doesn't need much extra food right now (unless she was skinny to start with) but once she starts nursing she will need lots of water and good quality kitten food. Food, water, and her litter box should be easily accessible.
It is rare for cats to have trouble giving birth, but keep an eye on her just to be sure. She will start looking around the house and making temporary nests a day or so before having the kittens. Cats usually try to give birth when nobody's looking.
Oh, and don't be surprised if you provide a perfect nesting box and she decides to have the kittens in your sock drawer instead.
If you don't plan on more kittens, you will need to wait until the kittens are weaned (about 6 weeks), plus a month or so, until you can get her spayed safely. During this time do not let her outside; cats can get pregnant again only three weeks after having kittens!
2006-07-06 09:32:49 · answer #1 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well what you are going to need is a box or something, with blankets. Put the mama in the box soon before the birth. Soon she will start to have kittens. If there are a lot of kittens you might want some help As the kittens start to come have towels or somthing and dry them off and then give them back to their mama and she should do the rest. Also you could put just a little milk in a bowl for mommy. I hope I have gave you aenough info good luck!
2006-06-26 19:41:58 · answer #2 · answered by Correl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At first the mommy cat will do everything for her kittens but she will need a bed to nurse her kittens. She also needs extra water and food. Keep dry food down all day and make sure water is always full. She will need 1 can of wet food a day also. When kittens are 4 weeks old they will start weaning themselves from mom so you will need a small litter pan and make sure litter is not scoopable or clumping and they can start eating a small bit of wet food too. I hope this helps. Good luck with your new kittens:) P.S. My cat just had kittens too
2006-06-26 18:47:31 · answer #3 · answered by bizzymed2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to set some sort of box up in a quiet area of the house. Have clean towels ready to clean babies if you need to and to change out her box after she delivers the babies. Things need to be really quiet and preferably not to much light. Cats are very private when it comes to birthing thier babies. You need to make keep an eye on her and watch for babies being born breech, her becoming distressed and how long it takes between babies being born. It generally can take up to about two hours in between babies. If the baby is born breech and you see she is having a hard time delivering you will need to assist her by lightly and I mean very lightly help to pull the baby out. Yes she will howl like you are killing her but you are not. When they go into labor they will start paceing, looking to you for more attention/lovings, panting will begin and increase as labor progresses. She will be very indecisive. Don't panic just talk to her gently and pet her and let her know you are there. Things generally go smooth for a cat and breech births are not all that common. I have had multiple births in my house and only one cat has had one litter of breech babies. I have pictures to show where I had 4 regular cats and 10 kittens all at one time LoL Ya a house full. Okay this is long enough and your eyes are probably killing ya now but GL with your kittys and if you have any questions you can e-mail me at iamkaymie@yahoo.com
2006-06-26 18:58:51 · answer #4 · answered by iamkaymie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can set up a box and blankets and make a million plans for how things are supposed to go...and then you'll come home one day to find your cat in the middle of your flower garden, covered in dirt and in the middle of labour. You should just let her go and do her own thing, only intervene if she is in danger eg: her labour site is in the middle of your driveway. you can place her and the kittens in a designated area when she if finished (try not to handle the kittens too much)
dont use a deep water dish in case a kitten falls in, and enjoy the experience that is your new gorgeous bundles of fur.
2006-06-26 18:26:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mama cats like to find a dark, warm hidey spot to have their babies, places like closets or cupboards. Try putting a box or a basket big enough for a mama cat and kittens in a closet or place where she will feel safe and out of the way. Put a soft towel or blanket in the box for mama and kittens to snuggle in. Once mama picks her spot and has her kittens, then you can put her food, water and litter box nearby so that she doesn't have to go too far from her babies.
2006-06-26 17:06:29 · answer #6 · answered by livingstonseagull43 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I have had cats getting ready to give birth, I have put a box in a closet with a blanket in it. I show it to the mother cat, and sometimes they will go there when they are ready to give birth, but sometimes they will go and hide under the bed! It depends on the mother cat. If she has a hiding place that she likes, and she seems to be hanging out there alot, then put the box in that place. Mostly, she is going to look for a place that is dark and quiet and out of the way. If there is a place like that, and she seems to like it, then that is your place!
She can handle the birthing process by herself, but she may come and get you when she is ready. I have had cats that did that. When the contractions start, and she is in labor, she may just come for you because she is nervous and she wants you nearby for comfort and security. Every cat is different. Just hope that she does not have them under the house, or something, where you cannot get to them.
2006-06-26 19:44:13 · answer #7 · answered by Oblivia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont do anything. My cat had kittens 2 weeks ago. Never set up blankets or anything nice. Animals are just so, they will choose where and when to have the kittens no matter what. They are very in charge when in labor.
2006-06-26 17:47:59 · answer #8 · answered by KelBean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat once who had like 12 or more litters of kittens... All she wanted was me to be there, maybe she felt safer... and she liked a quiet place away from other pets and people. That was all she wanted. She never had any complications and all of her kittens were perfect, I own 2 of them!
2006-06-26 18:08:33 · answer #9 · answered by * 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
set up a nice, quite place away from everywhere else for her, put towels there, and a small bowl of water, make sure there's enough room for her and the kittens, and let her know that the space is there. Everything else she'll do on her own.
2006-06-26 17:03:39 · answer #10 · answered by Laila 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋