Well, we didn't even know she was pregnant, but my cat is having kittens. Right now. She's had one so far, and both mummy and baby are doing well and are happy and comfortable. But how will we know when she's done? Right now, Mummy-kitten is half asleep and purring, but still breathing heavily. Baby-kitten is nursing. Is she going to have more? She had the baby about an hour ago, so I *think* she's done.
Any tips in caring for Mummy and Baby? (Not to mention Daddy and Auntie-cats?) The father isn't going anywhere NEAR the room where she had them, and the mum's sister is laying in there with her, giving Mummy a bath. They going to be okay? Should I keep everyone seperate from the mother and baby?
2006-07-30 13:39:04 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
We would have had her spayed, but we JUST got the cats (Mum, Sister, and Daddy). They all had appointments with the vet to go in and be spayed but... whoops. Apparently, she was already pregnant when we got her.
2006-07-30 13:47:47 · update #1
I had a box of towels in the bathroom, and that's where Mummy chose to have her babies - and is still there, with the kitten. Both are sleeping and appear comfortable, and the bathroom is the warmest room of the house. There are quite a few towels in there, but should I put more? Or worse, are there too many in there? I'd hate to see one of the kittens get smothered.
2006-07-30 13:50:56 · update #2
I feel bad constantly adding details, but I keep remembering more questions. x.x First of all, yes, tomorrow I'm going to call around to vets to make sure the mummy's okay! ;) Unfortunately, in my area, we have no 24-hour vets (or if we do, I can't find them in the phone book).
Now, hopefully the last of my questions: I've gotten recommendations to put both milk and water in there. My bathroom is very cramped, so I can't fit more than two bowls, so is water or milk better for Mum?
Two, my room-mate says she was mewing and seemed to be in pain earlier, but she wandered off. Is it possible (and I hate to say this) that she had a kitten or two that died, that we're just not finding?
2006-07-30 13:57:06 · update #3
Cats can have kittens up to an hour or more apart, esp. if it's her first litter. Keep an eye on her; if she has any more kittens be sure that she tears the membrane covering the kitten off. If this is not done, the kitten may suffocate. You may want to take her to the vet to ensure that she has birthed all the kittens. A one kitten litter is pretty rare, and it's possible that she may have dead kittens inside her and if she does and they are not removed she will die. Not to gross you out, but something to keep in mind.
Just provide her with lots of food and water (soft food may be easier for her to eat since she's probably exhausted), make sure she has clean bedding, and keep the other cats away. If she is getting along with the one cat, then that one is OK, but you will definitely want to keep the dad-cat away. The mom-cat will get very territorial and fight.
You might want to look into having her spayed so she doesn't have any more litters. There are so many unwanted kittens in the world, that my local animal shelter is having to euthanize bunches of them. There are just so few good homes.
Good luck with your new family!
2006-07-30 13:51:25 · answer #1 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your cat may have another kitten, often there are longish periods of time between the births of kittens in a litter. She also may be done, just keep checking in on her. You can keep the sister with her if she doesn't seem bothered by it. Make sure the kitten is dry and warm and keep mummy comfortable. Don't separate the mother and kitten, keep them together. Don't try to move them, mummy will know what she's doing. Tomorrow or when the vet opens take mummy and kitten to make sure they're both healthy after the major event of birth. Other than that, all you can do is wait and see how it turns out.
Congrats!!
2006-07-30 13:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by Josie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also, let the momma cat do her thing. She knows what to do naturally. Keep the number of the vet close by. Make sure you're there for the entire labor. My momma cat had 5 and then had another kitten a few hours later. (maybe call the vet on that). Sometimes they have up to 8. If the other cats get in the way, get them out of the room.
You are in for so much fun with the little one! What a joy. We rarely get to see kittens that small! Gotta love that their ears are bigger than their head! Good luck!
2006-07-30 13:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by clivencheese 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To answer the water or milk question. Water. Milk is actually not very good for adult cats. Water is always better. None of my cats have ever eaten their babies, but I've heard of it happening. So I guess it's a possibility.
http://vetlocator.petplace.com/
Try this and ask a vet. I don't know a lot about that. One kitten litters do happen though. We had a cat who only had one baby.
We kept him since he was the only one. It was nice having a little cat family around, but I'm a dog person myself.
Just keep an eye on her and make sure she's doing alright. Check her for bleeding or see if she's acting like she's in pain.
This should help in the meantime: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/howto15.html
Congrats.
2006-07-30 14:08:25 · answer #4 · answered by militantfairy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this her first birth?
Is the kitten larger then usual ?
Have you looked to see if another kitten is stuck and is half way out ?
Some times the male cat will try and kill the babies.
As long as she is breathing heavy she is not done .
My cat took 6 hours to have her 3.
I would leave the mum and baby alone get the other cats away from her also.
I always gave mine milk and water ,when lactating .
Good luck .
2006-07-30 14:23:07 · answer #5 · answered by Elaine814 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One kitten? That is VERY unusual! I would keep a VERY close eye on the mom. After a few days I would take her to the vet to make sure there is not dead ones inside her. That could kill her. When you take her to the vet put the kitten in the cage too. So she is not freaking out that she has been separated from her baby.
2006-07-30 13:45:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She'll be fine. She may have a few more. Don't let the male cat near her. If she feels comfortable with her sister cat, then let her stay.
Once the kittens are born, she may decide to move them. Don't deter this behavior, it's quite common. She'll settle in someplace where she feel safe to care for her new babies.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! =^..^=
2006-07-30 13:45:40 · answer #7 · answered by PariahMaterial 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emily, If it became me, i could be making use of to the emergency vet precise now to have her appeared at and make advantageous a kitten isn't caught or in misery. Has she handed the afterbirth? that ought to signify the hard artwork became over. on the least, call the vet. the two an emergency vet or your owns' after hours emergency service and clarify the situation to them.
2016-10-01 06:52:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, that's a great idea to keep the father away. It's common for the father to eat his offspring. You sure he wasn't around when the deliveries started?
Hey, how 'bout an update too? Let us know how it all turns out when you conclude it's all over.
2006-07-30 13:52:10 · answer #9 · answered by swm_seeks_sf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not have known she was pregnant, but you have an unspayed female and a intact male....did you think that could happen???
If you do not know what to do and what to look for, you should get them all fixed pronto!!!!!! There are WAY too many cats in the world!!!
2006-07-30 13:44:34 · answer #10 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋