Cat giving birth?

Question

How do I tell when my cat will give birth. She is do any day. I am fostering her for a local animal shelter. I will keep her till the kittens are 6-8 weeks old. What are some signs that labor is approaching? Thanks...She feels like 4-5 kittens.

Answer 1

The average gestation of cats is 63 days, making her just about due.

She will begin to show nesting behavior when she is ready to have the kittens. She may also refuse to eat during the last 24 to 48 hours of gestation. This is a good indicator that she is going to be giving birth soon. If she does not give birth, then you may need to have her examined by a veterinarian. It is important to provide her with a secluded, inviting place to have the kittens. A closet or bathroom that can be partially closed off is a good place to allow her to have them. Provide her with a box and clean towels.

Mother cats do not like to have an audience when giving birth and can even delay birth if they feel bothered. They will often become restless and pant prior to the birth. Some cats will vocalize or purr. It is okay to sneak in to check her periodically, but you should disturb her as little as possible. Her instincts will get her through the process very well.
I would recommend that you find a veterinarian to examine the mother, or queen, and the kittens within a few days after the birth. They will palpate her to be sure all of the kittens have been delivered and that she is doing well. The kittens will all be checked for congenital abnormalities and overall health.

Answer 2

Twenty-four to forty-eight hours before the onset of labor your cat will seem more anxious and restless. It will often poke its head about looking for a place to nest and have the litter. But be advised that in some cases nesting behavior can occur as early as three days before delivery. At this point confine her to the room you want her to birth in. This should be a darkened room with an impervious floor in a quiet area of the house. Place food and water in the room.

Cats that are about to go into labor will usually lick their abdomen and vagina persistently. There is often a discharge that precedes birthing but the mother will lick it away as rapidly as it appears. Her cervix will be dilating but no outward signs accompany this. She will loose all interest in food and become serious and attentive to only her licking. If you are perceptive you may notice an increase in her breathing rate. It is quite common for the mother to sit with her mouth open and yowl loudly or pace the room. As her labor progresses and uterine contractions begin pregnant cats will lay on their sides and intermittently squat and press downward to expel the kittens. Do not interrupt or disturb the mother during these periods – just watch from a door left ajar.

For more detailed information see the following website:

http://www.2ndchance.info/felinelabor.htm

Answer 3

Our cats were outdoor cats, and they had a habit of disappearing somewhere when they gave birth. They would come to the house with their empty distended bellies flapping around. After a couple of days we would follow them (or they would bring them back to the barn).

One year, we heard a mewing from the closet. We found a litter of kittens in a box of winter gloves and hats! Somehow the cat got inside and we forgot to put it out!

Anyway, the dropping mentioned by the vet was a tell-tale sign that kittens were soon to be born.

Answer 4

Get a box with blankets ready, she will look for a comfortable and safe place to have them. She will start getting agitated and may start panting. The kittens will come out in wet sacks and nature will take it's course (the moms just know what to do). Try not to touch them too much, unless you suspect trouble or a kitten can't get to the mom.

Have fun and good luck!

Answer 5

First, you will notice that her babies seem to have "dropped". In other words her bulging belly will look like it fell farther away from her spinal cord. She will try to find a dark, out of the way spot. You will notice her belly muscles contracting, and some cats even become more vocal. You will begin to notice her pushing alot and moving around, kinda like she's agitated. Hopefully she won't have any troube delivering and you will have healthy, beautiful kittens in a few days!! Good Luck to your cat!!!

Answer 6

Are you sure she's had all the kittens she's going to have? My cat did that when there was a blockage (a dead kitten blocking the exit of the remaining live ones) and needed outside intervention. Suggest you ring the vet and / or take her there.

Answer 7

shes gonna hide on you about a couple days before so if you cant find her and you find her hiding spots thats probably where shes gonna have them.when the kittena come out if you feel like she aint getting the sack off the kittens when they come out help her get the kitten out of the bag.just carefully tear it open.good luck
shell be fine .

Answer 8

Almost all of my momma kitties have started acting strange and 'clingy' when they are going to have their babies. About a day or two before it happens they come to me and meow a lot and follow me everywhere.
I've noticed the 'dropping of the belly' too, and they start meowing a lot more too.
Seems like you already have good advice about the box and bedding and stuff so I won't write anymore...
Good luck with them:)

Answer 9

If you foster for your local shelter, they should of told you all you need to know, or did you tell them that you already knew.

Answer 10

I'm definetely no expert on cats having never owned one, but I gues you should just keep her in one place until she gives birth. i don't exactly know how to tell how close she is though. Sorry!