My Cat is In Labor... What do I do?

Question

This is the first time I've had a pet have babies... I've read all kinds of stuff online... talked to the vet... what do we do now?

Answer 1

Get her a good size box, put newspaper in it and maybe a towel or T Shirt you don't want back and see if she will stay in it if you put her in it. Close off places you do NOT want her to have kittens like closets with a lot of stuff on the floor, Having kittens is a bit messy and bloody so don't let her get on the bed unless you have a thick washable blanket there and really don't mind if it gets stained. Closets with no stuiff on the floor or stuff that you can take out reasonably easily are a good place, put plenty of newspaper down on the floor. She may have a place picked out so if she is in some reasonable place and staying there just try to slip some newspapers under her and leave her alone.

Cats are very good at having kittens and can manage fine with minimal or no help. If she keeps coming to you follow her to wherever she wants to take you. If she keeps trying to get in your lap you've got 2 choices, put something over our lap and let her stay or take her someplace that suits you better. One of our cats would come and find my husband when it was time for her kittens to be born and then retreat under the bed but if he did not quickly move the matterss so he could put his hand down between it and the wall so she could put her paw in his hand she'd be back up on the bed fussing at him then back down under it and back out till he cooperated. She would always put the first kitten in his hand for him to take care of while he had the next ones. Another of our cats let us know plainly that she did not want to be disturbed and go away and let her alone in privacy so it depends a lot on the cat. Most cats prefer to be alone. Most do not need a midwife. Unless the cat clearly indicates she wants a specific other animal with her other animals should be kept away from her and her babies now and for the next few weeks. I had always heard that all other animals should be kept away but 2 of our cats whose mother was still with us always wanted their mother there when they had their babies. One wanted her in the box. The other just wanted her near by. Cats will indicate clearly if they do or do not want someone or something around. When in doubt allow her complete privacy .

Mom cat will clean up her kittens and take care of them. She will probably eat the afterbirth. This is not gross it is cat nature. It gives mom cat an immediate burst of iron and protein and removes something that would have a scent and draw predators to her babies if she were in a place where there were such. It's a kitty instinct. She will nurse them but maybe not till all are born. If there is one she doesn't seem to nurse you can gently put it by her tummy but she may know there is something wrong with it and it can't make it so if she continually refuses one your basic choices are to get collestrum from the vet (be sure to say it is for an un-nursed new born) and try to eyedropper feed it kitten firmula or let momcat's decision stand. You probably have less than a 50/50 chance of saving it at new born stage but if you're like me you'll probably try. Geberally tho mom cat will do a very good job taking care of her babies. Just leave her and them quiet and undisturbed. Don't let anyone she does not know well pick them up till their eyes open (2 weeks more or less) don't let a small child handle them because they may unintentionally hurt them. Mama will probably move her babies at 1 1/2 weeks that too is normal. Be sure mom cat has plenty of food and water available. Get her some Cat-Sip (Milk cats can have as opposed to regular milk that makes them tummy sick) or try a bit of cheese, yogurt, or sour cream. She will need extra calcim and extra fluids (water or broth) and good quality food as much as she wants as long as she is nursing. If at any time while the babies are nursing mom cat begins to act as if she feels weak or shakey get her to the vet for a calcium shot. Some cats and dogs and other animals get "milk sick" from depletion of calcium which weakens heart and other muscles and they have to have calcim right away or they could die. You can generally prevent this by making plenty of good food available and offering treats like yogurt and sour cream and Cat-Sip but some mom cats especially small moms with a large litter do have this problem and if they do your help getting them to a vet is urgent.

Cats are in labor for different lengths of time but if she is in labor now and you haven't seen kittens by morning call the vet and see about bringing her in because there could be a problem like a large kitten she can't deliver. If she has one or more kittens and still seems to be straining that could be the same thing but cats can have their kittens as far apart as 12 hrs or so so if she seems fine she piobably is. Some cats do have only 1 kitten sometimes.

I know some ppl say not touch the kittens at all. That really depends on mom cat. Don't touch kittens of a cat you don't know but if this cat sleeps in your bed and thinks you are her mom she won't mind if you are around her babies. If she tolerates you living in her house but is not affectionate towards you then give her and her family their space. If she is or was a wild or feral cat leave her alone ill the babies are at elast a couple of weeks old. If she is a snuggle bug then she will want you around praising and petting her and gently stroking her babies once the babies are born and nursing if not before. Unless she tells you to don't pick up one kitten while she is still having others or unless there seels to be a life or death problem like kitten isn't breathing. If it isn't .you can gently massage it's chest and press down lightly with one finger on the center of the chest and blow lightly into it's nose and mouth then press again do this especially if you can feel a tiny heart beat but no breathing. But this is something that there is only a tiny chance of needing to do. You might want to call the Red Cross about a pet first aid course but for now just enjoy the new babies and tell their mama she's wonderful.

Answer 2

Keep the cat indoors!

Do not allow her to go outside. She may find hole in dirt, which can suffocate the kittens! [Yes, it's happened to me before.]

Get some unwanted blankets or towels and make a little nest for her. A great idea is to arch it on something plastic and caved in [a short, wide laundry basket would good nice, so will the bottom half of a cat/dog house.] Just in case a kitten tries moving, it will still be near the mother. You do not need to be with her at all times, but comfort her when shes in pain and check on her every 15 minutes.

Leave her food and water near the nest and start thinking of names. Don't worry if she starts screeching, just comfort her [while trying to stand the smell. It's just awful].

If anything seems wrong do not hesitate to call your vet!

Good luck and Congratulations!

Answer 3

Step back and let mother nature take her course. Labor in cats is not as severe as it is in humans. After they are born, of course she will lick them clean, and probably eat the afterbirth. She may even eat their feces for a while so she can maintain sanitary conditions and not have to leave them alone. Remember, she picked out the spot to give birth in advance, so that is where she wants to be. After a week at the earliest, maybe 2, you should attempt to pet the kittens. After two weeks if mom will let you, you should try to pick them up. It is flat out untrue if anyone tells you that the human sent on the kittens will make the mother abandon them. I have seen a cat moving her kittens flat our claw a dogs eyes for just being within striking distance. Their bond is a real one. But I digress ... if kittens are not accustomed to being handled by humans they will not allow it when adoption time comes around. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Gerald

Answer 4

ive had over 15 litter of kittens. the mommy cat does most of the work. if she hasnt already chosen a spot put towel down on a closet floor leave the closet door open.....you will her her moan in pain a little pit and she will begin to lick herself rapidy. she may be in labor for a couple hours before the babies come out. when the first kitten comes out atleast one should come out per hour or so make sure that there is one placenta with each kitten. if any of them are stillborn (born dead) remove them from the nest and discard them. it will be messy when she gives birth so using an old clean towel is a good idea or even an old clean blanket that you wouldnt mind throwing out. she will be fine. give her her space while she is birthing her babys you may pat her on the head during contractions though. make sure there is not alot of noise around her nesting area and that it is warm in that area. DONT HANDLE THE BABIES!!!! they should begin moving as soon as they come out and their sac is removed (the clear sac around them) mom will lick the sacs away but if for some reason she doesnt you may take a wash cloth and rub down softly but rapidly to remove the sac this helps to get their circulation going. If for some reason mom refuses the kittens and basically turns them away you may purchas kitten formula and bottles at your local pet store they will need to eat every 2 hours atleast. but dont mistake mom going to get something to eat as abandoning them. also keeping other cats and animals away from the nesting area is a good idea you can do this with a baby gate. make sure you keep plenty of food and water near by for mom.

for more information you may email me at [e-mail] I will be glad to answer any questions you may have Good Luck!!! =)

Answer 5

Nothing...unless you need to intercept and since you talked to the vet, you know all about that stuff. Make sure the cat is on kitten food until the kittens are weaned. She needs to extra nutrients.

Answer 6

Depending on your cat, it may not be a bad idea to stick around. My cat was totally fine with me being there during all of her birthings. but, again, depends on ur cat. the reason i say maybe stick around it that she could have complications and if ur not around, she and the babies could be in potential harm. You may also need to recessitate one of the kittens. maybe seem gross at the time, but i recessitated one of my then kitties that i've now had for 7 years. Make sure you have clean towels or what have for her to lay on. And depending on the cat, it may or may not be messy. the mom is generally good at cleaning it up tho, this sounds kinda icky but she eats the placenta, it's a good source of nutrients for her, and also..kinda icky and sad...she eat the baby if it dies, let her do this..it's her way of cleaning up. You may need to help her deliver...helping her pull the baby out. if you see her pushing and can kinda see the baby...she may be stuck and need a hand and if she's pushing for too long for any of the babies, she may need to go to the vet as one may be still born blocking the others....there numerous thing u need to watch out for...so if ur not going to sit with her while she goes thru this, check on her often. I talked to my cat when she had her...i think it comfort her knowing i was there with her thru this...but if she's spazzing out on u...leave her alone. hope this helps

Answer 7

The best thing to do is give your cat access to a comfortable, and PRIVATE area. She will do best if you leave her alone at this point and check up on her in the morning. Being around her might stress her out and cause problems.

Privacy privacy privacy - I cannot stress that enough!

Good luck!

Answer 8

Unless something's wrong, then let nature take it's course and make sure she's comfortable where she gives birth. Congratulations!

Answer 9

DO NOT MOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!! place towels around her, and leave her alone. out of defence, if you get to close, she will force herself to not give birth..this can kill her, or the kittens. she will knwo what to do.....the less noice that is made around her the better. get a cleaning solution ready...cause there will be alot of blood and tissue to clean up.

Answer 10

Let nature take its course. Cats know what to do. You don't need to do anything.

Answer 11

just give her a comfortable clean place to protect her babies, and give the mother lots of proteins, and keep them indoors