How do you keep your indoor/outdoor cat from having her babies outside?

Question

I have never had a cat before, and mine is two years old. She got pregnant about a month ago I am pretty sure, because she is getting really fat. Shes an outside cat, who sleeps in the house, but when she wants outside you can't stop her. So I am scared she will have her babies away from my house outside. Please help, or give advice or something. Thanks!

And please, really, I know I should have got her spayed. Duh, ok? She is 3 years old, and I thought I would just be reallly careful with her in her heat, like I have been over the LAST 3 YEARS. And for all those people who want to scold me about killing kittens, just want to let you know that I am not doing that. I already have 10 people that want a kitty, so seriously, spare me. Thanks

Answer 1

I suggest you take her to a vet right away. She may have feline leukemia, which causes female cats to get a pot-belly. Make certain she's pregnant. Then, I suggest you find her and put her in a room before you open the door, period. Put a sign on your front door advising guests to be patient for you to come to the door. Keep her inside and she'll have her kittens inside.

Answer 2

You spay her for an easy solution.

But if she's an outside cat, why would she birth inside? That's poor logic.

What you need to do is pay attention and the day you catch her with a deflated, floppy belly, follow her until she leads you to the babies. Then, using something like a paper towel to keep your scent of the newborns, move them to the safest place posible. Inside is best, and really the only truly safe option. Outside the mother may simply move them somewhere else. Let her raise this litter, then get her spayed, or drop her off at the shelter along with the kittens you can't find homes for.

Answer 3

( Well just so you know you can trust what I am saying is true because I watch alot of Animal planet shows and I am intoall of this stuff so I research all of it so what I'm going to tell you is all true) Alright now the first thing that you need to do is take her to a vet see if she really is pregnant. Then if she is what you do is you don't let her outside during the time that she is pregnant. And after the kittens are born and old enough to be without mom for a little while then you can let her outside everyonce and a while. But it is best to keep her with her kittens. During the time that she is not aloud outside if its not to cold out crack open a window so that she can have the fresh air that she craves. And if you don't have a litter box you should probably buy one. Alright well I hope everything goes well.

Answer 4

You keep her inside. Why would you not spay an outside cat?? If you cant deal with this, surrender her to a rescue so she is properly taken care of and her kittens have half a chance.

What I am about to say will be harsh but it's people like you that are causing shelters to be filled with cats that are put to sleep because homes cannot be found. You, and other like you, are responsible for the death of thousand and thousands cats a day.

Answer 5

Have her to the vet to make sure she's indeed pregnant and it's not something medical and nasty.

You need to be firm with her, if you give in, she'll keep pestering you. Say no and mean it. Give her a box and bedding in a quiet, dimly lit, draught free, dry place and start getting her used to it. Start now with the place you want her to birth. Show her that you are more determined than she is. If she really has to go outside, you could make a wire enclosure with a shelter in it for her so that you can still keep an eye on her.

There are plenty of places on the net that show how to make enclosures, cheaply. If you are creative, you may be able to make one with stuff you already have.

Answer 6

My advice would be to keep her in a room when you think she's very close. She might fight you.. but if you can make her compfy in a dark quiet place, she might just stay there. A closet is a good place.. so if you leave her in a room with a closet just open enough for her to get in and out it might do the trick. Adleast if youre keeping her in a room.. then you have a chance to catch her before she makes it to the next door!! lol Be careful when she has the kittens as well.. if she feels disturbed after she's had them.. she'll
grab 'em and run!! lol
p.s. just re-read your question and noticed you weren't sure if she's preggo or not? Feel her nipples.. they'll get alot bigger!! :)

Answer 7

Spay her. NOW. Every day you wait is one more day she will have to carry them. Do you have a home for maybe six kittens? this kind of thing MUST be brought down to a level that people understand, over 13 MILLION dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, and now even BIRDS are being killed because people think its cute when they have babies, but dont have anyoen who will be responsible and make a home for them.

MANY communities here in America have programs to spay & neuter animals for very little. YOU are responsible for what your cat is carrying. SPAY HER. Do it immediately. Otherwise you are part of the deaths of all who are killed because their only sin was to have been born without hope of a good home.

Answer 8

i have an outside cat also and she had kittens a few months ago. she had them outside and they were fine. i think since she is firmiliar with your house and feels safe around there that she will have her kittens near home. my cat was gone all day and we were worried but later that night she came back (with the kittens!) she is actually pregnant again but we arent worried because cats are naturally wild animals and when they have babies their instincts kick in and they become very protective and good mommy's!!!
but dont worry if she dosent come back right away because if this is her first time having kittens then she will want to get used to them before she tries moving them.

Answer 9

If she is pregnant, she is going to find a nice warm place to have them. So unless you live in a cold climate, she will probably have them inside somewhere warm.
One question, if you love her, why do you let her outside? Cats can't defend themselves as well as dogs. Something big could eat them or they could get hit by a car.

Answer 10

Spay your cat. Letting her have kittens, inside or outside, is irresponsible of you. More than likely the kittens will either die when born outside from predators or exposure, infectious diseases (rabies, FIV) or they'll die later on when you have to take them to an animal shelter because you couldn't find homes for them. Your cat could even die during pregnancy or delivery from complications.

There are plenty of shelters and other spay/neuter groups that'll help you get your cat spayed at a reduced rate, some places will even help you get it done for free. And if you're going to let your cat keep going outside she needs to be up-to-date on her shots and microchipped so you'll be notified in case an animal shelter picks her up or animal control finds her body on the side of the road when she gets hit by a car or mauled by a dog.