Help! My cat is pregnant! What do I need to know or do?

Question

My beautiful cat is pregnant and I dont know what to do? How long are cats pregnant for? Do I need to buy a cardboard box like I see in the movies? What about when she has the kitties??? Am I supposed to help or she has them on her own.. i need some serious help! I would take her to the vet but they always rip me off. Your advise is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Answer 1

Hm - a good example of why you should get your cat spayed when it reaches 5 months of age! Why didn't you out of interest?

Vets are invaluable source of information - you can phone them, they don't charge just for advice over the phone! Very few vets actually rip off - most people just don't understand the actual costs involved in running a vet practice/providing treatment. There is really no substitute for a vet's knowledge and experience though - certainly not the internet. PLEASE say your not one of those people who wouldn't take their animal to a vet if it was obviously ill!!

Cats are pregnant for 61-69 days depending on the breed, 63-65 is usual for moggies. You'll need to provide her with a warm, safe and private area when she gets close to giving birth, but she may choose her own spot - keep her inside when she gets close to her due date in case she has the kittens somewhere else and you lose her! You also need to know the signs of impending labour in a cat. This website is useful, read all of it:

http://cats.about.com/cs/pregnancybirth/a/pregnancybirth_2.htm

Please get the cat spayed once the kittens are weaned, as you obviously didn't intend her to get pregnant in the first place!

Chalice

Answer 2

You really don't need to worry about her being pregnant. She has animal instinct and knows what to do. Just keep her fed..and watered. I have sat by while they had kittens and there are times when the mother has needed some assistance. Some kittens are born with cords wrapped too tight around there necks or limbs..if you are there you can make sure that doesn't happen. Some needd help taking that first breathe..regardless of your help or not. She will do what she can. It doesn't matter where you put a box for her to have her kittens..she's going to have them where she wants. Then after shes done she will move each and every one of them to a spot that she feels more comfortable and safe. After she has done that then you can give them a blanket to sleep on. Towards the end of her pregnancy she will start having really smelly movements. If you watch close enough you can actually see her belly having contractions. some cats like it when you message the belly..some don't want to be touched at all! Just like humans!

Answer 3

The pregnant cat should continue to have exercise to help maintain her muscle tone and keep from gaining too much weight. If a vitamin plus mineral supplement was not started before breeding, it should be started now. Do not over supplement as that may be harmful to the developing kittens. If you are adding multiple supplements to the diet, get a list of all the ingredients and nutritional labels and take everything to your veterinarian to make sure it is still balanced.

Poor diets may cause problems with the developing fetuses and with the queen.

She should have been on a premium adult food prior to pregnancy and for the first few weeks of pregnancy. Starting the fourth week of pregnancy, begin adding a premium kitten food to her diet. Each week increase the amount of the kitten food, so when she is in her final week of pregnancy, she is on all kitten food. Increase the frequency of the daily meals to three by mid-pregnancy or free feed her. She may need to eat small meals every 3-4 hours during the last week of the pregnancy as the kittens continue to take up more room. Remember that most fetal growth occurs in the last two weeks of gestation.

During the last week of pregnancy and the first 3-4 weeks of lactating, she may eat 1 1/2-2 times the amount she ate before pregnancy. As long as she is gaining a healthy amount and not becoming obese, she should receive the food.

If she has external parasites such as fleas or ear mites or internal parasites such as roundworms, discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. It would be preferable to treat her before she passes the parasites to the offspring.

With a few exceptions, (Drugs to Avoid in Pregnant and Nursing Cats) one should avoid using all medications in pregnant and lactating (nursing) cats. There may be instances in which a medication not recommended for use during pregnancy may need to be used to save the life of the queen, even though it may potentially harm the fetuses. Always consult with your veterinarian before administering any drug or supplement to a pregnant or nursing cat.

At least two weeks before she is due to have the kittens, a nesting box should be set up so she can become accustomed to it. A laundry basket with clean towels often works very well. If you wait too long, she may have the kittens in the closet, on your bed, or in the basement. Do not allow her outside as her due date arrives, or she may have the kittens outside.

Answer 4

Yeah, the vet might get you to bring her in at least once a month then near the birth every week then every day until she delivers...not...
Cats and dogs have been delivering their young for a long time alone...I would watch for signs of not delivering after labor starts....use common sense..
The box-yes and line with blanket or newspapers...

Answer 5

Don't worry - you're cat will know exactly what to do. You could get a box for her. Otherwise she will hijack some other secluded area of the house to have her kitties - and you may not be able to find it. She'll be okay and she won't need any help.

Answer 6

First of all give her lots of cuddles and yes introduce her to a new comfy box/home in a safe and discreet spot. I promise you that when it comes to delivering her kittens she will go there. I did this with my cat and it worked. Make sure you line the box with lots of newspaper and old towels.

Answer 7

the best advise would be from a vet. maybe you should contact one, and they will tell you what you need to know.

Answer 8

YO I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT A BOBCAT GOT MY KITTY PREGNANT. WTF! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EITHER!