Helping a cat that is giving birth at home: how labor begins and kittens are born, how to help your pet?

For any pet owner, a cat’s labor can be an extremely tense moment. Both you and your pet can benefit from a smoother experience if you know what to anticipate and how you can help. Having the right mindset is essential, regardless of whether this is your first experience or not.

Cats frequently exhibit signs of impending labor as the birthing process gets underway. This could involve changes in appetite, restlessness, or nesting behavior. Comprehending these indicators can aid you in getting ready to offer solace and guarantee a secure and peaceful atmosphere.

The best course of action during the actual birth is frequently to just observe and make sure everything is going according to plan. But occasionally, your cat might require gentle assistance. Your pet will feel more secure and you will feel more confident knowing how to handle these situations.

Stages of Labor	How to Help
Signs labor is starting: restlessness, nesting, licking	Provide a quiet, warm, and comfortable space for your cat
First stage: contractions begin, cat may purr or meow	Stay calm and offer comfort, but don’t interfere
Second stage: kittens are born one by one	Ensure each kitten is breathing, gently wipe them if needed
Third stage: placenta is expelled	Count placentas, there should be one per kitten, dispose of them if not eaten
After birth: kittens nurse, cat cleans them	Monitor the cat’s behavior, ensure all kittens are feeding well

How to understand that labor is approaching?

Certain signs indicate that a cat is about to give birth to kittens. The cat behaves differently; she becomes agitated and starts to wander around, searching for a spot to give birth. The animal starts to lose her appetite and meows loudly. First-time mothers can hide under a bed or sofa because they don’t always understand what is happening to them. Symptoms of a cat in labor:

• 1-3 days before lambing, the temperature drops to 37 ° C;
• the skin around the nipples becomes hot, the mammary glands are denser;
• the mucous membranes of the genitals acquire a pink or red tint, the cat often licks under the tail.

A pregnant pet’s mucus plug coming off is a sign that labor is about to start. Nevertheless, because the plug’s passage is frequently only partially blocked, it is not always possible to see it. The start of training contractions is indicated by the animal hunching over. The cat might now call for its owner, drawing notice to itself.

What needs to be prepared for the cat and kittens?

It is necessary to prepare a place for the cat to give birth. This can be a paper-lined box with low sides or a bed from which it will be convenient to get out. The cat will live with the kittens in this place for about 2 months, so it should be spacious. If a box is chosen as a temporary home, it is better to remove one wall so that the pet can move around comfortably. This will also make it easier for the owner to access when it is necessary to clean the box. The place for giving birth should be located in a quiet, dark place. Before the cat begins to give birth, it is necessary to prepare the following items:

• latex gloves;
• cotton swabs;
• cotton cloth;
• scissors with rounded ends and alcohol for their treatment;
• wet wipes;
• thread kept in boiling water (for tying the umbilical cord);
• terry towels;
• syringe or pipette;
• liquid antiseptic;
• syringe (to suck out liquid from the mouth and nose of newborn kittens);
• heating pad;
• Levomekol ointment.

It is your responsibility to make sure the cat has access to a clean water bowl. It makes sense to purchase formula at a pet store ahead of time, in case the kittens require it in a bottle.

You should gather all the supplies needed for the birth in one location if it is anticipated that the cat will give birth in a week.

How the process proceeds in cats and how long labor normally lasts?

Uterine contractions are the telltale sign of a cat about to give birth. They start to show up a few hours before the babies are born and get stronger over time. The kittens will be born soon, so you should gather everything you need and wash your hands as soon as you feel the fights when the pet touches your stomach. The animal frequently breathes while fighting, its mouth open. Amniotic fluid can flow both before and during a fight. Noticing them is not always possible, t. To. It is common to lick the expectant mother.

Attempts to conceive the first kitten should start about two hours after the fierce fights start. That is, if the pet’s owner has planned and recorded an ultrasound of the animal while it is pregnant. so you can determine the anticipated number of fruits. The following stages can be distinguished in the kitten-birthing process:

1. Passing through the birth canal. Thanks to the cats, the muscles of her abdomen and hips are reduced, pushing the kids from the uterus.
2. Birth. Kittens are born in the amniotic fluid or in its remnants. The mother breaks the bubble, releasing the baby"s body and licking it. The cat clears the kitten"s airways of mucus, and the baby makes its first squeak.
3. Umbilical cord rupture. The mother bites through the umbilical cord and eats the placenta. It is important to ensure that the placenta comes out with the baby or after it. The number of placentas should be equal to the number of babies born. The placenta remaining in the uterus begins to decompose, causing inflammation. In this case, you will need the help of a veterinarian.

About six hours pass during labor in multiple pregnancies. The babies latch onto the mother’s nipples to complete the process. Two hours after lambing, the mother’s uterus stops contracting, her breathing returns to normal, and she adjusts her body posture. The cat becomes hungry and wants to drink.

It’s critical to understand what to anticipate and how to provide gentle support if your cat goes into labor at home. Typically, contractions and nesting behavior precede the arrival of the kittens during labor. Even though cats can give birth on their own by nature, there are easy ways you can support them, such as setting up a peaceful, quiet area and keeping an eye out for any signs of distress. By keeping yourself informed and organized, you can help your pet during this crucial time without becoming too much for her to handle.

How the owner can help the pet and should it be done?

The owner need not step in if the cat is in good health and can handle her maternal duties (licking babies, biting cords). In this situation, you must always be close by to assist your pet when needed. In certain situations, a veterinarian’s help is required in order to deliver the kitten safely.

If labor does not start for a long time or contractions are prolonged

You can give the mother an oxytocin injection if the cat’s water break occurred more than 30 minutes ago and there aren’t any contractions. It is best to discuss the dosage over the phone with a veterinarian first. Another way to induce labor is to move a pipette lubricated with Levomekol ointment in a circular motion inside the cat’s vagina. Abdominal touches that are not too strong can also cause contractions.

If the kitten cannot come out

You must assist the kitten in emerging from the birth canal if it is stuck there. How is a kitten delivered? To accomplish this, you must wait for a contraction before inserting your lubricated index finger a few centimeters into the cat’s vagina. The next step is to slide the skin down, grab the kitten, and gently pull it toward you while angling its body in different directions. It’s time to call the veterinarian if the infant is going with its paw or bottom first. Most likely, a cesarean section will be necessary for you.

See also: Indicators of the beginning and course of labor: How to recognize if a cat is in labor or has already given birth

If a newborn kitten does not show signs of life

Restoring the baby’s life requires your intervention if it is born but does not move or squeak. You must open its airways, slant its muzzle downward, and grab it by the hind legs in order to accomplish this. Should this prove ineffective, you must shake the infant while holding it inverted. For three minutes, you can gently massage the newborn’s chest and back with a gentle cloth.

If the next kitten does not appear for a long time

The time between a cat giving birth and the kittens showing up ranges from 5 to 1 hour on average. The gap can occasionally reach four to six hours. How can we assist the cat in giving birth if the next kitten does not show up during this period? You must give a veterinarian a call. Injections of specialized medications or surgery are necessary when a cat is sterile. The veterinarian will examine the animal and evaluate both the mother and the kittens’ health. The mother in labor needs immediate medical attention because there is a chance that the unborn child will suffocate in the womb.

How to understand that something went wrong and the animal needs help?

Cats typically give birth on their own, with most births going smoothly. But occasionally, the animal needs assistance both during the lambing process and after the kittens are born. This is because of the pet’s physical state as well as her disposition toward her own children. When a cat gives birth for the first time, her owner needs to provide her with constant care.

Discharge after birth

You should contact a veterinarian if the cat bleeds heavily for ten minutes following delivery. This illness is frequently brought on by a vulva or uterine rupture. During the first two days following lambing, a mild bloody discharge is normal as long as there is no foul smell, mucus, or pus. See a veterinarian if the discharge does not go away after a considerable amount of time.

A large belly in a cat that has given birth

A large belly in a new mother could be a sign of helminthic invasion or constipation-related gas and stool buildup. An incomplete birth is another possible cause of an enlarged belly. You must feel the cat’s abdomen to determine whether the fetus is still inside the uterus. The muscles stay taut and the kitten is easily palpable after an incomplete birth. You have up to 24 hours to wait if the baby is moving. You must immediately take the cat to the vet if labor is not evident.

Lack of milk in a cat

A cat that has given birth may not be producing enough milk or may be acting aggressively as the new mother. It is the owner’s responsibility to establish a peaceful environment for his pet so that she can express her maternal instinct and feel secure.

You should give the cat more water to induce lactation. It is best to put the drinking bowl close to the cat’s "nest" because many new mothers don’t even take a step away from their babies.

The cat does not approach the kittens

Why does a cat not come near her newly born kittens? There could be a number of causes. Maternal instinct "wakes up" later in cats than sexual instinct, allowing young moms to disregard their young. This is why you ought to wait until the animal is between two and three years old before allowing it to mate. What other motives could a mother have for neglecting her child? A few instances are:

• lack of milk;
• developing mastitis, in which sucking kittens brings pain to the mother;
• eclampsia (acute calcium deficiency);
• stress (can be caused by the appearance of another pet in the house or the location of the box with kittens in a passageway);
• non-viable offspring.

If the cat has given birth but is avoiding the babies, you will need to make her environment comfortable, soothe her, and show her lots of love. This is particularly valid for cats that are having their first child. You should get in touch with a veterinarian if you think the disease may be developing.

If their kittens are frequently touched by strangers, cats frequently become wary of approaching their young. The cat’s maternal instinct fades as a result of the babies losing their natural scent. It is best to leave the family alone since you cannot touch the kittens unless absolutely necessary.

Also see: How long does a cat’s first heat cycle last, how frequently does it occur, and how to calm your pet during it.

Occasionally, a mother will discard one of her babies because she cannot accept them all. This is because the cat perceives itself as non-viable. The mother sometimes misinterprets it for a sick kitten with a low body temperature. It makes sense in this situation to take the newborn, wrap it in a soft towel, and give it some warmth. Return the infant to its mother after this. Maybe things will get better and the cat will welcome the kitten back.

The owner will have to assume maternal duties if all attempts at persuasion fail and the cat continues to avoid the babies. Stocking up on pipettes, bottles, and milk formula for kittens is essential. The warmth of the mother’s body should be replaced for the babies by placing them on a heating pad in a warm, dry location.

It’s crucial to maintain your composure and provide your cat with a calm, cozy space when she goes into labor. Being aware of labor symptoms, like restlessness and nesting behavior, will help you get ready for the kittens’ arrival.

Throughout the birthing process, monitor your cat closely but don’t get involved too much. The majority of cats can manage the birth on their own. But be prepared to help if necessary, particularly if your cat appears distressed or if there are issues.

Make sure the kittens are breathing and nursing when they are born. You can gently clear any struggling kittens’ airways or nudge them in the direction of their mother. Your cat’s experience and the health of her new kittens can significantly change depending on your support both during and after birth.

Video on the topic

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