Labor in a cat: how to understand that she is giving birth and how you can help

There can be anxiety and excitement around a cat’s impending birth. The process will go more smoothly for you both if you know when labor is beginning and how to help her.

When a cat is ready to give birth, they typically exhibit obvious symptoms. They might get restless, look for cozy, quiet areas, or begin building nests. It’s critical to anticipate these changes and to act accordingly.

Although the majority of cats can give birth on their own, there are steps you can take to ensure that everything goes according to plan. The mother and her kittens will be safe and healthy if you remain composed, make sure the space is comfortable, and know when to call the veterinarian.

Signs a cat is in labor	How to help your cat during labor
Nesting behavior (seeking a quiet place)	Prepare a soft, warm area for her to give birth
Increased vocalization	Stay close but don’t disturb her unless needed
Visible contractions	Keep the environment calm and quiet
Licking the genital area frequently	Ensure she has access to fresh water
Restlessness or pacing	Let her know you are nearby if she needs comfort

Features of labor in cats

Let’s start by discussing physiology. The onset of the first estrus signifies your cat’s sexual maturity. This stage typically lasts between six and ten months. Such a long lapse in time is not coincidental; numerous factors, such as the following, influence the natural process:

• heredity;
• breed;
• keeping conditions;
• feeding features.

However, mating a cat during its first estrus is not advised. Since her body is still developing, pregnancy can have complications, especially in the case of the youngest animal. It is therefore best to schedule a meeting with a tail-tailed suitor for the second or even third estrus (when the cat is one year and two or three months old) if your pet is kept at home. Typically, conception happens the day following mating. To make it simple to compute the pregnancy period later, it is crucial to keep the date in mind.

Breed has an impact on when a cat reaches puberty; for example, eastern-type cats reach this stage earlier.

It is preferable to keep a cat that frequently walks outdoors inside during this troublesome time to prevent her from becoming pregnant unintentionally.

Duration of pregnancy

Kitten gestation typically lasts between sixty and sixty-five days. However there are a number of variables that can affect how long a pregnancy lasts:

• breed;
• cat"s structure;
• number of kittens (if there are more than 4, then labor can begin a day or two earlier, the gestation of 1-2 kittens can last up to 70 days).

There are three stages to the entire pregnancy:

Mating and the following 2-3 weeks. It is during this period that it will become clear whether the cat is pregnant or not. If by the end of the 3rd week the cat feels sick, has lost its appetite, and is noticeably lethargic and apathetic in its behavior, then this is evidence that it is pregnant.

Two to three weeks after mating, it will become evident whether the cat is pregnant or not.

When the pregnancy is halfway through, try to get the cat involved in active, light games.

The last stages of pregnancy should be as comfortable as possible for a pet.

It is preferable to keep the cat quiet prior to giving birth. She needs to feel as comfortable and cared for as possible during this time.

A novice cat’s conception and gestation are identical to those of seasoned tail mother cats. However, the actual birth process might go a little differently. An inexperienced cat’s body will require more time to open its birth canal. It’s possible that the animal is in pain and is unaware of what is going on. As a result, the owner must give the animal their whole attention and, above all, calm it down.

What should be prepared

It’s important to plan ahead for childbirth so that you can stay close to the sweet mother who is going through labor rather than rushing around trying to find what you need later.

Give the cat access to two or three nests to start with, letting her select one. It is best to use a large, low-sided box constructed of thick cardboard for these uses. Place a soft, warm mattress on the bottom, cover it with oilcloth, and place absorbent, fragrance-free diapers on top. It is best to place the box in a warm, well-lit area that is off-limits to strangers.

The location of the kitten’s future birth should be shielded from drafts and kept away from heat sources.

Make a few comfortable nests for the lambs ahead of time.

Next, get ready for these:

• disposable medical gloves;
• a sterile sprint with a rubber tip in case of cleansing the respiratory tract in kittens;
• Vaseline;
• disposable insulin syringes;
• cotton swabs;
• several clean waffle towels to wipe the kittens (it is better to prepare 6-7 pieces, so that each newborn has its own towel);
• disposable or clean cotton diapers;
• sterile thread (it is better to buy catgut thread at a veterinary pharmacy);
• scissors with rounded ends;
• antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green, iodine, chlorhexidine, manganese);
• a clean bowl for water;
• table lamp.

Make sure you schedule a time with your veterinarian ahead of time so that in the event of an emergency, you can receive professional assistance quickly. Make sure you buy all prescription drugs ahead of time and ask what dosages are appropriate for your pet, should the need arise. You might require:

1. Oxytocin – it stimulates contractions and labor.
2. Sulfocamphocaine – to stimulate cardiac and respiratory activity.
3. Calcium gluconate – to support the body in case of protracted birth.

Long-haired cats should have the hair around their nipples and in the loop area carefully trimmed. This greatly facilitates keeping the area clean both during the birth and while feeding the infants.

If possible, try to give birth at home to your cat. She will attempt to give birth in the street if she sneaks out and does so there.

The cat will attempt to give birth outside and will do so repeatedly.

Video: what is needed to deliver a cat

Signs by which you can recognize the beginning of labor

One to three days prior to the start of labor, the cat’s behavior indicates that this time is rapidly approaching:

1. The future tailed mother actively looks for secluded places, every now and then tries to hide in a closet or behind a sofa. Digging there, trying to build a nest. The pet becomes very affectionate, constantly demands attention, sometimes can be annoying. It rarely happens that a cat, on the contrary, becomes too aggressive, hides from the owners. Other symptoms:
2. at this time, the loop increases greatly, transparent or light pink discharge is observed;
3. the cat begins to lick itself more often;
4. loss of appetite occurs up to complete refusal of food.

One to three days prior to giving birth, the cat will not stop begging for care.

Premature lambing causes the signs listed above to appear nearly twice as quickly.

Give the vet a call right away if:

• the furry pet carries kittens longer than the due date;
• the pet has a fever, vomiting and convulsions;
• bloody discharge lasts more than 10 minutes and is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

Video: signs of the onset of lambing

Premature birth

Some of the main causes of premature lambing include physical injuries, severe stress, and STDs. This issue can be seen in older cats that are still breeding as well as in female members of breeding and selective breeds who are having their first child.

Make sure the veterinarian sees the pregnant cat, and before giving birth, consent to his helping if needed.

The kittens are deemed viable if the echo appears at 51 days or later in the gestational age, so you will have to fight for their survival. Make an immediate call to a veterinarian. However, in no situation should you attempt to put an end to the arguments in order to delay the birthing process until a specialist arrives. It will be up to you to give birth.

Even if the cat feels normal and the premature birth has passed with success, take it to a specialist.

How to behave with a pet

Excitement is a normal process when you give birth to a family favorite. You have to realize that the chubby laboring woman needs help and feels pain and fear when she starts to fight. The success of the case will be largely determined by your actions. Remain in control of yourself even if you are not sure how to behave. Get yourself together and offer every support you can:

1. Try to ensure that strangers or curious people do not gather near the birthing site.
2. There should be no other people in the cat"s field of vision except the owner, even if they are family members to whom she is accustomed.
3. Talk affectionately to your pet, show her that you are there and will not abandon her in difficult times. Stroke her with movements from top to bottom. Speak affectionate words.

Your help will soothe the cat before it gives birth.

A cat may exhibit a number of symptoms leading up to delivery, including increased vocalization, nesting behavior, and restlessness. Recognizing these cues will help you get ready to support her through labor. You can assist by setting up a calm, cozy area and remaining close by in case anything goes wrong. Though you should be prepared to call a veterinarian if things go wrong or if labor seems to be taking longer than expected, it’s usually best to let nature take its course.

The process of giving birth in a cat

Typically, lambing goes like this:

1. When the kittens have descended from the horns of the uterus to the cervix, the cat begins to push hard, setting the abdominal muscles and diaphragm in motion. At this point, amniotic fluid of a pale yellow or greenish color begins to flow out. This indicates the passage of the fetus through the birth canal, during which the amniotic sac bursts. At this point, the cat usually lies on her side. In rare cases, the animal can give birth standing or slightly squat on its hind legs, but it is desirable that the cat gives birth in a normal position – lying down.
2. Usually, part of the amniotic sac is visible at the exit from the vagina. But sometimes it can already be ruptured. From the moment when the kitten"s head appears at the exit from the birth canal until its complete appearance, no more than 15 minutes should pass. If the time is greatly delayed, call the veterinarian immediately.
3. The classic position of the kitten is considered to be with the muzzle and front paws forward. When pushing, the baby should constantly move towards the exit. There should be no reverse movements.
4. The female cat should independently free the born offspring from the amniotic sac and bite through the umbilical cord.

The kitten should be independently released from the amniotic sac by the female cat.

Video: the process of lambing

How the owner can help

The owner’s actions ought to be optional but necessary in the event that something went wrong. Contact the veterinarian right away if you observe that the birth is complicated, the kitten cannot be born for more than 30 minutes, the cat is extremely cold, or there is purulent or scarlet discharge coming from the cat.

In the event that everything goes as planned, you will do the following:

1. If the mother cat has not freed the newborn kitten from the amniotic sac, it is your job to help the baby. Tear the membrane in the area of ​​the nose, using a pipette with a rounded nose or a syringe, free the baby"s airways from amniotic fluid and mucus. Bring the kitten to the furry mother so that she licks it.
2. You will have to cut the umbilical cord yourself when the cat does not do this, or if the owner is afraid that the furry mother is capable of accidentally harming the baby at this moment (the cat can bite the umbilical cord too close to the kitten"s tummy or confuse it with a paw). Tie the umbilical cord at a distance of 2-4 cm from the baby"s tummy and cut with sterilized scissors. Use a cotton swab to lubricate the incision site with iodine. Disinfect the incision only on the side of the kitten.

The owner should trim the umbilical cord between the cat and the kitten if necessary.

Make sure the cat has a bowl of room temperature water next to it during the birth.

What to do if there are complications

Do not become alarmed if difficulties occur during labor. Make the quick call to a veterinarian, and give the cat every help it can get while he’s on his way. Here’s how you can contribute:

1. If the kitten cannot be born for a long time, carefully lubricate the cat"s vagina and the kitten"s head with Vaseline.
2. There are cases when kittens come out with their hind legs. In this case, the head can get stuck, and to prevent the kitten from suffocating, you will also have to use Vaseline. If this does not help, then during the next contractions, take the baby by the scruff of the neck and gently pull it down. You cannot pull by the paws and body.
3. If you notice that the kitten is not breathing, start rubbing it with a clean towel in the area of ​​​​the back and chest. Carry out the actions for 3-4 minutes. If there are no results, carefully lift the kitten by the hind legs and, shaking it slightly upside down, tap the chest. If within 30 minutes the actions have not yielded a positive result, unfortunately, you will have to admit that the baby is dead. If a new kitten is born during resuscitation, all attention should be given to it. Wrap the kitten that has not started breathing on its own in a towel and place it under a lamp. If everything is fine with the newborn, continue the rescue actions.
4. If a day has passed since the birth of the last kitten, but not all the kittens have appeared, urgently call a veterinarian. By prior arrangement with a specialist, you can inject the cat with Oxytocin (no more than 0.3 ml). But do not use any drugs on your own, only after consultation.

Cats may require veterinary assistance on occasion.

How to understand that a cat"s birth has ended successfully

The moment when labor is complete is crucial, especially for pet owners whose animal is giving birth for the first time. Thus, you can spot a successful outcome by looking for the following indicators:

• the cat looks calm, her breathing is even, her pulse is normal;
• the tailed mother actively cares for her offspring – licks and feeds them;
• the cat can calmly change position in the nest or leave it for a while;
• the animal has an appetite and a desire to quench its thirst.

If the cat does not exhibit any contractions 1.5–2 hours after birth, the birth can be deemed successful. After the last kitten appears, you can also feel the cat’s stomach very gently and effortlessly for thirty to forty minutes. It should have no seals and be soft. However, it should be noted that some animals may not experience an immediate decrease in stomach size following delivery, and an untrained eye may confuse an erect uterus for a kitten that is still inside.

If the birth went well, the furry mother appears content and tends to her children.

Make sure you see a specialist and get an ultrasound if you think the birth hasn’t finished even though the cat’s labor went well and it’s actively caring for its young.

Signs of incomplete labor

Symptoms that call for emergency veterinary care include:

• the cat is inactive, does not change position in the nest, is reluctant to care for the offspring or has completely abandoned them;
• the pushing continues periodically;
• there is no appetite or desire to quench thirst;
• the abdomen feels hard or tense when palpated;
• body temperature is above 39 o C;
• after two days, bloody or brownish discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed from the vagina.

If work is not completed, get in touch with an expert right away.

It’s critical to recognize the symptoms of labor in your cat to ensure a safe and uneventful delivery. When the time comes, being aware of what to look out for can help you be ready for anything from behavioral changes to physical symptoms.

It’s crucial to give your cat space during giving birth, but to remain available to help if she needs it. She will feel more at ease if the surroundings are quiet and serene.

Please don’t hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian if any issues develop. Your cat’s best chance of a healthy delivery will come from both professional care and your support.

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