As a rule, most cats are able to give birth without human help, so the role of the owner usually consists in observing the process of childbirth and in both you need to know how to understand that a cat starts giving birth to help her pet in case something goes wrong So.
At what age do cats give birth
From 7 months the cat becomes interested in the opposite sex and becomes sexually mature. In the event that you want to get healthy offspring, veterinarians advise you to reduce the animal during the second estrus.
Cats can give birth before old age, but pet owners should stop the pet’s sexual life in time so that the quality of the offspring and the cat’s health are not affected. After all, abusing the cat’s ability to give birth, people often think only of their own wallet. Thus, in order to avoid problems, veterinarians recommend sterilizing or castrating an animal aged 6-7 years.
How to understand that your cat is pregnant
Signs of pregnancy in a cat can be observed 3 weeks after conception. Some people who let their kitties out for a walk can track this period on the calendar (as a rule, a cat does not sleep at home and does not appear to the owners for 3-4 days). Those owners who specifically bring the cat with the cat can also calculate whether the cat has become pregnant. We will tell you how many months to wait for replenishment. It is most difficult to predict pregnancy for those owners whose cat walks on the street on their own.
It is possible to determine that the cat is pregnant by the following signs:
- the cat’s appetite has changed: it happens that your favorite treats remain intact, and any food intake ends with vomiting and severe weakness;
- changes in behavior: the cat sleeps more than before, and moves less (if the cat used to be wild, could bite, now it should be gentle and calm);
- swelling of the mammary glands and redness of the nipples;
- rounding the abdomen.
Pregnancy cat
Pregnancy in a cat lasts 65-70 days (9-10 weeks, or 2.5 months). In the event that you are unable to determine on your own whether pregnancy has occurred and how many months the cat still has kittens, consult a specialist.
In the last week before giving birth, the cat begins to choose a place for himself, to put his "things" there. Owners are advised to think about creating favorable conditions for the animal from the very beginning of pregnancy: pick up a spacious box, put diapers or cloth rags on the bottom. The future mother should get used to the nest that you built for her.
The duration of pregnancy in cats may vary depending on the number of kittens, the age of the animal and the conditions in which the cattery is in the last month of the term. So, if the cat is stressed, then the gestation period can be delayed, and if the pregnancy is multiple, then the birth can begin ahead of time, in this regard it is extremely important to know how to understand that the cat is giving birth.
In the event that the deadline is postponed a week earlier or a week later, one should not panic, as this is quite natural.
Problems can arise if childbirth begins earlier than 60 days (the kitten is born weak, unable to live) or later than 80 days (the offspring are likely to develop pathologies).
Signs of the beginning of labor in a cat can be determined one day, or 1-2 hours before the start of the process.
Pregnancy stages
Pregnancy of cats is usually divided into several stages:
- Stage 1 - the first three weeks of pregnancy. The mammary glands and genitals swell, cats begin to sleep more, there is no appetite per se, activity is at zero. The animal needs attention, sleeps with the owner, clinging to it, the animal may have a gag reflex for eating, an increase in the size of the uterus during palpation.
- Stage 2 - from the fourth to the sixth week. Kittens begin to get active, move. The future mom has a good appetite, has a lot of rest. The cat can refuse favorite food, prefer dairy products. If the cat vomits, then it is better to take her to the vet.
- Stage 3 - from six to nine weeks. Kittens are actively moving, it is best seen when the animal is sleeping. The abdomen is large, the mammary glands are enlarged, colostrum is possible. Hair falls out on the cat’s stomach, internal organs are displaced due to the large size of the kittens. The cat carefully moves, once again tries not to jump, sleeps on its side. So that the pet does not gain excess weight, it is transferred to fractional nutrition (4-5 times a day).
How does the stomach change during pregnancy
20 days after conception, the nipples change color. If childbirth was previously, then the nipples can slightly change. The abdomen grows as kittens grow and develop. But if 1-2 kittens develop and grow in the mother’s stomach, then the stomach can be small until the last weeks.
Before giving birth, the cat's stomach drops. As a rule, this happens in 7 days, while the stomach takes a pear-shaped form. This is due to the fact that the kittens are already preparing for birth, take the necessary position for this.
It should also be noted that the future mother in childbirth is not soft, but firm, which means that the body is ready for labor and delivery.
What you need to prepare before giving birth to a cat
For the comfortable carrying of kittens and their comfortable keeping in the first weeks after giving birth, the cat should create all the conditions and prepare a cozy nest. This place is best placed in silence, away from a noisy room and children, otherwise the cat will look for another place for itself and kittens.
It is also necessary to organize a spacious maternity ward in which the mother and kittens will stay for about two months.
What is not recommended before labor
In order for the birth to go smoothly, pay attention to the list of things that are not worth doing:
- to make a woman pregnant with loud screams, numerous guests, parties;
- actively feel your stomach, as you may accidentally injure a cat or kittens;
- independently give the cat preparations without consulting a specialist;
- ignore vomiting, discharge and changes in the behavior of the pregnant woman;
- allow the cat to contact animals whose health status is unknown to you;
- allow to sleep in a dirty place, take the animal with dirty hands, often change clothes in the bed of a cat;
- apply chemicals to the house.
How to feed a pregnant cat
A cat, preparing for the appearance of offspring, must be fed high-calorie foods enriched with vitamins and minerals.
In the first two weeks of pregnancy, the cat's appetite will increase, so the amount of food should be increased by 10%. The animal must be fed 4 times a day in small portions.
From 3 weeks of pregnancy, the cat's appetite is maximum. It is necessary to increase the volume of food by 50%, but in no case should it be allowed to overeat, it must be fed 5-6 times a day in fractional portions.
In the diet of a cat must be present:
- meat (chicken, beef, turkey);
- egg yolk;
- vegetables (carrots, cabbage);
- dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream);
- cereals and cereals (buckwheat, rice, wheat);
- a small amount of fish.
If you feed your pet dry food, then choose food for pregnant cats, and then for nursing mothers.
To increase lactation in a cat, give her fresh nettles, but first pour grass with boiling water so as not to burn the cat’s internal organs and mouth.
Characteristic signs before childbirth
It is extremely important to know what signs before giving birth to a cat should pay attention to:
- The animal's appetite disappears: the cat refuses solid food, eats liquid foods (broth, milk, cream, etc.) in a small amount.
- Weakness: the cat spends almost all the time in the place where she plans to give birth.
- Kittens in the stomach begin to become active: this happens 2 days before the birth, as they try to take the correct pose for birth. The more kittens, the larger they are, the earlier they begin to move and are more active.
- The cat often licks the genitals.
- The animal's body temperature decreases, which helps prevent severe bleeding during and after childbirth.
- Nipples swell, milk is released.
- When the birth begins, the cat meows, tries to hide.
- 4-6 hours before birth, false contractions begin.
- Water is leaving. This is the main sign of a cat giving birth. Do not go far, the pet may need your help.
- The cat’s cork went away. When will the birth begin? A day before delivery, a white stopper comes out as a discharge. A cat can lick it, so watch the animal carefully so as not to miss this moment.
- The cat often goes to the toilet.
- The pet begins to walk with shortness of breath, breathing heavily in a dream.
How to determine that a cat is giving birth
Throughout pregnancy, the cat behaves in the same way as all animals of its kind: eats excellently, sleeps a lot.
Usually, the question "how to understand that a cat is giving birth" does not arise in the owners, since everything becomes apparent from the changing behavior of the animal. When the day of childbirth comes, the cat shows the first signs that indicate the animal’s readiness to give birth - a symptom of the first contractions: the cat screams unnaturally, refuses food, goes from corner to corner, looks into the eyes of the owner. The cat looks tired, constantly licks its genitals, “points” to its stomach, as if it wants to say that it needs help.
Childbirth
How does the birth of a cat begin:
- The cat lies on its side.
- Starts arching his back.
- Pushing (straining belly). If you put your palm on your stomach, you can feel it.
- Meows loudly, as the strength of contractions increases.
- Passage through the genital tract: the cat is pushing, the muscles of the abdomen and hips are contracting. After 4-5 attempts, a kitten appears.
- The kitten comes out in the amniotic fluid or without a bubble.
- Stimulation of breathing: a cat bursts a bubble, licks a kitten, releases the airways from the liquid.
- The bite of the umbilical cord. The cat chews on the umbilical cord and eats up the afterbirth. Be sure to check that there are as many follow-ups as there are kittens.
- Lactation: immediately after birth, the kitten is attached to the mother's nipple.
Help the cat with childbirth
The animal needs care and support at the time of birth. Therefore, the following is required from the owner:
- reassure darling throughout the process;
- sit near the place where the cat will give birth;
- bring a supply of water so that the cat does not walk around the room once again, because she will want to drink in any case (you must regularly offer the animal to drink warm milk or water at room temperature so that there is no dehydration);
- isolation of the premises where the lambing takes place from other domestic animals and children, it is best to stay face to face with the woman in childbirth - so will she, and you will be calmer;
- do not forget to ventilate the premises, but without creating a draft;
- call the veterinarian if there are complications or there are fears that something will go wrong, and also if you are not confident in your abilities and are afraid that you will not be able to help the pet
It is impossible to ignore the first signs of childbirth in a cat, despite the firm belief that a cat can easily degenerate without the help of a person.
How to give birth to a cat?
Childbirth in cats can be of three difficulty levels:
- Lungs: a cat does not require a lot of attention and care of a person, basically it copes itself. But the owner must observe and control the process so that the cat does not crush its kitten, so that the last comes out. It takes less than one hour to give birth to a kitten. On the day after birth, there should be no mucus, pus, or blood in the cat's discharge.
- Medium: at the birth of kittens, the cat had complications that the owner can help with, without the help of veterinarians. Slightly stroking the abdomen from the sides to the uterus may help. If the mother does not want to gnaw the umbilical cord, then it is necessary to cut it off with the help of disinfected scissors (several centimeters should remain to the umbilicus), and then treat the incision site with iodine. If the kitten was born in an amniotic shirt and the mother is in no hurry to tear it, you need to do it yourself so that the baby does not suffocate. To do this, clean the disinfected hands should tear the film, wipe the baby dry. If the kitten does not breathe, it is necessary to turn it upside down and, holding it with both hands, shake it to remove water from the respiratory tract.
- Severe: in this case, it is necessary to call for the help of a qualified specialist. If the cat can’t walk around for more than 5 hours, you can give a shot of “Gamavita” (0.5 cubes), which will strengthen the contractions. If the medicine does not work after an hour, then an injection of “Oxytocin” (0.5 cubes) should be administered. In this case, you need to massage the stomach towards the uterus, to make sure that your cat can be given such medicine, you must consult your veterinarian. Your pet's health is up to you. If the woman in labor is barely moving, then sodium gluconate must be introduced. The amount of drug administered depends on the weight of the cat.
Premature birth
Most often, premature births occur due to a missed pregnancy, the inability of the pet, detachment of the placenta or trauma, resulting in the birth of dead kittens. If the cat gave birth prematurely, then examine it with a specialist to understand the condition of the animal.
Late birth
There are situations when a cat does not start giving birth. What to do? If the animal does not give birth for more than 70 days, you should make sure that the pregnancy is not false. If the pregnancy is still real, most likely she froze, which means that the cubs have already died. It is necessary to check the cat with a specialist and have an operation that will help to avoid infectious diseases and uterine injuries.
Unpleasant consequences after childbirth
Unfortunately, childbirth does not always go smoothly; various unpleasant consequences can occur. So, the first thing you need to pay attention after childbirth is discharge. Any colored, unpleasantly smelling discharge is a deviation from the norm. If the cat's discharge is intense pink, this is a sign of a fungal disease of the genitals. If they are green - a bacterial lesion. If the discharge is black and green with a sharp unpleasant odor, it will rot. If dull yellow or yellow green - purulent inflammation in the womb.
Watery discharge is possible, the cause of which may be the accumulation of blood in the uterus, rupture of the uterus, open sutures (with cesarean section).
If after delivery the bleeding does not stop for 15 minutes, you should urgently take your pet to the veterinarian and provide qualified assistance.
Another problem after childbirth may be a lack of milk. The cause may be the stress of the woman in childbirth, so you should create coziness and ensure peace for mom, hearty feed her and give her milk to drink.
It often happens that after giving birth the cat has a hanging belly. The reason may be that a dead kitten remains in the stomach. You need to carefully feel the cat’s stomach and take the animal to the vet.
After giving birth, it is best to feed a cat with easily digestible food, milk with the addition of fish oil and calcium. Water supplies should be constantly replenished.
British cat
British cats can not cope with childbirth on their own, so all responsibility lies with you. Therefore, it is so important to thoroughly deal with the question of how the birth of a British cat begins.
If the delivery time is right, you need to carefully monitor when the cork comes off (white-pink clot).
During pregnancy, it is better to exclude seafood from your pet’s diet, because they destroy vitamin B, which is necessary for kittens.
As a rule, kittens, who have their first birth, may experience complications, so you need to prepare in advance:
- diapers that will need to be changed as they become dirty;
- antiseptic;
- sterilized scissors;
- sterile disposable gloves;
- cotton pads;
- Vaseline oil;
- 2 and 5 ml syringes;
- calcium gluconate (to stimulate labor).
If something went wrong during the birth of the cat
You should know that the birth process can be interrupted (up to a day), do not worry, it will continue after some time.
Secondly, there may be times when the cat had a pelvic fracture during childbirth, bleeding developed, the kitten got stuck in the birth canal, and the cat has severe obesity after giving birth - all these situations require the intervention of a veterinarian.
If a mechanical blockade occurs during childbirth, in no case give the cat stimulant drugs, otherwise internal organs will rupture.
If uterine atony occurred during labor (labor intensity is low, as a rule, this happens when the kittens are more than 3), to help your pet, enter Oxytocin on her own.
If the kitten comes out on its own and the placenta remains, it is necessary to put on sterile gloves and carefully remove it from the cat's vagina.
If the head is visible, but the kitten does not come out, it is necessary to lubricate the genitals with liquid paraffin, then the process normalizes.
We told how to understand that a cat begins giving birth. We hope you can provide the necessary assistance to your pet and get healthy offspring.