Cat Pregnancy
Cat Pregnancy
A lot of our friends have adopted cats/kittens from shelters and the pair are now inseparable. However, some have cats going in and out of their house, stopping by for a quick snooze or to nibble on any food you given them. They aren’t your typical domestic cat, so they may not be spayed. We’ve had questions about how to help, should they get pregnant. We shall try, with this post, to give you tips on how you can aid the cat, but the amount of intervention will ideally depend on your relationship with the cat.HEAT
At about six months, a female cat is likely to go into heat. The heat cycles recur between three or four times in a year and may last up to three weeks. If the cat doesn’t mate, the heat cycles can occur more frequently. This term is often characterised by affectionate behaviour, an unusually loud call (to attract a mate) and raising of the hindquarters. If the female does mate during this time, get ready for ‘kitten season’.
GESTATION
The gestation period is an average of 63 days. It is likely to vary, but most people say that anywhere between 60-70 days is considered normal. After or during this term, you can expect kittens. If the pregnancy exceeds this term, it is best to contact a vet and ask their opinion on the subject. If the kittens are born before the mentioned gestation period, they might be premature. Consult a doctor or an animal shelter in this case.
SIGNS AND STAGES
Most of us want to know what to look out for, to tell if the cat is pregnant. With pet cats it may be easier to tell, but here are some signs you can look out for-
- If you know the cat’s behaviour during their heat cycles, you will see that this behaviour tends to cease in the case of her being pregnant.
- When the cat is lying on her side, have a look at her teats. They will most likely swell and be more pink than usual.
- A lot of people mentioned that like humans, cats can experience ‘morning sickness’. This may occur during the third or fourth week. Possible vomiting and an apathy towards food may last a few days. If the cat scarcely eats or drinks for two days, it may need attention.
- Around the fifth week, the belly will swell visibly- a tell-tale sign. The size of her belly will continue to increase till the time of delivery.
- As far as personality changes are concerned, the pregnant female may grow quieter and more affectionate. The may also snooze more than before.
- After the fourth week of pregnancy, the kittens in the mother’s belly will grow rapidly. This will in turn mean that the mother will require more nutrition. An increased appetite can be observed during this time.
- When the cat starts seeking secluded places and starts her ‘nesting’ activity, you know that parturition isn’t far away.
For a print friendly version, please click here - Cat Pregnancy Chart.
FOOD AND SHELTER (pre delivery)
As we mentioned earlier, after the fourth week, the kittens begin to grow rapidly in the mother cat’s belly. The cat will need more nutrition and an increased appetite will be noted. You can feed it good quality dry food for cats (there are many brands readily available)- friends who’ve had experience with cats can make a good recommendation. Gradually increase the quantity by 50%. So, if you feed her a bowl full, you can now make a bowl and a half. Make sure plenty of water is available to her. During the last two weeks before birthing let her eat as much as she wants.
The diet given to a pregnant cat should contain more calories, so some people recommend adding wet kitten food* to their diet during the last two weeks. If you’re dealing with a domestic cat, you can ask the Vet if any supplements are needed.
Just before the delivery- anything from 24 to 48 hours prior- the expectant cat may drastically reduce the amount she eats or even stop eating. Even so, leave plenty of food and water available to her at all times.
As far as shelter is concerned, the last week or ten days is when the cat will start looking for a place she can have her litter. Her criteria likely to be somewhere secluded, preferably dark, away from any predators obviously, a warm space, a place where she will feel secure leaving her babies while she goes out to get food.
If you’re willing to share your space for a bit, then put cardboard boxes in two or three spaces that match the criteria and let her choose. You can line the boxes with newspapers and some cloth that will keep the litter warm. Don’t use any material in which their tiny claws can get stuck.
Make sure that she has constant access to this space. New born kittens rely heavily on their mother and a long separation can prove fatal.
Even though you should keep an eye on the cat and her litter, do it from a distance. Try not to encroach on her space so she feels safe.
The stray cat who did decide to give birth in our house chose a place where there was little or no activity and settled herself atop a cupboard. She stayed with her litter of three for about three weeks and then moved. So, this isn’t a permanent arrangement, if that’s what you’re worried about.
DELIVERY
A day or two before the cat goes into labor, she may be seen getting anxious and restless. She will also begin ascertaining the space where she’d like to have her litter. If she has chosen a space, place food and water near there and try to make yourself scarce. If you have kids or other pets in the house, keep them away from this space.
There is often some sort of discharge that precedes the birthing, which the female cat will lick away immediately. Her breathing may become more rapid as well. As the contractions begin, cats can be seen laying on their sides and squatting at intervals. Don’t be alarmed if she paces about or yowls from time to time. Try not to intervene and leave her to it.
Labor can last a couple of hours or a couple of minutes. Once the first kitten arrives, the rest should follow at an interval of ten minutes to an hour. Each kitten will be encased in a sac of fluid, which the mother will tear upon licking it vigorously. This will also stimulate their circulation. She will let the young one nurse almost immediately and before the arrival of the next kitten. If you can’t see her or her brood, you will be able to hear faint meows.
It is rare, but in some cases the mother doesn't completely free the kitten from the fluid sac. This can obstruct its breathing. If you do share a close bond with the cat, you may attempt to replicate what the mother does and massage the young one with a soft towel. If you see the umbilical cord still attached then call a Vet for advice. If not, place the kitten near the mother’s teat for it to start nursing.
The birthing process can last up to six hours, according to people who have kept cats. If post six hours of labor, you find that the cat hasn’t delivered, there is cause for concern and you should contact a doctor.
Do not intervene during the birthing process unless you are absolutely sure that your aid is required.
POST DELIVERY
The mother cat will not be in a hurry to leave her kittens, so place food and water nearby and keep the space as dark and cosy as possible. You can refill the food and water as she consumes it, but keep it close by. The mother will also need a lot of nutrition while nursing the kittens, so make sure you maintain the diet as best you can. The quantity will now depend on the number of kittens she nurses. You can ask a professional to advise you on how much and how many times.
Make sure she has access to her little den at all times. New born kittens won’t be able to make it if their mother is gone for long periods.
Keep an eye on the mother, if she becomes weak, lethargic and goes off her food, consult a doctor. If you have friends who’ve dealt with this sort of thing before, keep them in the loop and update them on the progress- they should be able to point out if anything is abnormal.
DOs and DON'Ts
- Do not palpate the abdomen yourself. Leave this to the Vet.
- Refrain from putting flea powder or tic powder. If you must, ask a Vet what is suitable for use during the pregnancy.
- Do not administer any medication- no deworming or vaccinations. Only things prescribed by a doctor should be given. Inform the doctor of the pregnancy so they can prescribe accordingly.
- Do not overfeed during the initial stages of the pregnancy. Weight gain during this period may result in difficulties in delivery.
- Keep a Vet’s number handy.
- Call the Vet if the pregnancy term exceeds 70 days. Treat it as an emergency.
Terms Explained
*Wet food is available in packets in a variety of brands and generally contains some sort of fish that can be easily consumed by a kitten. Whiskas kitten food works well.
Dry food, as the name suggests, is available in pellet form. The pet tends to consume a lot of water after consuming dry food, so make it readily available.
Spay- |spā|
verb [ trans. ] (usu. be spayed)
sterilize (a female animal) by removing the ovaries
Brood- |broōd|
noun
a family of young animals
Gestation, is the term from conception to birth.
Bibliography (we’d like to thank)-
http://cats.about.com/od/reproduction/a/pregnant_signs.htm
http://www.ehow.com/about_5250570_pregnancy-cats.html
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-pregnancy-gestation
http://www.2ndchance.info/felinelabor.htm
http://www.petplace.com/cats/feeding-the-pregnant-cat/page1.aspx
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