Information About Pregnant Cats
Cat pregnancies last roughly nine weeks, with usually no visible evidence until the fifth or sixth week. Ideally the pregnant cat is physically mature, has had her vaccinations and tests ahead of time, and has not become pregnant by a neighborhood tomcat with an unknown history of disease. Here are some things to watch for before, during and after pregnancy.
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Signs of Pregnancy
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The first clue to possible pregnancy is the disappearance of the cat's monthly heat cycle, which is usually accompanied by constant vocalizing. She may exhibit morning sickness and weight gain, and her nipples may enlarge and turn pinker. At mid-term, she may already show "kitten bumps" of about 1 inch across in her belly. She also spends more time on her bedding material so as to better leave her scent there for her sightless newborn kittens.
Health Risks
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No vaccinations or drugs should be given to the mother cat once she becomes pregnant unless her veterinarian recommends it, since these can have severe effects on unborn kittens. Additionally, no other adult cat in the home should be vaccinated during the pregnancy.
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During Pregnancy
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The expectant mom should eat high-calorie, high-protein and high-calcium food with plenty of fresh water. Kitten food should be increasingly mixed in, and eaten exclusively during the final week of pregnancy. While some temporary appetite lapses are normal, her food consumption should increase by half in the late weeks. Exercise is important, and she should play and run around as she likes. She needs to be indoors throughout the term and kept away from other cats during the last three weeks. Litter should be changed to the nonclumping type to protect the kittens once they are born. A delivery box, the center of all kitten activities, can be prepared from household materials as seen in the link below in Resources.
Involving the Vet
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A prenatal checkup should be done by a veterinarian, who will likely be able to estimate the size of the litter after palpating mom's abdomen. The vet's phone number and also the number and location of a local overnight emergency veterinary clinic should be displayed at all times.
Delivery of Kittens
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Near the time of birth, the mother cat may exhibit restlessness, pace around, or stop eating. Milk discharges from her nipples and constant licking of her abdomen are other signs of impending birth. Heavy panting indicates that kitten No. 1 is on the way. After delivery, the mother will lick the kitten all over and eat the afterbirth (this is normal and desirable). A typical litter has one to eight kittens, which will arrive at intervals of minutes or hours. Between births, the mother cat may stretch her legs, walk around and even eat or drink a bit. She knows what to do without humans hovering nearby. However, if she appears to be having trouble giving birth (which may be indicated by more than three hours between deliveries), if she fails to eat the afterbirth, or if any signs of bleeding or obvious weakness are observed, then she and her kittens must go immediately to the vet.
After Kittens Arrive
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The mother still needs lots of food, and should be left alone with her kittens in their delivery box for about three days. She will feed them, groom them, and teach them to use the litter box (making or buying a low-sided litter box for the little ones might be a good idea). One should avoid handling them until their eyes have opened, usually after about a week. A kitty owner must get acquainted with techniques of weaning kittens as shown in the link in Resources. Male adult cats must be kept away for some time since some have been known to attack or kill kittens that are not their own.
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