How to Deliver Kittens

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Mother Nature can usually guide the birth, but if you do get involved, follow these steps to ensure your cat's safe and comfortable delivery of her kittens.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Feline Nursing Bottles
Telephones
Clean Towels
Cat Beds
Scissors
Scissors
Clean towels

Step 1

Contact your veterinarian if you think your cat is pregnant to ensure that you will have professional help if needed.
Step 2

Choose a quiet, warm location to place a basket or box lined with clean towels large enough for the mother cat to lie in and stretch out with her kittens. The sides should be at least 4 to 6 inches high'high enough to keep 4- to 6-week-old kittens from escaping, but low enough so that the mother can get in and out easily.
Step 3

Avoid disturbing the mother during delivery, but observe her closely every few minutes to see how she is doing. Delivery should begin within 20 minutes of the first strong contraction; birth of the first kitten may take up to 60 minutes, but you should call your veterinarian if a kitten has not been delivered within 30 minutes since it may take a while to track down some help. Signs of labor include licking of the genital area, and straining in general.
Step 4

Watch for amber fluid or a bulge (the amniotic sac) protruding from the mother's birth canal'this indicates that a kitten should be delivered within a few minutes.
Step 5

If the mother has not removed the amniotic membrane within 1 minute after delivery, intervene and gently grasp the kitten in a clean towel and pull away the slimy material. Be certain the nose and mouth are free from fluid and tissue.
Step 6

Rub the kitten with a towel along the shoulders and back to stimulate breathing. A healthy meow indicates an unobstructed airway.
Step 7

If the mother has not chewed through the umbilical cord, sever it about 2 inches from the kitten's body, using sharp, sterilized scissors (sterilize with isopropyl alcohol). Gently pull the afterbirth from the birth canal.
Step 8

Expect kittens to be delivered 15 to 45 minutes apart, but call your veterinarian if strong labor continues for 30 minutes without producing a kit-ten. Average litters contain three to six kittens.
Step 9

Make sure that nursing begins in a few minutes. It is essential for the kittens to nurse from the mother to provide protection against disease.
Step 10

Supplement with commercially prepared milk replacer, available wherever pet supplies are sold, following your veterinarian's advice.

Comments

plumberi said

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on 8/12/2009 Good stuff. Thanks

on 7/29/2009 Good informative article...the only thing I would add is that animals (and humans!) do the best with little to no intervention. Animals and humans have a natural instinct to know what to do and how to do it. Formula should only be used if the mother is sick or has died.

christinesboyz said

on 5/13/2009 I just helped my cat through her labor for the second time. Same scenario, she comes to me and meows and I follow her to the back of the closet. She lays down on her back and lets me rub her belly as she purrs. This goes on for 30-45 minutes, then she starts contracting. After the first kitten is born, I just sit there with her and observe, in case anything goes wrong. It's just so amazing to me that she has to have me right there with her! She had 3 kittens and we already have good homes for them. I'm taking her to be fixed asap!

tinkerjan said

on 1/26/2009 My cat gave birth to 2 kittens so far...the first one was dead... its real sad! this is my first time seeing and helping a cat deliver...