Comments on: How to Deliver Kittens

on 7/15/2007 Thank you for the excellent information! It helped answer all my questions.

on 5/2/2007 IS CAT NIP SAFE IF THE CAT IS PREGNANT OR IN LABOR.?
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HOW DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHEN THEY ARE IN FULL LABOR ?
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WHAT IF THEY ARE YOUNG CAN THE PAIN STOP THEM FROM GIVING BIRTH SHE HAS BEEN IN PAIN FOR AWHILE NOW SHE WONT LET ME TAKE TEMPERATURE SHE WANT LAY ON ME THEN SHE WILL ACT LIKE SHE IS HAVE CONTRACTIONS SOMETIMES SHE WANTS TO BITE ME

on 4/9/2007 I just took two cats about 7 months old in after they wondered into my yard in a suburban neighborhood. I had just had one of my own cats (I had 4) hit by a car and killed three days earlier. Sergio was so awesome, he was my only cat that was allowed outdoors, which I will always regret now. It was so aweful and so sad. So when these two cats now named moonlight and shadow came to us, after three days I had to take them into my home. The female is pregnant and the vet says she will give birth one day this week. I am secretly excited because I would never purposely allow the cat to have kittens...I believe in spaying and neutering. I am reading all about the birth of kittens. I think if everything goes well I will record it on my digital camera and post it on you tube.

on 8/31/2006 Your cat should know what to do. Try not to intervene, unless she's having problems. Also, after the kittens are born, she might try to move them to somewhere she finds safer. Don't bother moving them back to where they were before, she'll just take them back to her safe spot.

on 8/8/2006 Don't get too worried. Your cat already knows what to do, so only check on her every once in a wile to make sure there are no complications. She will be fine, and she doesn't want you to get a heart attack over her having kittens.

on 6/30/2006 When your cat is expecting, it's not good to give her adult cat chow, this is because when the kittens are born the milk will be to thick and chalky, you should feed her Iams Kitten Chow (purple can). This will help her produce rich, healthy milk.

on 4/12/2008 I have a cat that I rescued when she was about 2 months old. We found her on my window ledge, lost and hungry. She is now a little over 1 year old and just gave birth to a litter of 4 kittens (so far). These articles helped me totally get through this. I have never seen a cat give birth before, and I had no idea what to do. Thank you for all the helpful information and helpful hints.

on 11/22/2005 If your kittens have been weaned, but won't eat their kitten food, you should try heating the food in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then feed it to them. If this does not work, I suggest you take them to your veterinarian.

on 11/22/2005 I am studying to be a veterinary technician. I think you can help the cat deliver, but stay in the room and don't let anyone else near her. Speaking to her in a gentle voice can help calm and relax her. If she does have complications, she will know you are there by her side. It is tough giving birth. Imagine if you had to give birth alone. Wouldn't that be hard? Your cat is giving birth to a litter, and someone being around will help keep her calm and relaxed. Gently pet her while she is hurting. Pets love their owners, and trust them with everything they go through. Do not mess with her kittens unless she doesn't eat the birth sac.

on 12/23/2005 Sometimes, such as in the case with my new Momma-cat, the mother prefers to have someone she trusts right on hand.

My cat, Lilly, refused to settle into her birthing box until I was laying down beside the box, constantly scratching and petting her.

I also noticed that I could help 'pace' the contractions by using a very slight pressure when petting the side of her stomach.

New mothers often need to be calmed as they give birth, since they frequently aren't at all sure of what's going on and why they are in pain. Speak softly to them, and show them lots of love and comfort. Remember that while a purr isn't always a sign of comfort, it is a huge comfort to the newborns.

If the mother becomes hostile, leave her be, but keep an eye on the babies--if she's too nervous, she might ignore, or kill them.

on 11/22/2005 A good idea to create a place for your cat to have kittens is to get a box, turn it upside down, and cut a hole so that the cat can fit through it. It should kind-of look like a dog house. Don't forget to put a blanket inside. My cat had 3 kittens 3 weeks ago :)

on 11/22/2005 A few days after kittens are born, and ONLY if the mother cat does not seem to mind, gently and carefully pick up each kitten and hold it for a very short time. This should only be done by an adult, and only in view of the mother cat. Hold the kitten with both hands, close to the mother while showing her you are not going to harm it or take it from her. Be sure to stroke the mother cat and speak to her in sweet low tones.
Then gently place the kitten back with the litter. This will begin the imprinting process and help to make the kitten less fearful of humans. In my experiences, kittens that have been gently held and talked to, at an early age, have become more loving and well-adjusted pets.

on 11/22/2005 I was going to cry reading those. :( I have a shed next to my house and I see kitten prints around there all the time. :( Anyways, when my cat had kittens, we just left her alone in my room. She did everything herself and all the kittens were fine.

on 11/22/2005 You may be tempted to pet or handle the newly born kittens, but DON'T handle them too soon unless an emergency situation arises. The mama cat generally handles a birth quite well without human intervention. She especially likes a quiet, dark room.

on 11/22/2005 Each year, 10-20 million animals are euthanized in the United States. Look your sweet kitty in the eye and imagine what her life would have been like if she were homeless and unloved. Spay, neuter and adopt!