How cats give birth: how to understand that the animal will give birth soon, the necessary medicines and how to prepare for childbirth

When there is a pregnant cat in the apartment, her owner is waiting for the replenishment of the offspring. In the process of waiting, the owner of the animal may have a natural question – when will the moment of childbirth come and how can the pet be helped and facilitate this process. Indeed, this issue will require some practice.

Any experienced cat breeder or veterinarian knows the answer to this question and can give a detailed answer. But a beginner can also cope with this task, it is only necessary to study the characteristic features of labor activity inherent in cats.

To begin with, let’s answer the question – how long does pregnancy last in cats. The gestation period for a healthy cat is about 65 days. After that, the cat should give birth to kittens. Therefore, every owner of the animal should know the approximate date of the onset of feline birth.

As for the signs that indicate that the cat will soon begin to give birth, in some individuals they appear two days before giving birth, while in others literally two hours before the crucial moment.

The maturation of each cat is an individual moment. Also individually and the course of pregnancy. There are cats who are worried and look for a cozy and secluded place in advance, and there are those who begin to understand what is happening to them only when the birth itself begins.

Seven days before the onset of childbirth, the owner of the animal should pay more attention and more watch on the cat. Then moment X will definitely not be missed.

How to understand that a cat is giving birth: signs

1. The future mother of kittens begins to actively look for a place for childbirth, usually she likes dark wardrobes, boxes with things or warm corners near the radiator. Such a fuss should definitely attract your attention, but you do not need to interfere with the cat.
2. The cat either tries to find solitude from everyone, or, on the contrary, does not leave its owner and constantly fawns. In addition, she worries and constantly licks herself.
3. The appearance of colostrum in a cat. In addition, it is visually evident that her mammary glands have increased.
4. Body temperature can drop to 37 degrees.
5. Immediately before childbirth, appetite may disappear.
6. When a pregnant animal is in a calm state, just lying or sleeping, her stomach begins to move. This is due to the fact that kittens start moving inside the belly. This suggests that no more than three days are left before the birth.
7. Waste of the birth plug. True, this can be seen quite rarely. After all, the cat itself can lick this cork or bury it in its tray. But, if you still stumble upon a white-pink clot on the floor, similar to a teaspoon of sour cream, then be sure that this is it and literally 24-48 hours are left before the onset of childbirth.
8. The cat’s water is breaking. This is also not a clear sign and it is not always possible to notice. In any case, this will indicate that only a few hours are left before the onset of labor.

How are cats prepared for childbirth?

Try to be at home by the time the contractions are supposed to start. If you are the owner of a cat of the British breed, then it can be noted that they are distinguished by good health and they usually do not have problems during childbirth. But all thoroughbred representatives have reduced instinct, unlike yard ones, so they and their kittens may need the help of the owner.

If you have small children, then do not let them near a pregnant animal, because he needs to rest and gain strength before the upcoming birth.

Convenient box

A convenient box is best for a future woman in labor. Find a suitable option and introduce your cat to it. In the box must be open top and it shouldn’t be too big. It is necessary for the cat to be comfortable with its paws against the walls at the time of childbirth, in addition, the owner must have full access to the animal in order to help the woman in labor in the process of what is happening.

Disposable diapers, paper towel and scissors

You need to buy disposable diapers and put one in a box, and during childbirth, they change as needed. When the animal finishes giving birth, you will need to change the diaper for the last time.

A roll of paper towel is useful for wiping newborn kittens.

Scissors will be needed if the woman in labor does not cut the umbilical cord herself. If you have to use them, then treat the blades of the scissors with boiling water.

Calcium gluconate in injections and syringes for 2 and 5 ml

Recently, cases of eclampsia or, in other words, puerperal fever, have become more frequent, so it is better to prepare the medicine in advance. You can buy calcium gluconate and syringes at any pharmacy for people.

The injection is carried out only intramuscularly!

It is useful because:

• intensifies contractions, as a result of which it is easier and faster for her to give birth to kittens;
• improves milk production;
• restores the balance of calcium, which changes dramatically in giving birth and lactating animals.

How to give injections to a giving birth and lactating cat?

It is possible with regular contractions to do intramuscularly at 3-4 different points of the body, 1 ml of calcium gluconate and after childbirth, 1-2 ml intramuscularly. But it is better to consult a veterinarian before giving birth and get further advice on this issue.

In the following days, you need to look at the general well-being of the cat. If she is worried, panting, starting to drag kittens out of her box, in general, behaving like in a panic, then these are the real signs of incipient eclampsia. In this case need to keep injecting drugs intramuscularly as maintenance therapy – 1 ml per day or 1 ml in the morning and evening. This will depend on the severity of the symptoms. The therapy continues for several days.

Vaseline oil

Sometimes there is a problem during childbirth because of the kitten, because it is too large. In such cases, the fetus hardly moves through the birth canal. In this case, vaseline oil can help. The oil should be at room temperature and injected into the cat’s vagina with a syringe (without a needle).

Contacts of the veterinarian

It would be better if you have at hand the phone number of a veterinarian or an experienced person who understands these matters. In case of difficulties, they can be called and consulted.

When the cat has given birth to all the kittens, cover the box halfway so that outside noise and bright lights do not disturb. If the birth occurred in the winter and the apartment is cool, then you can put a rolled up blanket under the diaperand put something warm on top of the box. To avoid unwanted spreading of small kittens, it is necessary that the sides of the box are high. At the same time, it should be convenient for a woman in labor to jump in and out of her.

In order for a cat to fully feed its kittens, it must be provided with a balanced diet. Place a tray and food near the box so that she does not have to leave her brood far and for a long time.

And the last thing that can be said about childbirth, for many owners it has already become normal for a cat to give birth in an apartment. But, if you have concerns about this, you can contact a specialist and call him at home.

How long does it take for a cat to give birth?

That’s a moot point. Veterinarians advise mating no more often than through estrus – 1 – 2 times a year.

Some people believe that too frequent childbirth depletes the body of the animal, apparently in comparison with childbirth in women. But this is wrong. After all, the physiology of an animal and a person is very different from each other. Cats do not have a “critical days” mechanism and an empty estrus is not a “rest” for her. She suffers, screams, loses her appetite, loses weight and even goes bald. In addition, empty estrus can provoke diseases. Some Russian breeders give birth to cats 3-4 times a year. These owners must visit the vet, checking the current well-being of the animal, they carry out diagnostics, provide good nutrition, restore the cat’s body after childbirth, and fortify it.

In any case, the determining factor will be the well-being of the cat. The best option is once or twice a year, that is, through estrus. To reduce sex drive it is better to use only non-hormonal (!) herbal remedies, such as “Cat Bayun”, “Knit-minus”, “Stop stress”. It is not recommended to use “Sex Barrier”, “Contrasex” and other similar drugs.

If the cat can not give birth?

For cats, the normal phenomenon is in childbirth up to 12-18 hours. If the birth lasts more than this time, then this means that the birth has become pathological. This refers to the time separating the birth of one kitten from another, and not the duration of the birth itself.

There can be many reasons for this, starting from the intrauterine death of kittens, ending with their incorrect presentation. Also, animals have multiple pregnancies, since the uterus of cats is arranged somewhat differently than in women. Them uterus has two horns and anyone can be pregnant. In this case, kittens from 2 horns can at one moment get into the body of the uterus and get stuck in this bifurcation (the place where the uterus is divided into 2 horns). This will prevent them from going into the pelvic cavity for childbirth.

If more than a day has passed since the onset of labor, then the chance that the kittens are alive is small. In this case, the cat needs urgent surgery.

If you notice that the cat is having a hard time giving birth and not feeling very well in the postpartum period, and the kittens are weak or with pathology, then sterilization may be the best solution.