How to take birth in a cat?

There are several main points that the owner should take care of in advance. Preparation for childbirth should begin about a couple of weeks before the expected date.

Set up a birthing area

A large box with high sides or a special box that can be purchased at a veterinary store is usually used as a birthing arena. If the plans include periodic mating of a cat, think about the second option.

The bottom of the arena should be covered with a towel, blankets, it is also necessary to prepare clean diapers. The location of the box should be quiet, without drafts and extraneous noise. It is better to show it to the cat in advance and observe the reaction.

Monitor your cat

In about a day or three, the animal becomes restless, cannot sit still, refuses to eat. Some cats, especially strongly attached to the owner, may ask for help and attention, show affection and meow. Others, on the contrary, try to find a secluded place away from people. At this time, arrange with a veterinarian for help and the possibility of going home.

First aid kit for childbirth

Assemble a first aid kit in advance by putting medical supplies and items that may be needed when the cat begins to give birth:

• Clean and ironed diapers and gauze napkins;

• Sterile silk thread;

• Iodine, brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide;

• Hand sanitizer and several pairs of gloves;

• Scissors with rounded ends;

• Warmer for kittens in a box;

• Syringe for suction of mucus;

• Bowl for afterbirth.

Birth of kittens

In a normal situation, after the kitten is born, the cat licks it, gnaws through the umbilical cord and eats the placenta. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. The cat may become confused and not pay attention to the newborn at all. What to do in this case, if the veterinarian is not around?

Suppose a kitten is born, but for some reason the mother does not lick it and release it from the bladder. In this case, you can not hesitate, because the kitten’s life is in danger. It is necessary to carefully break the kitten’s shell and use a pipette or syringe to carefully remove the liquid from the mouth and nose of the newborn. If the cat continues to be inactive, you will need to cut the kitten’s umbilical cord yourself. To do this, tie it with a thread in the thinnest place and cut it with sterile scissors above the ligature (thread used in ligation of blood vessels), the tip can be disinfected. Then attach the kitten to the cat’s stomach: he needs colostrum.

It is important to remember that after the birth of each kitten, the afterbirth comes out – the placenta, which cats usually eat. It is best not to let the animal eat more than 2 afterbirths to avoid nausea and vomiting.

It is necessary to ensure that the number of delivered placentas is equal to the number of kittens. The afterbirth remaining inside the cat can cause serious inflammation, which sometimes leads to the death of the animal.

Carefully monitor the further course of childbirth. If the kitten showed up, but did not go outside for more than an hour, call the veterinarian immediately! In this case, the cat needs professional help.

In addition, pay attention to the behavior of newborn kittens. Lethargic, inactive animals that aimlessly squeak and try to crawl around the mother are a serious reason to see a doctor.

As a rule, childbirth in cats occurs within a few hours, but in rare cases it can last up to 12-24 hours. At this time, the responsible owner must be near the animal and monitor the process. If, in your opinion, something went wrong, do not be afraid to call the veterinarian, because this is a matter of life not only for kittens, but also for a cat.