Cat Pregnancy & Delivery

Problems during cat pregnancy and birth are extremely rare. "Over 99 percent of all cats deliver their kittens without assistance or complications," says Dr. Ron Hines, a veterinarian in Texas. Usually there's little for the cat's owners to do, other than keep her well fed and comfortable.

  1. Signs Of Pregnancy

    • Expectant cats gain weight a few weeks before delivering kittens, about the same time they show a marked increase in appetite. Their nipples enlarge, becoming pinker. Some cats exhibit morning sickness and others become more affectionate. Many cats display "nesting" behavior, creating a comfortable place to have their kittens. This occurs as late as day of delivery. Gestation averages 64 days but can be between 62 and 67 days, according to Dr. Hines. Usual litter size is 2 to 5 kittens, although more or less are possible.

    Pregnant Cat Care

    • A prenatal veterinary check-up is a good idea. If the cat has external parasites such as fleas or ear mites, or internal parasites such as roundworms, treatment options must be discussed with a veterinarian. Administering any drug or supplement to a pregnant or nursing cat without veterinary guidance can be extremely harmful. Pregnant cats need plenty of fresh water and a diet high in nutrients. Premium kitten food should be mixed in with their usual kibble, until it becomes their sole diet in the last week or so up until after the kittens are weaned.

    Labor And Delivery

    • Delivery is imminent when the cat retreats to her nesting area and begins intently licking her vaginal area. She'll usually pant heavily and may cry out as if in heat. Contractions are visible as each kitten arrives, wrapped in its amniotic sac, a jelly-like membrane filled with clear fluid. The mother will break the sacs and lick the kittens to stimulate their circulation and respiration. She'll sever the umbilical cords and eat most, if not all, of the placentas (afterbirths). Kittens arrive a few minutes to a few hours apart.

    How Owners Can Help

    • "A kitten should not spend more than 15 minutes in the birth canal. Pressure on the umbilical cord deprives the kitten of oxygen," says Dr. Hines. If a kitten is stuck, partially exposed, it can be grasped gently through a soft cloth by the hips or shoulders and pulled out using a backwards and downwards motion. If the mother doesn't immediately remove the amniotic sac the kitten can suffocate. Owners can pierce the sac with their fingers, clearing it first from the kitten's face. If the mother doesn't sever the umbilical cord from placenta, the cord should be cut an inch from the kitten's stomach and tied off with dental floss.

    Veterinary Intervention

    • Owners should contact a veterinarian if at any time the mother goes off her food, is weak, lethargic or depressed. Veterinary intervention is necessary when a cat has more than four hours of contractions without producing a kitten, when there are less placentas than kittens, when the mother's breasts are hot, hard or painful, and if her vaginal discharge is green and foul-smelling. After delivery, veterinary care is necessary if the kittens won't nurse or appear weak, if their stomachs aren't plump and distended or if they mew continuously, don't sleep and are agitated.