Instructions
Feel the cat's breasts. The breasts on a new mother are swollen.
Look at the cat's nipples. Cats that have just given birth have swollen and pink nipples. This indicates the cat is lactating and can feed her kittens.
Feel the cat's belly. Although the belly is no longer swollen as it was during pregnancy, there will be loose skin that indicates the belly was recently full with the kittens.
Look for a bloody fluid coming from the cat's vagina. A mother cat can have a bloody discharge for up to 10 days following the delivery.
Watch the cat to see if it is licking her genitals. A cat licks up the bloody discharge as soon as it appears, so you may never see the bloody fluid. The discharge is normal. But if the discharge has a strong odor or pus, consult a vet. The cat may have an infection.
Notice the cat's behavior. Some new mothers are irritable and aggressive following the delivery of kittens. The cat may also be frantic because she doesn't have her kittens with her.
How to Tell If a Cat Has Given Birth
The best clue that a cat has just given birth is the tending to and feeding of the newborn kittens. But if the mother cat is alone and there are no kittens nearby, there are still visible signs that a cat has just delivered a litter. A few mother cats abandon their young, so if you find a stray female cat that has recently had kittens, it may be a good idea to look for those kittens. Another option is an expensive trip to the vet, but unless the cat seems sick, there is no need for a doctor.