What to Expect When You're Expecting Kittens

Cat Pregnancy Basics

• A cat is physically capable of getting pregnant from about six to 12 months of age. A cat pregnancy lasts an average of 65 days, or nine weeks, but can last as few as 61 or as many as 69. Cat litters usually only have one father but it is possible to have more if the cat has mated with multiple partners within a 24-hour period. Before giving birth, a cat will look for a suitable place so provide a few warm and safe boxes lined with towels and newspapers around the house in the week your cat is due.

Signs of Pregnancy

• Signs of pregnancy in a cat can be very subtle. Behavior is generally normal and pregnancy can be nearly impossible to detect in the first week. At three weeks, a cat's nipples might be pinker and more visible. A swelling of the abdomen can also indicate pregnancy. Pregnant cats tend to be more lethargic, sleep more and have less interest in males. Pregnant cats do not have heat cycles and tend to spend more time at home. A vet can confirm pregnancy with an ultrasound.

Caring for a Pregnant Cat

• Pregnant cats have an increase in appetite because they are eating for all their kittens too. Feed your cat more but be sure not to overfeed her. You can mix her regular food with kitten food. For the health of the kittens, avoid feeding your cat diets that are for lower urinary tract infections while she is pregnant. Some medications should not be used for pregnant cats so consult your veterinarian about these.

The Birth

• Be sure to have clean towels, plastic bags, cat milk substitute, cat carrier and your vet's phone number on hand. The first stage of birth can last 24 hours and your cat might be restless and shred things. During the second stage, the kittens are expelled covered in membranes that your cat will tear off when she removed the umbilical cord. Your cat will also expel and eat a placenta after each kitten. Kittens are born either front or back legs first. Your cat might give birth to more kittens after resting for 24 hours.

What You Can Do

• If your cat does not clear the membrane from a kitten's face or break the umbilical cord, you should do this. If your cat has not dried off a kitten within 10 minutes, you can do this with a towel. If a kitten is not breathing, make sure the membrane is cleared from its nose and mouth and rub it vigorously with a towel while holding its head facing down. If a kitten has not fed within two hours of birth, provide a supplement.

Birthing Problems

• You will need to call a vet if your cat is visibly straining but producing no kittens. A gap of two hours or more between kittens, aside from the possible 24-hour resting period, is a sign that your cat might need medical assistance as a kitten might be visible at the vulva but making no progress for 15 minutes or more. Your cat should not expel a reddish-brown discharge before the first kitten, bleed heavily or show distress by biting the vulva area. If a dead kitten is born, you will also need to call the vet and if your cat is more than a week overdue, a vet can help.