Instructions
Watch for signs of early labor in the cat starting about 60 days into the pregnancy. In pre-labor before contractions begin, the cat will begin to appear restless and will search for a nesting area to give birth to her kittens.
Look for a mother cat that incessantly licks at her vaginal and abdominal areas. This may be accompanied by small whimpering noises, and the cat will appear uncomfortable. During this early stage of labor, the cat is releasing a discharge that she will lick away. The whimpering is a sign of early contractions, which occur about 30 minutes apart.
Shut the cat into a room and give her food and water during this early stage of labor. As the cat progresses and hard contractions start, she will begin to walk around with her mouth open and eventually lie down and emit a loud howling noise. This occurs when the contractions are becoming more intense and closer together.
Pay attention to the cat when she begins to howl loudly, squat and appear to be pressing down, which is a sign that the contractions are very close together and she is beginning the birthing process. Depending upon the cat and the litter size, the kittens are born in intervals or anywhere between 10 minutes and one hour.
How to Tell if a Cat Is Having Contractions
A cat's pregnancy lasts about 63 days, ending with the birth of a litter of kittens, an act that can take as long as 24 hours. As with humans, female cats suffer through the pain of contractions during the birthing process. Before the mother cat gives birth, a suitable place should be set up that is filled with warm blankets or towels to offer the newborn kittens a warm place to grow and thrive.