What to Expect in the Birth of Kittens

Cat pregnancy lasts nine weeks, or 63 days, on average, and feline pregnancies that last between 58 and 70 days are normal. If you notice signs of pregnancy in your cat, get a confirmation from your veterinarian. If your cat is pregnant, you need to prepare for the delivery and get familiar with the three stages of labor in order to be able to help your pet if needed.

  1. The Day Before the Labor

    • It's difficult to establish the exact time of conception without the help of a veterinarian. However, you can examine the condition of your cat daily as the approximate birth date approaches. Measuring your pet's temperature is a great way to detect if the delivery day is near. The normal temperature for adult cats is between 101 degrees and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. On the day before the delivery, the cat's temperature drops to 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

    First Stage of Labor

    • The first stage of labor starts after the cat's temperature drops and lasts between six and 12 hours. The mother-to-be becomes nervous and avoids eating. She may walk around the house restlessly, and vomiting is not uncommon at this stage. The cat may look for a quiet place where she can give birth to her kittens. She may look for blankets and items of clothing. Prepare a box with warm blankets, and place it in the spot chosen by the cat.

    Second Stage of Labor

    • At the end of stage I labor, the cervix of your pet is fully dilated and the cat is ready for delivery. The cat should be placed in the queening box, and you may notice contractions and straining. The cat should deliver the first kitten one to two hours after the contractions start. If no kittens are born two hours after the contractions start, call your veterinarian. After the first kitten is delivered, the mother typically starts cleaning the kitten and she may chew the umbilical cord. If the kitten is born in the amniotic sac, the mother typically takes the kitten out of the sac. If she fails to do so, you need to intervene and rip the membrane. If the mother doesn't chew the umbilical cord, tie the cord approximately one inch from the belly of the kitten using dental floss. Use a pair of scissors to cut the cord. Expect to wait between 30 minutes and four hours for the cat to deliver the second kitten. The cat may rest or immediately deliver another kitten. In some cases, the cat delivers only one kitten, but if the ultrasounds indicate there are several kittens and your cat doesn't give birth to other kittens four hours after the first one, ask for veterinary assistance. After delivery, the kittens should start crying. Place the kittens in the box with their mother.

    Last Stage of Labor

    • After each kitten is born, a placenta is eliminated. This happens five to 15 minutes after each birth and is considered the third stage of labor. If the cat delivers several kittens, after the elimination of the placenta the mother enters the second stage of labor again and she will have contractions. You should count all placentas and ensure there are as many placentas as kittens born. Pay attention to the mother because she may swallow a placenta after cleaning her kitten. Remove each placenta as soon as you see it to prevent the cat from eating it. If a placenta remains in the mother's womb, this can lead to complications.