Childbirth in a cat at home: signs of onset, duration, what should the owner do?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Pregnancy and childbirth of a four-legged pet is stress not only for her, but also for the owner. The owner of the animal, as a rule, takes care of how to help the cat at the time of childbirth. It would seem that there is nothing complicated in cat birth. She can handle it herself. But is it? The article gives recommendations on how to take birth in a cat at home. What does a caring and loving owner need to know, how to behave in order not to get confused at the most crucial moment? We will talk about this in the article.

Duration of pregnancy

Typically, pregnancy in cats lasts from 58 to 72 days. And until the 30th day it is not clear whether kittens are expected or not. There are no external signs. To determine if a cat is pregnant, you can only use an ultrasound scan at a veterinary clinic.

Main signs of pregnancy

• On the 35th day, the belly begins to appear.
• The cat's nipples are gradually turning pink.
• The animal becomes demanding in food and has an increased appetite.
• The cat may vomit, become more lethargic andsedentary.
• Shortly before giving birth, the expectant mother begins to choose a place for the birth of offspring.

First signs of labor

Approximately ten days before birth, the fetuses begin to move actively in the womb. The cat actively explores all the dark places in the apartment, she is especially interested in wardrobes, a sofa compartment for storing bedding, all kinds of drawers and boxes. Other signs of childbirth in a cat are as follows:

• In about three days, colostrum begins to flow from the nipples.
• A drop in body temperature to 37 degrees indicates that the animal will start giving birth in 12-24 hours.
• On the day of childbirth, the cat becomes restless, rushing about in the hope of finding a suitable place for childbirth, begins to constantly lick intimate places.

Process getting closer

Signs of the onset of labor in a cat, what are they? In addition to the above, the following phenomena testify to the approaching process:

• Contractions. They can last up to 12 hours. The intensity of contractions increases gradually. At first they are barely noticeable and rare. As time passes, they become pronounced and frequent. Contractions are similar to wave-like contractions of the abdomen. It looks like an excited cat is trying to suck in the stomach.
• Attempts. After the fights come the pushing. During this period, the cat becomes very restless. Constantly licks genitals. Attempts indicate the onset of childbirth in a cat. The expectant mother lies on her side and in especially painful moments can meow loudly. Attempts are weak at first, then they can be seennaked eye. They look like external pushes, as if someone is pushing a cat in the lower part of the side.

Birth

All signs of childbirth in a cat, indicating their imminent onset, have been described above. Now it is worth considering in detail the generic process itself.

Before a kitten is born, a cat's vagina leaks fluid. The kitten comes out of the birth canal in a membrane called the amniotic sac. Usually the cub goes head first, but can also go out with its hind legs. This is not a deviation if the birth occurs without complications. The cat, licking the newborn, frees him from the bladder. She then gnaws the umbilical cord. The kitten begins to squeak and slowly crawls along the mother's fur to her nipples. The cat eats all the released placenta. Care must be taken to ensure that the afterbirth "left" the body of the animal.

The break between the birth of kittens can be 24 hours, do not be afraid if the cat behaves calmly and is busy with newborn babies. However, if a young mother has frequent contractions, and the kitten is not in a hurry to be born, this is a serious reason to call the veterinarian.

How to prepare for childbirth

Childbirth in a cat requires some preparation. What does it consist of?

• It is necessary to prepare a secluded place for the expectant mother in advance. It can be a box with high sides or a special house. The bottom is covered with disposable diapers. After the cat gives birth, contaminated diapers are thrown away. They are replaced by clean, durable fabric.
• The house in which the cat will give birth should be in a dark, calm place. In the room where the house is prepared, there should be good ventilation and a temperature of at least +29 degrees on the first birthday of the kittens. As they grow older, the temperature drops by 2 degrees daily.
• You need to prepare the following tools in advance: petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, nail scissors, alcohol solution, rubber gloves, strong threads. Put all paraphernalia in one bag and get it on X day.
• There must be a veterinarian's phone number. A specialist who is ready for the fact that you may have to go to a call early in the morning or late at night can become the most important assistant to a tailed woman in labor.
• The presence of the owner during childbirth is a prerequisite. The animal will appreciate the gentle speech of the owner and his presence at a difficult time.

Complications during childbirth

Most often, a cat gives birth without complications. But what to do if they could not do without them? The most common birth problems are:

• A newborn walks forward with its paws. Sometimes it happens that the legs and the back of the body come out, and that's it. In this case, the owner should lubricate the exited part of the kitten and the mother's vagina with petroleum jelly. The owner puts on a rubber glove lubricated with vegetable oil. And with neat, smooth swaying movements, he begins to pull the kitten up. In 90%, this method helps.
• The head and front part of the body came out. The owner's actions are the same as in the previous paragraph.
• During intense contractions, the kitten is in no hurry to be born. The owner can help the pet. The gloved index finger is drawn into the vagina. You need to find the kitten, determine its location. If the baby lies incorrectly (horizontally), thereby blocking the exit from the birth canal, the owner of the cat must gently turn it.
• Two kittens are coming out of the birth canal at the same time. An urgent need to call a veterinarian. It is impossible to cope without it.
• Labor did not start after 24 hours despite contractions. In this case, the veterinarian is called.
• The interval between kittens is more than 24 hours. The actions are the same as in the previous paragraph.
• The cat refuses to release the newborn from the bubble. This is done by the owner. The bubble is gently broken, then the umbilical cord is cut with nail scissors, previously disinfected. The umbilical cord is first tightly tied with a thread 2 cm from the body of the kitten. The wound should be cauterized with greenery. The kitten needs to be wiped with a damp, clean cloth, free of mucus from his nose and put on the cat.

These are preventive measures when giving birth to a cat at home.

The Biggest Question

And how long does a cat give birth in time? The first kitten should be born no later than 24 hours after the start of contractions.

Conclusion

It's not so easy to give birth to a catsimply. What needs to be remembered? First, how to prepare for the birth of a pet. Secondly, the first signs of the coming event. And thirdly, what to do in case of complications. And of course, the phone of the veterinarian should be at hand.