Days prior to her labor, she may have a lower body temperature and exhibit nausea … Prepare Yourself For Your Cat’s 3 Stages of Labor. As we discussed in part one, towards the end of your cat’s pregnancy you should be taking her rectal temperature every day waiting for a sudden drop below 99 degrees. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: A Little Preparation Can Help Labor Go Smoothly, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station: Basics of Pregnancy and Birth in the Cat. She becomes restless, nervous and possibly clingy. Your cat (queen) often won’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is a few weeks into her term. The appetite decrease can be caused by the weight of the kittens pushing against their mother’s stomach, … Signs Your Pregnant Cat Is In Labor And How To Prepare For The Delivery. Keep an eye on Kitty, but bother her as little as possible. Remember, there is the slim chance that you will have to intervene to assist with the newborn kittens, so a distance where you can give her adequate space but still be able to observe is needed. If you want to give her added protein, you can mix some kitten food in with her food during this time for an extra boost. Cats often have a feel for when they are right about to give birth, and as a result they begin … So when the time comes, observe for visible signs of cats in labor. Your normally quiet and serene kitty also may become significantly louder in the very late stage of pregnancy before labor -- much to your chagrin. Once the queen has progressed to the second stage of labor with stronger, more frequent contractions and/or noticeable straining, delivery of a kitten may take between 5-30 minutes. Full term pregnancy in cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal. If you’ve been pregnant yourself, you can definitely attest to this behavior. In most cases, a drop in rectal temperature, to less than 100°F (37.5°C), occurs in the last 24 hours and signals impending labor. A pregnant or nursing cat is referred to as a queen, and you might agree that she is becoming more demanding as she progresses through her pregnancy. She also may begin breathing rapidly and panting as if she's overheated and thirsty! This is good for the cat (strengthens the maternal feeling and provides extra hormones for delivery and milk delivery) and the kittens. Then, feel free to take away the placentas and dispose of them in the event that your cat doesn’t instinctually do this herself. In the 3rd stage of pregnancy, the kittens begin growing quickly and your cat will continue to gain weight and develop a belly. A cat soon to give birth might need constant reassurance from her person; she might follow you around the house. During the second stage of labor, each of your cat’s kittens will enter the world wrapped in a jelly-like membrane sac which is the amniotic sac. Make sure if she is asking for extra attention you give it to her, this can help your cat … Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. The First Stage Of Cat Labor. You notice that her discharge is smelly or contains fresh blood (blackish/reddish discharge is normal for a few weeks after the birth). Mum’s mammary glands become red, firm or are obviously painful. Cats often have a feel for when they are right about to give birth, and as a result they begin the nesting process. If for any reason in the rare event that mama cat doesn’t choose to break the sac and care for her kitten, you must intervene for the kitten’s sake. Allow her to eat more to support the tiny beings growing inside of her belly. REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER! 5 Signs To Know Your Cat Is In Labor Mammary glands will increase in size During the final week of pregnancy, the mammary glands of your cat will increase in size. Activity - Pregnant Cat Signs of Impending Labor When cat is getting close to labor, she will be less likely to move around Like any animal, their mobility will differ when she is getting close to labor. But most importantly, your cat is most likely going to start searching for a place in your home where she will deliver her litter safely. Cats have been giving birth for centuries and this circle of life usually does not require human intervention. Other physical signs include a descended (dropped) abdomen, and an enlarged and softened vulva. Don’t be surprised if she moves from room to room meowing loudly even though you’ve provided her with a comfortable bed. It doesn’t matter if the pregnant one is your cat or if you’re trying to learn how to tell if a stray cat is pregnant. Hi Furiends! They can confirm that kittens are on the way, and get an idea of how many, in a few ways: Feeling your cat's belly is sometimes useful but not always accurate. She may not look pregnant at first, but if your cat is becoming a little chunky that is one of the surefire signs of pregnancy. Cats should be confined from this time to allow for observation of labour. She Gains Weight. She may become increasingly vocal, meowing for attention, affection, and comfort, or because of discomfort from the growing weight of her abdomen and false labor contractions. Your cat may also begin to lick its nipples. Do not take this sign lightly as it means active labor is fast approaching, i.e. Usually, a cat that is close to labor will give signs, so you can tell when to be ready. Related Story: Pregnant Black Cat & Her Daughter Both Rescued From Hoarding Situation; Just In Time For Birth Of Her Kittens In Live Video! The licking stimulates the kittens circulation and respiration. Another physical sign that your cat is in labor is that her temperature will drop two days before her delivery day. The best way to find out is to make an appointment with your vet. The cat is agitated before going into labor and she refuses to eat. ️ Signs that the Cat is Entering Labor. Nesting: A day or two before labor, your cat will seek out a quiet and safe place to have her kittens. Cats can also experience interrupted labor which can last between 24-36 hours. A domestic cat has a gestation period of approximately 63 days. When labor begins, most cats pant and vocalize and may become restless and pace around like they are looking for something. In the cat pregnancy generally lasts for 63 to 65 days; however, it is not unusual for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer time (range 58 to 70 days). This will be noticeable since most pregnant cats display an increased appetite during the pregnancy’s last weeks. Also, do not try to handle the kittens in the beginning and allow for two weeks to pass before doing so. Before a pregnant cat delivers, there will be changes to her nipple area in the days and weeks leading up to the arrival of her kittens. Around the 30-day mark, pregnant cats start to develop a rounded, swollen abdomen - … How long is a cat pregnant. Approximately 2 days before your cat gives birth, she’ll start to produce milk. During that final week, the search for the most suitable kittening bed becomes the dominant factor. When labor begins for your cat, she will most likely pant, vocalize and may become restless and pace around like she is searching for something. She will be less likely to move around, so like we said, keep her food and water nearby. Usually the other signs will be so obvious you won’t need to … Think of all your favorite feline "kisses," from her rubbing up against your leg to headbutting you. Generally, two types of temperament are seen in cats at kittening: the independent type which will go to … One such clue is a clear or pinkish discharge, which indicates that her body is preparing to kick the kittens out of their nice warm womb. They become a great deal quieter, less interested in other cats-especially male ones. Her mammary glands are arranged in 2 parallel rows running along the outside body wall that extends from the groin area up … Also. Around delivery, her nipples will grow larger and pinker, while beginning a milky discharge. The Time is MEOW! Here are the key signs that you should be familiar with: 1 – It Refuses Food. Restlessness: About 24 to 48 hours before labor, the pregnant queen may seem restless or anxious.She may go in and out of her nesting area, almost as if pacing. Signs a cat is pregnant includes loss of appetite, weight gain, and possibly little lumps you can feel which are the kittens developing in her stomach. When a pregnant cat’s queening date approaches, its nipples and mammary glands will enlarge. Related Story: VERY Pregnant Cat Rescued From Streets ~ Not Only With New Babies On The Way, But 3 From Previous Litter! You also do not want to risk mama cat from rejecting her kittens because your dissatisfying scent is on them. Enlarged abdomen: Sometime around the fifth week of pregnancy, a pregnant cat's abdomen will start to swell noticeably. Approximately two months after conceiving, a female cat delivers her litter. Lack of appetite. VERY Pregnant Cat Rescued From Streets ~ Not Only With New Babies On The Way, But 3 From Previous Litter! A pregnant cat may express her anxiety by pacing frequently. If you don’t know the exact date of conception, however, you may not have a clear idea of when your cat is ready to go into labor (known as queening). The Behavioral Problems of Female Cats in Heat→. One such clue is a clear or pinkish discharge, which indicates that her body is preparing to kick the kittens out of their nice warm womb. You will also learn the signs that she is nearing labor. When labor begins, most cats pant and vocalize and may become restless and pace around like they are looking for something.