Whether you're breeding cats or you're taking care of a pet cat, it's important to know when it's time for the cat to give birth. The time period ranges from 65-67 days, so once you know your cat is pregnant, it's very important to start preparing for delivery. Here I will share how.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing for labor
Step 1. Watch for signs of pregnancy
There are several signs that can help you tell if your cat is pregnant or not.
The striking difference when a cat is pregnant is pink, enlarged nipples, a stomach that feels more supple and no longer asks for mating
Step 2. Take the cat for an examination
When you find out your cat is pregnant or at least that's what you think, take her to the vet for a check-up right away.
- Your veterinarian can confirm the pregnancy is progressing without complications and can advise you to prepare for labor later.
- Cats that are overweight should be taken to the vet immediately to prevent the risk of complications once you notice any signs of pregnancy in the cat.
- In some instances, a veterinarian who continues the pregnancy could endanger the mother and spaying the cat at this stage would be highly recommended.
- The veterinarian can also estimate how many puppies will be born later, which will be very useful when giving birth.
Step 3. Make dietary adjustments during her pregnancy
When the cat is pregnant and the gestation period is approaching 42 days, the cat needs different nutrients, so make sure you are giving him the right food and nutrition.
- Keep the cat on a proper diet during pregnancy.
- At the time of nearly giving birth, replace the diet with special kitten food, which has more calories in it. Because the uterus will press against the stomach, this affects its ability to digest food, therefore food for puppies is the right choice for the cat to maintain nutrition.
Step 4. Make a nest
Cats need a warm, quiet, safe place to give birth. Usually cats will show signs of giving birth such as looking for the location when it is close to giving birth, and this is a good time for you to prepare the place.
- The laundry room or bathroom is a great place to build a cat's nest; just make sure first that there are no small children or dogs that often pass by the place. The mother must feel safe and relaxed in the nest.
- The mother must also have good access to drinking water and food, as well as a litter box that is about two feet apart, placing it too close to the nest can increase the risk of disease.
- Look for a fairly large cardboard box with slightly elevated sides and fill it with an arrangement of newspapers, soft cloth and towels.
- Whatever material you use, don't let there be a strong smell, because cats are very sensitive to smells.
Step 5. Prepare your cat for labor
Continue to provide high-quality food and watch for decreased appetite which indicates the time is near.
- If your cat has long hair, you may want to consider trimming it a few days before delivery. Some people who don't want to cut it usually clip their fur using a hairclip so that the nipple is not too covered with fur so that the baby cat will have no trouble when it comes to feeding.
- If you can't trim the fur in time, then leave it alone, because if you keep trimming it will distract the kittens from recognizing their mother through their natural scent after birth.
Step 6. Prepare yourself for labor
Besides you need to have a nest box, food, water and litter box, you also need to have other equipment that you need in an emergency.
- Place the carrier close to the cat just in case something goes wrong and the mother needs to be transported to the vet immediately.
- Make sure that your mobile phone is always on standby and has a vet and veterinary hospital number in case anything goes wrong during labour.
- Prepare a few pieces of dry towels to clean the kitten later.
- Buy powdered milk for kittens and bottles for kittens at the nearest pet store just in case there are problems with breastfeeding.
Step 7. Record the length of the gestation period
There is a grace period in pregnancy, usually because of the difficulty in determining the first day of pregnancy, but cats who are more than 67 days pregnant should be taken to the vet for further examination.
The vet will examine the mother's stomach to see if the baby inside is healthy, and will suggest giving it an extra 4-5 days. If the baby is still not born within that time, then a cesarean section will be highly recommended
Step 8. Watch for signs of complications
Warning signs of complications include abnormal discharges and disease.
- Abnormal conditions: urine from the mother looks abnormal during pregnancy. Yellowish green indicates infection in the uterus, bright green indicates separation of the placenta, and bleeds when the placenta ruptures. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Illness: pregnancy puts stress on the body and weakens the immune system. If the mother looks unwell, immediately take her to the vet.
Method 2 of 3: Assist with delivery
Step 1. Keep your distance
Your presence in some areas, can disturb the comfort of the parent.
- Keep a distance far enough not to disturb the mother, but stay as close as possible and help if the mother seems to be in trouble.
- Be prepared for the worst and know the signs.
Step 2. Know the signs of labor
Familiarize yourself with the signs that indicate that your cat is about to give birth. This is the first opening. The delivery period ranges from 12-24 hours. Signs include:
- Restless, looking for a place to hide (show him the nest you have made)
- Too often self-cleaning, including licking the pee hole.
- Walking breathlessly
- Snoring loudly enough
- Body temperature drops about 1-2 degrees
- Stop eating
- Gag
- If you notice that your cat is urinating blood, contact your veterinarian immediately. Bleeding before giving birth is a sign of something wrong and you should take him to the vet immediately
Step 3. Pay attention to each baby born
Once the mother has entered the nest and has started labour, all you can do now is stay calm, be prepared, and watch the number of babies born. If there is a disturbance or the sound of another animal, or the mother moves to another place, then she will delay delivery. When the second opening begins, the developments that occur include:
- The cervix relaxes and contracts.
- Contractions occur at intervals of 2-3 minutes and the mother will be in a crouched position.
Step 4. The first water bubble will come out, after that the baby, whether it's the tail or head first
- When the second opening has started, it will take about 30 minutes to 1 hour and then the first kitten should be born immediately. The interval between births between babies is about 30-60 minutes, but not infrequently it can be more than that.
- If your cat is sitting up and has been pushing harder without the baby coming out for more than an hour, this seems to be a sign of a problem. Check in the vaginal area. If there is nothing, it would be better to contact the vet. If the baby still doesn't come out, wait about 5 minutes before the mother pushes again. If there is still no progress, wash your hands, and gently hold the baby cat and pull it slowly. If the kitten doesn't come out easily, call the vet.
- Make sure that the mother removes mucus and cleans each baby. The mother usually removes the mucous membrane by licking every part of the baby's body. The baby should be breathing and moving within a few seconds afterward.
- If the mother does not clear the mucus immediately, tear the membrane around the baby's head and make sure the baby can breathe. Wash his face with a dry towel.
- If possible, return the baby to the mother's side, even if necessary place it under the mother's nose. Usually the mother will lick the baby. Even though the mother will ignore it later and the baby starts to get wet again, dry the baby with a dry towel. The effect of your treatment usually makes the baby cry and the mother will come to you. So now put the baby back to the side of the mother.
Step 5. Examine the placenta
Each baby has its own placenta, and it must be removed after they are born. Pay attention to each placenta, don't let anything be left behind because it can cause infection for the mother.
- DO NOT TRY TO ATTRACT THE PLACENTA. If you force to pull it out and cause the uterus is damaged, the mother can die. If you suspect that the placenta has not come out, take the mother to the vet.
- Keep in mind that normally the placenta will be eaten by the mother. Since the placenta is full of hormones and nutrients the mother's body needs to recover, it's best not to interfere with this process – just make sure the mother doesn't try to eat the baby.
Step 6. Let the mother eat 2-3 placentas and then discard the rest, too many nutrients can cause diarrhea or vomiting
- Wash and sterilize your hands. Remove your watch as well as the ring on your finger and wash it with an anti-microbial soap. Rub the soap all over your hands. You should wash your hands for at least 5 minutes while still wiping them. Use a nail brush or toothbrush to clean the area around your nails.
- Don't use hand soap! You certainly don't want the mother to lick these harmful substances all over the baby's body, which can make him sick later.
- Hand washing is a precaution only and only the mother is allowed to handle the delivery process. You need to intervene if the baby seems troubled.
Step 7. Do not cut the umbilical cord
It is strongly advised NOT to cut the umbilical cord from the placenta. In most cases, the mother herself will cut with her teeth. If the mother does not do this, consult a veterinarian.
DO NOT CUT THE ANSWER WHEN THERE ARE STILL PARTS IN THE PARENT'S BODY. Since the umbilical cord is connected to the placenta, the placenta can become trapped inside and cannot be expelled, which can lead to infection and even death of the mother. If you can't handle it, call your vet and follow the instructions.
Method 3 of 3: After delivery
Step 1. Make sure that the baby is taken care of by the mother after birth
The milk that comes out after childbirth is full of valuable colostrum which is useful as an antibody for the baby.
- Be aware that babies are blind and deaf when they are born, so they will search for the mother's nipple by smell and touch. Sometimes they will do it right away, but not infrequently they will wait a while before finally starting to look for it.
- The mother will usually wait until all the cubs are born before finally starting to breastfeed. However, if the mother appears to be neglecting the babies, prepare powdered milk and feed them using a special bottle for feeding small animals.
- If the mother wants to take care of her children but there is a problem with the milk not coming out, usually the babies will meow. If that happens, call the vet, who may be able to stimulate it, and try bottle feeding the babies.
Step 2. Pay attention to the health of the babies
After the babies are born, keep an eye on them and make sure that they are always healthy.
- If the baby sounds like he is choking, it is because there is fluid in his airways. Hold the baby between your hands with the head on the fingertips. Slowly swing downwards. This will help him to get the fluid out of the lungs. Use a thin cloth to wipe his face. Be sure to wear gloves, but be careful, newborns are a bit slippery.
- If the mother cat doesn't seem to care about her kittens, try to rub the mother's scent on the babies. If the mother persists in not caring, you may need to take care of the baby on your own. This means that you will need to set a feeding schedule, and if necessary call your vet for guidance.
- Do not immediately decide that the baby is dead if it appears immobile. Make sure first by rubbing the baby to stimulate. Use a soft, warm cloth to wipe it. Another thing you can do is raise and lower your legs or blow your face and mouth.
Step 3. Pay attention to the health of the mother
Provide good quality food and clean water as soon as the mother gives birth. The mother will not leave her chicks, even if it's to eat or just to pee, so place the food box close to the nest box. This is very important because the mother needs energy and nutrition to breastfeed her children.
- For the first day, the mother may not budge at all; place the lunch box as close to the parent's position as possible.
- Check on the mother to make sure that she is recovering after delivery and that she is bonding with her pups.
Step 4. Record each birth
Record the time of birth, gender, weight (use a kitten scale), and when the placenta was delivered.
This information will be useful later for medical records or for documentation if you are a cat breeder
Tips
- When the time to give birth is near, consider putting black bedding and blankets on your mattress, next to you need to make a nest box, the cat will think that the right place to give birth is on your mattress, because it feels more familiar and safe.
- Do not approach the cat during childbirth unless you need to help her. You can become the object of the cat's scratches and bites. Approach the cat only if the cat needs assistance in childbirth.
- Unless you are breeding cats, consider spaying your cat, for the sake of the future kittens as well as the mother. Spaying a cat lowers the risk for pyometra – pyometra occurs when the uterus fills with pus after a heat cycle, leading to infection and death if the female is not seen.
- Do not interfere in labor if the mother is not having any problems.
Warning
- If your cat is in labor but she hasn't delivered her first baby in 2 hours, then you need to contact the vet as soon as possible, as something may be wrong. This also applies if the distance between the babies who come out is more than 1 hour. If that happens, don't panic, the thing you can do is stay calm and call the vet.
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Come to the veterinarian immediately if you find anything unusual, such as:
- The first baby doesn't come out for more than 1 hour even after a strong contraction.
- The mother gave birth did not come out perfectly but did not continue again
- Bleeding from the mother's vagina
Equipment you need
- Antiseptic (for example, Betadine) – you will need this to sterilize objects you will use, such as scissors, to cut the umbilical cord
- small pliers
- scissors (blunt)
- gauze
- thin rubber gloves
- dry towels, blankets, for bedding in nest boxes
- cardboard box the size of a cat bed with high sides
- Kitten formula milk (if the mother does not produce milk) and bottles.
