Hi, I'm new to the forum. The reason for my visit is because my cat got pregnant. I was wondering if you have any tips or suggestions. I have been reading around and from my research. I should make a nesting box. Filled with newspaper is better. I am guessing she is 3-5 weeks in? She looks a little bigger, You can feel her nipples are getting bigger. I am kind of worried because this is my first cat pregnancy and I do not know what to do. She will be indoors from now on... After giving birth I plan to spay. Any tips please. Do I need to buy anything... What should I expect, what is the process. How does this go down. Thanks!
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Pregnant Cat
- Thread starter samdaman
- Start Date
When was she in heat? When did she get out? How old is she?
If she's still only 3-5 weeks in, it's not too late to have a spay/abort done (cats are pregnant for 9 weeks, so she's barely halfway). It's very difficult to place kittens in GOOD homes, and that may be the best option for everyone, especially if she's under a year old (higher chance of her needing a c-section $$$). It's kinder to the kittens to end it now rather than have them end up killed in a shelter because they weren't wanted.
If you want to go through with the pregnancy, start feeding her kitten food now, so she'll have enough nutrition built up to be able to feed the kittens. Contact your vet to ask about any prenatal care she should be getting. Having an emergency kitten feeding kit around would be a good idea, just in case. And keep the emergency vet's number handy. And the funds in case a c-section is needed, or some other emergency arises.
If she's still only 3-5 weeks in, it's not too late to have a spay/abort done (cats are pregnant for 9 weeks, so she's barely halfway). It's very difficult to place kittens in GOOD homes, and that may be the best option for everyone, especially if she's under a year old (higher chance of her needing a c-section $$$). It's kinder to the kittens to end it now rather than have them end up killed in a shelter because they weren't wanted.
If you want to go through with the pregnancy, start feeding her kitten food now, so she'll have enough nutrition built up to be able to feed the kittens. Contact your vet to ask about any prenatal care she should be getting. Having an emergency kitten feeding kit around would be a good idea, just in case. And keep the emergency vet's number handy. And the funds in case a c-section is needed, or some other emergency arises.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
She is 1 YR 2 MO old. She got out a couple of weeks ago.. I'm not sure when she was in heat.. There is a male black cat that we think is to blame. I think she was taken advantage of...
What is the average litter size?
There's a lot of excellent information in this thread:
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74659
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74659
The average litter size is 4-5. That's just an average, though--I knew a cat who had 7 kittens with her first litter.
If she only got out 2 weeks ago, she can't be any farther along than that. I'd get her in ASAP to be spayed.
And don't blame the tomcat! Female cats in heat will do anything to get to a tom. Cats do what instinct dictates, it's up to us humans to control that kind of thing. Blame his owners for not having him neutered, blame yourself for not having her spayed. If you don't want a cat to get pregnant, she needs to be spayed before she goes into heat (usually around 4-6 months of age), or you need to be very careful that she doesn't get outside.
If she only got out 2 weeks ago, she can't be any farther along than that. I'd get her in ASAP to be spayed.
And don't blame the tomcat! Female cats in heat will do anything to get to a tom. Cats do what instinct dictates, it's up to us humans to control that kind of thing. Blame his owners for not having him neutered, blame yourself for not having her spayed. If you don't want a cat to get pregnant, she needs to be spayed before she goes into heat (usually around 4-6 months of age), or you need to be very careful that she doesn't get outside.
Cats are pregnant for 63-68 days (about 9 weeks). You don't need to prepare a kittening box till about 3 weeks before due. I suggest you do this - put newspapers inside a pillowcase for the birth. Then when the kittens are all born, have another pillowcase with a towel in it to switch. The pillowcase works better as claws cannot get stuck in a towel and newspaper ink is poisonous to kittens.
Confine her in a quiet warm room the last 2 weeks with box, food, water and litter box. Try to be there when they are born to be sure everything is ok.
Plan on spaying mom when the kits are 8 weeks old and rehome the kits at 10-12 weeks old minimum.
Confine her in a quiet warm room the last 2 weeks with box, food, water and litter box. Try to be there when they are born to be sure everything is ok.
Plan on spaying mom when the kits are 8 weeks old and rehome the kits at 10-12 weeks old minimum.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
I was totally off, she had them yesterday, I found one dead today, she was feeding all of them. any ideas?
Well, that's a surprise! She must have gotten out about 9 weeks ago. . .
How many did she have? Was the one that died smaller than the rest or otherwise look different? Sometimes things just happen, but generally there shouldn't be any unexplained deaths. If the kittens are plump, quiet and warm, it means they're getting enough to eat, but if they're cold and squally it means they aren't. You migth have to supplement if that happens. Do you have her on kitten food yet? She'll need the extra nutrition in order to nurse them all. Some kitten replacer milk might be a good treat for her, too. Nursing is even more taxing on them than pregnancy is, especially when the kittens get older.
What colors are the babies? Post pics!
How many did she have? Was the one that died smaller than the rest or otherwise look different? Sometimes things just happen, but generally there shouldn't be any unexplained deaths. If the kittens are plump, quiet and warm, it means they're getting enough to eat, but if they're cold and squally it means they aren't. You migth have to supplement if that happens. Do you have her on kitten food yet? She'll need the extra nutrition in order to nurse them all. Some kitten replacer milk might be a good treat for her, too. Nursing is even more taxing on them than pregnancy is, especially when the kittens get older.
What colors are the babies? Post pics!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
Yes it was surprising! She had 4, one died. I'm not sure why. I checked the nipples, milk does come out. They seem plump, they cried 2 or 3 times last night thats it. I have her on kitten food. So do you recommend me getting her milk replacer to go with the kitten food?
I trimmed some hair under her and around the nipples so it is easier for the kittens since she is a long haired cat. Babies are cinnamon and white I guess!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #11
This is Bella:
With her Kittens:
Maybe its a little too late to ask but do I clean her rear or does she?
With her Kittens:
Maybe its a little too late to ask but do I clean her rear or does she?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #12
One of the cinnamon ones died
Sorry to hear about the dead kittens.
I would suggest weighing the remaining kittens twice a day to see if they are gaining weight. You don't need to wash the mom, she will do it herself.
It could be that the lost kittens had a neonatal isoerythrolysis, which means they could have had different blood type than their mommy and that caused the deaths.
(And about colors, the darker kittens are red, the paler are cream like mommy. If the black male you mentioned earlier is the sire, all of these kittens are boys. If they're not, they have a red daddy. Also possible that there are several fathers if mommy's been out unsupervised).
Vibes for the remaining babies and mommy that everything goes better from now on.
It could be that the lost kittens had a neonatal isoerythrolysis, which means they could have had different blood type than their mommy and that caused the deaths.
(And about colors, the darker kittens are red, the paler are cream like mommy. If the black male you mentioned earlier is the sire, all of these kittens are boys. If they're not, they have a red daddy. Also possible that there are several fathers if mommy's been out unsupervised).
Vibes for the remaining babies and mommy that everything goes better from now on.
I was gonna question the "cinnamon" color - they are not cinnamon - they are red and creams. Cinnamon is a rare color and found in purebred cats and only in a few breeds at that
They are very precious babies, I am sorry one died. Mom is gorgeous. Can you please get her spayed in a couple of months after kittens are weaned? If you are not a breeder of show cats, all cats should be S/N. When you adopt out the kittens (or keep them
with you) please make the people agree to get them fixed. There are millions of stray cats suffering and fighting to survive that are the product of owner's not fixing cats. Thank you and keep sending pictures of them, they are very, very sweet. Mother cat will know instinctively what to do as far as raising them and keeping herself and her kittens clean.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #16
Thanks, But I have soome bad news. Another one diedOriginally Posted by Feralvr
They are very precious babies, I am sorry one died. Mom is gorgeous. Can you please get her spayed in a couple of months after kittens are weaned? If you are not a breeder of show cats, all cats should be S/N. When you adopt out the kittens (or keep themwith you) please make the people agree to get them fixed. There are millions of stray cats suffering and fighting to survive that are the product of owner's not fixing cats. Thank you and keep sending pictures of them, they are very, very sweet. Mother cat will know instinctively what to do as far as raising them and keeping herself and her kittens clean.
Aww, that's sad
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Are there signs that there's something not right with the kittens? Are they noisy? They shouldn't meow much. Do you find them away from the nest? Are they plump or skinny? What do they do when you pick them up? How warm is the room they're staying in?
It is possible she's laying on them and they suffocate. Cats don't usually kill their own kittens on purpose, and if she did I think there'd be blood. Or she may not be feeding them well enough. If it's her first litter she probably just doesn't know what to do.
It would be a good idea to call your vet. I wouldn't want to take them in unless totally necessary, because their immune systems aren't developed and they might catch something. But a call would be fine. . .the vet might have some suggestions.
Are there signs that there's something not right with the kittens? Are they noisy? They shouldn't meow much. Do you find them away from the nest? Are they plump or skinny? What do they do when you pick them up? How warm is the room they're staying in?
It is possible she's laying on them and they suffocate. Cats don't usually kill their own kittens on purpose, and if she did I think there'd be blood. Or she may not be feeding them well enough. If it's her first litter she probably just doesn't know what to do.
It would be a good idea to call your vet. I wouldn't want to take them in unless totally necessary, because their immune systems aren't developed and they might catch something. But a call would be fine. . .the vet might have some suggestions.
Oh I am sooooooo very sorry another baby has died. I don't have any experience with kittens, but I doubt Mom has killed that one. They might not be healthy, I would call a vet ASAP to find out what to watch for. Make sure they are staying very close to Mom, are nursing well, and she is tending to them. If you do not see these things, get ready to hand-feed immediately to save them. Mom should take care of them, but keep a VERY close watch right now., I wish you good luck tonight, sending mega
How is Bella and those two babies doing?? Just wondering and sending lots of mega for their health!! Let us know how it is going
