Found a cat about to have kittens, have no clue what to do!

Hi, I'm new to this site. I have an older kitten at the moment, and she's a little diva! I recently found a pregnant cat (looks like she's about to have then ANY day, but I have no clue) in a towing yard. I'm also in the process of moving, so I'm scared the move may cause problems with the birth, and I want to make sure the kittens (and her) are as healthy as possible. She's beautiful! I took her in because the thought of her being abandoned and hungry WHILE pregnant made my heart melt. I have some questions, if anyone has advice I'd greatly appreciate it!

When do I know if she's going into labor?
How do I know when she has chosen her "nest" since I've moved her to my home? And how careful should I be when they are born? I've looked online and have been studying the process, what I need to do to help, etc.. and it's scaring me because she likes my home and getting plenty of attention but hasn't (not that I know of) taken to any specific spot.
Thanks!

What are you going to do with the kittens once they are born? If they are just going to a shelter, I would recommend researching an emergency spay. There are already way more than enough cats in shelters to be adding the kittens of a stray cat to the mix. You can have a cat spayed all the way up to the day of delivery (though obviously with more of a moral concern)

If you are willing to keep the kittens, or take it upon yourself to rehome them, then yes by all means keep them. I realize there is a moral issue here, but there is also the issue of 6 - 8 million cats and dogs being brought to shelters every years, of which 3 - 4 million are euthanised. I'm not telling you what to do by any means and more power to you if you go through with the birth, but I thought I would lay out what the let-her-give-birth-and-give-the-kittens-to-a-shelter approach really entails.

Welcome to the Forums!

Tx a lot for helping this little sis of ours, in need of help!

Dont forget to set up signs Found on message boards around.

She was probably dumped, but MAY have got astray. With any luck, there may be a family anxious to get her back.

Look also through the threads. There are recent threads with high preg moms, just waitning any day...

I will write more later, It is deep into the night here now, Im too sleepy now. But I hope others will fill in meanwhile!

(and yes, late spaying may be an alternative in some variation, as mentioned above. It needs also an experienced vet who is willing.)

For bottle feeding kittens: a good site describing such procedures is the site made by our long time advisor Hissy: www.kitten-rescue.com.
It is in first hand for those who have orphan-kittens, but is useful for many other cases too.


Good luck!

First of all, you want to separate her from your other cat- since she hasn't been checked by a vet, you don't want your own little one to catch anything, and also, she may get protective of her kittens when they are born. My suggestion is a private spare room where you cat set up a birhing box in a corner. She may not even pay attention to it until she has the kittens.
Next make sure she has as much kitten food as she wants- this is important especially since she probably didn't have much to eat before you came along to help her.

From my experience, it's very hard to tell when a cat will deliver or how far along they are without a vet- I've had mothers who look like they'll burst, but then take another 2 weeks!
if she'll let you, try to see if you can feel the kittens moving in her belly- that usually means she has 2 weeks or less left.
About moving them, how far is the move? If it's reletivly short, I'd say move her now- it'll be more stressful with kittens, and you'd probably have to wait until the kittens were at least a few weeks old.
If you want us to take a guess at how far she is, we'd love to see pictures!
Anyway, good luck, and thanks for taking her in!

A quickie, before rushing to my current job:
Separation, fleas and so on...
If she isnt stray or dumped just a couple of days ago, but homeless since months - she has practically surely fleas, mites, prob some worms.
So, some separation is necessary, and a vet check up is highly recommendable.
Exactly which dewormers - ask your vet, as she is preg. But dont use cheap over the count dewormers. Some are dangerous for cats.
Although some good ones have recently been allowed for sale to private persons (Revolution for ex.).
It is no coincidence most rescuers have their rescuees in bathroom the first period. It is not only because they usually have small flats. It is also the room which is easiest to clean up afterwards...

The quarantine against your resident - if she is indoor only cat, you should held them apart till the vet said OK, or at least, till you had the newcomer two weeks, she is dewormed, and you see she almost surely doesnt have any sickednesses.
If your resident is fully healthy, fully vaccinated, and used to roam outside (or ex homeless herself) - you dont need to overdo the quarantene.

The dangers are not so great as many fears - but they are certainly bigger than null - and thus - most rescuers are cautious.
The only rescuers who arent much cautious are those whose residents are themselves saved ex homeless.... The homeless are the survivors, ie usually made of tough wood, that is why they do afford.

Tx again for helping her and again, lotsa of good luck!

Bless you for taking this girl (& her babies) into your home! Get her to the vet so she can be checked over and tested for the nasties (FIV, FeLV, worms, fleas, etc). The vet can also give you a projected delivery date and help you get ready for the babies and provide some info on how to care for the mom.

Start feeding her kitten food because she's going to need the extra calories and nutrition once the babies come. Plus, it'll be good for her babies while they're still in the womb. Keep her separated from your resident cat until she's been cleared by the vet and she's acclimated to your new home. I'd also invest in a Feliway diffuser to help keep her calm and to help your resident cat feel calm, especially with the babies on the way and the change to her environment.

Other than that, I have no experience with pregnant cats and birthing kittens. Feel free to come here, though, and ask TONS of questions. Folks here are so helpful and knowledgeable!

I will also echo the thanks for taking her in sentiment!!

I would definitely not give her the full reign of your home. A few reasons:

1) Her being exposed to your other cat (yes, she needs to be cleared of any communicable diseases before introduced to your cat-- many cats with Felv, for example, show NO signs of illness for years until they are very sick)

2) If she gives birth, the kittens need the protection of being in a safe spot, you cannot guarantee that if your cat can roam the entire home. And she could end up hiding them where you cannot reach them if there is a problem.

3) You can monitor her better, how much she is eating, drinking, urinating/defecating if she is separated and has her own spot.

4) Less chance of her bolting through an outside door when the time comes near and being out in danger again. (they often get skittish before labor and want to flee to find a spot to deliver, not realizing they are safer indoors)

5) The closer she gets to her delivery, it is very likely that she will not be thrilled with the presence of another cat who could threaten her kittens. Pregnant and new mother cats can be viciously protective. The stress of a cat fight isn't good for her, the kittens OR your cat.

6) Everyone else covered even more reasons she should be separated and in her own area.

7) I'd give her several nesting box choices (cardboard boxes with clean sheets you don't mind being soiled work well) In the end, she will choose her spot...they tend to be pretty picky about this and often change their minds and move the kittens if they feel like it's not perfect. If she is in a safe room, this shouldn't be a problem. (Just an FYI, if there is a bed in the room...she will likely want to have them under there because that is safe and hard to get to. It may be a good idea to block under the bed so she cannot use that area if you don't want her to give birth and raise the kittens there.)

Good luck to you and your new cat addition!