Slow birthing of kittens ... range of time between births of kittens in a litter?

catman777 · Mar 31, 2011

Hi all,

New to the site/forum -- I can do an "intro" later, but right now I have kittens coming!

I have "Googled" my question(s) but I have not yet come across good info.

The first kitten was born last night at about 11:45 PM. I thought for sure the next one would come along in an hour or so (what do I know?), but it didn't. No new 2nd kitten this morning, either. Finally, at noon today, I checked on Bella (mom cat) and she had birthed a 2nd kitten -- I'm guessing around 12 hours after the first one (judging by how it was still damp etc.).

12 hours apart seems like a long time; some Google results indicated that kittens should be birthed a short time in between. However, the first kitten had no problems coming out, is fine and is now plump with mom's milk. Ditto for the 2nd cat, including NO problems noticed.

Bella is still really big, and feeling her tummy, you can feel other kittens inside (I'd say at least 2 more).

With everything going well, with both the births and the kittens themselves, is there any real concern? Bella meowed somewhat while giving birth, but both times she has returned to being very content, purring, no problems while NOT birthing, etc. And up to this moment, the kittens are doing fine, eating (and mewing) a lot and now sleeping peacefully.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

- Dave G.

farleyv · Mar 31, 2011

I just found a site that says if the labor lasts over 7 hours, to take the cat to the vet.

I would do that. You don't want anything to happen to your momma or her little ones.

I hope all is alright. for mom and her babies.

feralvr · Mar 31, 2011

Hi and welcome to the site

. I would call a vet if you have any concerns at all about this. I have heard of mother cats holding off birthing anymore kittens if they feel a threat is near. But this does not sound like an issue at all. Hopefully others will read your thread and offer suggestions and help. I would call the vet though anyway. for mom and babies

catman777 · Apr 1, 2011

Thanks for the comments, guys. Well, it's been about 22 hours since the 2nd kitten was born, BUT .... I'm just not sure she (Bella, the mom cat) has any more.

She seems very calm and content, purring, etc. and no evidence of any pain, discomfort or problems. She still looks a bit 'plump,' but I'm having doubts that there are any kittens remaining. If she did, I think she'd be in real trouble at this point, but as I said, she's calm, happy and purring, and the new little kitties are nursing just fine. I'll keep an eye on her.

Thanks again,
Dave G.

feralvr · Apr 1, 2011

I would agree that she does not have any more kittens to birth. Good luck with mom and kittens. Is mom getting spayed now? Hope all goes well with the babies.

jennyr · Apr 2, 2011

Hi and welcome! Sometimes it depends on what happened when she mated. If she mated with more than one tom over a period of two or more days, which can happen, then kittens may be born a day or more apart. But from what you say, I suspect that she has finished and will be a good mom to t he two she has.

Post some pix when you can

mrblanche · Apr 2, 2011

If you go back and read through many of these threads about kitten birthing, you'll find virtually every one of them says, "I think there's still more, I can even feel them moving." But there usually aren't.

If there are, it is a medical emergency.

TenDragons54 · Sep 26, 2018

catman777 said:
Hi all,

New to the site/forum -- I can do an "intro" later, but right now I have kittens coming!

I have "Googled" my question(s) but I have not yet come across good info.

The first kitten was born last night at about 11:45 PM. I thought for sure the next one would come along in an hour or so (what do I know?), but it didn't. No new 2nd kitten this morning, either. Finally, at noon today, I checked on Bella (mom cat) and she had birthed a 2nd kitten -- I'm guessing around 12 hours after the first one (judging by how it was still damp etc.).

12 hours apart seems like a long time; some Google results indicated that kittens should be birthed a short time in between. However, the first kitten had no problems coming out, is fine and is now plump with mom's milk. Ditto for the 2nd cat, including NO problems noticed.

Bella is still really big, and feeling her tummy, you can feel other kittens inside (I'd say at least 2 more).

With everything going well, with both the births and the kittens themselves, is there any real concern? Bella meowed somewhat while giving birth, but both times she has returned to being very content, purring, no problems while NOT birthing, etc. And up to this moment, the kittens are doing fine, eating (and mewing) a lot and now sleeping peacefully.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

- Dave G.

P.k.

catman777 said:
Hi all,

New to the site/forum -- I can do an "intro" later, but right now I have kittens coming!

I have "Googled" my question(s) but I have not yet come across good info.

The first kitten was born last night at about 11:45 PM. I thought for sure the next one would come along in an hour or so (what do I know?), but it didn't. No new 2nd kitten this morning, either. Finally, at noon today, I checked on Bella (mom cat) and she had birthed a 2nd kitten -- I'm guessing around 12 hours after the first one (judging by how it was still damp etc.).

12 hours apart seems like a long time; some Google results indicated that kittens should be birthed a short time in between. However, the first kitten had no problems coming out, is fine and is now plump with mom's milk. Ditto for the 2nd cat, including NO problems noticed.

Bella is still really big, and feeling her tummy, you can feel other kittens inside (I'd say at least 2 more).

With everything going well, with both the births and the kittens themselves, is there any real concern? Bella meowed somewhat while giving birth, but both times she has returned to being very content, purring, no problems while NOT birthing, etc. And up to this moment, the kittens are doing fine, eating (and mewing) a lot and now sleeping peacefully.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

- Dave G.

O.k. I'm going to respond without reading others answers because I KNOW they're wrong for the most part and they'll definitely worry you for no reason. There is NO reason to call the Vet. The Vet will tell you to bring them in and you'll just end up with a giant Vet bill. I can't even count how many cats I've rescued in my over half century walking the planet. I've raised over 60 cats from birth to death and NO, I do NOT breed cats. Unfortunately many rescues are already pregnant. That being said, your momma cat can give birth over SEVERAL DAYS. It is NOT the norm, but neither is the prevailing info that says the time between kittens is 10 minutes to an hour. That's complete garbage. One of my rescues, the last one in fact gave birth one day about 4pm. Gave birth to the second about 6pm. Then 3 DAYS LATER. Yes, 3 full days. Gave birth to a 3rd. She was never in Sist ers. She was relaxed. She got up to eat, drink, get petted and walk around a bit quite often in between. You know your cat. If you think she's ill, or Somethings wrong, I'm sure you'll know it. If that's the case feel free to call a Vet. Unless your cat is ill, there's no reason to involve a Vet. Unless you like giving them money for NOTHING.

TenDragons54 · Sep 26, 2018

TenDragons54 said:
P.k.

O.k. I'm going to respond without reading others answers because I KNOW they're wrong for the most part and they'll definitely worry you for no reason. There is NO reason to call the Vet. The Vet will tell you to bring them in and you'll just end up with a giant Vet bill. I can't even count how many cats I've rescued in my over half century walking the planet. I've raised over 60 cats from birth to death and NO, I do NOT breed cats. Unfortunately many rescues are already pregnant. That being said, your momma cat can give birth over SEVERAL DAYS. It is NOT the norm, but neither is the prevailing info that says the time between kittens is 10 minutes to an hour. That's complete garbage. One of my rescues, the last one in fact gave birth one day about 4pm. Gave birth to the second about 6pm. Then 3 DAYS LATER. Yes, 3 full days. Gave birth to a 3rd. She was never in Sist ers. She was relaxed. She got up to eat, drink, get petted and walk around a bit quite often in between. You know your cat. If you think she's ill, or Somethings wrong, I'm sure you'll know it. If that's the case feel free to call a Vet. Unless your cat is ill, there's no reason to involve a Vet. Unless you like giving them money for NOTHING.

* Never in DISTRESS. Not Sisters. Darn autocorrect.

Slow birthing of kittens ... range of time between births of kittens in a litter?

catman777

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farleyv

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feralvr

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catman777

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Thread starter

feralvr

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jennyr

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mrblanche

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TenDragons54

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TenDragons54

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