My sweet pregnant cat!

jmoriah

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I am new to this site.  My sweet cat Nattie is pregnant, but I don't know how far along she is.  We were not planning for her to get pregnant, but now that she is, we want to make her comfortable and happy.  Her nipples are large and we can feel a lot of movement in her belly.  She is not very big...about 6-7 lbs.  She still plays with her toys some, but not as much as normal.  We have another cat (male/fixed) and he doesn't pick on her as much as he used to.  She is much more hungry than normal, in fact she sat under the dinning room table during Thanksgiving dinner today waiting for someone to drop food.  She never did that before, she wasn't interested in human food much. 

My kids and I made a box with a clean old blanket and she lays in it, but have no idea if she will give birth in it. 

I have had cats for years, but have never experienced cat pregnancy, so any advise would help.

Here are some pic's of her:



 
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Willowy

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Do you know when she got out of the house (or was otherwise exposed to a tomcat)? That should give you a decent idea of when she conceived. Cats are generally pregnant for about 63 days. If you can feel the kittens moving she'll probably give birth in less than 2 weeks, but she doesn't really look very large. Maybe she'll only have 1-2 kittens. How old is she?

Cats usually give birth with no trouble (or there wouldn't be so many strays!), but of course you do need to keep an eye on her and have the emergency vet's number handy in case she does have trouble. As she gets closer to her birthing date, she'll start trying to find a nest, but no guarantees about where she'll have them. . .cats are funny that way. They usually prefer a dark, warm, private spot.

Be sure to post pics!
 
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StefanZ

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Welcome to the TCS site and Forums!

Her eating more is of course sound and wise. She needs it.

What food does she usually get?

It is common breeders and pregnant fosters give the coming moms extra good food. The easiest and most common is to give them kitten food. Proceed also with kitten food as long as she is lactacing (ie giving milk to the kittens). Perhaps a little longer even.

Search around our site. You will find suitable articles and also older threads, useful for you.

She is a real beauty!

Good luck!   *vibes*

ps:

After she is done and kittens weaned, consider to spay her, unless you REALLY want to have more litters, and you do have good adoptions homes waiting..

The life will be easier for you and her. :)   Believe me.

Going on many heats without results may be almost as dangerous as in fact getting pregnant and deliver litters.
 
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jmoriah

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Thank you for the replies!
  I feel almost as excited as when I had my own kids!  I don't know how old she is, I think she is just over a year.  My friend's brother asked if we wanted her and her sister because the owner could not care for them anymore, but I could only take one.  He didn't know about her care  or vet history and before we knew it, she was in heat.  My kids and I were trying to remember when the tom's were stalking her outside and when she got out.  We can't remember for sure, but the weather was warmer (maybe September). 

I will get her spayed after she has her babies.  Does anyone know how long after I should wait? 
 

Willowy

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My vet says that the mama cats can be spayed when the babies are 9 weeks old, but your vet may have different preferences, so it's best to ask your vet directly. But don't let her outside until then. . .besides the risk of orphaning the kittens, mama cats can get pregnant again right away, and I'm sure you don't want that! Plus it's a real strain on her body.

And just for future reference, in case you get another unspayed kitty--any time an unspayed cat gets outside, she can get pregnant. She doesn't have to be in heat; the act of mating is what makes her ovulate. Of course, she'll be more receptive when she's in heat, but an unspayed cat over 4 months old is never safe around a tomcat!
 
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jmoriah

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Thanks for the advise.  Since we made the box for her to lay in, should we put it in the room where I would like her to give birth?  And should I confine her to that room before she gives birth? (Of course with food, water, and a litter box)
 

StefanZ

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Yes, I think it is wise to set in the birthing box where it shall be.   :)

Confining her there?  I dont think so, unless you do have good reasons to confine her. Say other cats or family dog are stressing her, or you suspect she may run off somewhere.

Too early confining may stress her instead.

If she feels safe and pleased there, she will voluntarily be there when it is time.  If she really dont wants to be there, you will have a chance to find out, and perhaps find another place.   (it is not unusual the mom prefers another place than owner choosed).
 
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jmoriah

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I do have another cat that chases her, but also lays with her.  I don't know if he stresses her because she acts the same way she always does with him.  He hasn't been chasing her as much lately.  I was asking about confining her because of him, but she seems to deal with him well.
 

StefanZ

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Does he chases her as being mean to her, or it is their way to play with each other? For me it sounds mostly as they are playing this way with each other.

If you are sure she isnt troubled by this, let her be.

But the overall rule of thumb is, the mom / coming mom, must be stress free.

Good luck!
 
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jmoriah

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I'm pretty sure that he is playing with her.  I have seen her walk up to him and hit his tail, maybe for him to chase her.  He also licks her head and lays by her.  For the most part, they leave each other alone so I don't think she is stressed by him.  Her favorite spot to lay right now is under the dinning room table or in front of a heat vent.  She doesn't hide or act scared to be around him or us.  She acts normal becides little things like increased appetite and sleeping more.
 
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jmoriah

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Nattie just had one kitten, she is licking it right now!!

Kitten # 2 born!!

Now #3 is here!
 
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StefanZ

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Congrats!  How exciting!

Good luck!   *vibes!*
 

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Cute little Tabbies! Do you know the sexes yet? My queen had her kittens last night So I have the excitement you do! Congrats!!
 
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jmoriah

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I have no idea what sex they are yet.  They all look the same there for now. 

Congrats on your Queen's babies!
 
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jmoriah

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Two girls and one boy!
 
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