Pregnant cat belly questions

I took in a pregnant stray about two weeks ago. She's a real sweetheart, but the last 3-4 days she's been yowling in the night, getting very clingy and acting like she's in heat. I palpated her the day before last and her belly was very hard and I could feel the kittens (I've palpated rabbits before). 

Well, yesterday my dad put her outside and she didn't respond to come inside so this morning I went looking for her again. Found her, but she went under the house. I also noticed she seemed a bit different around the midsection than before so I grabbed my flashlight and searched every nook and cranny under the the house. No kittens. 

Went out again with a dish of food to rattle and she came out of the garage, so I'm going to go search through there next just in case. 

She's INSIDE now and will remain that way. I palpated her a little outdoors and her belly has gone from HARD to SOFT - sign she's given birth? Or is about to give birth? Her nipples have also been slightly enlarged but they didn't feel (from my not-so-thorough examination) like they had been suckled on.

I'm used to dealing with rabbits, dogs, horses, that sort of thing. Thanks in advance everyone. 

Quick update - her stomach is firm again. I also checked her nipples, they are pink but show no signs of being suckled (no matted fur, not elongated or swollen or milky) and her vagina does not show any signs of 'I just pushed babies out' trauma. 

Her stomach also seems to have 'dropped', or at least I would consider it dropped. It's no longer as plumply sticking out the sides when you look at her from the top but it is hanging.

She's a pretty petite little kitty so everything seems to be exaggerated and yet sized down at the same time. 

She's also eating lots, using her litter box fine. 

I'll be so happy when she has her litter - no more of this pregnancy stress, oi!

Do you have any pictures? From your description it sounds like she's getting close. Cats bellies do "drop" before they give birth--could be a few hours or a few days. If you look at her from above she'll suddenly look much slimmer because the kittens are now hanging down below her instead of poking out the sides.

GoldyCat said:

Do you have any pictures? From your description it sounds like she's getting close. Cats bellies do "drop" before they give birth--could be a few hours or a few days. If you look at her from above she'll suddenly look much slimmer because the kittens are now hanging down below her instead of poking out the sides.

Click to expand...

I've been trying to get pictures of her, but she's so "Love me!" cuddly that snapping a two-second photo is nearly impossible. Right now she's in the kitchen YOWLING, of course the second you go check on her she just starts rubbing on your legs and purring. I've set up nest boxes for her in quiet, safe locations but she doesn't seemed to have taken a liking to anything beyond the kitchen table where she usually sleeps.

All I want is a quick, easy birth and happy, healthy kittens...then it's off to the vet for momma to be spayed so she doesn't get pregnant again. Her previous owners just left her and a tom (whom I unfortunately was unable to locate) behind when they moved. 

I dunno how breeders do this...so much worrying! 

You need to have her shut in one room, with a nest or two.
You also need to make sure you're present for the birth, make sure all goes well, all placentas are passed etc

I have some ferrel cats I feed. One pregnant cat looks really different. Her belly hangs down and pushes way out and she has to straddle when she walks. She walks like a bulldog that is huskey in front. She doesn't cry or seem uncomfortable but should I be concerned? Should I get it to a shelter? I just don't want her or the babies to die. Is this normal in cats?

She sounds like she is near the end of her pregnancy. She may be carrying a large litter. Poor mama kitty!

Are you able to handle her or trap her?

Is it a no-kill shelter? Or could you foster her yourself through this litter?

She would be much better off in a safe place with ample food.

Thank you for caring!

Evia66

I take care of the cats that allow me to take care of them. One mom had 6 babies and they are only 6 weeks old she has not come back so I am feeding the babies and giving them a safe place. The pregnant mom with the abnormal belly I am worried about. If you could see it I am sure you would understand. It’s hard as a rock and it feels like 6 single bubbles but not normal. Like a ribbed stomach and it does not look comfortable. Her nippless might be to irritated to feed the babies. I’m really worried.

Oh dear! Can you post a picture of her belly?

Cat bellies do get very hard at the end of pregnancy.

If you can handle her, put olive or coconut oil on her nipples. That will help with dryness and chapping.

If you feel she needs help, can you get her to a vet?

Is there a nearby rescue that would take the kittens and find homes for them?

When cats in colonies like this do not get trapped, neutered or spayed, and returned (TNR), they breed endlessly. It is very hard on the cats.

Where are you located? City and state? I can help locate low-cost TNR services and rescues for the kittens.

Evia66

I am in Davenport Florida. I will try to get a picture

Here is what I could get.

Under her belly is hard as a rock and it feels like 6 individual compartments like when someone is working out and each muscle on their stomach is ribbed. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s normal. She looks very heavily pregnant. Can you bring her inside your home? It would be much safer for giving birth.

I know exactly where you are on the ridge in Polk County. I used to live in Winter Haven and Lakeland.

I’ll look around in the Winter Haven/Lakeland area for rescues.

We are having a great deal of rain and stormy weather lately, is it possible to bring the kittens and this mama inside?

She has nested in the shed which sets about 2 feet off the ground and I keep food and water in there for her plus my husband has put down towels. I was just concerned about her giving birth and the babies getting nursed. I saw 7 female cats and now I have 5 and then 10 baby kittens and however many the black mama cat will have. At one time I counted 32 but most have ran off. There is open woods behind us. People just drop off cats. I hate calling animal control because it’s over crowded but it does get hard to take care of at times. I really try hard to feed all the animals even the cranes.

This is her belly

No, that’s not normal! Please get her to a vet.

Oh my word! I see now what you mean. This is not normal at all. In fact, I’ve never seen this before.

She definitely needs vet help right away! Can you get her in?

Poor mama kitty!

Evia66

They can take her at our vet on Friday don’t know what it’s gonna cost but gotta do what I can to help her.