Really, my name is Cat, or Cathleen. Kinda ironic huh? I am a first time cat owner, my baby was set to be spayed in the middle of December, only to find out that I am going to be a grandma at 29. Don't worry, she will be spayed after she has weaned her babies and she is not an outdoor cat. She just had super powers when she went into heat and turned into an escape artist. I believe that we are just days to a week away from having kittens. I have done endless research on pregnant queens and decided I needed to join a forum site after almost having a panic attack about the whole situation last night. See, I have 2 children with adhd. My oldest sleeps with Molli and even though I have had countless talks with the kids I am still so worried about the whole process. Any advice would be much appreciated!
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The Name is Cat, or mollismama
- Thread starter mollismama
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Welcome to the site Cat!
It is good that you are researching now, so that you know what to expect and can tell if something is wrong. If you have an particular questions or would like to start a thread about your cats pregnancy you can do that in the pregnant cats and kittens forum. There are many experienced people who hang out in that forum who can help you.
If you just need some more threads an info to read here is our resource thread.
Be sure to share pictures, we love pictures here!
ix:
It is good that you are researching now, so that you know what to expect and can tell if something is wrong. If you have an particular questions or would like to start a thread about your cats pregnancy you can do that in the pregnant cats and kittens forum. There are many experienced people who hang out in that forum who can help you.
If you just need some more threads an info to read here is our resource thread.
Be sure to share pictures, we love pictures here!
ix:
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- #3
Thank you! It may have been a wee bit late. I just noticed a bit of fluid on her backside. It is clear so it may not be d day yet. My daughter is hoping for tomorrow. It's her bday. I have posted in the pregnant cats and kittens forum and gotten no response. I will definitely post pictures! So excited!
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- #4
oh! Do I need to repost in the New Cats Forum? I just noticed this was moved.
No, stay where you are
This is the spot where you'll get the advice and support for your pregnant mum.
Welcome to TCS, by the way
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Clear discharge is what you want, red/brown can be an issue, and it's generally a day or less from discharge to birth. If she was let out mid November she'll be due now.
There are all sorts of issues that can arise during birth so it's important that you are with her the entire time to assist if needed, or at least just comfort her. You need to make sure all kittens are born quickly - kittens can get stuck, make sure all the cords are done, placentas delivered - a retained placenta will cause infection, and that the kittens are breathing properly.
Many girls, especially if young can 'freak out' and not know what to do.
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- #7
Thank you! She just disappeared on us. She is in non of her normal spots. An all out cat search is on now. I don't want her having her babies in an unsafe place like behind the dryer!
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- #8
Thank you! I had read on other sites that it was similar in looks to a woman's mucus plug. So that is what I have been expecting. I have found her... My children don't know because she is in my bedroom where I prefer her to be. She is just making little mew sounds though, nothing I was expecting. Maybe it is just very early labor. Her tummy seems to have dropped a bit today.
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Unless you are observant you'll miss the plug as she'll clean it up right away.
Have you got a birthing box set up for her in a nice private, quiet place? She should also be confined and not have run of the whole house.
Have you got a birthing box set up for her in a nice private, quiet place? She should also be confined and not have run of the whole house.
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- #10
That is my problem right now. She wants nothing to do with the birthing box. My daughter who is adhd is adamant that she sleeps with her. I have found her in my room and am keeping it a secret. Once she is asleep I will get the box and bring it to my room. Hopefully she will use it then but for now she is confined to my room.
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She needs the box, so she can nest, relax before birth. I'm sorry if you're daughter won't understand but you also don't want a stressed cat when they're ready for birth.
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- #12
I have shown her this conversation and as upset as she is, she loves Molli, so she brought me the box herself. I guess sometimes it takes showing a child that you're not the only one that is saying it.
Well done, and well done to your daughter for understanding.
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- #14
Molli has jumped in and out of the box, but is not staying. Hopefully she will get used to it fast. I put an old stained towel in there and have clothes that no longer fit anyone in the house on standby to change bedding when needed. I feel almost like I did when I had my first child! Ack!
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Glad your daughter has helped.
I use polar fleece throw rugs for my kittens, and they also go home with one so it's something familiar. The blankets mean there's no where for kittens to get caught up or claws hooked on. And it's very soft and comfy for mum as well.
They can get stuck in towels so be careful, same with any clothing you put in, make sure kittens can't get caught up anywhere. If you have spare pillowcases you can put the other things inside of that to make it safer.
I use polar fleece throw rugs for my kittens, and they also go home with one so it's something familiar. The blankets mean there's no where for kittens to get caught up or claws hooked on. And it's very soft and comfy for mum as well.
They can get stuck in towels so be careful, same with any clothing you put in, make sure kittens can't get caught up anywhere. If you have spare pillowcases you can put the other things inside of that to make it safer.
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- #16
Thank you! Pillow cases I can do. I do have a fleece blanket I bought to put in there after they are born. I just didn't want it to get messy when she has them
It's too bad she got pregnant before she was able to be spayed but good for you for stepping up and taking responsibility by doing your research to try and help her have the easiest labor possible. You are right that once you can feel the babies moving you are usually about two weeks away from delivery, but it's hard to pinpoint more specifically than that.
A lot of cats don't show interest in their birthing boxes until shortly before they go into labor (and some never do). The best thing you can do is confine her to a smaller area and minimize the number of other appealing places that she can go. She will want somewhere that is dark and quiet so make sure you cover the top of the box with a sheet or a towel and put it in a quiet area of the house. If you can confine her to one room (a bedroom, an office, or even a large bathroom) with her box, her food and water dishes and her litter box that is ideal. If she does go into labor elsewhere it's okay to move her to her box but know if she has access to a more appealing place she likely won't stay put.
It's true some cats don't like to be touched while they are delivering but it's critical that you be there with her to make sure there are no complications. This is a great article that explains some of the complications that can arise and how to handle them: http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/breeding_from_your_cat/felineparturition.html . She will let you know how close she wants you but do everything you can to make sure you are at least in the room watching.
In addition to having the birthing box make sure you also have a birthing kit ready. At a minimum your kit should have extra towels, a scale (preferably one that weighs in grams), and a notebook that has your vets number and the after hours number written in it so that you can call in case of an emergency. After each kitten is born make a note of the time and what their markings are so that you can tell them apart later.
Weighing the kittens is the single most important thing you need to do for the kittens for the first few weeks. Make sure you weigh them shortly after they are born and try to weigh them at the same time everyday after that (to get the most accurate weight possible). For the first few days I really only handle the kittens long enough to check them over and make sure everything looks good and to grab a weight. Then, I put them right back with Mom. It's a myth that Queens will abandon their kittens if they are handled by humans but new Mom's are territorial and want to protect their babies and she likely won't tolerate you handling them much.
Finally, remember that she can get pregnant again shortly after delivery so make sure she stays indoors with no access to any Toms until after she is spayed.
If you have more specific questions please, keep posting them. The more specific you are in your questions the better advice you will get!
Keep us posted to how things go. Wishing both of you a happy and safe delivery!
A lot of cats don't show interest in their birthing boxes until shortly before they go into labor (and some never do). The best thing you can do is confine her to a smaller area and minimize the number of other appealing places that she can go. She will want somewhere that is dark and quiet so make sure you cover the top of the box with a sheet or a towel and put it in a quiet area of the house. If you can confine her to one room (a bedroom, an office, or even a large bathroom) with her box, her food and water dishes and her litter box that is ideal. If she does go into labor elsewhere it's okay to move her to her box but know if she has access to a more appealing place she likely won't stay put.
It's true some cats don't like to be touched while they are delivering but it's critical that you be there with her to make sure there are no complications. This is a great article that explains some of the complications that can arise and how to handle them: http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/breeding_from_your_cat/felineparturition.html . She will let you know how close she wants you but do everything you can to make sure you are at least in the room watching.
In addition to having the birthing box make sure you also have a birthing kit ready. At a minimum your kit should have extra towels, a scale (preferably one that weighs in grams), and a notebook that has your vets number and the after hours number written in it so that you can call in case of an emergency. After each kitten is born make a note of the time and what their markings are so that you can tell them apart later.
Weighing the kittens is the single most important thing you need to do for the kittens for the first few weeks. Make sure you weigh them shortly after they are born and try to weigh them at the same time everyday after that (to get the most accurate weight possible). For the first few days I really only handle the kittens long enough to check them over and make sure everything looks good and to grab a weight. Then, I put them right back with Mom. It's a myth that Queens will abandon their kittens if they are handled by humans but new Mom's are territorial and want to protect their babies and she likely won't tolerate you handling them much.
Finally, remember that she can get pregnant again shortly after delivery so make sure she stays indoors with no access to any Toms until after she is spayed.
If you have more specific questions please, keep posting them. The more specific you are in your questions the better advice you will get!
Keep us posted to how things go. Wishing both of you a happy and safe delivery!
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You'll need more than one blanket, it needs changing twice a day for the first few weeks.
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- #19
I guess a shopping trip is in order tomorrow. Thanks so much for all your help!
Mollismama- sorry I don't know if you saw but there were two similar threads. I thought no one had replied to you so I tried to type out all the basics only to see this thread was up and going! So, sorry if I was repetitive. Good luck on your shopping trip!
