Close to having kittens?

calico

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
13
Purraise
0
I have posted in a couple different areas about my cats. About a month ago I took in 2 female cats that were hanging around my husbands grandparents house. They are adorable calico's and one of them I named patches is very pregnant. I don't know how far along she is but her belly is very hard and big, looks like she swallowed a small nerf football and I can see the kittens moving around, if I put my hand on her belly or side I can feel them. She has always been a very affectionate cat (my husbands grandmother was always petting her,) but the last couple weeks she dosnt seem to want to be bothered.I set up a nesting area in my closet, under  the bed and beside my bookshelf for her. But the last few days she has been getting in the tub and clawing at the side like shes trying to tear it apart. Could she be trying to make a spot to give birth? I have never had a pregnant cat before so I don't know what to expect. And in case anybody wonders I will have her spayed after she gives birth and its safe. 
 

tabbymommy

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
632
Purraise
28
Location
ohio
I have read on here and other places they decied where they want to give birth at not you and if she keeps going to the tub set up a spot in the tub or near itso she can have her favorite spot and keep the others just incase she wants to move the kittens they have been known to do that. My cat layed on my bfs side of the bed but still slept on mine till the day she had the kitten and then we moved her about an hour after so my bf could sleep so just let her choose and she will take care of the rest. Honestly this is my first. Experiance but I have done a lot of research and stuff so I know some of what to expect and look out for. I am still a nervus wreak after 5 days of having my kitten around cause I just have trouble relaxing but don't follow what I do when it comes to that just take peoples advice and also do research on your own. Good luck
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
First, thank you for taking this girl in and giving her somewhere safe to have her babies!

Pinpointing a due date is virtually impossible if you don't know when she conceived, but as a general rule once you can see/feel them moving you are about two weeks away from delivery. So, you are getting there! Tabbymommy is right that in general the Queen is going to have them where she wants to whether you like it or not. The best thing you can do is work to make her nesting box the most attractive place in the room. Be diligent in blocking off places you don't want her to have them. You are kind to give her multiple nesting options and that's fine to do although I would remove the one under the bed. She's going to seek somewhere dark, covered, and quiet so that's the ideal spot, however, if she's under there you won't be able to intervene if there is a problem. Make her nests more inviting by covering the tops with a blanket. It will give her the privacy she craves while still allowing you access. 

Since you know you are within the two week window now is also the time to prepare your birthing kit and read up on labor and delivery. You can find a lot of useful information in the stickies at the top of the Pregnant Cats and Kittens page (here is the link so you don't have to go hunting for it: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/249018/...regnant-cats-kitten-care-articles-and-threads ). In addition to lots of extra blankets and towels the most important things you need are a notebook (with your vet and after hours vets phone numbers written in it in case of an emergency) and a scale that weighs in grams. As each kitten is born make note of it's coloring (so you can tell them apart later) and when it's convenient get a weight on each. For the next several weeks try and weigh them at the same time everyday. The average gain per kitten should be between 10-15g, though some days with more or less is okay. ANY weight loss and they need to be seen by a vet ASAP. Getting weights is so critical because weight loss is often the only sign that something is wrong. Kittens crash fast so it's important to be watching daily and not waiting until the situation is dire. 

Another article that I really like is this one: http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/breeding_from_your_cat/felineparturition.html . I think it does a nice job of laying out the stages of delivery and when it's time to intervene (and how to do so). Most of the time labor goes off with no problems and the Mom knows exactly what to do but having a little bit of knowledge can be the difference between life and death should a problem arise. 

Other than finalizing the birthing boxes and getting your kit ready all you can do is sit and wait, which to me is the hardest part of the whole process! Once the kittens get here keep your handling to a minimum (I only do to get a weight and do a general look over) and focus your attention on Mom. Your job is to care for her so she can care for her babies. There will be plenty of time for socialization after they get a little older I promise!

Please, ask more specific questions if you need to. 
 Vibes for a safe delivery! 
 

tabbymommy

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
632
Purraise
28
Location
ohio
Yay I was right I love praise lol I'm such a kid and so much like my baby Tabby (her name)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

calico

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
13
Purraise
0
This is Patches this morning, she prefers to be in my bedroom cause thats the only place my rowdy kids don't go

 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

calico

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
13
Purraise
0
Patches has gotten very affectionate today. Last night for the first time she jumped on the bed and slept with me. Took her temp today it was 98.7. Hopefully we will have some kittens soon
 

catsitter01

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Messages
5
Purraise
0
The last time we became parents to kittens was decades ago but I remember it as if it were yesterday. My 6 month old female got a bit too friendly with her six month old brother and voila', kittens. She kept coming to me to get close and I kept putting her back in her nesting box but she wanted none of it. She wanted Mom with her so we sat on the floor together with her on her towels.  The first three kittens came easily and she cleaned them up as they arrived. When the fourth one arrived, she refused to remove the sac around the kitten. Being untrained, I called the vet and he told me how to gently cut it open with nail sissors and I placed the kitten in with her and is's siblings. Turns out Mommycat knew what she was doing because we found out when the cat was a year old, it had brain damage and had to be put to sleep. It was the only male and never showed any signs so we had no idea.  Mom cats know instinctly what to to and, although I think 5-6 months is too early, nature doesn't. If you kitten is 5-6 months and female, she will start showing signs of being in heat (loud meowing, raising her butt in the air and sticking it in front of any male cat around). Trust me, if he's not neutered, he'll know exactly what she wants and give it to her without asking permission.  (please pardon any mis-spelled words, I'm typing with one hand since my 17 yr old cat is taking over my other arm and hand.)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

calico

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
13
Purraise
0
I think she has found her nesting spot. Unfortunatly its the 2nd shelf in the laundry room closet. 
 

tabbymommy

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
632
Purraise
28
Location
ohio
Nice take the clean ones that you don't want to get bloody out and put the ones you don't mind in (still make sure they are clean)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

calico

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
13
Purraise
0
I have 2 sheets put down and I am going to put a rolled up blanket on the shelf so they wont fall out. I think I will put down a quilt on the floor just in case.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

calico

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
13
Purraise
0
At 5:00 this morning Patches had her first baby, the last one was born at 8:00 am. Five kittens in all they are all healthy and doing good
 
Top