hublebuble4 - pregnant cat

I have not been at my vet, but I have sent sms. And she, vet, says she might be pregnant. But bf is not leaving her in Peace. During the night I hear screem sometimes - and I go up to look. I believe that eg will Always be a "minicat". But now she has a bigger body on both sides. I Believe that she is pregnant. And I have said Before, that I want her to have kittens once, then I let her be spayed. And bf, I don't Think that he wants to be neutered. But I Believe that I must. Perhaps he will calm down, because he has crashed so many things in my home. He is not stupid, but he is clumsy.

If eg will have kittens it doesn't take so much time. I will come back with photos if she will have kittens. As she and he are not real pedigree, breed, I wonder which colour the kittens will have. Eg and bf are both black.

Why do you think she should have kittens before she is spayed? There is no logical reason for it as vets will tell you. If her bf is still satisfying himself with her then that is the scream you hear. It hurts the female when he removes himself.
He must be neutered. For Him for you and for neighbourhood cats.

It's just a gift to her to let her have kittens once. I Believe that is what she wants. Like all human beings and animal and living creature (almost all) wants. And I a curious what they will look like. Is say like Julius Ceasar: alea iacta est - the die has been cast! It will be a lot of work, but that is my problem and eg's. Both cats have nice caractere and that is the most important I Believe.

About bf he has calmed down. And he like his maid. And Princess eg like her clumsy boyfriend.

 I missed seeing she had fallen out a window.  poor girl!  I'm glad she was OK.

Guess you decided to go ahead and breed her.  If she is pregnant and he's bothering her, you need to separate them .  She does not need the stress. 

  You  will need to keep them separate after the birth because she could get pregnant again very soon ,  which would not be healthy for her or the kittens.   

  Keep in mind that even if you get him neutered,  he could still be fertile for up to 7 weeks.    So IMO it's best to just go ahead and have him neutered ASAP.     My cats sure seem quite happy as neuters.   In fact 2 of the males were still interested in mating and able to mate,  they just could not sire kittens. 

I know I have seen pics of EG.  if BF is also  solid black,    you won't get tabbies.   Most likely is kittens would also be black since that's dominant.   Another possibility is blue,  if both parents carry blue.     There are some other possibilities depending on them both carrying other recessive genes.   I don't know BF's ancestry,   but most cats don't carry those other genes   ( chocolate color or sepia pattern or pointed pattern)  .  If EG is really part Burmese , she may carry Sepia,  but both parents would have to carry it and give it to a kitten for a kitten to get that pattern.    

  But black is the most likely from 2 black cats.  

 You should keep kittens12 weeks , have them vaccinated and de-wormed.   EG can be spayed when kittens are 8 or 9 wks or have stopped nursing.   Until she is spayed  please keep her safely away from all intact tomcats or toms who have been neutered within 7 weeks,  so she doesn't end up with back to back pregnancies.

Since she is a small cat,  you should definitely be prepared just in case she could have trouble giving birth and may need to get to a vet.   So make sure you have a vet on call or know the nearest 24 hour emergency vet .

Thank you very much for your reply. This information was very important for me. What I am worried about is, if she was pregnat when she jumped out from the window, and then the embryos/kittens were hurt inside her stomach. We will see. I have read that is common that female cats get birth to dead kittens sometimes. About toms, or in this case bf - I don't really know what to do. I live in a rather big appartment, but during the day when I'm not at home he cannot enter what is called "The Forbidden City". He is so clumsy! But he isalso athletic and he is good in destrying things (when he does, he feel ashame).

Well, now I have the accurate information how to handle "this case". The answer is: can I decide? I must do what you have written. Best regards, Peter

It is a gift to her to give birth! Have you ever given birth? No and you're not likely to either. Will you be keeping all the kittens? If not then why did she have to get pregnant and go through the birthing progress. This I do not understand. Does anyone out there agree with me?

I don't know if kittens will come out from eg? If there will be kittens, I will do my utmost that they will find new homes with nice people. I know that black kittens are not so popular as other light colour cats, but I'm one of them who loves black cats. And I'm nor alone to like blackies. And when I publish here eg's boyfriend Benjamin Franklin, you will see that he is a handsome nice looking cat. Se the outspring can be quite nice looking kittens with nice caractere and athletic bodies. I look forward to the birth.

Where is the kitten-like Elsa Gloria. Now she act just like a woman or a mother. Will she have kittens soon. Anyway, today I will arrange a box for kittens. I take a box of cardboard and open up one side. I put newspaper on the botton and cover it with a piece of an old sheet. Is this the way to build a new box-home? I have no experience of cats (Learning) and none of kittens. But I try to read to learn somthing about this, and this website is a very good teacher with all advices. The thing is that eg is searching for something all the time this morning. Is she looking for a new Place to get birth to kittens? I don't know. And I don't know for how long time she has been pregnant (right Word?).

I replaced the newspaper with som old but nice towels. Then I took eg to the box (not hided, should it be?) that is now in the kitchen. Eg looked at the box and seams to Think: "what is that?". When birth begin and nobody is at  home, what will happen? I wonder.

hublebuble4 said:

 
Where is the kitten-like Elsa Gloria. Now she act just like a woman or a mother. Will she have kittens soon. Anyway, today I will arrange a box for kittens. I take a box of cardboard and open up one side. I put newspaper on the botton and cover it with a piece of an old sheet. Is this the way to build a new box-home? I have no experience of cats (Learning) and none of kittens. But I try to read to learn somthing about this, and this website is a very good teacher with all advices. The thing is that eg is searching for something all the time this morning. Is she looking for a new Place to get birth to kittens? I don't know. And I don't know for how long time she has been pregnant (right Word?).

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Well, at about 14 months old (?) ,  she IS a young adult  .   and if she is about to give birth soon,  she senses she has parental responsibilities.   So she may be looking for a place to have kittens. 

"And I don't know for how long time she has been pregnant (right Word?). "

 Yes,  "pregnant"  is the correct adjective in English,  no matter whether the expectant mother is human or  feline (or canine , equine,  ;,................,bovine, etc.)     Anyway, it seems to be used for all animals who bear live young.  

Peter,  do you remember when  you started to hear  the screams at night?    That was probably during mating.    So if there was a time when you heard that several times over a few days,  I would estimate the date from when that first happened.   Then  a cat pregnancy is about 9 weeks ,  give or take a few days.

"I take a box of cardboard and open up one side. I put newspaper on the botton and cover it with a piece of an old sheet. Is this the way to build a new box-home?"

Newborn kittens would not be able to move far,   so this box may be fine at first,   but soon they would be able to crawl out of a box that was totally open on one side,  and it's better they don't do that when they are very young and can't maintain their body heat.      I   prefer a box that is open on top  but not on the side,  so that the queen can jump in and out,  but the kittens can't get out yet.   I would say  get a box at least 36 cm tall ,  and big enough for her to comfortably stretch out when lying with and nursing the kittens.   Yyou can cover half of the top with a sheet.   That way she has a covered part that may feel more protected,  but she still has an opening to jump in and out of the box to go to her food or litter tray.

 By the time they are able to climb out of a box that is about 36 cm tall,  they will be old enough to maintain their body heat better. and also EG may be less upset about them getting out.

hublebuble4 said:

 
I replaced the newspaper with som old but nice towels. Then I took eg to the box (not hided, should it be?) that is now in the kitchen. Eg looked at the box and seams to Think: "what is that?". When birth begin and nobody is at  home, what will happen? I wonder.

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She may not use the nest until it's time for them to be born .   Some cats do start to spend time in a "nest" where they will have the kittens ,  a few days or even a couple weeks before the birth.  but other cats don't really do the  "nesting" thing.   And she might choose some other spot to have them.   You can still afterward  try to move them to a nest box and hope that she will keep them there. 

Yes,  many cats do prefer a more hidden place.     The "nursery"  should be in a room that can be kept warm , quiet  and  without a lot of activity from people or other animals.   It is best to have it in a room with a door that can be closed so that you can keep out other pets and small children who may bother EG and the kittens.   For example, a corner of a quiet bedroom,  or even in a large walk-in closet ,  are usually good choices.

"When birth begin and nobody is at  home, what will happen? I wonder."

Well, this is something you should have thought of before you did the breeding ,  and then kept track of when they bred so you would have some idea of when to expect the birth.  Breeders often take off work when kittens are due,  or just try to arrange things so that someone is home nearly all the time.    If you can't do that,     then I guess you just hope that it goes well,  that she does not have any complications,  and that her instincts kick in and she will know what to do and be able to handle it by herself.    It's better if you can be there.    If you are home in the evening and overnight,   there is at least a fairly good chance you will be there.

Here are some links that you should read now so you are more prepared and know what to expect,   what is normal and what is abnormal,  how to help if necessary,  and when to get help from the vet.  

Her's an article on this site telling the basics of cat birth  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/pregnancy-and-delivery-in-cats

 A link to a collection of excellent articles in English from International Cat Care ( formerly Feline Advisory Bureau)  http://www.icatcare.org/advice/my-cat-having-kittens

Here are some in  Svenska .

http://elhemas.se/forlossning.htm

http://www.shenandoahs.se/Kattungarnas%20fodsel%20och%20uppvaxt.htm       

re the weight chart in the 2nd link,   it only shows daily weights for the first week.    I continue weighing daily for several weeks. 

 I think I will ask a Mod to move this part of the thread  to the Pregnant Cats and Kittens forum.    That way you will have other experienced people keeping an eye on it.

He may be bothering her even though she's pregnant.
Peter. Please. If she isn't pregnant then don't let her get pregnant. For her. You cannot see that she wants babies just as you cannot see that he doesn't want to be neutered. This is not a decision the cat makes. The decision to neuter is the responsibility of the owner/daddy. It is your duty to see that both of them are fixed. You should know that if you do not get her spayed she may develope cancer in layer years. I don't think you'd like her to suffer would you.
You sound like a very caring person. :rub:
This is her showing her love for you.

There are too many unwanted cats and kittens around the world....... Please do your cats a favour by getting them spayed and neutered

I love England. I want that my cat Elsa Gloria will have kittens once. And she has a hansome Young rather big black cat as her boyfriend. The cats live on the bed at the feets. She has a "dog basket" in cloth for herself. He never enter inside the basket. But they kiss, or lick eachother on the head, from time to time. So I Think they are happy together - and both are Clean, funny and nice cats. Soon I will publish photos of Benjamin Franklin the male cat. They had certain been the best coulple on the Easter Parade if they were living somewhere in New York. Although they are not pedigree 100% Clean breeds.

hublebuble4 said:

 
It's just a gift to her to let her have kittens once. I Believe that is what she wants. Like all human beings and animal and living creature (almost all) wants. And I a curious what they will look like. Is say like Julius Ceasar: alea iacta est - the die has been cast! It will be a lot of work, but that is my problem and eg's. Both cats have nice caractere and that is the most important I Believe.

About bf he has calmed down. And he like his maid. And Princess eg like her clumsy boyfriend.

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Only humans have the concept of wanting children.  For all other animals it simply happens.  No need to be curious what they will look like either - two black cats will have black kittens.  A blue (grey) one may pop up, but that's it.  No tabbys, none with white, no torties, no gingers. 

The greatest gift to both your cats (after food, water and shelter) is getting them neutered ASAP.

Ok, I understand. But I don't agree that it is the greatest gift to let her be spayed and to him to let him be neutered. It's something that I must decide and do. But for me it's a hard one, a hard decision.

What is so hard about it?

A spayed female won't get pyometra (potentially fatal infection of the uterus) and the fewer times she calls the less her risk of breast cancer.  Even if she doesn't obviously call and.or doesn't get pregnant these are still real risks.  She won't miss having kittens, if you think that you are anthropomorphising.

Your male cat won't get sexually frustrated if you castrate him, his urine will be far less vile and unless he's already started spraying he's unlikely to do so.

If 'playing God' concerns you, you do that everytime you decide something for them.  What and when they will eat, where they will sleep, will they go out or stay in, will they get vaccinations and other vetinary care, will they be neutered or not and if so when, and lots more.  As soon as you get a pet of any kind you are playing God.

Remember also that kittens need homes.  Now you might think you will keep them all.  If you don't neuter them you awell on the way to a feline population explosion.  She might have a large litter - could you cope with keeping them all if she has 6 kittens?  I've known 2 cats have 6 in their first litter, one a friend's pedigree British Shorthair (she followed up with a litter of 8, one of 6 and one of 7) and my pedigree Oriental whose first litter was 6.  She's not had a second litter so far.

If you want to get homes for them then you are into the melee of trying to find genuinely good homes.  'kitten free to a good home' is a quick way to find a bad home for many reasons.  How did I make sure mine went to good home?  In a large part because they were neutered before they left home, and because the people who now look after them were willing to pay a reasonable price for them.  They were 15 weeks old, registered (GCCF), vaccinated, wormed, neutered and microchipped.  They were also well-grown for their age and fairly well socialised.  (no men in this house, a drawback for socialising kittens)

That leads onto my final point - the cost of kittens.  To start with they are cheap - mum is eating more than usually, and probably using the tray more than normal, but it's not vastly more.  However my the time they are 8 weeks old they are each eating as much as an adult cat, and they are no-where near ready to leave at that age. If it's cold when she has kittens you might have extra heating bills, you will probably have extra laundry bills for their bedding, and I certainly had extra dishwasher bills because all the extra food meant lots more food dishes.

Each of my kittens cost nearer £300 than £200 to raise until they were ready to leave home, and there was also a lot of hard work required.

Still not convinced?  My final point is that moggie kittens are in competition with rescue kittens for homes, and the rescue kittens are in competition with the rescue cats for homes.  Sadly we know what happens at some rescues / shelters to cats and kittens that don't find a home fast enough - they are put to sleep.  In the bit of the UK I live in black cats & kittens (like what your cats will have) find it especially hard to get homes.

Having said that you might wonder how I can justify breeding a litter of pedigree kittens.  Pedigrees are only about 3% of the cat population, and all four owners said the same thing to me - they had to look jolly hard to find a litter of my breed anywhere near where they lived.  In other words they were looking for pedigrees, and had been looking for some time.  If I hadn't had homes for them all before they were ready to leave I'd be quite wary about breeding another litter but I have had several enquiries since so am fairly confident I can get homes for them at the right price.

Shunra has made  very  true points.   (including the part about the expense of raising a litter of kittens in a responsible way. )

& the point that by intentionally breeding black moggies,   no matter how beautiful and nice ,   it does put your kittens in direct competition for homes with all the other moggy kittens who need homes,   and the black ones  often for some reason get overlooked anyway.  

 I would love to see pics of BF . 

You know,   they could still be close platonic boyfriend & girlfriend  if they're neutered.   

Are you aware of the risks that can happen to a pregnant mother?  At the vet I work at we just had to euthanize a momma cat who had a prolapsed uterus after her kittens were born.  She became anemic and the owners couldn't afford a blood transfusion.  What about the expense of a c-section if she has difficulty delivering?  As others said, black cats are one of the hardest to find a home for.

cprcheetah said:

 
Are you aware of the risks that can happen to a pregnant mother?  At the vet I work at we just had to euthanize a momma cat who had a prolapsed uterus after her kittens were born.  She became anemic and the owners couldn't afford a blood transfusion.  What about the expense of a c-section if she has difficulty delivering?  As others said, black cats are one of the hardest to find a home for.

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That happened on this forum a few years ago.  It was incredibly sad.     A member's cat was having kittens and she was posting links to photos as they were born.... then posted a very scary photo and she didn't know what it was --- it was the uterus coming out.   She took the cat to the vet   and I don't recall the details ,  but it ended the same way as what just happened at the vet where you work -- the poor momma cat was put down.  The owner also could not be home to bottle feed the orphan  newborn kittens every few hours so left them at the vet and I am not sure what happened to them.  I hope someone at the vet was able to save them. 

If all breeders of 100% Clean petigree thought like that, then there would not be any kittens. I didn't know that it was dangerous for the mother to get birth to kittens, but you cannot rewind time. The die is cast. And for one reason I hope, if all ends well with the birth, then one of the kittens I will offer to the family who took care of Elsa Gloria when we Went abroad this summer. I had problems to find a home for holiday reasons. They, this family, had two black cats. And eg was so frighteend when we left her to them. And one of these big black cats was blind. But in a way that I don't understand this black cat took care and became a friend to eg. When we sent sms to that family, we heared this. And eg who is a Little tough cat in personality, had a nice time in this new family's home. And after some weeks the other black cat who was a bit scare for new people and cats, also became friend with eg. This kind family (one of them a vet) were not our friends, they were just kind people. But now in September 2013 if I remember well, I met the husband in that family, and he told me the the blind cat Bengtsson was dead. He was a rather old neutered cat, both cats were neutered, and had this autumn problem with his kidneys, so he died. That was sad. He was a nice cat and took care of eg. So I will offer to this family a kitten if there will bee some newborn blackies.