Cat pregnant? What to do now?

You'll see the nipples really begin to enlarge and turn pink and the hair around them to go away around 6 weeks.  Also, you should start noticing a large bulge around that time too.  I know the birth is probably a long way off, but when is close to giving birth she will begin to produce a certain type of milk called collistrum (I have no idea if I spelled that right).  If she gets milk she could be anywhere from half a week to just a few hours away from going into labor, so keep a close watch on her then.  Make sure to get a birthing box at least a week before you think she's going to give birth.  Just take a cardboard box, cut an opening in it, and line it with towels or newspaper.   If you use towels like I do, put a softer fabric over them so the kitten's claws don't get stuck in the loops.  Encourage your cat to get comfortable and feel safe in this box so she'll have kittens there, which will be much easier than not knowing where your cat is when she gives birth.  She may want to rearrange the box to make it a "nest."  

When she goes into labor she may pant and purr out of agitation.  She'll produce a clear liquid, and don't be concerned if there's blood. During the second stage of labor she'll want to push her hind legs up against something, or squat down like she's pooing.  The kitten should come out shortly after that.  Each kitten should be followed by a placenta, and is connected to the placenta by an umbilical cord attached to their belly button.  Make sure each kitten is followed by a placenta.  I had a momma cat give birth to two kittens before the any placenta came out once, and there were some major complications.  Your cat should lick the membrane off the kittens' nose and mouth so they can breath.  Then she should bite through the umbilical cord connecting the kitten to the placenta.  Make sure the kitten can nurse right away.   Many cats will eat 1-3 placentas as it's a good source of nutrients.  If they don't that's ok.  Placentas are really bloody and gross.  Also, never assume your cat is done having kittens until you know for sure.  She may want a break to nurse for a while.  I once assumed a pregnant cat was done and went to eat lunch, then went back a few minutes later and found she had another kitten!

Complications:

 - Miscarriage: I've never had a cat have a miscarriage before, as they're often only triggered by traumatic experiences.  I've heard they're bloody and there's no way to stop them from happening, so I would keep your cat indoors.  If she does have a miscarriage I would take her to the vet.

 - Mother cat ignores kitten or can't take care of it: This isn't too common as mother cats should instinctively take care of all their kittens, but sometimes there's a kitten they think won't survive or is just plain annoying.  If the kitten is only a few weeks old, this is a problem.  Make sure they get lots of milk (not cow's milk.  Baby cat milk from the store, or just force it to nurse on the momma cat) and stay really warm (but not hot).  New borns need milk every few hours.  Encourage the mother cat to take care of them and lick them.  After three weeks if the mom abandons the kitten it could just be that she's annoyed with it, she probably won't abandon it permanently.  I once had a kitten who was meowing constantly and the mother cat scruffed it and stuck it under the bed to shut it up.  We waited a bit, then pulled it out and everything continued like it was supposed to.

 - Birth Complications:

           - Feet first:  I once and a pregnant cat who was only 9 months old :'-(  Her first kitten came out feet first and wouldn't move.  Its feet started turning blue.  Eventually everything was out but its head and its circulation was being cut off at its neck!  This is a place where assistance might be necessary.  Make sure your hands are clean and very very gently wiggle/pull the kitten until it's not in danger anymore.  If you can't tell if you're pulling too hard, just assume you are.  Kittens are pretty fragile.

           - Mother won't cut umbilical cord: Don't be concerned if she doesn't cut it right away, but if you're sure she's not going to bite through it you may have to do this yourself.  That sounded wrong, I meant cut it yourself.  I once had a mamma cat who was so over - bread as a persian/exotic shorthair her face was concave.  It was smooshed in so far she couldn't even bite wet food let alone bite through an umbilical cord (I would sit with her every morning and make a large mound of wet food on a spoon and every minute or so mound it up again with my fingers so she could eat).  To cut the umbilical cord, get some dental floss or thin steril string and tie it around the umbilical cord.  Then find some scissors and sterilize those too.  Cut the umbilical cord on the side that is closest to the placenta.  This is really important, as the point of the floss is to slow, cut off the circulation so the kitten isn't as impacted by the cut.  Whether you cut it or the mother cuts it, the umbilical cords will be gross black long scabby things on the kittens for a while, this is normal.

           - Mother won't help newborn kitten:  This probably won't happen, but if it does wipe the kitten's nose with a clean cloth so the membrane and goop gets out of its nose and it's stimulated to breath.  You can actually use one of those things that slurps up stuff in baby's noses.  I have one on hand that was originally intended for my nose.

An important/fun fact about kittens: They can't poo or pee on their own for the first three weeks or so.  The only way for them to relieve themselves is if the mother cat licks their bottom and EATS WHAT COMES OUT!  It's so weird, but it's life I guess.  If the mother cat clearly isn't doing this, you can "lick" the kittens yourself with a damp cloth that'll collect whatever comes out.  It actually is kind of fun.  After 3-5 weeks this reflex will go away and you will then see the benefits of introducing kittens to the litter box before this time :-)  They should watch the mother use it too, and make sure the litter isn't harmful if they eat it.  Be prepared for a few accidents around this time.  You may want to give the kittens a trim around the behind if they're really long haired, but avoid bathing them.

I hope this helps!  This is all from my experience as a fosterer for my local animal shelters.  I believe in spaying/neutering yada yada but I often mother cats we get are so far along that it would be inhumane.  Also, don't be alarmed by the complications I listed, they're pretty rare.  These are just what-if scenarios.  Good luck with your pregnant kitty!

emmimini1212 said:

Hahaha! My bonnet is a very petite little girl so it's going to be hilarious seeing her grow so big! It's going to be pretty fun when she does have the little ones. I think she's going to do great because when we took in a little orphaned kitten she treated it like it was her own... To this day they are like mother daughter!

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If her instincts extend even to cats she's not related too I'm sure she'll be a great momma cat!

Ph0ebe said:

You'll see the nipples really begin to enlarge and turn pink and the hair around them to go away around 6 weeks.  Also, you should start noticing a large bulge around that time too.  I know the birth is probably a long way off, but when is close to giving birth she will begin to produce a certain type of milk called collistrum (I have no idea if I spelled that right).  If she gets milk she could be anywhere from half a week to just a few hours away from going into labor, so keep a close watch on her then.  Make sure to get a birthing box at least a week before you think she's going to give birth.  Just take a cardboard box, cut an opening in it, and line it with towels or newspaper.   If you use towels like I do, put a softer fabric over them so the kitten's claws don't get stuck in the loops.  Encourage your cat to get comfortable and feel safe in this box so she'll have kittens there, which will be much easier than not knowing where your cat is when she gives birth.  She may want to rearrange the box to make it a "nest."  

When she goes into labor she may pant and purr out of agitation.  She'll produce a clear liquid, and don't be concerned if there's blood. During the second stage of labor she'll want to push her hind legs up against something, or squat down like she's pooing.  The kitten should come out shortly after that.  Each kitten should be followed by a placenta, and is connected to the placenta by an umbilical cord attached to their belly button.  Make sure each kitten is followed by a placenta.  I had a momma cat give birth to two kittens before the any placenta came out once, and there were some major complications.  Your cat should lick the membrane off the kittens' nose and mouth so they can breath.  Then she should bite through the umbilical cord connecting the kitten to the placenta.  Make sure the kitten can nurse right away.   Many cats will eat 1-3 placentas as it's a good source of nutrients.  If they don't that's ok.  Placentas are really bloody and gross.  Also, never assume your cat is done having kittens until you know for sure.  She may want a break to nurse for a while.  I once assumed a pregnant cat was done and went to eat lunch, then went back a few minutes later and found she had another kitten!

Complications:
 - Miscarriage: I've never had a cat have a miscarriage before, as they're often only triggered by traumatic experiences.  I've heard they're bloody and there's no way to stop them from happening, so I would keep your cat indoors.  If she does have a miscarriage I would take her to the vet.
 - Mother cat ignores kitten or can't take care of it: This isn't too common as mother cats should instinctively take care of all their kittens, but sometimes there's a kitten they think won't survive or is just plain annoying.  If the kitten is only a few weeks old, this is a problem.  Make sure they get lots of milk (not cow's milk.  Baby cat milk from the store, or just force it to nurse on the momma cat) and stay really warm (but not hot).  New borns need milk every few hours.  Encourage the mother cat to take care of them and lick them.  After three weeks if the mom abandons the kitten it could just be that she's annoyed with it, she probably won't abandon it permanently.  I once had a kitten who was meowing constantly and the mother cat scruffed it and stuck it under the bed to shut it up.  We waited a bit, then pulled it out and everything continued like it was supposed to.
 - Birth Complications:
           - Feet first:  I once and a pregnant cat who was only 9 months old :'-(  Her first kitten came out feet first and wouldn't move.  Its feet started turning blue.  Eventually everything was out but its head and its circulation was being cut off at its neck!  This is a place where assistance might be necessary.  Make sure your hands are clean and very very gently wiggle/pull the kitten until it's not in danger anymore.  If you can't tell if you're pulling too hard, just assume you are.  Kittens are pretty fragile.
           - Mother won't cut umbilical cord: Don't be concerned if she doesn't cut it right away, but if you're sure she's not going to bite through it you may have to do this yourself.  That sounded wrong, I meant cut it yourself.  I once had a mamma cat who was so over - bread as a persian/exotic shorthair her face was concave.  It was smooshed in so far she couldn't even bite wet food let alone bite through an umbilical cord (I would sit with her every morning and make a large mound of wet food on a spoon and every minute or so mound it up again with my fingers so she could eat).  To cut the umbilical cord, get some dental floss or thin steril string and tie it around the umbilical cord.  Then find some scissors and sterilize those too.  Cut the umbilical cord on the side that is closest to the placenta.  This is really important, as the point of the floss is to slow, cut off the circulation so the kitten isn't as impacted by the cut.  Whether you cut it or the mother cuts it, the umbilical cords will be gross black long scabby things on the kittens for a while, this is normal.
           - Mother won't help newborn kitten:  This probably won't happen, but if it does wipe the kitten's nose with a clean cloth so the membrane and goop gets out of its nose and it's stimulated to breath.  You can actually use one of those things that slurps up stuff in baby's noses.  I have one on hand that was originally intended for my nose.

An important/fun fact about kittens: They can't poo or pee on their own for the first three weeks or so.  The only way for them to relieve themselves is if the mother cat licks their bottom and EATS WHAT COMES OUT!  It's so weird, but it's life I guess.  If the mother cat clearly isn't doing this, you can "lick" the kittens yourself with a damp cloth that'll collect whatever comes out.  It actually is kind of fun.  After 3-5 weeks this reflex will go away and you will then see the benefits of introducing kittens to the litter box before this time :-)  They should watch the mother use it too, and make sure the litter isn't harmful if they eat it.  Be prepared for a few accidents around this time.  You may want to give the kittens a trim around the behind if they're really long haired, but avoid bathing them.

I hope this helps!  This is all from my experience as a fosterer for my local animal shelters.  I believe in spaying/neutering yada yada but I often mother cats we get are so far along that it would be inhumane.  Also, don't be alarmed by the complications I listed, they're pretty rare.  These are just what-if scenarios.  Good luck with your pregnant kitty!

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Oh wow that's the most info I've gotten and it's VERY helpful! She's being a very good kitty right now, just sleeping all day and cuddling with me from time to time. Do I need to feed her any special food like kitten food or something like that? She's only on week 3 so it's nice to have everything all planned out right now!

Thanks!  It's good that she's cuddly and sleepy because that will keep her from going outside, but it's also ok for her to be active and playful throughout her whole pregnancy (even when she looks like a beach ball) if that's her personality.  If she's a pretty skinny cat, I would feed her kitten food when she's a few weeks away from birthing because it's high in fat.  Make sure to feed her quite a bit.  She should be a pretty good judge of how much to eat, just make sure she's eating something high-fat like kitten food if she's looking really bony.  I'm fostering a pregnant cat right now (on her last week or so) and we've been feeding her kitten food because when we got her her hip bones were sticking out so much it was so sad.  Just make sure you have some dry food for her to free-feed on too so she can determine her appetite and she should always have access to water.  Don't be surprised if her appetite doubles in he last three weeks!

Ph0ebe said:

Thanks!  It's good that she's cuddly and sleepy because that will keep her from going outside, but it's also ok for her to be active and playful throughout her whole pregnancy (even when she looks like a beach ball) if that's her personality.  If she's a pretty skinny cat, I would feed her kitten food when she's a few weeks away from birthing because it's high in fat.  Make sure to feed her quite a bit.  She should be a pretty good judge of how much to eat, just make sure she's eating something high-fat like kitten food if she's looking really bony.  I'm fostering a pregnant cat right now (on her last week or so) and we've been feeding her kitten food because when we got her her hip bones were sticking out so much it was so sad.  Just make sure you have some dry food for her to free-feed on too so she can determine her appetite and she should always have access to water.  Don't be surprised if her appetite doubles in he last three weeks!

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She's not super skinny she's kind of just petite. I will switch her to that though! My other kitty is not even a year yet so she can probably eat it as well. Bonnet is about 2 years old now so I think that's a pretty healthy age for her? I'm so new to this I just need all the help I can get

You mention Bonnet's daughter. Has she been spayed? If not, you need to make sure to keep her inside or get her spayed ASAP!

CatPack said:

You mention Bonnet's daughter. Has she been spayed? If not, you need to make sure to keep her inside or get her spayed ASAP!

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She has not been spayed yet but she has not gone into heat for her first time either so we will probably be waiting until bonnet has had her kittens and weened them so we can have them spayed at the same time. Thank you for the comment though! Her "daughter" hates going outside anyway so she's kind of our little house baby

Switching to kitten food is a good idea and I'm sure both cats will like it.  Bonnet's a pretty young mom (18 in human years), but should be perfectly capable of having kittens.  I fostered a pregnant mom who was 9 months old before!  I'm assuming this is her first litter, so don't be surprised if she's a little freaked out by the first kitten.  In my experience, the first-timers are usually a little confused when the kitten comes out like "oh my gosh what just came out of my butt - it's moving!" but after a few seconds the maternal instinct kicks in and they know what to do. Just reassure her that what's happening is normal and ok.

The cat I'm fostering right now is part of a "moms and toms" program at our local shelter. She kept getting pregnant, so the owners give her to the shelter for a while and then get the cat back spayed/neutered for free.  While in the shelter's care the cat is given to a foster family (me) and the kittens are spayed/neutered and adopted out through the shelter and all of this costs nothing to the owners.  I don't know if this is an option in your area or if it is specific to my local shelter, but if birthing seems a little overwhelming you might want to look into this. Or you might want to have this experience yourself and don't want to give up the cat.

Also, for once the kittens are born and weened, there are many discounts online for spaying and neutering.  I'm pretty sure my youngest cat (the one in my profile pic) was spayed/neutered for around $20 without discounts or anything, but this can add up with lots of kittens.  Some places could spay/neuter for free.

Ph0ebe said:

Switching to kitten food is a good idea and I'm sure both cats will like it.  Bonnet's a pretty young mom (18 in human years), but should be perfectly capable of having kittens.  I fostered a pregnant mom who was 9 months old before!  I'm assuming this is her first litter, so don't be surprised if she's a little freaked out by the first kitten.  In my experience, the first-timers are usually a little confused when the kitten comes out like "oh my gosh what just came out of my butt - it's moving!" but after a few seconds the maternal instinct kicks in and they know what to do. Just reassure her that what's happening is normal and ok.

The cat I'm fostering right now is part of a "moms and toms" program at our local shelter. She kept getting pregnant, so the owners give her to the shelter for a while and then get the cat back spayed/neutered for free.  While in the shelter's care the cat is given to a foster family (me) and the kittens are spayed/neutered and adopted out through the shelter and all of this costs nothing to the owners.  I don't know if this is an option in your area or if it is specific to my local shelter, but if birthing seems a little overwhelming you might want to look into this. Or you might want to have this experience yourself and don't want to give up the cat.

Also, for once the kittens are born and weened, there are many discounts online for spaying and neutering.  I'm pretty sure my youngest cat (the one in my profile pic) was spayed/neutered for around $20 without discounts or anything, but this can add up with lots of kittens.  Some places could spay/neuter for free.

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Well thank you thats some great stuff! It's awesome that your local shelter does that... It's very kind of them! I am actually pretty excited for the birth- it's just getting there that gets me all hyped up! I live in a very small town so I have no animal shelters near me (which is why I'm constantly taking in strays off the street and from people who just need my help with them and don't worry I idont keep them I just clean them up get them used to people if necessary and I rehome them) so I don't really have that option but I think it's a great idea!

emmimini1212 said:

Well thank you thats some great stuff! It's awesome that your local shelter does that... It's very kind of them! I am actually pretty excited for the birth- it's just getting there that gets me all hyped up! I live in a very small town so I have no animal shelters near me (which is why I'm constantly taking in strays off the street and from people who just need my help with them and don't worry I idont keep them I just clean them up get them used to people if necessary and I rehome them) so I don't really have that option but I think it's a great idea!

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It's so nice you do that!  I'm sure a lot of kitties are grateful :-)  I get excited for cat births too, that's why I foster so much.  It's such an incredible experience to see creatures being brought into the world for the first time!

Just keep in mind that you are looking at close to another 4 months before Bonnet can be spayed (that's counting pregnancy time, nursing kittens for 8-10 weeks and an additional week or two after kittens are weened.)

Be VERY vigilant about the other kitty. If she's 8+ months old, she has already gone into heat. It just may not have been very noticeable. As she gets older, the heat cycles will get stronger and her urge to mate will over rule her desire to stay indoors.

Ph0ebe said:

It's so nice you do that!  I'm sure a lot of kitties are grateful :-)  I get excited for cat births too, that's why I foster so much.  It's such an incredible experience to see creatures being brought into the world for the first time!

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Yeah I think when I was only maybe 9-10 years old one of my first cats went into labor while I was at school and my mom, being as much as an animal lover as me, pulled me out of school for the day just so that I could see her! I only saw the last kitten but it was such an incredible experience! I don't even remember her throughout the pregnancy but just seeing her behavior during labor and watching transform into a mother was just beautiful! So needless to say, I am pretty excited! But I am the type of person who needs to know what to do and what's going on at all times! So thank you so much for all the help!!

Hi! I just wanted to update everyone on how bonnet is doing! She is getting fatter now that she is on her 5th week of pregnancy, her nipples are enlarged and pinking up, she still sleeps all day and is acting either very aggressive or very loving toward everyone (including my other cat, primrose). She's even starting to give up going outside alltogether! Right now I believe everything is going well what I do want to know though is where and how to set up a good place for her to give birth, and what else should I do for her? Thanks for responses!

Hi yall; I need help right now!!! My queen about 4 or so weeks in to her pregnancy (I miscounted by like a week),has been sleeping a lot and has been kind of losing some weight. I read that this is just a shift from eating for one to eating for many. But anyway tonight she started bleeding from her vagina. It is more pinky and watery than thick blood but it is conserning me. She is eating drinking, acting completely normal but I don't know what this bleeding means. HELP NOW!!! I didn't mention but all vets right now are closed so no I cannot call or take

emmimini1212 said:

Hi yall; I need help right now!!! My queen about 4 or so weeks in to her pregnancy (I miscounted by like a week),has been sleeping a lot and has been kind of losing some weight. I read that this is just a shift from eating for one to eating for many. But anyway tonight she started bleeding from her vagina. It is more pinky and watery than thick blood but it is conserning me. She is eating drinking, acting completely normal but I don't know what this bleeding means. HELP NOW!!! I didn't mention but all vets right now are closed so no I cannot call or take

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Is a vet errand, whatever exactly it is.  Normally I would say, spontan abortion, you prob dont need to do much if she is ok.  But this with losing weigh sounds not so good.

I hope you and your cat will manage till the vets open again.

*vibes!*

I just simply cannot afford a vet visit- and please I beg you to spare me the bad pet owner crap.... I love my animals and it's not bonnets fault she is going through this... Is there anything that I can do here? THe blood is now stopped and I don't see any expelled fetuses anywhere... shevus also acting completely normal.... Is there any chance that she was just "spotting" like humans do?

emmimini1212 said:

.. Is there anything that I can do here? THe blood is now stopped and I don't see any expelled fetuses anywhere... shevus also acting completely normal.... Is there any chance that she was just "spotting" like humans do?

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If she seems OK, I presume you can hold your thumbs and hope for the best.  Be sure she is unstressed, comfortable, has good food easy to digest, and plenty of water, so she can fight off any infection or other problems, as well its possible.

Cats do have some capability to manage, so there is a substance to hope for the best.   It may even be as you hope, "just some spotting".  Can it happen with humans it can surely happen with cats.  Cats are people them too, no?

Its not comfortable nor optimal, but if you cant do more so you cant do more.  Help her as well you can, and pray.

I myself do so - pray - sometimes, both with fellow humans and cats.   And I want to think, it helps sometimes.

*vibes!*

Please start weighing yourself, then with her, to see if she is truly losing weight. As long as she is eating, drinking and going the bathroom all right, all you can do is wait. She maybe lost one fetus, that can happen. Please make sure she is getting enough to drink, dehydration is deadly in all pregnancies. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, all the luck!

Spotting is not normal until maybe just before birth. If she shows any signs of pain or distress then you simply must get her to a vet - she could have an internal infection or the kittens may have died inside her, which would kill her if not dealt with very quickly. Let us just hope it is nothing.

StefanZ said:

If she seems OK, I presume you can hold your thumbs and hope for the best.  Be sure she is unstressed, comfortable, has good food easy to digest, and plenty of water, so she can fight off any infection or other problems, as well its possible.
Cats do have some capability to manage, so there is a substance to hope for the best.   It may even be as you hope, "just some spotting".  Can it happen with humans it can surely happen with cats.  Cats are people them too, no?

Its not comfortable nor optimal, but if you cant do more so you cant do more.  Help her as well you can, and pray.
I myself do so - pray - sometimes, both with fellow humans and cats.   And I want to think, it helps sometimes.



*vibes!*

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She does seem like she's doing alright- still a very small amount of blood but no fetuses and she is eating and drinking just fine. She just seems like she wasn't a to sleep... But that's what she's done since the beginning of the pregnancy.... this just makes me very nervous. I'm hoping and praying for the best for her. Thank you for giving me some insight that is actually useful and not completely hopeless!