When is my pregnant cat due?

My pregnant cat, Bella, is basically at her point of having kittens. Last night around midnight, she lost only a very small amount of greenish brown stuff on the floor. It was very hard to clean up and it had only been there for a couple of minutes. I assumed that was her mucus plug, but people have told me they're meant to go in labor straight after that but she hasn't. I have not let her outside in case she has them out there, but she still acts restless as if she's been playing and running around all day. Today she slept in the bathtub (it has training pads in there so it's soft) all day. It's now 6:30pm and she's only come out to have something to eat and even now she's laying down on the tiled floors. When will her kittens come? And will she definitely make noise because I've heard that some cats don't meow or give signs.
Any little help would be appreciated! Thank you.

noarna said:

My pregnant cat, Bella, is basically at her point of having kittens. Last night around midnight, she lost only a very small amount of greenish brown stuff on the floor. It was very hard to clean up and it had only been there for a couple of minutes. I assumed that was her mucus plug, but people have told me they're meant to go in labor straight after that but she hasn't. I have not let her outside in case she has them out there, but she still acts restless as if she's been playing and running around all day. Today she slept in the bathtub (it has training pads in there so it's soft) all day. It's now 6:30pm and she's only come out to have something to eat and even now she's laying down on the tiled floors. When will her kittens come? And will she definitely make noise because I've heard that some cats don't meow or give signs.
Any little help would be appreciated! Thank you.

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Yest, mucus plug is supposed to come out very short before the delivery, but it is not always so.   Sometimes it can come even weeks before (which in practice isnt not so dagerous as it sounds, not for home cats anyway).

So its essentially the usual Waiting Game going on.  You know you are near, but you dont know exactly when.   Rub her belly if she allows you, its supposed to help some.

Its not sure how it will be with sounds.  As you say, it differs.  And we cant be sure if she wants to have her beloved Ma with her, or if she prefers to give birth alone.

Im sending our usual links, just if.

But if you have further questions, reports, or want to participate in other threads, you are warmthly welcome!

Good luck!

Most of these links have been readied by our forumist  Red Top Rescue:

We have a good collection of articles in the Cat Health section which you can access by scrolling up to the brown bar, clicking on Articles,and then choosing the Cat Health section and scrolling through the choices.  To make this super easy for you, I am copying the links regarding birth, delivery and newborns for you here.  After reading this information, let us know if you have any more questions.  And good luck with your approaching new arrivals.

 Birth, Delivery and Newborns

How to Tell if My Cat is Pregnant?

Cat Pregnancy

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?

Pregnant Cat? What to Prepare For the Birth

Help! My Cat is Having Kittens!

Premature Kittens

Post-Birth Complications in Cats

And also:

http://www.icatcare.org/advice/my-cat-having-kittens     ( This is a link to a group of articles on cat pregnancy, birth and kittens.   Read the ones on normal cat birth and on " when to wait and when to worry"  )  

Fleece or flannel good to use in the bedding for kittens.

My cat is pregnant and has been for the period of time that cats are usually pregnant for. I'm not sure if any of the things she is doing are signs to soon labor. First thing is her sleeping habits. She is sleeping for most of the day in the bath where we set up soft training pads in there and when she isn't in there, she is sleeping in the loungeroom on the hard tiles. I don't let her go outside anymore because she could give birth any moment and I don't want her to have them outside, but she still acts like she has been running around and playing all day by how sleepy she is. I don't know if this means anything but I woke up to her scratching the bath from inside it, as if she went to the bathroom and was trying to cover it, but there was nothing in there. Another thing is that she lose a VERY SMALL amount of brownish liquid with a tinge of green in it on the kitchen floor at midnight last night. It was only there for a few minutes and it was already hard to clean up. It's now midnight the next day and still she hasn't had any labor signs. A few extra things that could help are that, she hasn't lost her apatite, she will only let my mum pat her and sleep next to her (she use to be like that with me before pregnancy), her stomach has dropped so far down closer to her genitals, she is constantly cleaning herself and her rude parts, i use to feel the babie(s) kick but now I can't, no matter how long I sit my hand there, she is getting so big that she can't run fast anymore or scratch properly, she is always trying to get under people's blankets. That's all I can think of right now but if you can help me out anyway possible, that'd be awesome!

I have a cat who doesn't make any sound when in delivery, so it can happen you don't hear anything. Some cats also prefer to be alone when giving birth, and if your cat is as that, don't meddle with the birth unless you have to. If you meddle too much, she can lose her push contractions and stop being in labor, resulting in you having a trip to the vet.

A friend of mine found the mucus plug of her cat 4 days ago, and still no kittens. So it can take a while. Keep an eye on her and make sure she isn't losing any more green discharge, as that could mean something completely different. Also look at her behavior; cats about to go in labor often stop eating (not all), get extremely restless and lick their "behinds" a lot. They can also meow in discomfort, but not all do, as I mentioned above.

If she is starting to show nestling signs and restlessness, get ready for some kittens. Good luck, I hope everything will go well!

It does sound like she's really close to giving birth. The kittens probably moved towards the lower abdomen and towards the birth canal.

Do you happen to know the exact date she got pregnant? We can calculate how much longer it can take before going to the vet. Usually cats have a pregnancy of around 63-65 days. However, they have a high chance of survival if born after 58 days of pregnancy. If the pregnancy takes longer than 69 days, she will need help from the vet, as it takes too long.

The green-brown stuff you found yesterday is probably her mucus plug. It can come really soon, but as you said her belly dropped it's an early sign of her giving birth. The classic signs of a cat being in labor is that she'll be really restless, could stop eating (not all), and licks her genitals frantically. She'll probably move around looking for a good spot to give birth at.

She doesn't sound to be in labor yet, but it surely can't take much longer. Get ready for some kittens! I hope everything goes well, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask! If you have noticed other signs you didn't mention yet, or I didn't really answer to, feel free to tell them again so I can tell you more about that. Good luck, and be sure to share some kitten pictures with us after they are born!

The only thing I forgot to mention was her nipples have recently become quite bigger and darker and on the ends it has white on it. My sister in-law said she felt them and they felt really dry.

noarna said:

The only thing I forgot to mention was her nipples have recently become quite bigger and darker and on the ends it has white on it. My sister in-law said she felt them and they felt really dry.

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Her milk has started producing and the dry white stuff is dried up milk, another sign that she's getting closer 

My cat has been pregnant for around the approximate time a cats pregnant for. She is showing all the signs to soon labor, milk discharge, babies moving, mucus plug, belly dropped, being affectionate, sleeping all day and many more. She is always in the bathroom in the bathtub where we set up soft training pads for her. She staying in there for a good 5 hours just sleeping. Recently she has been making escapes outside. She will run outside when someone opens the door to walk in or will try climbing the windows. I understand she has to go to the toilet since she loves being outside, so I let her but I watch her and once she's done, she comes back inside. But last night she got out and immediately ran across the road (she never crosses) we found out that's where a male cat lives who is more than likely the dad.
Should I let her outside and do her own thing until she wants to come back inside? I think the bath is her nesting spot but she's can have the litter at any moment which I'm worried about if she goes into labor out there.

If she is close to delivery I would keep her inside... If she delivers outside the kittens become prey to any animal. If she does not like the cat litter maybe try a puppy pad in the box instead of litter. It sounds like she is very uncomfortable and her natural instinct is to find a spot to "hide" her babies... Do you have a box that she can hide in while inside the bathroom with a low entry so she does not have to jump ? Sometimes that adds security for momma... Be kind and supportive and maybe sit with her petting her belly lightly...

She doesn't have a litter box anymore. She grew out of it and now just lets us she needs to go outside to use the bathroom. That's why I don't know if she just needs to go to the toilet out there because she always comes back within 10 minutes.

My mother and I did set up my nieces shell pool and put a soft flat sheet in there, it isn't high at all, if she lifts her leg lightly, she can easily get in. She was sleeping in that for days but now she's swapped to the bath. We tried putting the pool in the bathroom with her (it currently still is in there) but she just closes the bath to sleep and sometimes clean herself.

noarna said:

She doesn't have a litter box anymore. She grew out of it and now just lets us she needs to go outside to use the bathroom. That's why I don't know if she just needs to go to the toilet out there because she always comes back within 10 minutes.

My mother and I did set up my nieces shell pool and put a soft flat sheet in there, it isn't high at all, if she lifts her leg lightly, she can easily get in. She was sleeping in that for days but now she's swapped to the bath. We tried putting the pool in the bathroom with her (it currently still is in there) but she just closes the bath to sleep and sometimes clean herself.

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Grew out of it??   Anyways, you must keep her inside at all costs.  Make immediately TWO litter boxes, with different, non perfumed, litter.   Perhaps safest already now with non clumping litters - as is suitable as the first litter for kittens.

First, you dont want to risk she delivers outside.  Second, when she well delivers, you DONT want her to go outside. You dont want to risk something harmful happens to her, because after it you are sitting down with a litter full of small helpless kittens whom you must take full care of yourself.    Please, dont beg troubles on yourself.!

Also, they often get in heat soon after delivery, typically about one week after.  And with a friendly tom as neigbour...

She may even NOW be somewhat in heat - some high pregs behave like they are in heat.  I suppose it is the squeezing on their internal organs and hormon glands which causes this.

I guess its why she is so eager to get out.

I  paste in our usual recommended links, but you are of course welcome with new questions and reports.

Good luck!

Most of these links have been readied by our forumist  Red Top Rescue:

We have a good collection of articles in the Cat Health section which you can access by scrolling up to the brown bar, clicking on Articles,and then choosing the Cat Health section and scrolling through the choices.  To make this super easy for you, I am copying the links regarding birth, delivery and newborns for you here.  After reading this information, let us know if you have any more questions.  And good luck with your approaching new arrivals.

 Birth, Delivery and Newborns

How to Tell if My Cat is Pregnant?

Cat Pregnancy

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?

Pregnant Cat? What to Prepare For the Birth

Help! My Cat is Having Kittens!

Premature Kittens

Post-Birth Complications in Cats

And also:

http://www.icatcare.org/advice/my-cat-having-kittens     ( This is a link to a group of articles on cat pregnancy, birth and kittens.   Read the ones on normal cat birth and on " when to wait and when to worry"  )  

Fleece or flannel good to use in the bedding for kittens.

My cat is due to have kittens any moment now. She lost a little bit of her mucus plug a couple of days ago and I think she lost some more today, it was a brownish colour with a TINY bit of blood today. I've reseached it and apparently it's normal to have a bit of blood through it (it was more brown than red.) Yesterday she started panting in my room with her mouth open. She stopped a couple of minutes later. A couple of minutes ago she started panting again, the exact same way, and has now stopped again. She is currently laying on the floor asleep. Everyone is saying the kittens could be dead or in danger but whenever I rest my hand on her stomach they kick nice and hard and she also shows no sign of distress.
I cannot afford to take her to the vet but someone here tells me that I absoutley NEED to, then I'll figure out a way to.
Please help!

noarna said:

My cat is due to have kittens any moment now. She lost a little bit of her mucus plug a couple of days ago and I think she lost some more today, it was a brownish colour with a TINY bit of blood today. I've reseached it and apparently it's normal to have a bit of blood through it (it was more brown than red.) Yesterday she started panting in my room with her mouth open. She stopped a couple of minutes later. A couple of minutes ago she started panting again, the exact same way, and has now stopped again. She is currently laying on the floor asleep. Everyone is saying the kittens could be dead or in danger but whenever I rest my hand on her stomach they kick nice and hard and she also shows no sign of distress.
I cannot afford to take her to the vet but someone here tells me that I absoutley NEED to, then I'll figure out a way to.
Please help!

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Some precontractions arent unusual, lets hope this is it.   Also pauses in labor may happen.   As long she is fine inbetween, no problems, no active labor - be wigilant and observant, but you dont need to panic.   As so it seems here she is OK.

You can massage gently her tummy, if she allows it.  Many cats just about to deliver like it very much.

How is it, is she unstressed? Has a nice cozy place to go away too?   Cats can in some degree control the moment of giving birth, and if the situation isnt optimal, they will wait till it goes better.    Some cats prefer to have company of their beloved Ma, while some others prefer to be left alone in this moment...

Also, kittens seems to manage a little too long pregnancy better than humans.  While they dont manage well too early delivery, much worse than human babies.  Which is something to think about when reasoning about a possible cesarean.  With humans its no big deal, with kittens its a matter to deeply ponder about.

That said, look out which vet you will contact IF.  You can perhaps phone this vet already now and ask for advice?

Also, try to raise some money.  Easiest by lending from relatives or neigbours.  If you dont need to go to the vet, you just pay back the loan.

In times of dire need, the social norm is to help, if a neibour is asking for help.  Even if you usually dont speek with each other.

Please come back with reports and new questions!

  Good luck!

Most of these links have been readied by our forumist  Red Top Rescue:

We have a good collection of articles in the Cat Health section which you can access by scrolling up to the brown bar, clicking on Articles,and then choosing the Cat Health section and scrolling through the choices.  To make this super easy for you, I am copying the links regarding birth, delivery and newborns for you here.  After reading this information, let us know if you have any more questions.  And good luck with your approaching new arrivals.

 Birth, Delivery and Newborns

How to Tell if My Cat is Pregnant?

Cat Pregnancy

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?

Pregnant Cat? What to Prepare For the Birth

Help! My Cat is Having Kittens!

Premature Kittens

Post-Birth Complications in Cats

And also:

http://www.icatcare.org/advice/my-cat-having-kittens     ( This is a link to a group of articles on cat pregnancy, birth and kittens.   Read the ones on normal cat birth and on " when to wait and when to worry"  )  

Fleece or flannel good to use in the bedding for kittens.

She is okay this morning. It looks like she's gained like 40 kg' within a night. She's finding it hard to walk (she wobbles) and to lay down as she is so big. I gave her some milk this morning for breakfast because she absolutely loves milk in the morning and she was extremely slow to drink it. She normally scoffs it down within 5 minutes and today it took her around 10 and she didn't even drink it all. That's not like her. What could that mean?

noarna said:

She is okay this morning. It looks like she's gained like 40 kg' within a night. She's finding it hard to walk (she wobbles) and to lay down as she is so big. I gave her some milk this morning for breakfast because she absolutely loves milk in the morning and she was extremely slow to drink it. She normally scoffs it down within 5 minutes and today it took her around 10 and she didn't even drink it all. That's not like her. What could that mean?

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It is quite common they dont eat the last day before delivery. Its one of the signs, so to  speak.  But of course, you dont want real problems, and the situation is touchy, so good you are vigilant.

I mean, if you notice more/other alarming symptoms, together they shall cause you to contact your vet.

Good luck!

My cat just had 6 kittens a couple of hours ago. It's her first litter and my first experience with newborns. I was just wondering a couple of things. When is it normal for the mother to come out of the nesting spot for a few moments? And how long should they leave for? When can the kittens come out of the nesting area for a little bit before going back in there later?
Another very important question I have is when can I move the mother and babies to somewhere clean? She had the babies on a sheet and now it is filled with yuck water and blood. All I want to do is move them to a little clean area I have set up for them.

Any other tips you have for me on what to do with newborns would be greatly appreciated.

she will stay with the kittens for awhile how long? i can't remember, when she comes out it will be only for little bit as they get older she will leaving them alone longer periods of time  she need rest, try not brother the kittens too much as it might cause her to stress out, make sure you are meeting her nutrition needs, give her more food, provide her water, weigh them daily at the same time to make sure they growing at a good rate and getting enough milk. a kitchen food scale will work

noarna said:

My cat just had 6 kittens a couple of hours ago. It's her first litter and my first experience with newborns. I was just wondering a couple of things. When is it normal for the mother to come out of the nesting spot for a few moments? And how long should they leave for? When can the kittens come out of the nesting area for a little bit before going back in there later?
Another very important question I have is when can I move the mother and babies to somewhere clean? She had the babies on a sheet and now it is filled with yuck water and blood. All I want to do is move them to a little clean area I have set up for them.

Any other tips you have for me on what to do with newborns would be greatly appreciated.

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You can probably move the mom and kittens now, if you hadnt done it earlier.   She doenst like smelly nest, so she will surely cooperate, unless a shy semiferale.

Make ready the second nest nearby, and move carefully the kittens one at a time, easy but quickly, so she see what you are doing, and they not protesting.  She will surely understand what you are doning

Essentially the same advice if she IS a shy semiferale, or in her super protective mode.

But as she is your own family girl, you shouldnt have any difficulties.

Re the leaving the nest: most moms go out the nest mostly to eat, do their business, strech her legs,perhaps get some petting. Returning soon, at latest when the kittens are beginning to protest...   Be sure not to let her outside your home!    They can become in heat again after just one week - and when in heat, they want out to meet a tom.

They arent protected by lactacing, unlike humans who are somewhat protected.

Kittens will begin to try and leave the nest when about 3 weeks, and more and more with time, to their moms desperation...    So be sure the room is kitten-secured, and you have non clumping litter in moms and their litter-box.

Observe, with 6 kittens there will be some problems with whom shall have which teat.  And the weakest / smallest will get the worst theat, or may even be stopped.  Look out some. Perhaps rotate them. Be prepare to help the weakest.

Weighing them everyday with a scale measuring in grammes, as mentioned by MWallace, will help you to have a clue on what is happening.

If they are very alike, you must mark them with something.  Perhaps easiest is with a non poisoning nail color, on their hind paw nails.

Please come with reports, and further questions.

Good luck!

noarna said:

My cat just had 6 kittens a couple of hours ago. It's her first litter and my first experience with newborns. I was just wondering a couple of things. When is it normal for the mother to come out of the nesting spot for a few moments? And how long should they leave for? When can the kittens come out of the nesting area for a little bit before going back in there later?
Another very important question I have is when can I move the mother and babies to somewhere clean? She had the babies on a sheet and now it is filled with yuck water and blood. All I want to do is move them to a little clean area I have set up for them.

Any other tips you have for me on what to do with newborns would be greatly appreciated.

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Congratulations, I hope mom and kittens are doing well!

It completely differes per cat how many times and when she leaves the nest. You have cats who only go out to eat and poop/pee when they really need it, other than that they stay with their children for as long as possible. Other cats leave as soon as they can and only return when they hear their kittens cry for some milk. So there are really extreme cases, and it's all up to your cat on how she does it. It's best to move her food closer to the nest, same for the litter box. That way she doesn't need to go far if she doesn't want to, and still can eat when needed. This is perfect for protective moms. 

If she's far from protective and leaves a lot, make sure your kittens are warm and that the mother returns every few hours (around 2) to feed her babies. They shouldn't cry all the time, this means they are hungry and the mom isn't feeding them well. Also, try to weight you kittens every day around the same time. This way you can make sure they all drink enough and grow well. It should be around 5~10 grams a day. They shouldn't stand still in their weight neither should they continue to lose weight all the time. That would not be healthy.

You can clean the nest if you wish, but I personally wouldn't do that yet. As this is her first litter, you don't know how she will do yet. The dirt and smell is only dirty to the human eye, your cat will not matter. I would wait a few days before you clean the nest, but I wouldn't move them anywhere else if you don't have to. Just clean the dirty sheet and return the kittens to their current location. If the mom doesn't like the location or thinks it's too dirty, she will move them herself. Leave it to nature

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. The first few weeks are rather "boring" as it's all up to mom. Just make sure you weight them once a day for the first few weeks, to make sure they do well. Around 3 weeks they will start moving a little, and around 4 weeks, your fun begins (different food, first time litterbox, playing etc).