Pregnant Cat Nesting Question

Hi, 

I have a pregnant cat who was seen by my vet a few days ago. My vet was unable to tell how many kittens, but told me to expect them within the next two weeks based on the pregnancy mass. She has gained close to 2 pounds. My cat was very tense when they were examining her so it was difficult for the vet to tell how many kittens there are. The vet explained about the uterus horn and said that a smaller litter is harder to feel and such because of the location where embryos attach starts along the upper part of the horn, etc. I have been able to feel them move when I stroke the sides of her tummy.

Her mammary glands are huge, nipples are pink. I have noticed her tummy rippling off and on, her tummy seems very firm as well. The past few days she is sleeping more and spending a lot of time in hidden type areas such as the cat carrier and the nesting box I set up for her. She also has checked out the area behind my tv, behind cabinets, behind furniture and even under the sink. 

Is this nesting type behavior letting me know she will soon be delivering the kittens? 

Thanks in advance

It sounds pretty normal.  There are a lot of articles at the top of this forum regarding cat birth, and kitten care.  You might want to look them over.

You also might want to add another nesting spot or two.  Some people just add blankets or old t-shirts to spots their cat seems to like, just in case, for easy clean up.  Don't use towels in the nesting boxes, the kittens claws can get hung up on the loops.

Thank you! I will add a few more nesting areas. I have what I call "baby kitten" blankets that I made last year for a litter of orphan kittens I had. (bottle babies) The blankets are various sizes of soft fleece material. They are easy to wash and tiny claws don't get caught in the material. I am familiar with taking care of orphaned kittens but a pregnant cat is a whole new ball game. 

I did read the articles, but being new wanted to double check on nesting behavior. When a cat acts as she is doing, is that indicative that labor is very close? 

I don't think so.  Have you seen the kittens moving.  the cats deliver 2-3 weeks after you see them moving.  Closer to delivery, she'll lose the mucas plug.  The mom cats also get restless and uncomfortable in the last day or so.

Hard to tell with seeing them move because she has long hair. Her fur and skin in the belly area ripples a lot so maybe that is the kittens moving. She has been licking  a lot. Seems pretty comfy though. She is in her nest box right now sleeping. 

Hello! Some cats nest early, and others wait until the last minute. The rippling is kitten movement, and you can usually see it about 2-3 weeks before delivery. However, once a cat's tummy becomes hard, you are likely getting closer. It becomes a waiting game in the end, and patience is the key word. Welcome to the forum and keep posting!

You are right about patience! It is hard to be patient not knowing when they will arrive. I want to make sure I am home when the kittens come in case Indy (my cat) needs help or the vet. We have been seeing the rippling for awhile, I didn't know that was kittens moving so I didn't write down the date. My vet did say she is due within two weeks, that was three days ago. 

She has been in one of the nesting boxes all night - her choice. Seems a bit uncomfortable, but not in any pain. We noticed today she is sitting differently than she usually does, with her hind legs sprawled out. We have never seen her sit that way for so long. 

I am so glad I found this site! 

Well, she may or may not be close to labor, but sitting like that indicates to me that she is very uncomfortable. It may be that her kittens are moving into the birth canal and she is feeling them more. They get big and uncomfortable just like human moms do, and I do think she is close with all of her nesting behavior.

Other reliable signs of impending labor are dilation of the vulva, discharge, constant belly rippling (contractions), and severe restlessness.

Thanks for your reply! Indy isn't eating as much today. I just took her temperature and it is lower than it has been. It is right around 99.8. Although her belly isn't rippling constantly, it is obvious to me she isn't feeling her best. She is very quiet and has been staying in her nest resting. When I fed them earlier, my other cat kept trying to sniff her rear area and she got very upset with that. She won't let me check so I am unsure if she is dilating or not. 

Okay, just keep an eye on her and let us know if you have further questions.

I am having a bit of an issue here. My other cat has become very clingy with Indy, my pregnant cat. Sitting next to her, following her around, sniffing/licking the rear areas, basically constantly hovering over her. She seems a bit annoyed with that at times and moves from one place to the next. Still hanging out most of the time in the various nest boxes I set up for her. The other cat is sniffing every area my pregnant cat has sat too. 

She is close to her due date, I am unsure what to think. This is the first time I have ever seen my other cat act this way. Anyone else had this happen? 

Thank you in advance for you help. 

What sex is your other cat?

A neutered male. They have always been buddies since the day I brought him home.  

jmk49a87 said:

 
I am having a bit of an issue here. My other cat has become very clingy with Indy, my pregnant cat. Sitting next to her, following her around, sniffing/licking the rear areas, basically constantly hovering over her. She seems a bit annoyed with that at times and moves from one place to the next. Still hanging out most of the time in the various nest boxes I set up for her. The other cat is sniffing every area my pregnant cat has sat too. 

She is close to her due date, I am unsure what to think. This is the first time I have ever seen my other cat act this way. Anyone else had this happen? 

Thank you in advance for you help. 

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If the high preg is annoyed with this, better to separate them.    If she were OK and even happily accepting, it were another matter.

IF the clingy is a tom, it gets more complicated, of course.  Although friendly toms not seldom may be a good co-mother (and neutered males quite often) - we dont want complications with perhaps an impregnancy.

Also, females in high preg not seldom smell and even behave like in heat.  Making the males interested...   Which we perhaps dont want to encourage.

jmk49a87 said:

 
A neutered male. They have always been buddies since the day I brought him home.  

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OK, I see.

Play this tune by ear.   At this moment he overdos it, and annoys her a little, but being best friends, and he neutered, he may very well become a good co-caretaker.   Quite common, in fact.

Probably just hormones he's sniffing. Being best friends, he knows something is up and is curious and concerned about his buddy. Like Stefan said, he may end up being a good helper. But if she needs a break from him, separate them now and again.

She isn't acting as though she is in heat. She has been very tired and quiet all day, acting like she isn't feeling very comfortable. He seems concerned almost. I will separate them if she gets annoyed again. Right now she is resting here in her nest and he is sitting outside the nest but relaxed. I wondered if perhaps he senses she isn't feeling her best? Or maybe labor is coming and he senses it? They have been very close since the day I brought him home. 

Thank you so much for your replies! They mean a lot to me. Lol I didn't know that about cats doing that. That is sweet. I will separate them if he is annoying her again. If he is sniffing hormones and being clingy this way, is that indicative her labor is coming on? 

He is definitely sensing that something is up, and probably concerned for her as well. He clearly is not wanting to be away from her. It's sweet, actually. I hope she feels better soon. They really get very tired and achy at the end.

Yes, labor probably coming soon. He can sense it most likely. Cats are interesting that way!