How can I tell how pregnant my cat is?

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
Not a big deal at all :). Just leave her a bowl of water to drink. She is looking big! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #22

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Tomorrow will mark 20 days that I have had Lilly, the stray who found me. On the 4th day that I found her I felt the kittens move in her. She is still in hauling her canned food and dry kitten chow. She has probably put on almost four pounds. She is very affectionate, but I see no signs of labor. She tummy feels very solid today. I know I have to wait for nature to take its course, but oh boy how big can this cat get? She also shows no interest in the nesting box, she just straight lays in the extra dog bed (away from the dogs) or on the floor. I have caught her moving stuff around like sheets and things.
 

handsome kitty

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
6,193
Purraise
1,062
Location
Newark CA
It's good that she has had this time to get extra food while the kittens have been developing. Do you remember when you first saw the kittens move?  They are usually born 2 - 3 weeks afterwards.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #24

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Saturday July 18th. I felt them and we started seeing them move around. I was just in there with her and the babies are kicking or moving and she just moves nonstop uncomrtable I would assume. She did lay there long enough for me to see them moving in there and they look like they are clear down ready to go anytime! I have her in my attached garage because I have two dogs one of which doesn't care for cats. This garage isn't used for anything but a little storage so we set up two nesting boxes and she has my dogs old bed out there that she absolutely loves. I also have three daughters home from college so traffic inside is crazy right now.
 

handsome kitty

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
6,193
Purraise
1,062
Location
Newark CA
She will drop 24 -48 hours before she gives birth.  She will look slimmer and the kittens will not move as much as they move closer to the hind legs. 

Cats do not go into the nesting box until ready to  give birth.  They want it to be clean and without their scent so they don't attract predators.

She may want you with her when she gives birth.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #26

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Oh ok that makes me feel better. I figured she may want me in there. She is always stuck by my side when I'm out there. She is so sweet just sad someone tossed her out like they did. She was so skinny but I could tell she was pregnant. I have done everything I can to make her feel safe and loved and as soon as we wean the babies I will be getting her spayed for sure.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
Here's my butterball pregnant stray the day before she gave birth:


They can get VERY big!

The moving around feeling uncomfortable is a sign that she is very close. She may be having stage one contractions. Just check on her frequently.

How is the air flow in the detached garage? Is it hot enough to set up a fan to blow air? Or is it cool and perhaps the kittens once born might need a heating pad set on low. Or will you eventually bring them all in again? (This would be ideal).

It is sad when folks just dump pregnant strays. Mine was a pregnant stray also. They always seem so grateful to have a home.

Good luck and keep us posted! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #28

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Sorry I just seen that you posted. My attached garage is warm and I live in Indiana. It was been very warm here but I have a fan going just to circulate the air out there. I crack the door just a pinch also. I had already read about kittens and temperature so as soon as I notice anything I will turn the fan off. She is chowing down on her food today bits at a time but won't sit still and is crying until I pet her. She doesn't seem in pain but very uncomfortable. Last night she half laid on my lap for a long time. I just hate seeing her miserable. She also only eats when I go out there. She's such a diva.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #29

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
We bought a heating pad over the winter for a stray cat that showed up and its one that if there is weight on it then it heats up but if not it turns off. Should I use something like that.
 

handsome kitty

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
6,193
Purraise
1,062
Location
Newark CA
I have one of those.  The kittens will only weigh about 3 ounces when born.  Will that be enough weight to turn it on?

Sounds like she is getting close.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
As warm as you say it is you probably will not need the heating pad. You can leave the fan to circulate air after the kittens are born. It won't affect the temperature.

She sure is a pretty cat!

It sounds like she's very close from your description of how uncomfortable she is. I hope she's not too lonely out there by herself.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #32

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
I have three daughters who are out there all the time and when I'm home that's where I am. I do feel bad but we have a huge amount of foxes in the area so I know if I would have left her outside she wouldn't have made it. I have called every local rescue place and nobody would take her so I thought this was the best for her for now. One of my daughters is leaving for college in a week and I will bring her in to that room as soon as she goes. The dogs will be blocked off so they can't bother her.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
Oh, that's great news!

I'm glad you did not leave her outside. And glad to hear she's coming back in soon.

Three daughters at college - wow! I have one daughter at college. You really do have an empty nest when they leave!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #34

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Yes very bad empty nest is about to happen! One will stay here I believe because her college is in town and she is my animal lover. My son and his wife to be in Sept. just bought a farm so when the kittens are ready they will be heading to the country to live with them. They will be spayed and neutured of course, but my future daughter in law is patiently awaiting the arrival. Thanks for your help, I will update as she progresses. I am on my way out to see her now.
 
Last edited:

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
It sounds like this story will have a very happy ending for this cat and her kittens! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #36

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Well I still have no kitties and they are moving in Lilly's belly so everything seems alright. She is very attached to me, but will only stay still for max five minutes at a time. I really thought she was close. We got her around July 14th and noticed movement by that weekend. She seems to be carrying them more towards her hips and lower as well but still looks like she ate two balls on each side of her belly.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
It sounds like it won't be too much longer because she's dropped some. I think she's in the home stretch now. :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #38

terrietarr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 19, 2015
Messages
111
Purraise
3
Probably a good thing she waited so long. She was so skinny and had fleas and I was able to get to the vet and care for all that and get her kitten food and canned food. I tried the replacement milk but she is not having it. I am so thankful for the tree weeks because at least I know she has had the care she need for her and the babies.
 
Top