found a pregnant cat... any ways to tell when she is due?

Hi there, 

We found a pregnant cat this morning, and we took her to the vet and the vet said that she might be due for kittens in about a week, but she really wasn't sure... I was just wondering if there was any way to tell, so we can have a better idea of when to plan for labor, even if it's not that accurate. 

Also, anything we are supposed to do when she goes into labor? Should we just let her do her thing, or do we need to help in some way...?

any help and advice is greatly appreciated! 

~Spirit   

Here is some light reading for you while waiting for more knowledgeable folks to come along.  There are more specific articles at the top of this forum.
[article="31379"]Pregnant Cat What To Prepare For The Birth  [/article][article="31496"]How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth  [/article][article="29720"]Pregnancy And Delivery In Cats  [/article]

Make a nest and show it to her. It should preferably be in a quiet place such as a bedroom closet or other low-traffic area.

Give her lots of kitten chow and wet food, and continue this while she's nursing.

Some cats want their human near them for comfort during birthing (most do), and some do not. Pregnant cats are generally very affectionate. Follow her cues when the time comes.

Make sure she has no fleas. Now is a good time to apply Advantage to her neck to get rid of fleas, as they can quickly cause anemia in newborn kittens.

Signs of impending labor include a hard, rippling belly, loss of mucus plug or other discharge, dilation, and moving from spot to spot in discomfort.

We're here for your questions. Post a picture of mama kitty if you can .

Akarmia said:

 
Hi there, 

We found a pregnant cat this morning, and we took her to the vet and the vet said that she might be due for kittens in about a week, but she really wasn't sure... I was just wondering if there was any way to tell, so we can have a better idea of when to plan for labor, even if it's not that accurate. 

Also, anything we are supposed to do when she goes into labor? Should we just let her do her thing, or do we need to help in some way...?

any help and advice is greatly appreciated! 

~Spirit 

 

Click to expand...

No, you really cant, esp as you dont have any of the possible points to get the count rectyfied, alike when she got mated, or when you felt the kittens move for the first time.  Even among the cat owners, who did,  "the waiting game"   is the favorite pastime here.   NOT.   Still, very common.

Tx for helping this girl!

Good luck!

Ok, thank you!! 

Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful information!! We will definitely build her a little area, but what are good things to make it with? soft towels, or blankets maybe? 

Ok, we'll get the correct food, thanks for the information on that! 

She doesn't have fleas, the vet confirmed that when we took her in. And none of our other pets have fleas either. 

Ok, we'll keep an eye out for those things.. What should we do when we notice things like that? lead her to her nest, or let her find her own spot...?

Thank you so much! And I would post a pic, but she is very camera shy... If we ever get a pic, I'll post it! 

Thanks again for your help! 

~Spirit

Handsome Kitty said:

 
Here is some light reading for you while waiting for more knowledgeable folks to come along.  There are more specific articles at the top of this forum.
[article="31379"]Pregnant Cat What To Prepare For The Birth  [/article][article="31496"]How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth  [/article][article="29720"]Pregnancy And Delivery In Cats  [/article]

Click to expand...

Thank you so much!! I will look into all of this!! 

Blankets are softer and kitten claws do not get stuck in them as they do in towels, though you may want to put towels on top for the actual birthing, then pull them out later.

When you notice signs just follow her cues. Hopefully she'll go to her nest, but she may not. Once a kitten is born you can move it to the nest if she has it elsewhere, and she will likely follow. Regardless of where she has the kittens, they'll need the nest afterwards.

Reading the suggested articles will help greatly.

You can take a picture of her sleeping or eating. It does not need to be posed .

Ok, I will definitely get some blankets for her nest.. And should it just be a little area with just those, or would it work in a cardboard box or something with a area cut out for her to get in and out...?

Ok, that makes sense now.

I have, and they were very useful.

Sorry, I should have been more specific... She wont go near any cameras, or electronics.. She sleeps and naps under our couch or bed, so we can't take a picture then, and we have tried to get a pic of her eating... She ran off. wish I could, but she's difficult..

Fleece or flannel are two other alternatives.  But they are most useful later on, when the kittens are bigger and begin to crawling more seriously.

A box is fine as long as it's big enough for mom to stretch out in while nursing. It also helps contain the kittens, but a blanket-only nest works too. Your choice!