Found a pregnant stray, wondering when these little things are gonna come

So about two weeks ago I found a little stray cat in my backyard. I have four other cats (all of whom greatly dislike each other but coexist sort of peacefully) and a little dachshund. I took the cat in, named her Ciara (pronounced Keira) and let her live in my bedroom. She's met the other animals and has roamed around a bit but I like to keep her in my room. My mom is on holiday for the next three weeks and I'm a broke college student. (Not really broke but I have four other cats and a dog). I realized soon enough that Ciara is pregnant, but didn't look that big. I assumed she was about four weeks pregnant, so I scheduled an appointment with a free mobile clinic to be spayed this Wednesday (2/18), and effectively abort the kittens as well. WELL IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT IM 99% SURE THIS B*TCH IS IN PRE-LABOR. 

I've avoided homework all week to watch every youtube video in existence of kittens being born/the signs/what to do/how to care for them/etc. 

Starting about three nights ago I noticed Ciara was extremely antsy, trying to get out of my room and climb into closets/get lost around the house, etc. Although I can't feel any kittens moving or kicking, her stomach has tightened up (much firmer than before) and her nipples are bright pink, swollen, and have a decent ring of fur missing around her areola. I do not feel any pockets of liquid around her nipples, but they do have some white specs (dried milk, perhaps?). I bought some KMR in a can just in case. Last night and the night before she was completely restless, begging for me to give her attention (although she's been sticking her butt in my face and following me around the house since the second I brought her inside). Her purring was out of control so I was assuming she was beginning to have pre-labor contractions. The base of her tail is a little bit swollen and has been for about three nights now. I have not noticed discharge but she has been licking and grooming herself almost constantly. Today she ate a little wet food in the morning, slept on my bed (she was sweet but didn't want any cuddling today) and doesn't seem nearly as distraught as she was last night. 

The plan is to spay her ASAP (I'm guessing I might have to wait until after she gives birth) and get her vaccinations done (as well as the kittens). I will give the kittens away  (to people, not a shelter) after 12 weeks when they are done w/ vaccinations. 

Her temperature has been 99 degrees for two nights now. This tells me labor is coming; she's been trying to nest, sleeping a bit then getting uncomfortable, and moving again. Her stomach really isn't that big at all and right now she's laying on her side next to me in bed. She isn't sleeping and her breathing seems pretty normal but she is purring (she looks a little uncomfortable). 

Am I gonna have kittens sometime tonight or what?

Ironically, as I finished typing that sentence, she jerked forward and her breathing has picked up just a little bit. I have four kittening beds set up around my bedroom (I'll do anything I can to avoid homework) and cold water, high-protein kitten food (spent three weeks worth of cigarettes on the all-natural dry food for kittens and nursing mothers), and a pellet-litter box near the beds. Everything is in close proximity to each other but she just wants to spread out on my bed (to which I object, I do not want bloody fetuses next to my face tomorrow morning). 

Also, before I bake my room out with marijuana can someone let me know whether its a good idea to let my pregnant cat receive the gifts of grand daddy purp or is that irresponsible and highly unadvised??

PS Ciara is about 7 months old, which puts us both on the same wavelength of teenage maturity (or lack thereof). Good news is that I think she is surpassing me at a steadily increasing rate. 

I just need some advice. Someone tell me she's going to go in labor soon?

What if I'm asleep when the kittens come? What if I find that I can't take care of the kittens if she rejects them? So very worried for my little girl right now. HELP PLEASE. 

azherosenko said:

 
So about two weeks ago I found a little stray cat in my backyard. I have four other cats (all of whom greatly dislike each other but coexist sort of peacefully) and a little dachshund. I took the cat in, named her Ciara (pronounced Keira) and let her live in my bedroom. She's met the other animals and has roamed around a bit but I like to keep her in my room. My mom is on holiday for the next three weeks and I'm a broke college student. (Not really broke but I have four other cats and a dog). I realized soon enough that Ciara is pregnant, but didn't look that big. I assumed she was about four weeks pregnant, so I scheduled an appointment with a free mobile clinic to be spayed this Wednesday (2/18), and effectively abort the kittens as well. WELL IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT IM 99% SURE THIS B*TCH IS IN PRE-LABOR. 

I've avoided homework all week to watch every youtube video in existence of kittens being born/the signs/what to do/how to care for them/etc. 

Starting about three nights ago I noticed Ciara was extremely antsy, trying to get out of my room and climb into closets/get lost around the house, etc. Although I can't feel any kittens moving or kicking, her stomach has tightened up (much firmer than before) and her nipples are bright pink, swollen, and have a decent ring of fur missing around her areola. I do not feel any pockets of liquid around her nipples, but they do have some white specs (dried milk, perhaps?). I bought some KMR in a can just in case. Last night and the night before she was completely restless, begging for me to give her attention (although she's been sticking her butt in my face and following me around the house since the second I brought her inside). Her purring was out of control so I was assuming she was beginning to have pre-labor contractions. The base of her tail is a little bit swollen and has been for about three nights now. I have not noticed discharge but she has been licking and grooming herself almost constantly. Today she ate a little wet food in the morning, slept on my bed (she was sweet but didn't want any cuddling today) and doesn't seem nearly as distraught as she was last night. 

The plan is to spay her ASAP (I'm guessing I might have to wait until after she gives birth) and get her vaccinations done (as well as the kittens). I will give the kittens away  (to people, not a shelter) after 12 weeks when they are done w/ vaccinations. 

Her temperature has been 99 degrees for two nights now. This tells me labor is coming; she's been trying to nest, sleeping a bit then getting uncomfortable, and moving again. Her stomach really isn't that big at all and right now she's laying on her side next to me in bed. She isn't sleeping and her breathing seems pretty normal but she is purring (she looks a little uncomfortable). 

Am I gonna have kittens sometime tonight or what?

Ironically, as I finished typing that sentence, she jerked forward and her breathing has picked up just a little bit. I have four kittening beds set up around my bedroom (I'll do anything I can to avoid homework) and cold water, high-protein kitten food (spent three weeks worth of cigarettes on the all-natural dry food for kittens and nursing mothers), and a pellet-litter box near the beds. Everything is in close proximity to each other but she just wants to spread out on my bed (to which I object, I do not want bloody fetuses next to my face tomorrow morning). 

Also, before I bake my room out with marijuana can someone let me know whether its a good idea to let my pregnant cat receive the gifts of grand daddy purp or is that irresponsible and highly unadvised??

PS Ciara is about 7 months old, which puts us both on the same wavelength of teenage maturity (or lack thereof). Good news is that I think she is surpassing me at a steadily increasing rate. 

I just need some advice. Someone tell me she's going to go in labor soon?

What if I'm asleep when the kittens come? What if I find that I can't take care of the kittens if she rejects them? So very worried for my little girl right now. HELP PLEASE. 

Click to expand...

What is grand daddy purp?

a type of marijuana lol

why are you concerned with types of marijuana when my pregnant cat is literally lying here so uncomfortable and the whole point of my posting here was to beg the question CAN SOMEONE QUALIFIED LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY THINK MY CAT IS GOING TO START HAVING BABIES????

At any rate, I'm not gonna smoke in the same room as my cat who is having contractions right now. 

k thanks 

The labor is apparently just around the corner.  The exact moment isnt easy to tell.  I dont have my links either on this computer.

Has she dropped as yet?  Ie her tummy seems smaller than it was?

Anyway,  skip any smoking in the same room as she is, and good luck!

Thank you - I was wondering what on earth 'purple purp' was. It is a long time since some of us were students, and names for things change.

At the top of this forum you will find a list af articles to read that may help you. The truth is that no-one, qualified or not (and none of us are vets though we are vastly experienced) can tell you exactly when it will happen without seeing the cat, and even then it is always a bit of a guess. It certainly sounds as if she is about to give birth, but it seems her waters have not broken and she has not lost her mucus plug (which shows as a thick sticky brownish discharge). Both those things should happen first, but they can be a day or two before labour or just a few hours. As in humans, labour length is a variable in cats. Many of us have gone through all the frustration you are now experiencing, wondering when it will happen, while the cat wanders around, obviously feeling uncomfortable and not knowing what to do. But if she is actually having contractions then labour has probably begun, though again sometimes there can be a false alarm and they stop again.

The good news is that the vast majority of cats go through labour and birth with no problems and no need of any human intervention. Your cat is very young of course, and that could cause problems. You are right to be watchful and you have done a lot of preparation. It would be a good idea to talk with a vet, just to warn them that your cat is about to have kittens, so you know who to talk to if there is a problem like a stuck kitten or the mom seems in distress. And yes, I would keep the marijuana fug to a minimum for the moment, not just for her sake but so you are fully aware and alert to take action if you need to.

Keep posting here so that we can advise you too, even if it is only to explain something or to tell you if we think anything is wrong and might need a vet quickly.

Good luck

I don't have much to add to the advice you've already received, but here are some articles that might help you through this process.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cat-pregnancy
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-do-i-know-when-my-cat-will-give-birth
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/pregnant-cat-what-to-prepare-for-the-birth
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/help-my-cat-is-having-kittens
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/premature-kittens
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/post-birth-complications-in-cats

A azherosenko

It sounds to me like your cat's kittens have dropped down towards the birth canal in preparation for birthing. This usually occurs about 48 hours before delivery. Stage One labor is when the tummy gets hard and you can literally see the belly rippling in waves. This can last for a good 24 hours, followed by hard contractions and pushing. It sounds like your cat may be in Stage One. Cats are very uncomfortable and in pain during this, which is why they move around a lot. You may want to spread towels over your bed to protect it in case she gives birth there.

Thank you for taking care of this poor kitty. She can be spayed when her kittens are 8 weeks old. Kittens can be spayed at 8-10 weeks or the two pound mark.

You'll also want to feed your cat wet food a couple of times a day, along with a daily dish of KMR for extra protein and calcium during nursing. This is in addition to the kitten chow.

Any kind of smoke will be hazardous to the mom's and kittens' health.

Let us know how your cat is doing today, and post a picture of her too! She's definitely close to her time! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

I couldn't add anything to the great advice or articles above, but I can educate you as to the difference between cats and dogs, i.e. a female dog is a "bitch" but a female cat is a "QUEEN," so you have a pregnant queen in your house.   I'm not kidding.  Ask any breeder. 

You will be able to get her spayed two weeks after all the kittens stop nursing, and it's best if they can stay with their mom and siblings until they are 8 weeks old.  Sometimes the queen will wean them, and other times she will let them nurse forever.  Taking all the kittens away at the same time is very bad for her because the milk will engorge her.  It is best to remove kittens from her two at a time, usually by adopting them out to new homes.  When you get closer to that time, we can give you good advice on placing the kittens with responsible permanent homes (always charge something for them -- you can put it towards the cost of mama cat's spay, and kittens should really have first shots and worming before going to new homes.  Having records of that justifies you charging for them and also weeds out people who would not continue to give them proper vet care.  By the time they are ready to go, you will probably be as protective as any parent!  We look forward to hearing your updates and seeing pictures of the little ones.

her tummy is smaller on the sides, yes. But comparing her body to other cats, she doesn't look very pregnant at all. Although she has begun lactating and is hiding. 

Will she hold still and let you feel her stomach? If so, if she's late-term you can usually feel their knotty little heads, and feel them moving too. If you can't feel anything, she's probably not that far along, or only has one or two in there and they're hiding. Don't squeeze too hard or anything, just give her tummy a god feel and see what you come up with

Thank you so much, everyone! This has been very helpful. @Red Top Rescue  @sarthur2   @tulosai   @JennyR   @StefanZ   I found her under the bed this morning. She's tried out every kittening bed I have. My bedroom is about 75 degrees right now. There are towels on practically every surface in this room. She is laying on her stomach right now. Her stomach is pretty hard and she is not enjoying be touched very much right now. She is concerned with where I am, and is staying a respectful two feet away from me at all times. She has been drinking way more than she normally does and I saw the kittens moving around in her stomach! She is lactating now and just seems very confused as to what is going on. I would prefer to be as uninvolved in her birthing as possible. I am aware of how to help the kittens if something goes wrong, but I am just a kitten too and I'm nervous to help her out. I have thread ready and know about the placentas and all that. Really really hoping nothing goes wrong. 

Fig. A: She is lactating, but her tummy looks so small! 


Fig. B She just sits like this for about ten min. (she has three other kittening bed to choose from)


Fig. C definitely pregnant.


Fig. D baby girl just ripped my hand to shreds but it's okay cause I love her and labor is hard


Fig. E Not-so-happy Ciara looking at me like she KNOWS I have no idea what I'm doing.

she let me rub her tummy lightly until about five minutes ago. I think she only has two because I can't make out their features, but her tummy is rippling and she's getting really uncomfortable. 

She's laboring, and like you suspect, it's probably only two. When did the rippling start, do you recall?

It started about 24 hours ago. She's been laying down all day, in and of her kittening bed and my bed. Not sure when she's going to start having contractions but this has been going on for 4 nights now 

You are doing a great job making sure she is comfortable. She will probably want you with her during the birth. Many young moms want a human companion with them, it helps keeping them calm.

You mentioning being worried about the cat having the babies on your bed brings back an old memory for me. Years ago I had a roommate who's cat got pregnant.  My roommates cat did actually have kittens on her bed while she was at work.  My other roommate happened to go in her room to use her computer and noticed what was happening.  He brought one of the nesting boxes into the bedroom and put it right next to the bed.  Mommy had two kittens on the bed but moved the kittens and had the remaining 3 in her box.  I came home from class in the middle of all of this.  When he told me the cat had given birth on the bed I had him take all the sheets and everything off the bed since I do not do well around blood.  He put everything in a bag for me and I immediately took my roommates bedding to a dry cleaners and explained what happened.  The dry cleaners was able to completely clean all the bedding.  I called my roommate at work and told her what happened and gave her my extra set of bedding stuff to use until she got hers back from the cleaners.  According to my other roommate things were very messy but the dry cleaner was able to save her sheets and heavy comforter.  Nothing got on the mattress itself.

Hey, how's it going today? Any progress? [emoji]128522[/emoji]

hi! So she's been very lazy, although much more curious, trying to get out of my room. She has been ripping up paper and hanging out under my bed and in my closet, completely ignoring the beds I made for her. She is huge now and I definitely see her kittens moving around. I think her kittens have dropped and she will begin labor some time tonight (maybe 8-9 hours from now?)

i think she's ready to pop