Nesting behavior (or lack thereof) in my VERY pregnant foster momma

kstou002

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I am currently fostering a pregnant mama cat that we have named Violet.  She was brought to animal control as one of a few friendly cats in a basically feral cat colony in a lady's backyard.  The lady had been feeding the cats for years, but apparently had not gotten any of them fixed, so when the husband got fed up with the many MANY cats in his yard, he started trapping them and bringing them to the shelter.  Most of the females from the colony were pregnant when they came to us.  Only a couple of them (including out Violet) turned out to be friendly and tolerant of human handling.  So that's the background on her.  We essentially know nothing about when she mated.  That being said, when she came into the shelter she had about 2 weeks left before the big event, by our estimate.  

I have everything set up for her, and have experience with pregnant cats since I work at an animal shelter, however I have not had one give birth in my house before.  I know what to do, what to look for, etc, and know the classic signs of impending labor.  BUT.  This cat is holding onto her kittens for dear life, and I know she's super close.  Any day now.  She has milk.  She has a slight bloody discharge occasionally.  I can see the kittens bouncing around in there.  And she is SO pregnant.  She waddles.  She pretty much sleeps all day.  I'm pretty sure if she sneezed, the kittens would shoot out.  (lol jk)  Everything seems pretty much normal.

Here's my question:

She is obviously very close to giving birth.  However she hasn't been going for any of the lovely soft nesting areas I have set up.  She attempted to set up shop behind the washing machine about a week ago, but I put a stop to that.  She will NOT sleep on anything but a hard floor.  She'll sleep on the kitchen floor, the bathroom floor behind the toilet, in the bathtub, etc, but not on anything soft.  Do cats always make a "soft" nest?  I don't know if maybe it has something to do with the fact that she has lived outside her whole life and has never had nice soft cuddly things.  Is it possible that she is "putting off" labor because she can't find a nesting spot that she likes?  Should I give her a plain hard box and see if she likes it?  I just don't know what to do.  I'm tempted to lock her in the bathroom and tell her "you can come out when you're not pregnant anymore."

Would love some general advice and input.  
 

quinnmcc

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I am currently fostering a pregnant mama cat that we have named Violet.  She was brought to animal control as one of a few friendly cats in a basically feral cat colony in a lady's backyard.  The lady had been feeding the cats for years, but apparently had not gotten any of them fixed, so when the husband got fed up with the many MANY cats in his yard, he started trapping them and bringing them to the shelter.  Most of the females from the colony were pregnant when they came to us.  Only a couple of them (including out Violet) turned out to be friendly and tolerant of human handling.  So that's the background on her.  We essentially know nothing about when she mated.  That being said, when she came into the shelter she had about 2 weeks left before the big event, by our estimate.  

I have everything set up for her, and have experience with pregnant cats since I work at an animal shelter, however I have not had one give birth in my house before.  I know what to do, what to look for, etc, and know the classic signs of impending labor.  BUT.  This cat is holding onto her kittens for dear life, and I know she's super close.  Any day now.  She has milk.  She has a slight bloody discharge occasionally.  I can see the kittens bouncing around in there.  And she is SO pregnant.  She waddles.  She pretty much sleeps all day.  I'm pretty sure if she sneezed, the kittens would shoot out.  (lol jk)  Everything seems pretty much normal.

Here's my question:
She is obviously very close to giving birth.  However she hasn't been going for any of the lovely soft nesting areas I have set up.  She attempted to set up shop behind the washing machine about a week ago, but I put a stop to that.  She will NOT sleep on anything but a hard floor.  She'll sleep on the kitchen floor, the bathroom floor behind the toilet, in the bathtub, etc, but not on anything soft.  Do cats always make a "soft" nest?  I don't know if maybe it has something to do with the fact that she has lived outside her whole life and has never had nice soft cuddly things.  Is it possible that she is "putting off" labor because she can't find a nesting spot that she likes?  Should I give her a plain hard box and see if she likes it?  I just don't know what to do.  I'm tempted to lock her in the bathroom and tell her "you can come out when you're not pregnant anymore."

Would love some general advice and input.  
Your suspicions don't sound far off, at all. She could definitely be holding off on going into labour because she doesn't feel settled. Are the nests you've created for her in a dark, secluded area? They like that the most. Even tight and awkward places. If you have some space in a closet, put a big Rubbermaid container in with some basic newspaper and a light towel down, just remember to keep the area as dark as possible. If she does end up giving birth in an awkward spot, bring some blankies to her and comfort her until she's done, and then gently pick her up and place her in the box/bin with her babies. Don't worry about moving them, I literally have to do this for almost every single pregnant rescue.
It doesn't harm them. Just don't put her somewhere bright, loud and in the open, as THAT is what will stress her out!

I'm sure you know exactly what you're doing.

Post pics if you can :)
 
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kstou002

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I think she has decided that she likes behind the toilet in the bathroom.  At least that's where she goes off to lay down the most.  I think I'm gonna just go with it and try to make it dark and quiet and try to confine her in there.  Good thing we have 2 bathrooms. 
  I'm also wondering if maybe the pregnancy is lasting longer because she will be  having a larger litter.  Hoping to wake up one morning to a happy momma with happy kittens.  Wish she'd get on with it already!
 

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I agree with Q quinnmcc about a nesting place. The cat sounds as though she's about ready to give birth. If she's happy in the bathroom, put her food, water, and litter in there, and leave her be except to check on her for now. She sounds a bit freaked out, and cats do go for what they know, which in her case, is the basics. Some strays even initially prefer dirt in their litter boxes, as that is what they know.

About the bloody discharge - is it pinkish? If so, that's okay. If it's red blood, that's not normal and she needs to see a vet.

Please keep us posted, and thank you for helping her!
 
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quinnmcc

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I agree with talkingpeanut talkingpeanut about a nesting place. The cat sounds as though she's about ready to give birth. If she's happy in the bathroom, put her food, water, and litter in there, and leave her be except to check on her for now. She sounds a bit freaked out, and cats do go for what they know, which in her case, is the basics. Some strays even initially prefer dirt in their litter boxes, as that is what they know.

About the bloody discharge - is it pinkish? If so, that's okay. If it's red blood, that's not normal and she needs to see a vet.

Please keep us posted, and thank you for helping her!
Are you referring to me as "talking peanut"? LOL. I think you tagged the wrong thing [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128570[/emoji]
 

Sarthur2

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Oops! Apparently I tagged the wrong poster. My apologies to you! Thank you for pointing it out. I still support what you said. [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 

quinnmcc

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Oops! Apparently I tagged the wrong poster. My apologies to you! Thank you for pointing it out. I still support what you said. [emoji]128522[/emoji]
Haha no worries! I think talkingpeanut and I have the same display picture, easy mistake to make[emoji]128522[/emoji] But, yes, the nest has a lot to do with everything!
 
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kstou002

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Apparently all it took for Violet to decide to have her kittens was me posting on here about her not having her kittens yet.  I woke to the cry of "kittens" from my insomniac husband about 3:30 this morning.  We are two kittens in so far.  Mom and babies are doing well.  She decided on the bathtub, which is the place I originally set up in the first place.  Will post pictures as soon as we're all done.  
 

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Good news!  Proceed so!

Re the behavior.

Beside the reasons already mentioned,  it seems common they dont take the favorite nest before the delivery.  In nature, they dont want to get it soiled nor flea infested too early...  But they DO appreciate to know there is a  good nest ready for them, or even a couple to choose.

Qute a few want also to lay on the floor. It seems it feels comfortable for them, some chilling off when they have these hot kittens inside producing them too warmth.

Good you helped her as you did.  and now comes the results.

Holding thumbs!
 

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How are things going? Anymore kittens? I think the tub was an excellent choice for a birthing experience. You really did set her up just in time!
 
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kstou002

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We started at 3:30 this morning, and we are at 6 kittens now.  All are doing well.  Mama is relaxed and all the babies are happily nursing.  The last kitten we got was a little after 12 pm.  I'm pretty sure she has at least one more.  I know that there can be long gaps between kittens sometimes.  I'm just not sure how long I should wait/what to look for before I whisk her off to the vet.  There is nothing that I've seen that is concerning me, and mama doesn't seem in any distress.  I would hate to stress her out and take her just to have the vet say "be patient."
 

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No need to take her in unless you suspect something is wrong. It sounds like she could have one more kitten that she'll deliver when she's ready, or is could just be her stretched uterus.
 

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We started at 3:30 this morning, and we are at 6 kittens now.  All are doing well.  Mama is relaxed and all the babies are happily nursing.  The last kitten we got was a little after 12 pm.  I'm pretty sure she has at least one more.  I know that there can be long gaps between kittens sometimes.  I'm just not sure how long I should wait/what to look for before I whisk her off to the vet.  There is nothing that I've seen that is concerning me, and mama doesn't seem in any distress.  I would hate to stress her out and take her just to have the vet say "be patient."
dont let her eat the last placenta!   If momma is OK, no visible troubles, you can wait and see. Even if you KNOW there is one more.  But often its just some natural swellings of the vomb.   One forumite even felt movements and went to the vet - it was probably just gases...

Edit: a couple of minor typos.
 
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kstou002

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Everything that I have read says to let the mama cat eat as many placentas as she wants.  Is there a reason why I shouldn't?  She still seems relaxed and is nursing the kittens.  Just seems like there might still be another one in there...
 

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Eating too many placentas will cause momma to have diarrhea. This typically subsides after two days or so.
 

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Everything that I have read says to let the mama cat eat as many placentas as she wants.  Is there a reason why I shouldn't?  She still seems relaxed and is nursing the kittens.  Just seems like there might still be another one in there...
Because of the risk of hefty diarrhea, as said.  It may perhaps be simply lotsa of  high energy food, totally accustomed.  Also, there are surely quite a lot of hormone residues.

So they recommend max 4, more than tis t increases the risk.

If the litter isnt very big, it doesnt matter, and she is welcome to eat everything.  But if the litter is big, it becomes suddenly a real question.

One aspect is, purebreds tends to have smaller litter than moggies do have.  So for a vet whom mainly works with breeders and owners of purebreds, ie a typical writer for handbookd for other veterinarians,  it does no big problem - he does seldom sees litter of more than 4-5.  As so he writes his book.
 
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