My cat just gave birth, what to do?

My cat Bell was pregnant and we were wondering wen she would finally have the kittens, well she started wondering around and licking her bellow a little bit ago and laying on her side, she let out a distress cry and I got worried. She came into my room after and just went into the little spot I created for her, and I can her a baby meowing when she moves around! I'm happy for her since her last litter didn't go so well with one of the babies. What do i do now? How do I know when she's done giving birth? I only see one at the moment. Thanks

Here's I photo I just stole I see two now I'm so excited

I think she has four now. Should I go near her or leave her alone? I read somewhere that you should wait till she's done giving birth, she keeps having one every 10min so this might be a big litter

I think you should leave her alone for now. Just keep an eye on her to make sure nothing goes wrong :-) Did you take her to the vet for an ultrasound/x-ray to tell how many babies there are?

If she lets you, you could start weighing the babies now, or you could wait until she's settled and the babies are feeding and she's relaxed. Make sure you don't have any runts too, you may need to feed them KMR so that they catch up to the others!

How many litters has she had so far? Is she a common domestic or a pedigree?

Also make sure you check for placentas! You should stick around to make sure she has one placenta per baby, if she doesn't have her placenta after a while, then contact a vet :-) Hope everything goes well!

You should weigh the babies once she's done. If it's a large litter you will likely have runts who need to be supplemented.

What was wrong with the last litter?

Are you able to keep her inside and away from intact males until she can be spayed when the kittens are 8 weeks old? She can get pregnant again within a week, and it's dangerous for her health.

indie-n-button said:

I think you should leave her alone for now. Just keep an eye on her to make sure nothing goes wrong :-) Did you take her to the vet for an ultrasound/x-ray to tell how many babies there are?

If she lets you, you could start weighing the babies now, or you could wait until she's settled and the babies are feeding and she's relaxed. Make sure you don't have any runts too, you may need to feed them KMR so that they catch up to the others!

How many litters has she had so far? Is she a common domestic or a pedigree?

Also make sure you check for placentas! You should stick around to make sure she has one placenta per baby, if she doesn't have her placenta after a while, then contact a vet :-) Hope everything goes well!

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My mom won't let me take any of the cats to our vets since we don't have much money, and we had just recently found out about her pregnancy. I moved the box sheltering her for a moment to check on the kittens (when she had two) but I haven't check since. I heard her eating the placentas and didn't see any when I did look. I'll check again in the morning.

And yeah since I have a scale, I can start weigh in them tomorrow(with her permission of course and maybe I can get some advice from you guys on how much they should be up too by each day/week. I'll also check for runts as well and see if any have trouble nursing since we do have some kitten formula that (if good enough) I could use if needed.

She's had two, counting this one, but the last she had only two kittens and the other didn't survive unfortunately, but we kept the other and she's about a year old now or almost a year old.

And thank you I hope all goes well too. I'll check for the placentas ASAP. Thanks for the advice I appreciate it!

talkingpeanut said:

You should weigh the babies once she's done. If it's a large litter you will likely have runts who need to be supplemented.

What was wrong with the last litter?

Are you able to keep her inside and away from intact males until she can be spayed when the kittens are 8 weeks old? She can get pregnant again within a week, and it's dangerous for her health.

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Yes definitely will start the weighing ASAP. I will also check for runts and any lagging on nursing.

The last litter was a surprise as well. Someone had let her outside on accident and she got pregnant from it during her heat and had the first litter a little to early One kitten was healthy but the other was a little deformed and way smaller. He/she wouldn't eat and cried most of the time...I tried feedin g it with formula but I didn't work and I was probably doing more harm than good, and he/she ended up passing away in my hand. Its one of the worst thing I've experienced in my life

I can most definitely keep her away from our intact male (who is the father of this litter) and any stray intact males. We can't spay her yet since we don't have the funds yet but we are planning to do so as soon as we can along with our male. So she hopefully will soon. Thanks

indie-n-button said:

I think you should leave her alone for now. Just keep an eye on her to make sure nothing goes wrong :-) Did you take her to the vet for an ultrasound/x-ray to tell how many babies there are?

If she lets you, you could start weighing the babies now, or you could wait until she's settled and the babies are feeding and she's relaxed. Make sure you don't have any runts too, you may need to feed them KMR so that they catch up to the others!

How many litters has she had so far? Is she a common domestic or a pedigree?

Also make sure you check for placentas! You should stick around to make sure she has one placenta per baby, if she doesn't have her placenta after a while, then contact a vet :-) Hope everything goes well!

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Oh and she's not pedigree and I think a common domestic.

Ah, I feel you with not being able to hand the funds for a vet, perhaps once she's over with this litter you could look into some low-cost spay clinics? I think some shelters may spay them for cheap if you look around :-) I'm sure some of the other users will be able to look into a little if you tell us what city you're in! It's a good thing that you're getting the male fixed though, it'll make him a lot less grouchy and easier to handle :-) Though he'll still have sperm two weeks after the operation, so keep them separated for 3 weeks just to be on the safe side!

I think that babies should weigh roughly 100g on the first day, 80g is considered a runt, I think, though I'm not too sure, perhaps another user can chip in on this? And I think after that they should gain roughly 10g every day :-)

Also be sure to feel their paws, tails, and face and ears very gently to get them used to people poking and prodding a them just in case they get sick when they're older :-) I'd give it about a week or so before you start doing this though, to let the little family settle! Also what brand of KMR do you have? I heard that the Royal Canin one is best! If you can't get that brand try goat's milk, it's pretty much the same, no cows milk though!

And give Mum as much as she can eat! Give her some kitten food as well, as it's got more nutrients in it than normal cat food. If you're on a budget with cat food, you can add scrambled eggs, yogurt and goats milk to her diet too, those are all very good. I'd give scrambled eggs just 3 times a week though, not too much. And stop it if it gives her the runs. Treats can be given too! She needs all the calories she can get to produce enough milk for the babies :-) I think you can give the Mum some KMR too, but check up with some of the other users to be sure :-) You might want to keep them locked in the room too, so Mum doesn't start moving the babies around the house!

Good luck with them! Post some pictures when you can! And do you have any idea on the sexes yet?

indie-n-button said:

Ah, I feel you with not being able to hand the funds for a vet, perhaps once she's over with this litter you could look into some low-cost spay clinics? I think some shelters may spay them for cheap if you look around :-) I'm sure some of the other users will be able to look into a little if you tell us what city you're in! It's a good thing that you're getting the male fixed though, it'll make him a lot less grouchy and easier to handle :-) Though he'll still have sperm two weeks after the operation, so keep them separated for 3 weeks just to be on the safe side!

I think that babies should weigh roughly 100g on the first day, 80g is considered a runt, I think, though I'm not too sure, perhaps another user can chip in on this? And I think after that they should gain roughly 10g every day :-)

Also be sure to feel their paws, tails, and face and ears very gently to get them used to people poking and prodding a them just in case they get sick when they're older :-) I'd give it about a week or so before you start doing this though, to let the little family settle! Also what brand of KMR do you have? I heard that the Royal Canin one is best! If you can't get that brand try goat's milk, it's pretty much the same, no cows milk though!

And give Mum as much as she can eat! Give her some kitten food as well, as it's got more nutrients in it than normal cat food. If you're on a budget with cat food, you can add scrambled eggs, yogurt and goats milk to her diet too, those are all very good. I'd give scrambled eggs just 3 times a week though, not too much. And stop it if it gives her the runs. Treats can be given too! She needs all the calories she can get to produce enough milk for the babies :-) I think you can give the Mum some KMR too, but check up with some of the other users to be sure :-) You might want to keep them locked in the room too, so Mum doesn't start moving the babies around the house!

Good luck with them! Post some pictures when you can! And do you have any idea on the sexes yet?

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We have a small rescue that comes out to the small animal feed we have down here who does spay on donations but we're just waiting for them to show, and usually they advertise before coming and they come around this time so hopefully they'll come. (They are the ones who spayed our other cats as well) and yes he's a sweet handsome Tom and he's a little sketch always has been since a kitten and usually only let me touch him since I'm also the one who raised him he'll be a proud father since he loved piggie (his daughter from the last litter and played and groomed her once mom was becoming grouchy and didn't want her around her anymore) and I never knew that :0 I'll definitely keep that in mind after he's is Nuetered and keep him away from her.

And thanks! I will weigh them, but right now she's being protective and I am afraid of stressing her out when do you think would be a good time to start the weighing? I'm also super afraid of touching them since their new and I don't want to make them sick.

And yes oh definitely lol when piggie was born I (gently of course) poked and inspected her and she's such a love bug now and loves people and isn't skittish, so I guess I did something right with that lol. And I'm not sure the brand I will have to get te stool and check the tall cupboard once I get a chance. I will probably get the one you suggested though since it'd be the best and I can get goats milk if I can't find it (which hopefully I can). And yes no cows milk for sure.

And yeah okay I can try to get some kitten food as well (wet or dry?) if my mom has the chance to run to the store. And cool never knew that eggs and yogurt would help as well will definitely try that out and see if she likes it! and yep the door is closed since we have a full grown husky and other curious cats about the house, she almost clawed the dogs face off when passing him in the hall way to get some breakfast o.o now I know to keep him far far away lol. And I'll try to see if the kmr is good to give as well. thanks so much again for the advise it is very much appreciated!

And I snuck a pic since it looked like she wanted to show me the babies, so picked up the box causally so I can see better and she let me take a pic so here it is. And wow I think their adorable! :0 this is my first time seeing them all and it's so cute their huddled! like a ball of kittens haha.

indie-n-button said:

Ah, I feel you with not being able to hand the funds for a vet, perhaps once she's over with this litter you could look into some low-cost spay clinics? I think some shelters may spay them for cheap if you look around :-) I'm sure some of the other users will be able to look into a little if you tell us what city you're in! It's a good thing that you're getting the male fixed though, it'll make him a lot less grouchy and easier to handle :-) Though he'll still have sperm two weeks after the operation, so keep them separated for 3 weeks just to be on the safe side!

I think that babies should weigh roughly 100g on the first day, 80g is considered a runt, I think, though I'm not too sure, perhaps another user can chip in on this? And I think after that they should gain roughly 10g every day :-)

Also be sure to feel their paws, tails, and face and ears very gently to get them used to people poking and prodding a them just in case they get sick when they're older :-) I'd give it about a week or so before you start doing this though, to let the little family settle! Also what brand of KMR do you have? I heard that the Royal Canin one is best! If you can't get that brand try goat's milk, it's pretty much the same, no cows milk though!

And give Mum as much as she can eat! Give her some kitten food as well, as it's got more nutrients in it than normal cat food. If you're on a budget with cat food, you can add scrambled eggs, yogurt and goats milk to her diet too, those are all very good. I'd give scrambled eggs just 3 times a week though, not too much. And stop it if it gives her the runs. Treats can be given too! She needs all the calories she can get to produce enough milk for the babies :-) I think you can give the Mum some KMR too, but check up with some of the other users to be sure :-) You might want to keep them locked in the room too, so Mum doesn't start moving the babies around the house!

Good luck with them! Post some pictures when you can! And do you have any idea on the sexes yet?

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Oh and here's a pi of mama When she was pregnant a week ago I'm noire of the sexes as of yet but I will confirm them as soon as possible since I'm good at it and it's my favorite part. My friends would call me over when they had kittens since they didn't know how to identify

Yep, keeping her in her own room away from all other animals is best for now. Bring her food, litter box, and water into her room so she doesn't have to go far. She will be territorial for their first few weeks. Moms usually relax after about three. And, as said above, she can already get pregnant again, so space is necessary.

She should have dry kitten food down all the time, and meals of wet kitten food several times a day.

Try to get weights today - you'll want to know how much they gain in a day. You will not get the kittens sick as long as you wash your hands before handling.

talkingpeanut said:

Yep, keeping her in her own room away from all other animals is best for now. Bring her food, litter box, and water into her room so she doesn't have to go far. She will be territorial for their first few weeks. Moms usually relax after about three. And, as said above, she can already get pregnant again, so space is necessary.

She should have dry kitten food down all the time, and meals of wet kitten food several times a day.

Try to get weights today - you'll want to know how much they gain in a day. You will not get the kittens sick as long as you wash your hands before handling.

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Ok will do I'll definitely wash my hands. Thanks! I'll keep her confined to this room until she wants to eat, our other cat is usually hanging out in the garage and is kept away, so no worries
I'll keep her food down and try to get wet kitten food, again thanks also! This all really help! I'll try post the weights and genders later.

wolff said:

Ok will do I'll definitely wash my hands. Thanks! I'll keep her confined to this room until she wants to eat, our other cat is usually hanging out in the garage and is kept away, so no worries
I'll keep her food down and try to get wet kitten food, again thanks also! This all really help! I'll try post the weights and genders later.

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Food, litter box, and water should be in the room with mom at all times. She should not have to contend with other animals, like your dog, and the kittens are not safe if exposed.

I agree that you should feed her in the room you keep her in, that will also help her get comfy with her surroundings, cats like the places that they get food from! It'll also be easier for her to get up and get some food and then go straight back to feeding the babies :-)

Also I'm not sure if this is true or not, but you can put any runts or slightly underweight kittens onto the nipples that are closes to her back legs. These tend to have more milk than the other nipples :-) Make sure she has lots of water too! Yogurt, liver, heart and raw chicken also provide her with lots of good nutrients!

talkingpeanut said:

Food, litter box, and water should be in the room with mom at all times. She should not have to contend with other animals, like your dog, and the kittens are not safe if exposed.

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My mom won't let me keep the food in my room since it causes ants super quick us being in the dessert and all, and I don't want them going after the babies so we keep her food on the table in the dinning room, and my mom won't let me bring the cat box in since it will stink up my room she says(my rooms very small) and make it smell like kitty litter I tried.

indie-n-button said:

I agree that you should feed her in the room you keep her in, that will also help her get comfy with her surroundings, cats like the places that they get food from! It'll also be easier for her to get up and get some food and then go straight back to feeding the babies :-)

Also I'm not sure if this is true or not, but you can put any runts or slightly underweight kittens onto the nipples that are closes to her back legs. These tend to have more milk than the other nipples :-) Make sure she has lots of water too! Yogurt, liver, heart and raw chicken also provide her with lots of good nutrients!

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And I'm not allowed to have the food in my room since ants will quickly come in, and I tried getting the litter box but my mom said no and that will make my room stink like litter

And I weighed the babies. I had to do it quick since she was not comfortable with me handling them and tried biting them out of my hand. They all weigh over 100g but the smallest I believe was 107g, is that still a runt? And what kind of yogurt do you suggest? Lol I know you probably don't mean trix yogurt, but more like the other one that comes in its own by yoplate I think it's called?

wolff said:

And I'm not allowed to have the food in my room since ants will quickly come in, and I tried getting the litter box but my mom said no and that will make my room stink like litter

And I weighed the babies. I had to do it quick since she was not comfortable with me handling them and tried biting them out of my hand. They all weigh over 100g but the smallest I believe was 107g, is that still a runt? And what kind of yogurt do you suggest? Lol I know you probably don't mean trix yogurt, but more like the other one that comes in its own by yoplate I think it's called?

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He means 100% plain yogurt with no flavoring or sweetener. It's not a must.

I think it's really dangerous to leave your door open where dogs can get to the kittens. A cleaned litter box shouldn't smell, and you could put the food on something raised in your room. Just an idea. She absolutely must be kept from your male cat.

talkingpeanut said:

He means 100% plain yogurt with no flavoring or sweetener. It's not a must.

I think it's really dangerous to leave your door open where dogs can get to the kittens. A cleaned litter box shouldn't smell, and you could put the food on something raised in your room. Just an idea. She absolutely must be kept from your male cat.

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Ah ok I'll look into that and see if I can find any hopefully she'll like that.

And I'm in my room practically 99.9% of the time and when I do leave its on Tuesday for just an hour or two and I have my moms husband watch them while I'm away. So I watch for the kittens when she goes and gets food. The dogs also know not to come in my room without my permission, but I totally get what you mean. I will try to sneak a box under my bed with some litter and clean it regularly. And I'll try that raised idea, and put a box or something she can reach, and hide that under my bed too thanks for all this info! I'm excited for when they are able to walk and see

107g isn't a runt, they're all very healthy :-) Congrats!

Hopefully once she's settled she should get more used to you holding her babies, good luck with them! And yes I meant plain yogurt, no flavours or anything :-) But it's not a must, just something you can give her if she likes it, it isn't harmful for them!

Regarding the ant issue, I have the same problem (I'm in Pakistan), I find that putting the bowl of food in a shallow bowl of water helps with the ants! They drown in the water before they can reach the food :-)