New to this and after advice

hi all. I'm new to this and just wanting a bit Ov advice really.. My 2year old house cat called pig (kink in her tail hence the name) managed to get out and didn't come home till 2 weeks later, up the duff!! She came home on wed the 6th Ov April with what I can only describe as the male's sticky stuff stuck to the side Ov her, she has since got bigger and bigger with megga mummy nipples (they look quite dry and crispy) and this week has gone off her food constantly wants attention and keeps seeking off upstairs in to my wardrobe, iv put her birthing box in there.. In this last week she has started to get runny poos there not over sloppy tho, should I be worried? The vet said she has about 3 kittens in her but can't be sure how far along she is.. Please no nasty comments as she is my beloved house cat her getting out was due to having a new washing machine delivered she's already booked in to be done in 4 months time (gives her time to have baby's and get strength back) and all babies have loving homes waiting and iv offered to pay for there nutering or spaying... Iv woffled on loads I no but I just need general advice iv read loads Ov articles on hear just hoping you loving kitty owners can help a bit more... Many thanks Chrissy and pig xxxx

Welcome!  She's beautiful!  

Very glad to hear you're being so responsible about spaying and neutering.  Everyone will be much happier and healthier.  Just wanted to mention that mom can get pregnant within a week of delivering, and may try to get out again before getting spayed, so you'll need to be cautious.  

Now is a great time to stock up on kitten supplies.  A small scale for weighing, powdered kmr (PetAg is best; avoid Hartz), and a needleless syringe are all musts.

Are you feeling the kittens move yet?

Mom can start eating as much kitten food, wet and dry, as she wants now, too.  She should keep that up while she's nursing.  She'll need the nutrients and calories.

It sounds like mom is very close to going into labor soon. You can put olive oil on her dry nipples to prevent chapping. The increased affection and runny poos are signs her body is gearing up for labor.

Hi sorry for late reply. Thankyou for your answers have bought powder kitten milk and syringes and have lots Ov towels and boxes set up for her.. she seams to be Evan bigger today bless her.. if her nips still chap while feeding am I still able to use olive oil.. kittens are moving around lots and can feel them there about 5cm long.. the runny poos seam to have gone a little more solid today think it's because iv given her iams dry food aswell as her wet food, there was a little milky coloured goo in her last poo was that normal.. xx

Yes, you can use olive oil even when the kittens are nursing. All sounds good! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Hi all iv read alot on this site but just wondering if anyone no how long after loosing her plug is she likely to start labour.. plug was a hardish lump followed by stringy stuff very pale green possibly creamy colour is this normal xxx

mommapig said:

Hi all iv read alot on this site but just wondering if anyone no how long after loosing her plug is she likely to start labour.. plug was a hardish lump followed by stringy stuff very pale green possibly creamy colour is this normal xxx

Click to expand...

Yes, it sounds normal.  In theory, the labor is supposed to start shortly, hours or at most one day.  But in practice we see it can fell off even days before...

In the wild the plug is a good guard against bacteria and filth intrusion.  But with home cats it doesnt matter very much.

After reading loads of articles about milk appearing befor birth I'm a little worries as she has lost her plug but no milk as of yet is this normal... I have bought a feeding bottle and powder milk just incase and lots of birthing box's set up.. is it safe for me to go out shopping and leave her today or not xx

mommapig said:

After reading loads of articles about milk appearing befor birth I'm a little worries as she has lost her plug but no milk as of yet is this normal... I have bought a feeding bottle and powder milk just incase and lots of birthing box's set up.. is it safe for me to go out shopping and leave her today or not xx

Click to expand...

Its quite common milk comes very late.  Although milk not coming in at all is rare.

anyways, its wise of you to prepare yourself for emergencies.   "The guarded  one is protected by God" as the proverb says....

Yes, you can go out and do shopping.  She either prefer to be alone - OR she will wait on you.  Cats can in some degree steer themselves the exact moment of delivery.

Ow wow that's amazing so basically she will pop when she wants to.. not going to lie I am a little excited as anyone would be but I'm also ready for the long hall if I have to take kittens on, they will not go unloved at all and all are being neutered or spayed aswel as mum.. xx

Hello advice needed... my fur baby's are due on wed but mum is showing no nesting signs, poo has become a bit sloppy again. I think she lost her sticky mucus plug last week and if I squeeze her nips (obvs not hard) only a clear liquid comes out.. is this normal and is she likely to pop soon she's the size of a basket ball.. xx

mommapig said:

Hello advice needed... my fur baby's are due on wed but mum is showing no nesting signs, poo has become a bit sloppy again. I think she lost her sticky mucus plug last week and if I squeeze her nips (obvs not hard) only a clear liquid comes out.. is this normal and is she likely to pop soon she's the size of a basket ball.. xx

Click to expand...

The waiting is no fun for momma nor grandma (grandpa).  It seems she hasnt dropped yet either.  So you have a couple of days more at least.

Better somewhat later than predicted, than too early, with cats.

Yes, they can lose the mucus days before the deliery.  In practice it doesnt mean much.   Not for home cats anyway. 

She won't go into the nest until right before she delivers or goes into labor.  In the wild the cats want to keep the nest clean and don't want to attract predators by going in too soon.

The clear liquid is the colostrum that mom's produce the first couple of days.  It has antibodies in it that help protect the kittens before their immune systems are stronger.  Milk will come in a couple days after she gives birth.

Those 2 pictures are Ov her right now.. if I stroke her tummy I can feel a kit right down by her lady bits.. bless she's so hot and frustrated xxx

Heavy breathing and a meow once every 10 mins could this be the start.. kittens are still very active xx

Could be labor. Keep us posted!