Pregnant farm cat!

Hello,
We live in Rural France in the middle of a load of farms and around the weekend of the 9th April this lovely cat appeared (we named her Luna). Very friendly, not a bit of nastiness about her, she's very good with my younger brother (9) and sister (5) who adore her.

She has been around pretty much everyday since that weekend wanting attention and mainly to just be around us. We sit in the garden to eat dinner and she's quite happy just sitting near the table as long as we are there. If she hears us in the house she will also climb up the doors and meow so we know she's there!

Anyway, we noticed she had pink nipples that have been getting bigger and bigger, as well as her rounding belly. As of yet, we haven't felt or seen any movement.
We have provided her with fresh water but have never 'openly' fed her (thrown scraps out and she's found them) plus, she catches lots of mice.

We have made her a 'nest' out of a large cardboard box which she seems quite happy sleeping and cleaning herself in. The pictures show the box outside because that was the day we constructed it and wanted to see if she would go near it. My stepdad has said that she can possibly come inside when it's time for her kittens but we are not sure when that time is.
From the first time we saw her my guess is that she should have her kittens anywhere between the 11th-15th (4-8 days time)can anyone help with looking at the picture of her or give any advice at all?

Thank you in advance!

Well done!  When her time comes is a classical riddle.  Anyway, when you feel the kittens move you will get a rough count, it will be 2-3 weeks left.   The best is if your stepdad (plastic dad as they say in Sweden) agrees she is inside only already now.  So she gets used.   Probably she got thrown out when she was in heat.  Or even, when the owner noticed her teats go reddening. Because its sure she is a home girl.  although used to go outside.

Also, please give her food openly.  she needs all nourishment she can get, she and her coming children.

If you can get goats milk, ist always OK.  We do not recommend cow milk.  cheese is good.  unsweetened plain full fat youhurt is good.

Think  kitten food, - wet or dry.

some leftowers from human food are also OK, as long as there is no garlic or similiar in it, no choklad, no boiled chicken wings.  Raw chickens wings are OK.

Interesting pattern, quite unusaul layout.

Tx for caring, and proceed to report and ask questions!

StefanZ said:

Well done!  When her time comes is a classical riddle.  Anyway, when you feel the kittens move you will get a rough count, it will be 2-3 weeks left.   The best is if your stepdad (plastic dad as they say in Sweden) agrees she is inside only already now.  So she gets used.   Probably she got thrown out when she was in heat.  Or even, when the owner noticed her teats go reddening. Because its sure she is a home girl.  although used to go outside.

Also, please give her food openly.  she needs all nourishment she can get, she and her coming children.
If you can get goats milk, ist always OK.  We do not recommend cow milk.  cheese is good.  unsweetened plain full fat youhurt is good.
Think  kitten food, - wet or dry.
some leftowers from human food are also OK, as long as there is no garlic or similiar in it, no choklad, no boiled chicken wings.  Raw chickens wings are OK.

Interesting pattern, quite unusaul layout.

Tx for caring, and proceed to report and ask questions!

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Thank you for your reply, going shopping on Thirsday so will be buying some goats milk and kitten food for her.

It would be better to take her in a week before you think she'll have them.  Most outdoor cats hide their kittens.. If she is using the nest now, she will most likely look for another spot to have her kittens.  They want a clean nest w/o fleas and less of the mom's scent to avoid predators while mom is vulnerable. 

Inside she will want a dim spot like a closet.  Bright light is not good for the kittens eyes.

 [article="31379"]Pregnant Cat What To Prepare For The Birth​[/article]  

 [article="31414"]Help My Cat Is Having Kittens​[/article]  

sophiee1302 said:

Thank you for your reply, going shopping on Thirsday so will be buying some goats milk and kitten food for her.

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Good.  Goats milk has also the extra advantage, if you ever need supplement the kittens or even - God forbide - handraise any kittens - you can use goat milk if you dont have a good kmr at hand.  Most rescuers using goat milk are happy with it.

StefanZ said:

Good.  Goats milk has also the extra advantage, if you ever need supplement the kittens or even - God forbide - handraise any kittens - you can use goat milk if you dont have a good kmr at hand.  Most rescuers using goat milk are happy with it.

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That's really handy to know, I was worrying about that.

Handsome Kitty said:

It would be better to take her in a week before you think she'll have them.  Most outdoor cats hide their kittens.. If she is using the nest now, she will most likely look for another spot to have her kittens.  They want a clean nest w/o fleas and less of the mom's scent to avoid predators while mom is vulnerable. 

Inside she will want a dim spot like a closet.  Bright light is not good for the kittens eyes.

 [article="31379"]​[/article] 
 [article="31414"]​[/article] 

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This is where we were going to let her in, is it suitable? Doors to the house will remain shut so she's completely in the quiet.
One picture is without the light on which is how we would leave it as the glass door provides quite a bit of light during the day.
Also, I was going to put the cardboard box in this room too, good or bad idea?
And my mum was saying about leaving the door open slightly during the day/night now and once she's had her kittens, I'd like to know thoughts on this?-as far as we known she's an outdoors cat/never been 'shut' in a house/used a litter tray etc etc

Sorry forgot to add the photos!

The pictures didn't post.   Sometimes they are held until someone can check them out.

You will need a new box for her nest.  She may use the outside one as a bed but will want a fresh one when she gives birth.  She will probably want to move them on day 3 (idk why, cat logic).

I think it needs some adjustments. Is the space long enough for mom to stretch out when she nurses?   A box will keep the kittens contained and mom will be more relaxed if she isn't looking for them.  The space between the wooden slats near the towel could be a hazard for the kittens.  Can you block it off so they don get their heads stuck. A box for mom and kittens will also prevent this.

Why do you have all the newspaper on the floor?  If you put a litter box nearby Mom will figure it out quickly.  Is that a white door near the closet?  Does it get used much? 

I'm sure others will be along with thoughts and ideas.

Thank you for taking care of this mom and her future kittens.

Pregnant and nursing cats eat a lot.  3 - 6 cans of food a day, plus dry food.  Kitten food is best since it has extra nutrients. 

S sophiee1302

I think you should bring this very lovely, pregnant cat into your home now, rather than waiting any longer, as you are not sure when her labor may start. She needs to adjust to being inside your home, and learn her nesting area, and get comfortable.

I would not leave the door open at all. It is safer for her indoors, especially after she has her kittens. You'll not want her running out when she goes into heat again after the kittens are born. She can return to going in and out again once her kittens are weaned and she is spayed. She will make a very nice pet! She looks very sweet and has clearly adopted you as her new family. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Yes, the room is at least 1.5mx1.5m.
I was going to put her box in there as well but the cubby hole was more for if she wants 5 minutes on her own (although will probably never get used).
The White door pictured is our back door, doesn't get used hardly at all-if mummy cat goes in there we will make sure it doesn't get used.
And.. The newspaper! I don't know why I put it there.

Thank you for your reply! Every little bit of advice helps!

sarthur2 said:

I think you should bring this very lovely, pregnant cat into your home now, rather than waiting any longer, as you are not sure when her labor may start. She needs to adjust to being inside your home, and learn her nesting area, and get comfortable.

I would not leave the door open at all. It is safer for her indoors, especially after she has her kittens. You'll not want her running out when she goes into heat again after the kittens are born. She can return to going in and out again once her kittens are weaned and she is spayed. She will make a very nice pet! She looks very sweet and has clearly adopted you as her new family. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

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See this is interesting to me, so don't let her out at all? Sorry I'm asking loads of questions!
I don't want her to go crazy at being kept in.

No, she needs to stay inside now and until her kittens wean and she is spayed, as I described in my post above. She can lie in a sunny patch inside your home. She will need a litter box inside now too. She will get used to being inside.

We have too many stories like this where the mom cat ends up having the kittens outside, and they are hard to find. There is bad weather and often predators. And mom cats who take off leaving tiny kittens when their heat cycle begins anew.

It's not worth it. [emoji]128533[/emoji]

Yes, mom needs to stay 100% inside until her kittens have been weaned. She cons get pregnant again within a week of delivery and without going into heat. This can cause mom to disappear of abandon her kittens. It's also brutal to her body to get pregnant again so soon. Much better to keep her inside, and safe, and then have her spayed when the babies are weaned.

Thank you so much for caring for this little one! I think she will make a lovely addition to your family!

My mum won't let me bring her in. She wants her to only come in at night. She says she's an outdoors cat/she will go mad being couped up/she's not ours/and every other excuse under the sun!!

I think I'm just going to have to go against her on this, I said I've spoken to you guys on here and it's what's been advised.

Oh dear! I'm a staff advisor on this very reputable site. Perhaps you can show your mom what I have written. I do not want you to go against your mom's wishes, but there are concerns for the cat's well being. You cannot know for sure that an outdoor cat will come in to have her babies.

Thanks for the help, I'll see if I can get her to change her mind. I will keep you updated.