Need help cat just gave birth!

I just found this website
My cat has given birth to two kittens so far how do I tell if she's has milk!? Does anyone have pictures for example or something I think it's been an hour since first one

3! I still can't tell if they are getting anything

My cat had 6 kittens and I was worried she wasnt producing milk but I just let her do it, if they are suckling and go straight to the nipple there is probably milk. If you have any concerns contact your vet they will know the best.So sorry I didn't fully answer question x

They are just crawling all over the place

gingercat7am said:

I just found this website
My cat has given birth to two kittens so far how do I tell if she's has milk!? Does anyone have pictures for example or something I think it's been an hour since first one

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The safest is to take their weights at birth,  and control the weight gain, say at first every 12 hours, later on if you notice they gain, every 24 hours.  The first day they usually dont gain much, later on they shall gain minimum 6grammes a day, most healthy kittens gain 10+ grammes a day.

If they are happily sleeping with her with round tummies, its probably OK.

If they scream crawl around and search unhappily, it may be not so - if so prepeare to handfeeding them, with kmr or goats milk.

Gently pick them up and guide them to a nipple, they may need a little help. If they suckle for just a few minutes and then start crawling around crying, then there may be trouble.The only way to tell for sure is to get a scale that weighs food etc. and weigh them daily, or for now two times daily. If they gain a few ounces they are fine, if not or they start losing you will have to supplement.  Milk does not come in right away, there is colostrum they need first, then milk comes in. It is almost impossible to tell on a new mama, just watch closely and if they are quiet that is good, if they are crying, they are hungry. I'm sure mama is exhausted, she may have more kittens coming, so she won't be interested at all in getting them to nurse until she is done. Once she is completely done she will nuzzle them close and nurse. My females sometimes even moved a little distance away from the kittens until they were done. So for now don't worry, but once she is done, move them all in line if she will let you. It is VERY rare for a mama to not have milk, so don't be scared yet!

So like at how long should I start thinking oh she's just not able to feed them? She might still have more to go she has 4 in total right now I'm like panicking first one was born around a little before 7am it's 8:23 right now

Take a deep breath. Reread all of the above. You will want to weigh the kittens and watch their behavior. Are they finding a nipple? Do they latch if you help them to a nipple?

They aren't latching I keep trying to put them to the nipple cut they don't find it even with me putting directly in front of it. She just had another one. She's a first time mom

As soon as mom is done delivering they should figure out latching. Kittens often have to wait for mom to finish delivering.

If you have concerns you can give them drops of formula with a syringe in the meantime.

My rescue just had five kittens and I found that most of the kittens didn't nurse until momma was done and was relaxed. Like above once you think she is done weigh everyone and have KMR on hand, you want to be prepared to help hand raise these guys if need be. Most times Mommas can raise her kittens with a little help from us. Like everyone else said relax take a deep breath and see if moma is done. I know how stressed I was when Matilda went into labor but once I relaxed it went a whole lot easier.

She looks like she wants to nap and I still haven't seen any actual latching idk how to tell if she's done or not. 5 total so far

gingercat7am said:

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• gingercat7am
• Mar 27, 2017

She looks like she wants to nap and I still haven't seen any actual latching idk how to tell if she's done or not. 5 total so far

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Mom is probably exhausted. Please take her collar off. Kittens can get caught in it. Weigh the kittens.

Can you keep mom 100% inside and away from intact males until the kittens have weaned?

The kittens appear to be nursing in the photo. Colostrum comes in the first 24 hours or so, then milk. As the kittens nurse more and grow, you'll see mom's mammary glands fill up and sag.

sarthur2 said:

The kittens appear to be nursing in the photo. Colostrum comes in the first 24 hours or so, then milk. As the kittens nurse more and grow, you'll see mom's mammary glands fill up and sag.

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Oh ok I thought they should have sagged or looked more full by now like with dogs it's so much more easier to tell they have full breast

After about the 3rd day my mommas milk glands started to sag. Now they are huge so I think it just takes time. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thank you all ladies for your help! I was seriously panicking thinking they should have latched on right away. Some seem to be getting a handle on it. Going to go buy the powdered milk as soon as I have a ride and yes I took off her collar just now

I did the same trust me! But this site was very helpful! What a cute little family. Can't wait to see pictures as they grow.
Even if you don't need to supplement the kittens mixing some KMR up for momma will help with her milk supply and calcium. I have two foster kittens I'm supplementing and Momma goes nuts everytime I feed them so I have to make sure to make enough for her as well.
You might want to pick up a kitchen scale as well so you can keep track of gains to know if you need to supplement.

Yes, kitchen scale to weigh in grams is the best way to know that each is gaining daily. [emoji]128522[/emoji]