Stomach dropped? Is that mean labor is soon?

Hi guys! My neighbor has a pregnaunt foster cat. From what they told her, she should have kittens around the end of March, or maybe middle of March. Her nipples are huge and she has been having a huge belly sticking out from the sides for awhile now. She eats good and has been given kitten dry food a long with wet. They even have a cat fence in the backyard and she goes out there to enjoy the weather. What is funny is she has killed a bird and a rat in the past two weeks out in the cat fenced yard.

Anyways, I noticed today when I went over that she didn't seem as big around and her belly has dropped. Doesn't that mean she is getting ready to have the kittens?

Cat's stomach's don't really 'drop' like humans do. When a very pregnant cat doesn't look as wide (and the owner has made sure the kittens haven't been born), it's usually because the kittens have moved around inside. Sometimes a cat will look particularily big on one side, only for the other side to look really big the next day, as the kittens have moved a bit.

Some information for your neighbor:

The signs of impending labor are:
*Her vulva will swell a little and turn pink around 2-3 days before
* She may either want you to not leave her side even for a minute or not want to be near you at all.
*Minnie will become restless, may go off her food and scratch at things, as if she is trying to make a nest. Provide several nesting places for her so she can choose one she likes when the time comes. If she chooses an akward spot such as behind the sofa or in a cupboard, don't try to move her and the kittens, just make the area comfortable (clear out the cupboard and put towels or blankets down) and make it safe for the kittens by using rolled blankets around the nesting area to stop the kittens wandering off and getting 'lost'.
*About 12-24 hours before the birth, she will lose her mucous plug. This is a clump of clear or pinkish mucous that blocked the birth canal.
*You will notice a clear, pinkish or slightly blood-stained discharge from her vagina. If the discharge is greenish or brown, she may have an infection or a kitten that has died in-utero and she needs to see a vet ASAP.

I've noticed between the 5th and 6th week of pregnancy in my girl (6 weeks today) I've seen her go from sticking out on the sides to pooching out downward. So the stomach has *appeared* to drop but its more just that she is so big that the only room there is is downward. Of course I notice she is still very wide. So that is my observation I thought I'd throw out. You might look at the pregnant kitty thread a little bit further down this page ("Let Me See Your Preggers") for some pictures of pregnancy kitties and how far along they were for comparison.

Thanks for the info! I have also noticed some stray cats hanging out in my back yard trying to get at his. I thought that was strange since she isn't in heat. Maybe they just want to play? One cat is a spayed female semi feral of my neighbors and the other a stray tom (looks like a tom from his huge size). They can't get in the cat fence at her when she is out but I thought it strange. Whats your thoughts?

If this little girl is this far along in her pregnancy, I would advise your neighbor against letting her have access to any stray cats ... you don't know about their health and if they can get to her, they may very well cause serious problems to both your girl and her kittens.

well they really can't get to her, just watch her from the fence. I was wondering if they sense she is pregnant and want at her kittens or if they are just being friendly. She has a cat door she goes in and out of and a cat fenced backyard.

Originally Posted by markman777

well they really can't get to her, just watch her from the fence. I was wondering if they sense she is pregnant and want at her kittens or if they are just being friendly. She has a cat door she goes in and out of and a cat fenced backyard.

Click to expand...

Althought fencing can help...it can only DETER other cats...if she were intact and there was an intact male around...well, where there is a will, there is a way. I wouldn't recommend an indoor/outdoor lifestyle to an intact cat.

As far as the strays go....the male needs to be trapped and neutered.

Katie

When the fur around the nipples falls out, it means she's about 2 weeks from giving birth. From that point she kind of just gets progressively wider!

Originally Posted by TNR1

Althought fencing can help...it can only DETER other cats...if she were intact and there was an intact male around...well, where there is a will, there is a way.

Click to expand...

I saw dogs breeding through a chain link fence before. So yeah. Anything is possible.

He is keeping her indoors right now. Got kind of cold this past week (around 60). As for the tom coming around, I am going to call for a trap. Tonight I saw another tom (Orange and white) in my front yard. Not sure why they are coming around all of the sudden. Maybe they like to play with the fixed ferals around here or they are showing dominence.

Originally Posted by markman777

He is keeping her indoors right now. Got kind of cold this past week (around 60). As for the tom coming around, I am going to call for a trap. Tonight I saw another tom (Orange and white) in my front yard. Not sure why they are coming around all of the sudden. Maybe they like to play with the fixed ferals around here or they are showing dominence.

Click to expand...

Even though it is still cold...spring is just around the corner. This is the time when intact males look to sow their seed. Good luck trapping these cats and treating them to a neuter (if they are not already neutered).

Katie

Someone told me today that the other cats coming around means she is going to be giving birth soon. Think so? I am going to adopt one of the kittens, maybe two.