Clueless!!!!help!!!!

Hi there,
I am new to this whole cat and baby thing. I have a 10 month old female cat who is an outdoor cat (we have a little property) and I think she is pregnant. Her belly is getting very round and I looked at her nipples (just checking) and they are like 1/4 inch big not just little bumps. Is it just me or is that big for a 10 month old cat? I've been wanting to get her spayed but just don't have the money right now and now that I think she pregnant I really don't want to until I know for sure that she's not pregnant or until she has the babies. Is there anyway to know if she is besides taking her to the vet and pay an arm and a leg to find out. And if she is when should I expect the babies (from where she is now, round belly and big nipples)? Someone told me that she should get her milk glands in. When would that happen? Any info on pregnant cats and having kittens would be great.
Thanks

From all the pregnant cats I have seen, they stay really normal looking until about 3-4 weeks and then they balloon up in like a day or two. I am not a cat expert but thats how I have always been able to notice...

That sure sounds like what she did. For a while she just looked normal and not to long ago she looks like she ate a small ball for dinner. So you think she is? How long would you say she has to go?

Originally Posted by tsj112099

That sure sounds like what she did. For a while she just looked normal and not to long ago she looks like she ate a small ball for dinner. So you think she is? How long would you say she has to go?

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Given that you do not know when she mated..it will be difficult to tell you exactly when she is due. Have you read the links in this post:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74659

it has good information on pregnancy and delivery.

One thing you should definately do is bring her indoors. Create a nesting box for her so she can comfortably have her kittens. She should remain indoors only until her kittens are weaned and she is spayed. A cat can become pregnant again as early as a week after giving birth.

Katie

I have read that post you listed. It gives alot of info. Thanks for that. I have brought her into the garage because if she's inside the dogs would stress her out. I have made a large dog crate ready for her, however, she hates being in it. I guess she'll get over it. Thanks again.

Giving her a bedroom with the door shut might be good, or any room with a door so the dogs don't both her. When the kittens arrive its good if its warm.

Cats get pregnant pretty easily and if she has been outside most of the time then she most likely is.

Originally Posted by tsj112099

I have read that post you listed. It gives alot of info. Thanks for that. I have brought her into the garage because if she's inside the dogs would stress her out. I have made a large dog crate ready for her, however, she hates being in it. I guess she'll get over it.

Thanks again.

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I thought further about this...the garage may not be an ideal location for her as 1. it may not have sufficient warmth and 2. when her kittens are mobile there are probably things they could get into that may be dangerous to them. If you can bring her into inside and let her have a room (even the bathroom works) where you can shut the door..that would be a better idea. Less chance for the kittens to get hurt.

Katie

I have a large dog crate for her with a heating pad and towels it in. Do you think that would not be enough?

I would think that inside your house would be a better idea. A small bedroom or bathroom is ideal. Set the crate up in there and close the door to the room while leaving the door to the crate open.

I will bring her in to our bathroom and put a box with towels in it for her. Is there any thing else that I should do? I've never done this before.

Originally Posted by tsj112099

I will bring her in to our bathroom and put a box with towels in it for her. Is there any thing else that I should do? I've never done this before.

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Hey there....I'll tell you what I did for my foster mom....I had a nice nesting box, a litterbox (I used a xerox box so it was disposible ), paper bowls (for kitten food..both wet and dry and water) and some toy mice and balls. I made sure to spend at least a good 30 minutes with her 3 times a day (before and after work and before bedtime). When the kittens were older (and running around like crazy) I added a cat tree for them to play on. Although it was a bit tight..everything fit in the bathroom.

Katie

Thank you for the info Katie. I put her in the bathroom today and she is meowing like crazy wanting back outside. I have a box for her litter and towels in the corner for her nesting/bed area. I have a couple little bowls for food and water. I give her all the dry she wants and I give her wet food at night. I guess it's all about waiting now, right? Thanks again for all the info.

Originally Posted by tsj112099

Thank you for the info Katie. I put her in the bathroom today and she is meowing like crazy wanting back outside. I have a box for her litter and towels in the corner for her nesting/bed area. I have a couple little bowls for food and water. I give her all the dry she wants and I give her wet food at night. I guess it's all about waiting now, right? Thanks again for all the info.

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Yup..and you know what they say about waiting...it's the hardest part. Oh..and my foster girl meowed like crazy as well....that is why I spent some quality time with her in the bathroom. She doesn't know that what you are doing is for her own good.

Katie

Same here. My Skittles am sure is PG now. Am not sure how far so I did a ticker going off the last day she was outside. Maybe it will go faster then expected. She will be getting spayed right after and if the kitties are ok they all will be fixed before getting new homes with my family.