A Question About Nesting Places

From what we gather our cat will give birth in about 2-3 weeks now, and that is just a guess because she was always outside so we have no idea of when she actually got PG. We took her along with our other cat to the clinic for shots last week just so they could take a look at her and he said "about 3 weeks".
Is it too early to be setting up some places for her to have the kittens? We are keeping her confined in one room (though when it is just me at home she has the run of the house).
Another thing, I feel her belly and it is quite full and solid but this morning I believe I felt a little flicker in there...is that any sign of how far along she may be?
Thanks!

Originally Posted by mowsluver

From what we gather our cat will give birth in about 2-3 weeks now, and that is just a guess because she was always outside so we have no idea of when she actually got PG. We took her along with our other cat to the clinic for shots last week just so they could take a look at her and he said "about 3 weeks".
Is it too early to be setting up some places for her to have the kittens? We are keeping her confined in one room (though when it is just me at home she has the run of the house).
Another thing, I feel her belly and it is quite full and solid but this morning I believe I felt a little flicker in there...is that any sign of how far along she may be?
Thanks!

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You can certainly start getting her nesting box ready..she may not use it until the time comes...and I would recommend that in the week that she is supposed to give birth that you confine her the whole time as when contractions start, she may be no where near the the nesting box and you definately don't want her having kittens in an unsafe location. Gaye recommends putting the nesting box material (whether it be a towel or shredded newspaper) inside a pillow case.

Katie

I have read so much my head is just full of stuff! One of the things I have read is that you don't 'usually' feel the babies moving in the mom, until about 2 weeks before delivery? Is that right? I felt little flutters this morning and want to make sure I am getting this timing thing down, as least as close as possible.


I had to block off the fireplace as she keeps going in there! She will be closed in my spare bedroom soon.

She is a little broad in the butt now!

I was told that you can't really feel anything until about 7weeks as that is when the bones begin to harden. My momma cat is expecting around the same time and if you hold her and put your hands one on each side of the very round belly you can feel the different babies moving so I know it isn't just one kit. I have already set up her box so she can get her scent all over it and I went with the shredded newspaper. I hadn't put them in pillowcases so I will do that soon. I kept the top folded closed and the front I made like a flappy door, this is all out of cardboard box until I the cage comes in, just in case my guestimate is off by a week I don't want her to just have nothing. We made sure she can get in and out and have lots of privacy, but easy access to the top just in case there is an emergency we will be able to get to her. I hope that helped in any way.

Yes, I had read that you might feel something at about 7 weeks. I felt a tiny flutter yesterday but she does NOT like me to hold her or touch her belly. She is a small cat and I am wondering if she is quite uncomfortable. She doesn't even want to be held and comforted.
Like you, I am not sure of the exact date of mating but I am going by what the vet at the clinic told me. When I took my other cat in for yearly shots, I took her along too so he could 'maybe' give me a timeline. That was last week and he said she seems like she will have them in 3 weeks, but of course he didn't do a full exam or x-rays so I feel like we are playing with the date and just getting ready 'in case'.
She hates being in the room by herself and has shown no acceptance of the places we set up for her in there...

I let my queens run free until about 2 weeks before they are due. Then they get confined to a large cage and are only allowed out at supervised times. When they are confined is when I put in the nesting box.

If you don't have a cage to use, then start confining her to a small room (bedroom,etc.) where its quiet and not a lot going on. Set up a large box with a pillowcase filled with newspaper. Then have a 2nd pillowcase ready for after all kittens are born - put soft towels in that pillowcase.

When she's done delivering, you'll have a nice clean place for mom and kits to lay on

I will be keeping her in the empty bedroom. I have closed her in a bit lately and she does not like it at all!
I have been trying to gently feel her belly but she tries to get away, doesn't want to be touched. She also has no interest in going into the box I set up for her, though usually she LOVES empty boxes.