Hi everyone! I have a few questions regarding a pregnant cat. First some background info:
I recently took in a cat that I noticed had been wandering the neighborhood (and spending her nights under my deck). Well, the first thing I noticed is that she is very pregnant. I took her to the vet to be examined and he did confirm that she is pregnant and he said that she is very close to delivering. I've also noticed that she sleeps alot.....does that have any significance? I have another female (spayed) and a male (neutered)......so I know how to care for a cat, but not a mamma. I made her a box today and put some old towels in there for her and I put it in the corner in my bedroom. I picked her up and brought her into my bedroom and put her in the box hoping to make her realize this is her "birthing suite".
I am pretty sure she was someone's cat cause if she were feral.....she wouldn't be comfy with me. I do know that pregnant cats are supposed to eat kitten food.....so I began feeding her that when I took her in (a few days ago). But, lets assume that she didn't have kitten food before then.
Does not having kitty food for almost her entire pregnancy (if that is the case) mean she may not have a healthy litter?
Is there a way for me to know when she is getting close to labor?
What do I need to know (since I am completely inexperienced)?
Is there a need to keep my other cats away from her (she doesn't seem to mind them)?
How soon can I spay her after she delivers? I question this because if I spay her right away, does it stop her milk production?
I'm really concerned. I've been spending a lot of time with her so that we can become familiar with one another. I know these are all questions I should have asked the vet, but to be honest........I didn't think of all this until now.
Sorry this is so long! I really need some help here. Thanks in advance.
I recently took in a cat that I noticed had been wandering the neighborhood (and spending her nights under my deck). Well, the first thing I noticed is that she is very pregnant. I took her to the vet to be examined and he did confirm that she is pregnant and he said that she is very close to delivering. I've also noticed that she sleeps alot.....does that have any significance? I have another female (spayed) and a male (neutered)......so I know how to care for a cat, but not a mamma. I made her a box today and put some old towels in there for her and I put it in the corner in my bedroom. I picked her up and brought her into my bedroom and put her in the box hoping to make her realize this is her "birthing suite".
I am pretty sure she was someone's cat cause if she were feral.....she wouldn't be comfy with me. I do know that pregnant cats are supposed to eat kitten food.....so I began feeding her that when I took her in (a few days ago). But, lets assume that she didn't have kitten food before then.
Does not having kitty food for almost her entire pregnancy (if that is the case) mean she may not have a healthy litter?
Is there a way for me to know when she is getting close to labor?
What do I need to know (since I am completely inexperienced)?
Is there a need to keep my other cats away from her (she doesn't seem to mind them)?
How soon can I spay her after she delivers? I question this because if I spay her right away, does it stop her milk production?
I'm really concerned. I've been spending a lot of time with her so that we can become familiar with one another. I know these are all questions I should have asked the vet, but to be honest........I didn't think of all this until now.
Sorry this is so long! I really need some help here. Thanks in advance.