My cat is scratching in a corner.

[hannahmrosie]

My cat is pregnant and tonight she has started scratching in the my cupboard under a shelf and making the “trill” noise that they make. Does this mean anything? She’s also got white crusts on her nipples

 

[Sarthur2]

It sounds like she is beginning to “nest” a bit.

White crust is usually dried milk that is beginning to come in. Once this occurs and your cat is seeking a nest, she is usually within a week or less of giving birth.

Do you have a nest for her set up in a safe, quiet, and private place like a closet or cupboard, and is she aware of it? If not, set a nest up and show it to her. She needs a space in which to feel comfortable giving birth and nursing her kittens.

How old is your cat? Is this her first litter?

Do keep us posted!

H hannahmrosie

 

[hannahmrosie]

Hi,

Thank you! she’s 14 months and yes this is her first and probably last litter. We do have a shallow cardboard box with a blanket in my cupboard.

 

[hannahmrosie]

Hi,

Sorry i think i replied to my own message instead of yours! But yes this is her first and most likely last litter and she is 14 months old.

We do have a box and blanket set up for her in my cupboard. My cupboard is built in with sliding doors.

We also have a male cat (not the father). Should we keep him away? She does seem on edge when he’s around.

Thank you

 

[StefanZ]

Hi,

Sorry i think i replied to my own message instead of yours! But yes this is her first and most likely last litter and she is 14 months old.

We do have a box and blanket set up for her in my cupboard. My cupboard is built in with sliding doors.

We also have a male cat (not the father). Should we keep him away? She does seem on edge when he’s around.

Thank you

If she is best friend with the male, its usually not necessary to keep apart. He may even co-parent.

But if she isnt happy to have him around, as you hint she doesnt; keep them apart.
Its just unnecessary stress on her.

 

[hannahmrosie]

Hi, thank you,

They usually get along very well but she does seem a bit more on edge around him, Im sure we will be able to guess what she wants when the time comes.

 

[Sarthur2]

Is the male cat neutered? It’s a mom cat’s instinct to protect her kittens, even from a curious but well-meaning resident male, who is a friend.

 

[hannahmrosie]

Yes the male cat is neutered, has been since december. They are the from same litter, had them since they were 7 weeks old.

 

[hannahmrosie]

She has now started refusing food, including treats and is restless, does this mean labour close?

 

[fionasmom]

Yes, those could be signs that labor is approaching. If she will use the box that you set up, that would be great. Try to prevent her from sneaking into the back of a closet or a similar place which will make it hard for you to monitor her and the kittens. Keep the male cat away for the time being.

 

[hannahmrosie]

Thank you, we are keeping him away for now, she clearly doesn’t want him near. Nothing yet but she’s definitely getting close.

 

[hannahmrosie]

She feels very warm on her ears and her stomach, what does this mean? She also lost a little bit of brown stuff yesterday and seems to be cleaning her nipples.

 

[rparksie]

Any updates?

 

[hannahmrosie]

Any updates?

 

[hannahmrosie]

Yes! She had 5 kittens! 4 girls and 1 boy on the 23rd of July. All happy and thriving and starting to escape the nest!

 

[hannahmrosie]

And happy to report the our male cat is very chill and almost co-parenting. She is totally calm when he’s around as well

 

[rparksie]

Congratulations!!