A circumstance that tends to happen sooner or later if your cat is not sterilized is that she becomes pregnant. Although instinct guides them, new mothers don't mind being helped at this critical moment.
There are three phases of help: Before delivery, during delivery and after delivery.
In this article on our site we will show you the different steps to follow in each phase. This way you will know how to help a cat give birth.
Detect pregnancy
If we suspect that our cat is pregnant, we should take her to the vet to confirm, or not, her condition. The signs that should alert us are: the belly seems swollen. The nipples lengthen and increase in volume. The cat licks her vulva.
If the vet confirms the pregnancy, you'll need to prepare for the occasion. During the following months the vet will monitor the pregnancy and in due course will determine the number of kittens to be born.
It is very important to take into account the care of a pregnant cat so that the whole process takes place in the best conditions and we help her enjoy a he althy pregnancy.
Necessary material
You must prepare logistics in advance in case things don't go well.
- You must have the vet's telephone number listed.
- You'll have a carrier handy in case you need to rush to the vet.
- You will find a quiet place in your home to set up the birthing nest.
- At this point you will put a box with high sides, placing old towels or cotton cloths inside.
- You will have latex gloves, clean towels and betadine, or a similar disinfectant.
- You'll have scissors handy.
- Buy powdered milk for cats and a bottle for kittens.
- Have sterile gauze pads.
Diet
A cat's pregnancy usually lasts 65 to 67 daysDuring approximately the first month and a half of pregnancy, the diet will continue as usual. The month and a half later, the diet should be changed for puppy feed, since it is more caloric with less food. The fetuses press on the stomach and the cat has no appetite. Find out more about feeding pregnant cats.
The big day is coming
The day the cat is going to give birth she is very restless and does not eat anything. With great care place her in the birthing nest.
If you see any greenish or bloody fluid secreting from the vulva, contact the vet immediately and follow her instructions. It means there are serious problems, which may require you to put the cat in the carrier and rush to the vet.
If you don't notice negative symptoms stay away and let nature take its course. The cat instinctively knows better than you what to do. Don't harass her, but watch your cat carefully.
Childbirth
Before giving birth you will notice that the cat meticulously licks her vulva to clean it. Then you will see the contractions start.
When the time comes, the cat will break her waters and expel amniotic fluid. Soon the first puppy will begin to come out. If everything goes correctly, each puppy will be born with an interval of 30 to 60 minutes. If it takes too long she contacts the vet
You must control that the cat breaks and frees the pup from the amniotic sac and cleans it with her tongue. If you see that she does not do this, she carefully breaks the bag at the level of her face and cleans her face and snout with a piece of gauze so that she can breathe. Give the puppy back to the cat so she can smell it and finish cleaning it.
It is very important that you check that the cat after giving birth expels the placenta and eats it She needs all the hormones and nutrients it contains it to produce enough milk. Each offspring is a different placenta. 2 or 3 consumed placentas will suffice.
The cat will cut the umbilical cords with her teeth. If she doesn't, she calls the vet for guidance
The young are born at intervals of 30 to 60 minutes, as noted above. It is very important that no puppy or placenta remain inside the cat, as it could die.
Lactation
Once groomed by their mother, the kittens look for the cat's nipples to nurse. This first lactation is vital, since it is the colostrums. Indispensable to naturally immunize the litter.
If you notice that there is a calf that is not suckling, it may be due to a blockage. Gently grasp the pup upside down with a gloved hand. Shake it gently to force it out of the fluids lodged in the lungs.
If absolutely necessary, give the calf a bottle if it is unable to latch on to its mother's nipple.
After delivery
Check that the first few hours after giving birth the cat is serene It is not advisable for the whole family, neighbors, friends to visit her and acquaintances. Leave for three or four days mother and children do not have frights. With just one person to attend to it, it will be enough.
Make sure that he never lacks fresh water and energy feed. Move the sand 1-2 meters closer to him so he doesn't have to move too far. Keep it very clean.
