Pregnancy and childbirth are an important stage in a cat’s life. Inexperienced owners often have questions about how pregnancy should proceed, how childbirth occurs, and what the cat’s birth interval is. Sometimes people worry that the process is taking too long. But don’t panic right away; in fact, there are not always reasons for concern. The birth of kittens can occur in different ways.
Childbirth in a cat - how and how to help the animal
It is a mistake to believe that ordinary domestic cats absolutely do not need help during childbirth .
And only thoroughbreds need help from the beginning of contractions until the babies reach 3 days. Simple cats are hardy; humans did not interfere with their origin. Thoroughbreds , especially those bred artificially, require a little more attention than simpletons .
But if the birth process slows down, if the cat cannot give birth, it is better to contact a veterinarian, whether she is purebred or ordinary.
Problems may arise in females who give birth for the first time . The period from the onset of labor to the appearance of the last fluffy can last up to 36 hours.
Childbirth for experienced mothers lasts from 2 to 6 hours . It is impossible to know how long it will take for kittens to be born. Pregnancy itself proceeds the same way, both for experienced and first-time mothers. The process takes place in several stages. The first signs are also the same for all mothers - anxiety and searching for a place .
Main stage of labor
It is believed that at the second stage of labor, the first amniotic sac should already be visible in the animal’s genital tract. Simply put, this is the “active” period when kittens begin to be born. In this case, intense muscle contractions are already clearly visible. The cat no longer runs, she lies down, sometimes pushing hard. As a rule, this action does not take place in complete silence: the animal will meow and also attract the owner’s attention in other ways. If we draw analogies, then at this moment (especially if the cat does this for the first time), the pet seems to be experiencing an attack of severe constipation.
Remember that the first kitten should be born within an hour or two of the start of contractions. If no kitten has been born within two hours of the onset of strong contractions, we strongly advise you to contact your veterinarian!
It should be taken into account that after the birth of at least one baby, the cat can “relax”. During this period, the animal licks existing kittens, rests, and drinks water. Normally, this stage can last up to one hour (in primiparous cats), but usually the pet needs no more than half an hour to rest. After this, the period of active contractions normally begins again.
If you suspect that your pet may still have kittens in her belly, but more than four hours have passed since the last baby was born and there are still no new contractions, be sure to contact your veterinarian. Again, not all cats have resting phases. More mature and physically strong animals are able to give birth to an entire litter within a few minutes.
How to prepare for the arrival of kittens?
The cat will definitely let you know that labor is approaching . She will hide, avoid noisy places - living room, kitchen. May hide in a closet or chest of drawers .
Thus, she is looking for a place to give birth to offspring. To avoid unforeseen situations, it is better to determine what is needed for childbirth in advance.
Usually cats, being in a position, themselves “ask” the owners to find them a comfortable place . They hide on shelves with things, climb into closets, looking for a quiet, calm place. You can buy a special house for giving birth to a cat. But homemade ones will also work. The simplest and almost free option is a cardboard box.
Basic parameters of a house for a future cat mother:
- opening lid on top. This is necessary for the owner to control the situation. Looking from above, you can easily assess the situation, whether help is needed, how many kittens have appeared;
- soft bedding made of natural fabric. Slippery synthetics will not work - babies will cling with their claws, it does not absorb moisture well, it folds easily - an insurmountable obstacle for small cats;
IMPORTANT! It will not be possible to wash the litter from discharge during childbirth; there is no need to use expensive fabrics or things. The best option is an old cotton sheet.
- cat entrance. Provides the pet with free access to the babies. If the mother jumps over the top of the box, the kitten may be injured. The main entry parameter is a high threshold. It will not allow grown-up fluffies to leave the house uncontrollably.
To feel calm when giving birth to a cat at home, you need to prepare the necessary things in advance . Required:
- paper or cloth napkins;
- fabric for changing bedding;
- sterile gloves;
- oxytocin in ampoules, syringes;
- dry formula, in case there is no milk.
Determining the approximate date is simple - 60 days from conception . The error will be 2-3 days. If the onset of pregnancy is unknown, you need to carefully monitor your pet. After all, sometimes a cat goes through pregnancy, which negatively affects the offspring. Signs will be a large belly and lethargy.
A cat in labor - what should the owner do?
In each of the 3 stages, the cat needs the owner in different ways .
If at the beginning the person is a direct support and participant, then stages 2 and 3 require only observation. You can understand which stage has begun by the behavior of the animal. The onset of labor is characterized by prolapse of the abdomen and discharge from the animal’s vagina. Vomiting or diarrhea may occur.
But this rarely happens, because the body of the expectant mother will tell the pet in time to go on a hunger strike. But drinking in the form of clean, fresh water should be available around the clock .
The first stage ends with an increase in uterine contractions. The owner's help is to calm the animal . You need to talk and pet the animal.
You can tell that a cat is giving birth to her first kitten by the tension in her body . Contractions give way to pushing. In between, the cat will clean the newborn baby from the film. This period does not require the help of the owner - the woman in labor can handle it herself. If the woman in labor is indifferent (no more than 1 minute), it is necessary to help the kitten get out of her.
There can be anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes between the birth of kittens . You can help the cat give birth and calm down by performing a little obstetric assistance - patting the belly. This will ease the pet's suffering.
IMPORTANT! The interval between the appearance of kittens should not exceed a day. If you can feel the kitten inside, you need to contact a veterinarian. Long-term labor (up to 36 hours) should not be confused with cessation of labor.
The final stage of labor will be the delivery of the placenta . The owner needs to monitor the very fact of the exit of the place. Do not be alarmed if a cat eats the placenta - this is what nature forces it to do - to remove all traces of unprotected babies.
It is impossible to calculate the duration of labor and how many kittens for the first time - it is the sum of many factors . Simple representatives of cats bring up to 8 fluffy balls in their litter. Pedigree up to 3-4 cats. It is also impossible to know in advance at what time of day labor will begin. But the pet will definitely notify its owner.
Giving birth to a cat is not as difficult as it seems . The main thing is not to overdo it. Nature itself will tell the cat what and when to do. But it cannot be ignored either . It is necessary to help a cat during childbirth. Especially if it is the first birth. All subsequent ones are much easier and faster. The pet knows what is happening to it, and the owner is already familiar with everything.
The exception is difficult childbirth . If one of the periods is prolonged, it is better to contact a veterinarian. Symptoms – the animal takes a long time, breathes frequently, and during breaks lies down exhausted. Kittens do not appear even with attempts. The baby's head is visible, but he is not born. It is highly not recommended to carry out independent manipulations without the consent of a veterinarian . This can provoke the death of the offspring and the mother in labor.
PECULIARITY! British mother cats know how to slow down the process of giving birth to babies. They are quite timid - pain and stress help to pause the period of furry emergence and rest a little. The birth of British cats can last up to 36 hours.
If you are completely confident that contractions are “sluggish”, a slow process, you can inject 0.2 ml of oxytocin into the thigh muscle before the doctor arrives. The doctor will determine whether labor needs to be further stimulated after a thorough examination.
What we can do?
Since incomplete delivery can have tragic consequences, action must be taken immediately. Assuming that the kitten remains in the cat's womb for more than 24 hours after the end of labor, immediate action must be taken.
To expel the fetus remaining in the uterus, labor is stimulated with oxytocin at the rate of 0.3 ml. You can do this yourself, but seek help from a veterinarian. The doctor will calculate the exact dose of the medicine to ensure it is safe and effective. The administration of oxytocin often causes individual reactions; its administration is prohibited in the presence of transverse presentation and other pathologies.
The use of oxytocin has a positive effect on the termination of labor and promotes the removal of postpartum discharge in the uterus. Once the required result is obtained, a new diagnosis is made to determine whether kittens remain in the cat's uterus.
When providing obstetric care to a cat, the owner must be vigilant in order to know the basic characteristics of the cat's physiological structure. This will help to understand whether the process has completed or whether the kitten remains in the belly of the tailed animal. If there are any doubts about the end of labor, you should immediately seek qualified help from a special institution. Prompt action will help preserve the cat’s reproductive function, and in some cases, its life.
Symptoms of impending birth in a cat
Mother cats, regardless of breed, are very smart and know how to show their owner what they need .
A pregnant pet will definitely attract the attention of the owner with special behavior and changes in some parts of the body before giving birth.
You just need to look a little closer and everything will become clear. The cat becomes more receptive, asks for affection and does not go far from the owner. She sits in her arms for a long time, purrs and demands attention. This is a sure sign that you are about to give birth .
Physiologically, 3-4 days before birth, you can notice the release of colostrum - fatty milk . It is detected by light pressure on the nipple. The genitals enlarge within a day . Pink or light brown discharge is also considered normal . These are the first signs that your cat is giving birth.
By carefully observing a cat's behavior during pregnancy, it is not difficult to notice the first signs of labor in a cat. Behavior change is indicator #1 . A calm animal may begin to rush around the room. A hyper-active mother cat may hide in the closet and not come when called.
Preparing a cat for birth is not difficult . You need to get accustomed to a new place of residence in advance - 2-3 weeks. Move the tray, water and food to the rookery. The place must be isolated from other animals and children . Visit a veterinarian. He will assess the general condition and determine whether stimulation is needed.
IMPORTANT! An alarmed animal should not be left behind. If the cat's owner does not answer the cat's call, she may abandon the kittens and go in search. Better to be nearby.
You won't have to sit near the box for days . Once the first baby arrives, the mother cat will be busy and will not notice the lack of support. But in the interval between the appearance of offspring, you may need help - you shouldn’t go far.
The main rule for successful childbirth is a calm owner who will not interfere in the natural process without reason..
Is there a chance to save a kitten during a caesarean section?
The doctor cannot guarantee that unborn kittens can be saved by caesarean section. Since it is possible that the fetuses died due to hypoxia due to their prolonged stay in the uterus. The operation is more necessary for the cat itself to save its life.
Sometimes surgical intervention cannot be performed urgently due to contraindications. This is due to the fact that the operation requires stable operation of all body systems, but if the animal has a violation of cardiac and respiratory functions, it may not withstand the load and die.
Be sure to read:
Miscarriage in a cat: symptoms, reasons, what to do, why kittens are born dead
If the kittens suffocated in the womb, and the decomposition process has already begun, performing a cesarean section is pointless, since necrotic changes spread to the uterine cavity.
This requires surgery to remove the organ and ovaries, since there is a high risk of developing septic complications and death.
