As the due date approaches, your cat will start hunting for a safe area to give birth to her kittens. It’s a good idea to start putting together a birthing or queening box a few days before your due date.
The birthing arena should be a comfortable, safe, and calm environment to avoid disruption and manipulation of the newborn mother throughout the delivery process.
Choose a box spacious enough for the cat to walk around in comfortably while yet having low enough sides for her to see out. Use several layers of paper materials to line the bottom of the box. Then, place the box in a quiet, isolated location, such as a closet or a dark corner.
Items to Have in Place Before Cat Delivery
It’s also good to prepare and keep a kitten kit available. It must include the following:
a. A couple of thin washcloths or sponges made of gauze (available at any drug store).
b. A few soft towels or cloths to wipe and dry the kittens.
c. Dental floss and scissors if the umbilical cord needs to be cut.
d. A heating pad, hot water bottle, or heat lamp; cover the heating pad or water bottle with an additional towel to prevent the kittens from overheating or burning.
Is it Necessary for You to be Present When Your Cat Gives Birth?
Most cats prefer to be left alone, and they certainly do not like to be petted or handled while giving birth. Give your pregnant cat as much privacy as possible while also allowing yourself to observe the birthing process for any symptoms of problems or suffering.
Most cats can independently go through the delivery process, often known as labor. When your cat gives birth for the first time, you should strive to be present.
Signs that Your Cat Is About to Be Delivered
Increased belly, expansion of mammary glands, and loving and clinging displays are common symptoms of impending delivery in expecting moms. Scratching the ground, feeling anxious, and a general decrease in activity level accompanied by getting up and down are different indicators.
How Long Does It Take a Cat to Give Birth?
While the pregnant cat’s labor time varies, some observations are frequent. This first stage of labor can last up to 36 hours in many cats having their first litter. In the second stage of labor, the uterine muscle begins to contract more forcefully and often.
The room should be hot – around 22°C – with a 65-70 percent humidity level to make the mother cat in labor comfortable and limit the risk of hypothermia.
How Long Does Cat Labor Take When Giving Birth?
The length of time it takes for a baby to be born varies depending on the breed and body type:
Siamese and other short-haired cat breeds with small heads may give birth to the entire litter in 1-2 hours.
Large, round-headed cats (the typical “domestic” kind) require longer to give birth.
Persians have difficulty delivering their giant kittens; the queen often rests between litters for an hour or more.
How to Assist the Mother Cat After She Gives Birth
Maintain a warm room temperature, as well as clean and dry bedding. Remove the soiled and wet newspapers from the queening box and replace the bedding.
Return the kittens to their mother once you’ve prepared the clean bedding if you had to assist with the delivery and keep them in a separate box. They’ll be hungry, and she’ll be ready to nurse them.
Within the first 24 hours following delivery, you should have your veterinarian inspect your cat and her babies. The veterinarian will double-check that all kittens have been delivered and are healthy.
Your cat may receive an injection to constrict her uterus and stimulate milk production if necessary.
For up to a week after giving birth, it is usual for the mother cat to experience a tiny amount of reddish discharge from her genital. Call your veterinarian if the discharge lasts longer than a week or is abnormal.