When you find out your cat is pregnant, you may find yourself panicking.
Don’t worry- it’s completely normal! Caring for your pregnant cat can seem like an incredibly daunting task and it will also mean that you need to pay special attention to your moggies needs as she goes through her pregnancy. There is also quite a lot of knowledge you will need to acquire to ensure that both mama cat and her kittens remain healthy throughout the pregnancy, the birth and beyond.
So, if you have dealt with a pregnant cat before, please read on, as there may be information in this article which can help you and, of course, if it is your first time having a pregnant kitty in your home, then you definitely need to read on, as this article will guide you through some top tips to ensure that this pregnancy, birth and weaning goes off without a hitch. Enjoy and, of course, good luck!
Without further ado, here are 15 top tips you need to know for caring for your pregnant cat.
Confirm the Pregnancy
Do you have a suspicion that your cat is pregnant? If you do, the first step is to confirm this with a trip to the vet. A cat will typically show the signs of pregnancy around three weeks of conception and, according to The Spruce Pets, some of the common symptoms will include enlarged, pink nipples, which is known as pinking up, a slightly rounded abdomen which feels firm, as well as having an increased appetite. Of course, the only real way you can confirm this for sure is with a vet visit, where your vet will perform either a palpation test or an ultrasound to confirm the presence of kittens.
Provide Proper Nutrition
A cat who is pregnant will have different nutritional needs, as her body will be working overtime to support her growing kittens. You will need to switch her to a high quality food, which is rich in protein, fats and essential nutrients. It’s also worthwhile asking your vet if there are any supplements that you can give her during the pregnancy and lactation phase to help her manage these additional demands on her body. You should also ensure that she has access to fresh food and water at all times. And, of course, if you have ever fed your cat off of your plate, now is the time to stop doing that! Human food, barring chicken and some fish, is very high in salts and sugars, and not ideal for a pregnant kitty!
Create a Comfortable Nesting Area
As your cat approaches the later stage of her pregnancy, around 5 to 8 weeks, she will start to seek a quiet and safe place where she can give birth to her kittens. You can help her by ensuring that she has a comfortable nessing space in a warm and secluded spot in your home. You can even use a box that has been lined with soft blankets or towels and place it in a quiet room where she will feel more secure. Or, you can simply observe her, to see the spot in your home that she prefers and base the nesting area around this location.
Monitor Her Health Regularly
You will also need to maintain your vigilance in relation to her health during her pregnancy. Make sure you keep an eye on her weight, her appetite and her overall behaviour. It should be noted that a pregnant cat will usually become lethargic, but, if she is showing any signs of distress, such as extreme lethargy, a loss of appetite, or unusual discharge coming from her vagina, you need to contact your vet immediately. If she is being sick, this will also need to be explored and regular veterinary check ups will help to detect any potential issues early on and will hopefully prevent any mishaps occurring in the pregnancy.
Avoid Unnecessary Stress
If your cat is pregnant, you need to ensure that you minimize stressors to her during this period. For example, if you were planning to get a puppy, now would probably not be the right time to do it! To minimize stress, be sure to keep her environment calm and quiet. Also, aim to limit any changes in her feeding and sleeping routine. Avoid any excessive noise levels and try to keep any children that you may have or any other pets from disturbing her.This will help her to feel safe and secure during her pregnancy and will also limit complications during the birth.
Limit Physical Activity
It is important to ensure that your cat refrains from excessive physical activity during her pregnancy, especially in the later stages. Of course, try to encourage her to engage in gentle exercise, but be sure to try and avoid rough play, as well as preventing her from jumping to or from high places or any activities which could potentially bring harm to either her or her kittens. Try to encourage her to rest and take it easy. Cat owners do not find this stage so hard, as many mummy cats like nothing more than having a rest!
Be Prepared for the Birth
As your cat’s pregnancy progresses, you need to be prepared for the birthing process. According to the website the Catster, there are many signs that your cat is going into labor and you need to educate yourself not only of the stages of labor, and what to expect, but also what to do in the case of an emergency. The majority of times it would simply be to call the vet, but you need to ensure that you have clean towels, disposable gloves and scissors to cut umbilical cords if necessary. Try to have everything ready in advance, as this will help you to remain calm and assist your cat if you need to.
Understand the Signs of Labor
Going back to the previous point, it is worth asking your vet about the signs of labor, so you can know the normal progression and can spot any abnormalities. There are some common signs to look out for but, once your cat’s labor begins, you’ll need to stay close. Try to avoid interfering unless your cat seems to be in distress or needs help. As mentioned before, it’s well worth having your vet number close to hand as the date of your cat’s labor approaches.
Know When to Seek Veterinary Help
In the majority of cases, cats can give birth with no complications. However, it is important for you to know when you may need to call your vet to help out. If your cat has been in labor for more than one hour without delivering a single kitten, if there is heavy bleeding or if she seems to be struggling, you need to contact your vet immediately. Quick intervention in the early stages of labor can save both the life of the mother and her kittens.
Provide Postnatal Care
Once the kittens have arrived, your cat is likely to need some post birth care to help her recover from the birthing process. It’s hard in every species! Be sure to monitor her closely for any signs of infections, such as foul smelling discharge, lethargy or a fever. Continue to feed her the high protein food, which will help to support milk production. Aim to keep the nesting area clean and always ensure that fresh water and food are close by, so if she has to get up, she doesn’t have to leave her kittens for very long.
Check That the Kittens Are Nursing
Newborn kittens will usually start nursing within a few hours of the birth. This provides them with colostrum, which is the nutrient rich first milk that your cat will produce, which contains all of the essential antibodies to keep them healthy. You should also ensure that all of the kittens are nursing properly and receiving enough milk. If there is a kitten who is struggling to latch or appears weak, consult your vet for advice on supplemental feeding options. Many pet shops will have powdered kitten milk to hand, which you can purchase, as well as suitable bottles.
Keep the Environment Warm
Newborn kittens are not able to regulate their body temperature, so you need to keep the environment warm. Aim for a temperature of around 29 to 32°C or 85 to 90°F for the first week. You can use heating pads or heat lamps, but make sure that these do not directly touch the kittens to prevent burns.
Monitor Your Cat’s Behavior
You will need to keep an eye on your cat’s behaviour post birth. Some restlessness is normal, but, according to The Cat Site, agitation, aggression or lack of interest in the kittens could indicate a health issue. So, make sure you are monitoring her behaviour, especially in the first few days following the birth.
Schedule a Postpartum Veterinary Check-Up
It is always wise to take your cat and her newborn kittens for a veterinary check up. This will allow the vet to assess the health of the mother as well as the kittens for any abnormalities and ensure that they are nursing properly.
Plan for the Kittens’ Future
As cute as kittens are, very few people are able to support all of them financially, so you need to start planning for their future. Start looking for suitable adopters early on and make sure that the kittens received the vaccinations and deworming treatments. Now would also be a good time to discuss spaying your cat with your vet, to ensure that there are no further pregnancies in the future.
