Work Kitty

Question
First, I understand the phrase that you are "owned" by cats.  I say I'm just the big cat taking care of the little cats!  Okay, my question.  A kitty has shown up at work, and I'm trying my best to take care of her.  She does get to eat all the time - a good dry cat food, fresh water twice a day, a small can of wet about 3 times a week, and lots of loving.  I have been giving her whole milk, for I thought the vitamin D would be good for her, since she doesn't get much sunlight.  She has come into heat, and the last time about a month ago.  But I don't think she was bred, for she was inside the "warehouse" all the time, and I didn't see any visitors. Do they come into heat after they are pregnant?  Her tummy is big - I'm hoping it's just fat!  When I feel of her tummy it's soft, and I can't find any "knots".  I have wormed her (medicine from the vet, 2 different kinds - a pink liquid, and a small pill), so I'm hoping that her tummy isn't distended from worms.  She has itty bitty nipples, and they aren't distended.  I'm sort of like Butterfly McQueen in Gone with the Wind - I don't know nothing about birthing no babies! So, I guess I'm needing reassurance that she is just "fluffy".  Thanks for your time.

Answer
Marian,

How nice that you were adopted by this kitty! That is sweet of you to take care of her.

No, they don't come into heat after they are bred. If she was bred, her ovaries prepare for possible pregnancy and she will stay out of heat for at least 35 to 37 days even if she is did not get pregnant.

If she is pregnant, gestation is approximately 63 days or 9 weeks. To remember: people 9 months, cats 9 weeks.

If her nipples are pink, which happens at about 3 weeks,  then the kittens will come about 6 weeks from then.

Weight gain becomes noticable at about 5 weeks.

From 6 weeks on the nipples will fill with milk.

After the 8th week or when she is about to go into labor she will constantly be licking her nipples and vagina. She may also have a discharge.

Her appetite will be healthy until a few days before birthing then it decreases. She also will become restless.

If you can see the babies moving then birth will be within the week.

Here is a good link: http://www.2ndchance.info/felinelabor.htm

If she has kittens, be sure to give her a high quality kitten chow until she weans the kittens (about 8 weeks). Give her as much as she wants to eat. Usually a nursing mom needs about 4 times her normal amount of food to keep the babies from depleting her.

If you can touch her, the best thing you can do for her is to get her spayed now. If she is not pregnant now, she will be. A tomcat will find her anywhere that he can get in. There are many low cost clinics that have inexpensive spays. Just Google LOW COST SPAY CLINICS and put in the name of your town, or nearest big city. You should find something. Or call the SPCA for low cost spay information. At a low cost spay clinic I know, the vet said 90% of the females he spays are pregnant!

Milk is not really good for a cat's digestive system. Just give it as a treat. Keeping fresh water available is the best thing. She should get the vitamins she needs in the canned and dry food.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Carol