How do I know...

Question
I got this cat about a month ago and I named her Dream because she seemed laid back alot. The lady at the pet store kept begging me to buy her. I thought it was weird but she said they were going to put her to sleep. She is only 1 so I took her. We brought her home and everything but after I had her for about two weeks she like peeing on the walls but she always used her cat litter before that. She is getting bigger and much more lazy. Its kind of weird. When I pick her up now she meows and doesnt like being held much but she loves when I pet her and stuff. Could she be pregnant, I dont have a boy cat so then could she be pregnant after I had her for a month or do cats have babies in like 2 weeks or what? If she isnt pregnant do you know why she is doing this? Thanks and please answer back soon. One more thing if she is pregnant what should I do for her when she is having the kittens?  

Answer
Brittany,

She sure sounds like she might be pregnant to me.  Gestation in cats is approximately 9 to 9 1/2 weeks.  You can check with your vet to be certain, but I would prepare for kittens any day now, since you have no idea when she was bred.

Here is the problem.  Every queen seems to want to do it a little  differently, so the best I can do is give you guidelines.

Anywhere from a week before birth up until the onset of birth or  anywhere in between, she will get her milk in.  In this time frame she may  also have a mucous/bloody discharge. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).

Anywhere from a few days before birth up until the onset of birth or  anywhere in between, she may exhibit nesting behavior and restlessness.   Also, in this time frame her kittens will form hard knots and begin  to move backward and downward in her abdomen.  This is really the very  early stages of labor. (Although these events may start at different  times during this time frame).

Anywhere from a few hours before birth up until the onset of birth or  anywhere in between, her water may break and she will have what are called positioning contractions where she begins to get the kittens in line for birth.

You will know hard labor when you see it. Once she starts her birthing contractions, it is usually about an hour before the first kitten is  all the way out.  About 50% of the kittens are breech, so although it is  a bit tougher, it is normal for the first kitten to be breech.  

A couple of things you want to have handy are a roll of paper towels, a  bottle of isopropyl alcohol, scissors (in case you have to cut the  cords), and a soft face cloth to clean the kitten's face if mama does not do it immediately.

I like to use a "jumbo" cardboard storage chest (10" X 16" X 26") as a  birthing box. Put some old sheeting or toweling in side.  Put it somewhere you can easily get to, in a warm spot away from drafts, and away from young children and other pets.  You can half cover it with a towel, so it seems more den like.  

Make sure your vet knows what is going on, so, in case she has trouble, you have arrangements about what you must do.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.


Best regards... Norm.