my cat is prgnant

Question
Hi Norman, How are you?
My 17 month old Persian cat is pregnant, almost 6 weeks now.
I have no idea how to help her at delivery, how should I take care of her?
I also want to know how to take care of her coming kittens, how to deal with them? What about their toilet issue?
Please help me take the best care of them all.
Thank you so much


Answer
Fayza,

The Internet is a fabulous resource, so I would start looking for articles on feline pregnancy and birth.  Most books I know of are out of print or unavailable in the USA (but may be available in Europe), in any case, you could not get them in the 3 weeks or so when your queen is ready to give birth.

First and foremost, you need to make arrangements with your veterinarian in care there are complications with the delivery.  Let your vet know when she is due and work with your vet to set up a protocol of what to do off-hours.

You will need a nice birthing box.  We like the cardboard "jumbo" storage chests (10" X 16" X 26"). We put old toweling or sheeting in the bottom and have it in a warm, draft free place away from any other pets or small children.  Most cats like this arrangement for kittening.  If she is unsure, you can put a towel over half the box so it seems more like a den.

It is difficult to know when birth is imminent.  Her milk can come in up to a week before birth or not until birth.  She can have a mucous/bloody discharge for a number of days before birth or not until the first kitten is on its way.  a few days before birth, the kittens may form hard knots and begin to reposition themselves down and towards the rear of the abdomen.  A few days before birth she may get very restless, exhibit nesting behaviors, get in and out of her box and/or in and out of her litter pan frequently.  Normally, just before birth, her body temperature will drop.  Unless you are really good at taking your kitty's temperature, this fact may not help you at all!

Most of the work will be done by mama.  If there are complications, unless you are really experienced, there is not much you can do.  When labor starts contractions are fairly mild and are just positioning the kittens.  You will know when true birthing contractions begin.  It is normally about an hour for the first kitten to be birthed once hard labor begins.  About 50% of all kittens are born breech, so if the back end comes out first, this may be OK.  Once the first kitten is born, the rest usually come faster.  If hard labor goes on for more than 2 hours with no kitten or the kitten comes so far and makes no further progress, it is time to get to the vet!

What you will need to have on hand are paper towels, alcohol, scissors (in case mama does not chew the umbilical), a soft face cloth (in case mama gets so involved with cleaning herself, she does not clean the kittens face right away).  The first kitten may not nurse right away as it is usually pretty tired from being born. However, within 10 or 15 minutes the kitten should be moving towards a teat to begin nursing. It is usual for the queen to eat a placenta when the kitten is born.  It is good for her to eat at least one as it contains hormones which aid milk production.  Also, count placentas.  There should be one placenta for each kitten.

When it is all over, I would take the queen into the vet for an oxytocin shot.  Oxytocin is a hormone that will help clean out the uterus, help shrink the uterus, and aid in milk production.

Until the kittens are weaned, mama will potty the kittens.  Once you wean the kittens (5-6 weeks of age) and they are on solid food, you will need to make sure they have kitten sized litter pans to do their business.  We usually put a little bit of mamas used litter as well as fresh in their litter pans so they know what it is for.  You will just have to keep after them if they make mistakes.

I hope this is enough to get you started.

Best regards... Norm.