how can i tell when my cat is due to have her kittens

Question
i have a 10 month old cat who is pregnant but i dont know when she is due,she is a tiny little thing with a very big belly im just not sure how much further along she has as im a little worried with how big her belly is going to get (surely is can not get much bigger). i can see and feel them moving,i have done for the past 4-5 days , i was just wondering if you could roughly tell how far along she is, sorry if i have not given enough information but thanks for any help you give.

Answer
Hayley,

Normal gestation in cast is 65-67 days from when they were bred.  63 days is a normal minimum, whereas 69 days is a normal maximum.  Your vet can X-ray the queen and may be able to give you some idea based on skeletal development of the kittens.

The only sure ways to know birth is near is that the queen's body temperature will drop and she will break her water.

Milk coming in is helpful since it can come in any where from a week before birth to the onset of labor.  Bloody/mucous discharge is an indicator but can go on for a few days before birth or not occur until kittens are on their way.  A few days before birth the queen may become very restless, be in and out of the litter pan and exhibit nesting behavior with her birthing box.

A day or two before birth, the kittens will form hard little knots and begin to "drop", i.e. move down the abdomen towards the birth canal.  In a first litter, the queen is often so tight, these last signs may be difficult to detect.

I would keep an eye on her every day and see if her behavior changes.  When she comes into labor, you will know it!!!!!

I am sorry I cannot be more definitive than this, but every queen does it differently!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.