Cat pregnancy is a tricky thing to figure out. Sometimes cats will carry their kittens for longer than the average nine weeks, and other times cat’s carry one kitten and think it is still pregnant, so they become large and fat after having already given birth.
How to tell if cat still has kittens inside?
1) If you have a pregnant cat, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian to know when she should give birth. Your vet will schedule the mother’s due date according to your kitty’s breed and age. You should plan for other pets in the house, as well as young children that are fond of animals – so keep them away from your cat while carrying or nursing her young.
2) Have a box for the pregnant kitty with clean newspaper. The newspaper will catch any messes that may occur during pregnancy, and it is essential to have some type of bedding in there for your cat to nestle into – but not too comfortable that she won’t want to leave it.
3) Purchase a good amount of food and water for the mother-to-be, as she will need her protein intake up, and to keep hydrated. She should be fed throughout the entire pregnancy and not allowed to lose weight or become emaciated.
4) If your cat is pregnant and has no litter box, provide one for her. The litter box should be separate from your cat’s food and water dishes – but not too far away that she becomes discouraged to use it.
5) Your cat may become very picky about where she wants to eat during pregnancy so place her food in multiple spots. If you normally feed her indoors, do the same. If she normally eats outdoors, leave the food out at all times and don’t be surprised to find stray neighborhood cats hanging around your yard looking for a free meal.
6) Watch your pregnant kitty for any signs of stress including hiding under furniture or in closets or other small spaces; pacing back and forth; vomiting; increased vocalization; or avoidance of interaction with people. If you are concerned about your kitty’s behavior, try speaking to your vet about it.
7) When your cat goes into labor, she may eat more because there is less room in her stomach to accommodate all the kittens – so keep an eye on the food bowl! She will also get very restless and pace back and forth, so don’t be alarmed when she seems to lose her mind for a while.
8) Watching your cat during labor can be tricky since it is natural for cats to become protective of their young once they are born. However, if your pregnant kitty goes longer than the average nine weeks in terms of pregnancy, she may need some help during birth.
9) If your pregnant cat has gone over the average nine weeks in terms of her pregnancy, call your veterinarian to find out what they recommend you do about it. They will most likely tell you to bring her in for an exam and possibly an ultrasound.
10) Once kittens are born they need to be kept warm with either a heating pad or warm towels. They will stick together in a litter and need their mom to clean them – so again, don’t be alarmed if they seem to disappear for hours at a time while she’s doing this.
11) Once the kittens are cleaned off they will begin to squeak when hungry, and your cat will come to their aid! She will begin to nurse them, and her milk will come in a few days after. Be prepared for some uncomfortable mood swings from the mother once this happens though, as she is very protective of her young.
