Help?! Is my cat in labor? Should I expect kittens soon?

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Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
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  • 23 February, 2015 at 4:25 pm #827545
    Meganb
    Participant

    Hi. I have a stray cat that showed up a few weeks ago. She is definitely pregnant. We brought her inside and we can definitely feel the kittens moving all around! Her nipples are pink but there isn’t any milk coming out.. This morning when I checked her I thought I saw some but when I just checked again there wasn’t any.. There is almost dried skin or something white on the tip of her nipples.. Is this normal? She is eating and drinking just fine hasnt stopped or slowed down at all. She does keep purring a lot and loves it when I rub her belly. She just lays on her back and looks so happy when I rub it almost like its relaxing to her. I made her a box with a blanket in there although she doesn’t really like it. She just jumps in and jumps out. Yesterday I found her in my closet. There isn’t anything that I can see that is leaking out of her. She has to be close to 9weeks not for sure though. She does keep rolling over on her back. She doesn’t look in pain, but I’m not sure. Does it sound like she could possibly be in labor? Should kittens come soon? Help 🙂

    23 February, 2015 at 5:09 pm #827548
    Meganb
    Participant

    Also I have noticed she almost losing fur.. She is gray so it kind of stands out on the carpet. It’s not a lot but a few little tuffs here and there.. What does that mean??

    23 February, 2015 at 5:12 pm #827549
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    Hi Megan – glad you were able to get the kitty inside to have her babies. She sounds close to being ready, and though the box sounds perfect, don’t be surprised if she decides to have her kittens in your closet.

    23 February, 2015 at 6:13 pm #827551
    Meganb
    Participant

    Thank you for answering Joan. I have posted on some other sites and no one answers. She keeps coming up to me and laying on me. Because I haven’t had her long I’m not sure if this is her normal behavior. She is still eating. Do you know what the dried white stuff on her nipples is?

    23 February, 2015 at 6:18 pm #827555
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    I don’t know for sure, but it might be that mama’s all ready for her babies. The milk is there, but no one is there to drink yet, so perhaps the milk that’s exposed to air is drying out.

    23 February, 2015 at 6:21 pm #827557
    Meganb
    Participant

    Thank you Joan! Also, do you think the blanket in the box is enough or should I put a heating bad under it? What is to hot for the kittens when they come?

    23 February, 2015 at 6:52 pm #827560
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Hi Megan! I wouldn’t put a heating pad in the box with the mama and kittens as long as she is there with them to keep them warm. She will be having kittens soon, and birth is messy and wouldn’t want any birth fluids to get on an electric appliance with she and the kittens. She may have the kittens in the box, or may pick another spot to give birth. She sounds like a wonderful kitty and thank you so much for bringing her inside. I hope you have a litter box for her, because if she gets outside, she could have them out there somewhere and you wouldn’t know where, as cats are very good at hiding their babies. You will be able to tell, she will start leaking fluid, may start licking herself down there and you will see a little kitten start to emerge. Stay calm and soft spoken to her if you are there when she gives birth, that will help her stay calm. She needs good food right now and as she is nursing her kittens. Even kitten food is good for a queen, as they can use the extra fat content it provides. The gestation for cats is about 9 or 10 weeks, so good luck and keep us posted on her progress!

    23 February, 2015 at 7:15 pm #827563
    Meganb
    Participant

    Thank you for answering Kittyzee! Ok! I wont put a heating pad in there. She does have a box with a few blankets in it to help keep them warm along with there mama! She does have a liter box that is on the complete opposite side of the room of her box. For right now she is just laying on her side purring and breathing heavy. She doesn’t have anything coming out of her.. does this mean labor is far away? Could she have the kittens later today or tonight or is it more likely that she should have them later in the week, judging by all of her symptoms? Thanks you!!

    23 February, 2015 at 9:22 pm #827566
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    Kitten watch! I will pop in and out in anticipation of new furry purries arriving. Good luck Meganb & stray cat.

    24 February, 2015 at 12:58 am #827578
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Well Megan, it sounds like it could be the beginning of labor, but not being there myself, I couldn’t be sure. If she is breathing heavy, it could mean she has started labor, or she is carrying a large load and is just out of breath, LOL! This is exciting–wish I was there!

    24 February, 2015 at 7:03 am #827589
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    Any news Megan?

    24 February, 2015 at 3:26 pm #827606
    Meganb
    Participant

    Thanks guys I am so excited! And just hope that everything goes good when they come. No kittens this morning, I’ll keep you guys posted throughout the day on her progress! Thanks everyone! I’ll post pictures when they are here

    24 February, 2015 at 10:35 pm #827627
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    I’ll be checking in occasionally Megan to see how things are going.

    25 February, 2015 at 1:10 am #827644
    Leeny
    Participant

    Is her birthing box out in the open, or does it have something over it that could act as a “ceiling,” like a table top? In the wild, young kittens are eaten by birds of prey, so mother cats feel safest delivering their kittens in a place that they feel protects them from attacks from above. That may be why she likes the closet.

    25 February, 2015 at 3:20 pm #827668
    Meganb
    Participant

    She has a lot of different options for where she can give birth. She is I’m a huge empty room with a closet that she can go into. She has a nesting box that is open it doesn’t have a lid. I also put towels and blankets all over so where ever she has them she is covered. So now it is just up to her on where she decides to have them.

    She is having contractions now.. She is still eating but when she eats she almost acts like she is going to throw up. Kittens should come soon! I’ll keep you guys updated:)

    25 February, 2015 at 6:13 pm #827683
    Britta
    Participant

    If she has the kittens in the box, it will be messy so you will want to be able to change and wash the blanket. Old towels could be a good option. We had a cat who gave birth in the afternoon and the morning before she just started behaving oddly, like she was restless.

    25 February, 2015 at 7:44 pm #827690
    Meganb
    Participant

    No kittens yet. I am worried though. She doesn’t have any milk! Why?

    25 February, 2015 at 8:45 pm #827694
    Meganb
    Participant

    Just checked on her again. No kittens, I cant tell if she is in labor yet. She doesn’t have milk coming out of her nipples (I have read that for some cats it doesn’t happen until their water breaks, is this true?) She doesn’t have anything coming out of her private areas. She is still eating and drinking. She keeps lying down and propping her butt kind of up. I can feel the babies moving all around inside of her. Does this sound normal? Please help. Thanks guys. Also, like I said I am not fur sure how far along she is in her pregnancy. From what I can tell she might having small contractions but I cant tell fully, she is breathing heavy. Does this sound like she should be having babies soon?

    28 February, 2015 at 11:23 pm #827828
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    Megan, any news re the kittens?

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