Care of a Pregnant Cat
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Whether you've adopted a pregnant stray, or your own cat has become pregnant, you'll want to provide all the things your pregnant cat needs, both for her health and for the health of the unborn kittens.
Whether you've adopted a pregnant stray, or your own cat has become pregnant, you'll want to provide all the things your pregnant cat needs, both for her health and for the health of the unborn kittens.
Veterinary Care
It is essential that a pregnant cat be given an examination by your veterinarian, both to determine her overall health, and, with a pregnant stray cat, for the protection of any other cats in your household, in the event she is carrying serious contagious diseases.
Should she be spayed?
Stray and feral cats often give their last ounces of energy to the developing kittens they bear, because of the lack of proper food, care, and veterinary attention. Whether or not your pregnant cat is a stray, your vet can determine the approximate stage of pregnancy and discuss with you the option of spaying to terminate the pregnancy.
Vaccinations
Generally, vaccinations are not recommended during pregnancy because of the possible risk of harm to the developing fetuses. You should discuss this aspect with your veterinarian and weigh the risks, especially if there are other cats in the household and the pregnant cat is a stray.
Food for a Pregnant Cat
Feeding Your Own Pregnant Cat
If your cat is already on a diet of quality canned cat food, it should be safe to continue feeding her the same brand she is accustomed to for awhile. However, during the last three to four weeks, she should be switched to a nutritious canned kitten food, and continue on that regimen until after the kittens are weaned. (The kittens will then be fed the same food as mom.) In the final week of her pregnancy, try a supplement of KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement (Buy at Amazon), which is readily available in most pet supply stores and many supermarkets.
Feeding a Pregnant StrayA pregnant stray may be thin and undernourished. I'd advise immediately feeding her a premium kitten food to build up her strength and stamina, and to help the developing fetuses grow strong and healthy.
Pregnant Cats Need CalciumPregnancy (and subsequent nursing) causes a depletion in the amount of calcium in the bloodstream. This condition can result in eclampsia, a life-threatening disease. Although it more often occurs during nursing, it can occur during the last stages of pregnancy. A calcium supplement can help prevent this potential problem, particularly when caring for a pregnant stray cat.
In addition to quality food, make sure that fresh, clean water is available at all times. The best way to provide this essential is with an automatic water fountain.
Routine Care for a Pregnant Cat
Other than kitten food and KMR during the last trimester, for the most part, a pregnant cat needs the same good care you would give any other cat:
A Comfortable Place to Sleep
This can be anywhere from sharing your bed, to a cardboard box lined with a fluffy towel or blanket, to a comfortable commercial bed designed for cats.
A Litter Box and Quality Litter
As your pregnant cat's abdomen begins to enlarge, make sure her litter box is low enough for easier ingress and egress. Keep the box scrupulously clean to avoid possible infections from soiled litter. Refresh your knowledge of litter box cleaning techniques with this article on Litter Box Maintenance.
Scratching Post, Cat Toys, and a Cat Tree Pregnant cats are just like other cats, in that they need the stretching activities they can get from a nice long scratching session, an interactive play session (take care not to tire her), and a nice spot from which to relax and view the world below.
Keep Your Pregnant Cat IndoorsThis should go without saying, but if your cat became pregnant because of unlimited outdoor privileges, you really should train yourself and her to keep her inside. This is extremely important for her safety and your peace of mind.
When Birthing Time can be calculated ?
A few days before delivery, your pregnant cat will show signs of "nesting," e.g., searching for a quiet, private place to give birth to her kittens. Cats often choose closets for this purpose, and may be found sleeping on piles of clothes. Help her out by selecting a closet in a guest room, or an unused guest bathroom (easier to clean).
Move an extra litter box, food dish, and water bowl into the area you (and hopefully, your cat) have chosen. Provide a large cardboard box or laundry basket lined with clean towels (make sure it is low enough for her to enter.) She will usually readily move into the box and sleep there, to mark it with her scent for the expected kittens.
Other than keeping an eye out for potential problems, we've covered here all the things you'll need for the care of your pregnant cat.
Move an extra litter box, food dish, and water bowl into the area you (and hopefully, your cat) have chosen. Provide a large cardboard box or laundry basket lined with clean towels (make sure it is low enough for her to enter.) She will usually readily move into the box and sleep there, to mark it with her scent for the expected kittens.
Other than keeping an eye out for potential problems, we've covered here all the things you'll need for the care of your pregnant cat.
Think you have a pregnant cat on your hands? Don’t panic. Cats have been having kittens since, well, forever. There is a lot of information out there to sort through, so we've made it easy for you with our list of important things you need to know to keep your cat healthy and comfy during her pregnancy.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CAT IS PREGNANT
The first thing you need to know about cat pregnancy is how to recognize the signs of pregnancy. You can tell a cat is pregnant once her nipples become darker and enlarged. This usually happens around the third week of pregnancy. You'll also be able to tell by her size and weight, since pregnancy tends to cause a noticeable gain in weight.
WHAT IS A FEMALE CAT CALLED WHEN PREGNANT?
A pregnant or nursing cat is referred to as a queen, and you might agree that she is becoming more demanding as she progresses through her pregnancy. She may become increasingly vocal, meowing for attention, affection, and comfort, or because of discomfort from the growing weight of her abdomen and false labor contractions. Later in the pregnancy, expect your little queen to be hungry most of the time, and napping the rest of the time.
The kittens, by the way, once they are born, are called an intrigue of kittens.
HOW LONG ARE CATS PREGNANT?
The average cat pregnancy lasts 65 to 69 days. This may not seem very long, until you take into account the human-to-cat aging ratio. If a cat's yearly age is determined by multiplying seven (a rough estimate, to be sure), then a cat pregnancy is really 14 months long. If, on the other hand, a pregnant one-year-old cat is considered to be 15 years old in human years (another unproven estimate), the comparative length of pregnancy jumps to 30 months. Definitely nothing to sneer at—or envy.
HOW MANY KITTENS AND LITTERS CAN A CAT HAVE?
Knowing just how many kittens to expect can be helpful for preparation. According to the ASPCA, a cat can have an average of four to six kittens per litter, and a fertile cat can produce one to two litters a year on average. Of course, the actual number of kittens and litters will vary from cat to cat. Your vet will be able to determine the exact number using ultrasounds and x-rays.
WEIGHT GAIN AND APPETITE
Your cat will gain weight but she will not really begin to show until the last few weeks. That is also when her appetite will increase the most, and now is not the time for watching her weight (unless she was already overweight). Remember, she is not only eating for one anymore. She may be eating for several!
Cats have been known to get morning sickness and cravings, just like people, but if you find your cat eating dirt, or anything else that is not food, check with your vet. She may have a condition called pica, and may need supplements due to a nutritional imbalance or mineral deficiency.
KEEP UP THE NUTRITION!
Otherwise, feed your queen the same food she has always enjoyed, but start mixing protein into the meals. Later in the pregnancy, you may want to switch her to a kitten food that is formulated for growing cats. You can continue that diet while she is nursing and until she has weaned her kittens, supplementing it with a quality canned food or sardines. Because of the space being taken up inside, there will not be much room left for food, so your cat will need to eat smaller and more frequent meals. Make sure that there is always food available for when she is hungry, and, most importantly, that there is always water available to her.
LATE PREGNANCY ACCOMMODATIONS
It is possible that your cat will not make it to her litter box on time due to the increased pressure on her bladder. Now is not the time to scold her. She may also need a little extra help cleaning her bottom, if her belly is not allowing her to reach it. A soft, moist cloth can be used if she will allow it.
In the final weeks of her pregnancy, your cat's nipples will swell and there may be some milk leakage.
HOW TO HELP A CAT GIVE BIRTH
Just before she goes into labor, your queen will be wandering the house restlessly looking for a nesting space to birth in. You will want to keep your closets closed, but create a quiet corner with a paper lined box. She may or may not use it; let her choose the place she is most comfortable. Even if you do not approve of the spot she has chosen, do not try to move her. If your queen feels stressed or threatened at all, her labor can stop cold, possibly leading to a life-threatening situation for her or her kittens. Keep the house as calm and quiet as possible and do not get involved in the birthing process unless you are absolutely positive that something has gone wrong. Once the kittens have all arrived, and your queen is relaxed, the whole family can be moved to a clean and comfortable area that has been set aside for their bedding.
Congratulations, you are now the proud "parent" of several new kittens that will soon be scurrying around. Keep in mind that their immune systems and bones are very fragile; they should not be picked up by every cooing person that comes along -- not to mention the "queen mum" may become violently protective if anyone does try to do this too soon.
