Cats are said to be the best pet to have, as you don’t need too much room to keep them, they are pretty low maintenance, and they are still lovable and caring. When you have a pet in your home, you need to be aware of all of their needs, and no matter if they require a lot of care, or they can do everything on their own without your attention, you still need to be aware of what is going on. Having a kitten in your home is going to brighten your mood and it is going to help you feel better, happier, and improve your overall health.
If you want to have new kittens, and if you want to help your pet reproduce, you need to know about the basics of the process. So, if your cat is pregnant, you are probably wondering about the signs that the date is due. In this article, we are going to give you some information on how to know when your pregnant cat is about to give birth. Continue reading to learn how to notice the signs, and what to do when the time comes.
Pregnancy basics
The first thing we are going to talk about is how long do you have to wait until you have new kittens. Well, you should know that the gestation period of this animal is usually between 60 and 70 days. However, it all depends on the animals, and just like it is with humans, you can get new kittens a few days before this mark, or after.
One thing you should know is that in the first few weeks of this process, your pet will not exhibit any symptoms, and they will do the things that they regularly do. This is one of the reasons why many owners miss out on the information and they find out that their kitten is pregnant when it is already in the middle of the gestation period.
After the second week, you may notice that they are going through the morning sickness period, just like it is with humans. However, the sickness may be a sign of another thing, not just pregnancy, so if your pet is vomiting you should check to see if she is pregnant, or just contact your vet to make sure that there is nothing wrong with her.
When cats are pregnant, just like any other mammal, they will try to protect their belly from being rubbed, so if your kitten that loves belly rubs suddenly stops allowing you to touch it, it may be a sign that she is expecting. Note that during this period, your pet will gain between two and four pounds, and that is completely normal. You may also expect some mood swings, irritability, and your pet may either want to cuddle a lot more than before, or she will try to avoid you at any cost.
If you think that your kitten may be expecting, the best thing you can do is not guess, and you should take her to the vet. The doctor will be able to give you more information on how far along she is, what you should be expecting during this period, how many kittens you are going to have, and how to prepare for the labor.
Labor signs
Now that you know more about the basics of the pregnancy, let’s talk about the due date, and how you should notice that your pet is about to give birth. You should start preparing for this process about a month and a half after the babies are conceived, and as we mentioned before, your pet will go into labor around the two-month mark. So, be prepared, and learn as much as you can about this process before the two-month mark so you can make this experience as stressless as possible for you and for the new mommy-to-be.
On websites like Floppycats.com, you can see that every cat is different, and you need to be aware of their behavior if you want to help them out the best you can. Follow their behavior and try to conform to it. If you see that your pet wants to be alone and does not want to be touched, keep a safe distance and don’t force them to try to run away.
The main sign that your cat is about to give birth is the fact that she is going to start to refuse food. Animals don’t like to eat before this happens, so she is most likely going to refuse anything you give her, and she is just going to drink water from time to time. Make sure she has her feeding bowl next to her, so if she wants any food or water, she can reach it with ease.
If you have a way to measure the temperature, you should know that your pet’s temperature is going to drop for a few degrees about a day or two before she goes into labor, and you should expect a temperature that will not be higher than 38 degrees Celsius or around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Just before she gives birth, she will experience contractions, and she will wash herself constantly. Know that just like in humans, this process is not a comfortable one, so don’t be afraid if she gets agitated, stressed, or nervous.
Note that just before the birth happens, your kitten will look for a secluded place to give birth on her own, so make sure you provide her with a place like this, and that you leave some comfortable towels that she can lay on.
Remember that this process usually goes really smoothly, and the whole laboring should not take more than a day or two. In most cases, the cats are able to give birth without any help whatsoever, and everything should be okay. However, if you notice that your kitten is in extreme pain, if her discharge is colored, and if she’s been in labor for too long without any kittens arriving, the best thing you can do is call your vet and follow their advice. Remember to stay calm, give your pet enough room, and don’t hover over them, no matter how excited you get.
