Her "Nesting" Begins She will want a spot that is fairly hidden and concealed, so you may notice her hanging out some pretty unusual spots in the house, such as inside of cabinets and dresser drawers or the top shelf of the closet.
Your cat will settle into a quiet place, like the nesting box. Typically, this happens two days before birth but can also occur just a few hours before labor. Keep the area quiet and secluded from other pets and children. Your cat may also become restless or anxious and begin pacing in and out of her nesting area.
Licking, pacing, howling, and chirping
You might notice your cat licking her genitalia frequently – There is a discharge from the cat's vulva a few hours before birth starts. Your cat's water will break as well. Now is the time for pacing, restlessness, and howling, meowing, or chirping from your cat.
Pregnant cats are very independent and will usually find their own quiet area to nest before giving birth. And while your cat might decide for herself where she wants to give birth, it's a good idea to set up a nesting box or area in a quiet part of the house.
Cats have an average of four to eight kittens per litter, although it's normal to encounter larger and smaller litters. For example, first-time cat moms often have just two or three kittens. In case you're curious, the largest litter of kittens on record was a group of 19, born in 1970.
If your cat has had stillborn kittens, take them to the vet. Your vet will want to run tests on your cat to ensure she doesn't have a viral or bacterial infection that could affect the rest of the litter. Your vet will also want to examine the living kittens to ensure they're healthy.
Once your cat begins labor, you will notice a few behavioral changes. She might begin to yowl or make unusual noises and start pacing around the room. After a while, you will notice that she will go over to the birthing nest or to another quiet location of her choosing.
Preparation for birth
As your cat prepares to give birth her birth canal will relax and widen, while her kittens turn around into the correct position for birth. During this stage, (which often lasts between 6-12 hours), you will notice your cat's behaviour changing. Signs often include: Becoming restless and vocal.
During birth, your queen will "cry" and sound distressed, which is completely normal.
In cats the average length of full parturition (delivery) is 16 hours, with a range of 4–42 hours (up to three days in some cases may be normal). It is important to consider this variability before intervening. The third stage is delivery of the fetal membranes.
Whilst it's safe to stroke your pregnant cat, make sure that you avoid her tummy. This area will be very sensitive, and any touching there could cause her discomfort or hurt her unborn kittens. If you do have to pick your cat up, make sure to “scoop” her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach.
Giving birth to kittens by a cat is considered to be a good Omen for the head of the house owning the cat as it is believed that evil spirits will never enter such house. It is also believed that there will be prosperity in the family within three months.
Get hold of your vet's out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night, or they might need an emergency helping hand. If mum does have problems delivering her kittens, you may need to take her into the vet, so make sure that you have access to transport.
However, a pregnant cat's nipples will appear pinker, showing a visible contrast to how they were before. In addition to that, you may notice that the fur around your cat's nipples will also start to recede, as it prepares her body for nursing the kittens.
Nesting behavior in cats refers to their natural instinct of creating a cozy and comfortable spot to rest, sleep, or prepare for giving birth. Cats gather soft materials like blankets, towels, or clothing and knead them with their paws to construct a comfortable bed.
Vocalisation – She might begin to meow and cry out more than usual. Don't worry. She's just letting you know the kittens are coming.
Symptoms of Early Contractions and Labor in Cats
Before a cat fully goes into labor, there are a few tell-tale signs. If a cat is showing these signs before the 61st day of pregnancy, it is likely that the cat is going into premature labor: Bloody vaginal discharge.
active straining starts and the kitten usually comes out head first. once the head is out, one or two strains from the cat should push out the kitten. the mother breaks the bag and chews through the cord and licks the kitten. This cleans the kitten and encourages it to breathe.
Vets recommend not touching kittens unless you have to while their eyes are still closed. You can check on them to make sure they're healthy and gaining weight, but try to limit direct physical contact. The kitten's mother will also let you know how comfortable she is with you handling her babies.
When a cat loses a companion, whether animal or human, she most certainly grieves and reacts to the changes in her life. Cats alter their behavior when they mourn much like people do: They may become depressed and listless.
Yes, cats do experience grief at the loss of a another household pet, especially if they had a close-knit bond. Cats are individuals, and just like humans, their process for coping with loss will vary. Pay attention and keep an eye-out for behavioral changes.
Because of their compact hips, purebred Persian moms give birth to relatively small litters, between two and six kittens per birth, says MacArthur, and the breed usually has a life span of 15 to 18 years.