Is It Likely That One Or More Kittens Will Be Stillborn
It is not uncommon for one or two kittens in a litter to be stillborn. Sometimes, s stillborn kitten will disrupt labor, resulting in dystocia. At other times the dead kitten will be born normally. Although there is always a cause for this occurrence, it is often not easily determined without an autopsy that includes cultures and the submission of tissues to a pathologist. This is only recommended in special circumstances.
Vaccinations: Protecting Your Cat
Vaccinations protect your cat against a range of infectious diseases, some of which can be fatal and others which can have a long-term impact on their health. Its important to keep your cats vaccinations up-to-date to make sure they stay protected throughout their life.
Our vets would always recommend getting your cat vaccinated regularly to help keep them healthy and prevent them from getting ill.
Care Of Your Cat During Pregnancy
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. Except for nutritional considerations, especially for a stray pregnant cat, most of the things you’ll provide for her are the same things you give any cat in your care: shelter, a place to sleep, litter box, scratching post and toys.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Matts Out Of Cat Hair
Can You Surrender A Kitten To The Animal Humane Society
Animal Humane Society veterinarians and staff cannot legally treat or recommend treatment on animals that are owned and have not been surrendered to our organization. If youre having a medical problem with kittens, please contact your veterinarian immediately. If youre unable to provide treatment, you may surrender the kittens to AHS at any time.
What Are The Basics Of Cat Reproduction
Cats reach sexual maturity from around 4 months of age. Hence current advice to have your cat neutered around 4 months old to prevent unwanted pregnancies .
The timing of reproductive activity is probably triggered by an increase in day length which signals that better weather is on the way bringing with it an availability of food animals for the cat so that when the kittens are born after a 9-week pregnancy the mother and kittens will have sufficient food. In the northern hemisphere, therefore, cat pregnancies and births increase in March, April and May and decrease from October to January, while in the southern hemisphere the reverse is found. Cats on the equator probably dont have a great deal of change in their reproductivity throughout the year.
However, for female cats, this time of heat or coming into season, or oestrus, isnt one long period but many short periods . During these periods the cat will exhibit what could be described as flirtatious behaviour, rubbing and rolling on the floor, marking, and making a plaintive yet demanding rising and falling pitch known as calling. Owners who havent previously owned an unneutered female cat sometimes think that their pet is in pain and that these behaviours are signs of illness, whereas in fact, theyre quite normal for a female cat in search of a mate.
If mating does not occur the eggs are not released and the cycle is repeated again about two weeks later.
Read Also: How Much Do Cats Eat A Day
Other References Used In This Article:
Should I Leave The Newborn Kittens With The Queen While She Continues To Give Birth
It may be helpful to have a smaller box lined with a warm towel for the newborn kittens. A slightly damp towel can be warmed in a microwave oven. After each kitten is stable and dry, it should be placed in the incubator box while the mother is completing delivery of the other kittens. Warmth is essential, so a heating pad or towel-wrapped hot water bottle may be placed in the box, or a heat lamp may be placed nearby. If a heating pad is used, it should be placed on the lowest setting and covered with a towel to prevent overheating. Likewise, caution should be exercised when using a heat lamp, since newborn kittens may be unable to move away from the heat source.
Recommended Reading: My Cat’s Whisker Fell Out
How Much Should You Feed Your Adult Cat
As your kittens metabolism starts to slow down and he reaches adulthood, you might notice him start to put on excess weight. Obesity is a common issue among adult cats and, when not corrected early on, may lead to complications later in life. Regular exercise and a well-controlled diet will help to prevent obesity and keep your cat in good shape.
Whether you feed your cat homemade cat food or the best commercial cat foods, its critical to feed him the right amount per day. But theres no single amount of food that every cat should eat each day.
Calorie needs vary from cat to cat, with many factors coming into play. When deciding how much to feed your cat, youll have to consider his breed, age, reproductive status, underlying health conditions, and more. In general, however, the recommended daily caloric intake is about 20 calories per pound of bodyweight.
that helps you identify how many calories your cat needs per day.
What Happens During A Normal Labor And Delivery
The signs of impending labor generally include nervousness, overgrooming, and panting sometimes the queen will stop eating during the final day of pregnancy. In most cases, a drop in rectal temperature, to less than 100°F , occurs in the last 24 hours and signals impending labor. Milk will often appear in the mammary glands 24-48 hours before labor begins. Many cats will prefer to be secluded during the birthing process.
Once labor starts, most cats experience delivery without complications however, if this is your cat’s first litter, you should closely monitor her until at least one or two kittens are born. If these first kittens are born quickly and without complication, further attendance may not be necessary, although it is ideal to be available if an emergency should arise. However, if you leave the room, it is possible that she will try to follow you, leaving her kittens and potentially interrupting the labor.
“If the delivery proceeds normally, the kitten will emerge after a few contractions.”
Recommended Reading: Do Chinese People Eat Cats And Dogs
How Often Should Mom Be Away From Newborn Kittens
- Purraise
- 1
Originally Posted by zookeeperI’ve read mixed things on how often the mother should be leaving a kitten when it’s first born. It seems like the mother is spending about half her time sitting outside the box away from the kitten . The kitten seems healthy, but I was under the impression that the mother would stay in the nesting area with the kitten for the entire time for about 3 days except to eat or use the litter box. Our cat is constantly out of the box away from the kitten, although the kitten seems to just sleep a lot, and we rarely hear it cry. It’s belly is round, so it seems healthy enough I guess. How often have your cats left the kittens within 1-2 days of the kittens being born?
At What Age Can Cats Have Kittens
See files for Cats
Cats are reputed for their ability to produce quickly and at a young age. When it comes to having a cat, knowing your cats sexual cycle is key in understanding your animal better, and taking the necessary measures to avoid unwanted litters.
Keep reading here at AnimalWised for more about cat mating, cat sterilization and at what age can cats have kittens. In addition, well be discussing your cats pregnancy timeline, as well as how many kittens cats can have.
You May Like: Blue Wet Cat Food Reviews
Booster Vaccinations For Adult Cats
Your cat will need to have regular booster jabs to make sure they stay fully protected throughout their life. Usually, boosters are needed once a year and most vet practices will send you a reminder if youve had jabs there before. Speak to your vet if youre not sure when your cat is due, and write down any future dates so you dont forget them.
If your cat is overdue for a booster or missed their kitten vaccinations, dont worry. Theyll usually just need a second injection to boost their immunity. Ask your vet how to get them back up to date.
How Often Can A Cat Have Kittens
Your cats pregnancy will last about 9 weeks, with the average length being 63-65 days. And, a cat can get pregnant again very quickly after giving birth! Nursing her kittens wont prevent pregnancy, and your kittys next heat may occur just a few weeks after her kittens are born.
To prevent another pregnancy, ensure your kitty isnt around any male cats, and talk to your vet about spaying your cat.
Recommended Reading: Cat Squinting Eyes
How To Know If Your Cat Is Pregnant For Certain
Your trusted, local vet will be able to tell you for certain if your cat is pregnant by using one of these strategies:
- Palpation: An experienced veterinarian can gently press on the cats abdomen and feel the cats fetuses as early as the 20th day of pregnancy.
- X-Rays: X-rays will only show skeletons of kittens about 40 days into the pregnancy. Its the best way to show the number of kittens.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds can find kittens as early as 21 days of the pregnancy, but it can sometimes be difficult to count the number of kittens.
Is Premature Birth Common In Cats
Occasionally, a mother will deliver a litter prematurely. The kittens may be small, thin, and have little or no hair. Although it is possible for them to survive with an enormous amount of care, most premature kittens die regardless of your best efforts. If you wish to try and save premature kittens, your veterinarian can provide you with specific and detailed instructions, including how to feed kittens that are too weak to nurse.
Also Check: How Long Do Shorthair Cats Live
What Is Feline Leukaemia
Feline leukaemia virus is a viral infection which can lead to the development of cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia and other tumours and weakens the immune system of affected cats meaning they catch other infections very easily. It is fairly common in the UK and is spread through a cats saliva, poo, wee and milk. Pregnant cats can pass the disease to their unborn kittens. Young kittens are most at risk but adult cats can also be affected.
How Long Between Feral Cat Pregnancies
Originally Posted by furryferalshidoes anybody know when a feral cat has had kittens,how soon after they are born can she get pregnant again,i need to know as we are trying to catch a feral that has had litters of kittens in the past,she has a litter that is about 5-7wks old now,we do not want to trap her if she might have newborns,please if anybody could give us any advise
Originally Posted by furryferalshi jen thanks for your prompt reply jen,i am in turmoil as to when to catch her she does look a bit tubby round the belly and she does need neutering,but i dont want to leave any kittens to starve,the place where she is having her litters is in a railway banking which is so innaccessible by undergrowth i dont think we would find them,
Originally Posted by furryferalsthanks katiewe have been looking after this family for a while ,feeding, trying to get them to trust us,we have two kittens from previous litter that we have homed with us,the mother won’t come near us she scurries away at the slightest noise,i think trapping her is going to be a lengthy process,it is such a shame for the mother she is beautiful,i think some would call her a tuxedo,she is very bushy,
Recommended Reading: Can Cats Eat Raw Egg Yolks
Retention Of Foetal Membranes
Occasionally a cat may fail to pass the final set of foetal membranes after parturition appears to be complete. She will probably show some signs of restlessness and of abdominal discomfort and may be unwilling to settle with her kittens during the 24-72 hours after parturition. Her appetite will probably be poor and a brownish vaginal discharge may be seen. Examination will show a raised temperature and palpation through the abdominal wall will disclose a thickened lumpy area of womb containing the membranes. Broad-spectrum antibiotic cover is necessary and prostaglandin F2-alpha may help to induce expulsion of the retained membranes. If this fails, an emergency ovariohysterectomy may be required.
How Many Litters Can A Cat Have
A cat can have more than one litter through one pregnancy. During the average 7-day period when cats are in heat, cats can have encounters with multiple male cats and be impregnated by multiple male cats and have the multiple cats litters all at one time meaning they can give birth to cats with different fathers at once!
Recommended Reading: H. P. Lovecraft Cat Name
How Old Is My One Year Old Cat
My one year old cat has lived around cats all his life. The house I got him from was literally filled with cats it was insane. It was a man who let stray cats have their litters in his home and he was desperately searching for homes. So anyways she was always around cats as a kitten and when she came into my home she was around another.
Recent Posts
How Often To Deworm Kittens
Kitten are just so cute and playful right? However, deworming them at the right time retains their playfulness and keeps them safe as well. If you have a newborn kitten or you do not know when was your kitten dewormed the last time, you should deworm them immediately.
After this, you must deworm them every 2 weeks until he is 8 weeks. Once your kitten is 8 weeks, you just need to get him/her dewormed once a month for the next 6 months. And thereafter, you can just follow the deworming schedule of an adult cat mentioned above.
Don’t Miss: How To Train Cats Not To Bite
Abnormalities Of The Second Stage
Secondary inertia arises after prolonged second-stage labour, and may be associated with obstructive dystocia, muscle fatigue, or excessive pain. Obstructive dystocia may occur for many reasons, but probably the most common causes are maternal pelvic malformation following a pelvic fracture, and foetal malpresentation/malposition/malposture. Interrupted labour, as already described, is definitely not an inertia, as the cat is manifestly normal, labour recommences normally, and kittens are born alive and normal. An important point of difference between the two is that secondary inertia follows previous difficulty or delay and the cat is often restless and exhausted.
Foetal malpresentations, malpositions and malpostures may all lead to dystocia. Presentation indicates which way round the foetus is coming , position indicates which way up it is and posture indicates the placing of the head and limbs . Some people believe that foetal malpresentation in cats rarely causes dystocia, except when combined with other problems such as poor cervical relaxation or relative foetal oversize. However, others have found foetal malpresentation to be the most common cause of dystocia of foetal origin, while relative foetal oversize was very rare.
Abnormalities Of The First Stage
Abnormalities of the first stage can include all forms of primary inertia, and occasional rare disorders, such as torsion or rupture of the uterus. These latter two conditions can result in major emergencies in late pregnancy or first stage labour. Torsion implies a twisting of the uterus, cutting off its blood supply, and making delivery of the contained foetus or foetuses impossible. It also causes what is quite obviously an acute emergency with a very ill and shocked cat. Torsion is usually presumed to have occurred during jumping or some violent movement which imparts a swinging motion to the heavily gravid uterus. Rupture is more usually the result of an accidental blow from a vehicle or other violent trauma, or can occur from violent straining upon a complete obstruction. A rupture occurring at the time of parturition will give rise to the same signs of acute emergency as a torsion. It has been known for rupture to occur early in pregnancy and for the foetus to continue to develop outside the uterus in the maternal abdominal cavity. In these cases, the placenta becomes attached to one of the abdominal organs but it is unusual for such foetuses to develop to full term and, of course, impossible for them to be born without an abdominal operation.
Recommended Reading: How Old Is A 12 Year Old Cat