Is your cat pregnant? In a perfect world, your cat would have been neutered before this happened. Maybe you accidentally waited too long to neuter your cat. Or maybe you found or adopted a pregnant cat. However, she is pregnant now and you want to give her the best care possible.
Should you neuter your cat?
Overpopulation is a problem with cats. It is advisable not to intentionally breed your cat unless you are a responsible breeder who has a purebred cat of excellent quality and health. If you are new to cat breeding, find an experienced cat breeder to help you sort things out for the good of your cat and her kittens.
Veterinary care for pregnant cats
If your cat is showing signs of pregnancy or you suspect she has mated while in heat, the first step is to take her to the vet. The best time to do this is about three weeks into your pregnancy. However, your vet will not be able to confirm the pregnancy. However, if your cat appears ill, you should take her to the vet for evaluation and let her know that she may be pregnant.
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About three weeks into pregnancy, your veterinarian can determine pregnancy by gently palpating the cat’s abdomen. If available, an ultrasound can confirm pregnancy.
At this early stage of pregnancy, your vet may talk to you about the possibility of neutering your cat and terminating the pregnancy. You can decide whether you want to do this for your cat’s health or to minimize cat overpopulation.
If you decide to allow your cat to have kittens, your veterinarian can give you advice on how to care for your pregnant cat, as well as what care cats will need after giving birth. This is a good time to start thinking about finding a good home for kittens.
At around 42 days into your pregnancy, your vet may recommend an x-ray to find out your expected number of kittens. If you know how many kittens your cat will have, you will be able to tell when the cat has finished giving birth or if she is in some kind of distress between births.
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Vaccinations are not recommended during pregnancy as they may have negative effects on the development of the kittens.
Feeding pregnant cats
Your pregnant cat should be fed a high-quality food designed for growth. Look for the AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement on the package that states the food is complete and balanced for growth and reproduction.
This is often a food designed for kittens. In general, wet food is a healthier choice than dry food. If you choose dry food, look for one with the highest quality ingredients possible.
Be careful not to overfeed your pregnant cat during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Yes, she needs a lot of nutrients for herself and the kittens. However, kitten food contains the extra calories and nutrients it needs.
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If the mother cat becomes overweight, this can cause problems for both her and the kittens. Gradually switch from regular kitten food to kitten food after confirming the pregnancy, but do not increase the amount of food unless he is underweight or appears hungry. Monitor her body condition during pregnancy with the help of your veterinarian.
Once the cat is about six weeks pregnant, she should be given small meals more frequently. The pressure the kittens put on her stomach makes it harder for her to eat more at once, but she needs extra food. Give him small meals four to six times a day.
Your pregnant cat’s environment
Beyond some minor veterinary care and nutritional changes, your pregnant cat should have no special needs for most of her pregnancy. However, as the due date approaches, the cat will begin to look for a safe and quiet place to start nesting. This usually happens a day or two before birth.
You can prepare a cardboard box or laundry basket full of blankets and place it in a quiet, safe area of your home. However, your cat may decide not to use it. Like most cats, they will do what they want.
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Your cat may choose to give birth in the most inconvenient place. If there are areas of the house where you don’t want the cat to give birth, make sure those areas remain closed during the last week of pregnancy. Also, make sure it doesn’t have access to the outdoors, as the cat may sneak away to nest in a place where you can’t find it.
Your cat may also act restless or even anxious as the due date approaches. This is perfectly normal. Do your best to keep her comfortable and give her space. It will all end soon.
When your cat is ready to give birth
Once the cat has chosen the area where she will give birth, it is best to leave her alone and observe her from a safe distance. Luckily, most cats don’t need human assistance when it comes to giving birth. However, you may need to help her if you see that she is in difficulty.
Keep track of the time between each birth and make sure you know how many kittens you are expecting. Contact your veterinarian if the cat has noticeable contractions for more than 30 minutes without the kitten being born. Also, contact your vet if more than two hours pass without the next kitten birth.
If a kitten stays in the birth canal without being pushed for more than a minute or two, it’s best to take it to the vet. Call the vet’s office if anything else seems wrong.
Your new mother cat should have a veterinary exam about a day after giving birth. Avoid separating the mother from the kittens in the first few days.
Instead, take them all to the vet’s office for a checkup. If you are not a purebred cat breeder, ask your vet to neuter your cat as soon as possible. This is often done after the kittens have been weaned.
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