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. 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. Many cats will prefer to be secluded during the birthing process. Milk will often appear in the mammary glands 24-48 hours before labor begins. In most cases, a drop in rectal temperature, to less than 100☏ (37.5☌), occurs in the last 24 hours and signals impending labor. The signs of impending labor generally include nervousness, overgrooming, and panting sometimes the queen will stop eating during the final day of pregnancy. What happens during a normal labor and delivery? The bottom of the box should be lined with several layers of newspapers or other disposable absorbent material, which will provide a private hiding place for the expectant mother and can be easily removed and disposed of after they absorb the birthing fluids. The box should be large enough for the cat to move around freely but have low enough sides so that she can see out and you can reach inside to give any needed assistance. Prior to this time, a queening or birthing box should be selected and placed in a quiet place, such as a closet or a dark corner. Most develop an unusually sweet and loving disposition and demand more affection and attention during pregnancy.ĭuring the latter stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother usually begins to look for a safe place for delivery. What should I do to prepare for the kittens' birth?Īfter a successful breeding, many queens show behavioral changes. You may need to increase the number of feedings per day to help allow her to eat enough to meet her needs and those of the kittens. By the end of the nursing period, it may be more than double the pre-pregnancy amount. If the mother is eating one of these diets, no calcium, vitamin, or mineral supplements are needed.ĭuring pregnancy, the mother's food consumption will often reach 50% more than her level before pregnancy. Kitten diets provide all the extra nutrition needed for the mother and her litter. These diets are generally available through veterinary hospitals or pet stores.

'If pregnant cat is fed a premium brand of kitten food, no calcium, vitamin, or mineral supplements are needed.'Ī pregnant cat should be fed a premium brand of growth and development diet (kitten food) for the duration of the pregnancy and for a month after the kittens are weaned. A veterinary examination three to four weeks after breeding will usually confirm her pregnancy. The breeding date(s) should be recorded so that the delivery date can be predicted.

Pregnancy or gestation ranges from 64 to 71 days most cats deliver kittens or queen between days 63 and 65. Once ovulation has occurred, the female cat will go out of heat within a day or two. All that said, it has been shown that 35-60% of cats in a colony may spontaneously ovulate. To ensure that ovulation occurs, most female cats require three to four matings within a 24-hour period. Therefore, eggs are only released from the ovaries when the sperm are deposited in the reproductive tract. This means that the act of breeding stimulates the ovaries to release eggs. The female can be bred at any time during her active phase of her heat cycle because cats are induced ovulators. What should I do to be sure that breeding is successful?īreeding cats is different from breeding dogs. Tomcats that have never been seen before in the yard or neighborhood will appear and may attempt to enter the house to mate with the female.

These behavior changes often become annoying to owners, and sometimes owners think their cat has some unusual illness. When stroked along the back or spine, they raise their rear quarters into the air and tread with the back legs. Most cats become very affectionate, even demanding they persistently rub against people or objects such as furniture, rubbing against their owners and furniture and constantly demanding attention.

The most notable signs of estrus in cats are behavioral. It is not common to observe vaginal bleeding from a cat in heat. Cats living in more tropical regions closer to the equator or that live mainly indoors may cycle all year round. In the Northern Hemisphere, female cats usually cycle from January or February until the late fall. The breeding season for cats varies according to geographic and environmental factors such as the number of daylight hours and temperature. 'In the Northern Hemisphere, female cats usually cycle from January or February until the late fall.'

Kitten incubator