How to help a cat in labor at home

It’s pretty easy to give birth at home. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a country house or a city apartment. But in some cases, the gestation period is out, and the cat still does not give birth, although all the signs are obvious. The kittens will continue to grow, taking away strength and energy. The larger the fetus, the harder the birth will go. They should not be delayed.

How to deliver a cat at home – what to do, tips, videos

The addition to the feline family is a responsible and exciting moment not only for the new mother cat, but also for the caring owners. To make sure that the babies were born without problems and their mother’s health did not suffer, it is necessary to take the cat into labor competently and responsibly. It is worth to take into account all possible nuances both in the prenatal period and in the process of labor, and to prepare for them in advance.

Many breeders are concerned about how to deliver their pet at home. In order to do so, it is necessary to have a clear idea of all the stages of labor and what assistance the owner will need at each of them.

1. The preparatory period. The owner will be required to provide a comfortable, spacious home for the future family. This can be a carrier of a decent size, a house from a pet store, or an ordinary box. More often than not, cats prefer not fancy houses, but an ordinary cardboard box. The main thing is that the hole in it should be cut on the side, as jumping on top, the cat can injure the babies. The box should be filled with rags and paper to arrange the nest. The “maternity house” should be in a darkened place, away from drafts and noisy, restless places.
   If the cat does not like its birthing place, it will go in search of a secluded place for the newborn. It can be any corner of the house that she thinks is appropriate – a closet, a bed, a laundry basket. Therefore, the proposed home must necessarily be liked by the expectant mother.
2. When contractions occur in a cat, the owner will be required to be attentive and affectionate to the pet. The time period of this stage should be monitored. It is unacceptable if its duration is more than 8 hours.
3. Delivery: The owner is required to provide conditions of complete silence, caring attitude and attention. If necessary, the cat will need urgent assistance, and if this cannot be done, a veterinarian’s visit will be required.
4. Postpartum period. Care should be taken to ensure that the cat does not bleed and that the babies are kept warm and fed.

Signs of approaching labor

If the mating was planned, it is easy to know the approximate time of delivery. Depending on the breed, pregnancy in cats lasts from 60 to 67 days. The longest time for their babies are representatives of the Persian breed and the British breed.

The following signs indicate that the kittens should be born soon:

1. A cat becomes obsessively affectionate, demands greater attention and follows its owner relentlessly
2. The expectant mother meows constantly
3. The cat’s restless behavior causes a feeling that the cat is searching for something
4. The cat goes through its belongings, trying to get into the most hidden corners
5. The cat may start vomiting and the expectant mother may refuse to eat or, conversely, display a wolfish appetite
6. The approaching birth is indicated by cold ears, which is associated with a decrease in body temperature
7. Milk may begin to ooze from nipples
8. The cat may become aggressive towards its fellow countrymen and even strangers

Cats in their first birth behave particularly restlessly at this stage. You should not yell at the cat because she is obtrusive or ignore her “feline quirks. She needs the care and support of her owner at this time.

At home or at the clinic

Cat breeders, of course, need to take care of both their pets and future litter. Pregnancy is fraught with various pathologies, and it won’t be out of place to show your cat at least a couple of times to the vet. For sure he will tell you if you need to worry at the time of labor, will give you advice just in case, how to help correctly, if you decide that the cat will give birth at home in its usual environment.

Of course, in a hospital one need not worry about possible complications during the process of giving birth, because the specialists have all necessary instruments and equipment to render professional help in case of need. This applies mainly to cats – primiparous and purebreds.

But if you decide to leave the mother at home, you should pay attention to the following signs, when you still have to call the vet in an emergency:

• The discharge of blood, mucus and pus from the birth canal on the eve of labor,
• Sluggish labor with a gradual subsidence,
• duration of contractions longer than 1.5 hours with no kittens in labor,
• Beginning of labor earlier than 55 weeks,
• the duration of pregnancy over 68 days,
• No signs of an impending delivery.

You should go to the vet clinic after delivery if the cat behaves strangely, refuses to eat or feed its kittens, drinks reluctantly or feels lethargic and sleepy.

Signs of parturition in cats

Owners need to be especially attentive if the cat is a first-born and know the main signs of the beginning of labor. Usually 3-4 days before parturition the cat’s behavior changes dramatically. She begins to refuse food, goes to the toilet more often, and generally becomes clumsy and lazy.

But the vet will most likely have to be called at home if:

• delivery never begins 24 hours after the appearance of prenatal signs,
• If a cat has chills,
• cat’s temperature rises sharply,
• A vaginal discharge of serous contents with a foul odour or spontaneous blood clots at 10-15 minute intervals,
• The contractions are intense but last for more than 2 hours and the kittens either don’t come out or they are obviously stuck and can’t get out naturally through the birth canal.

Correct help for the mother in labor

In the wild cats give birth by themselves, but in domestic cats their natural instincts are subdued. For this reason, it is desirable that the owner be there during the birth and be able to provide the right help in time. It is especially necessary for a cat giving birth for the first time. The cat can only guess what is required of her. The owner’s job is to act competently and, if necessary, call the veterinarian.

Proper handling of the amniotic bladder

If the bubble with the kitten inside has no damage, if the fetus lies properly head-first, your help will not be needed. You should intervene in the following cases:
– if the bubble is torn – prepare a clean cloth, wrap it around the kitten and at the next contraction gently pull;
– If the bubble is burst and the kitten is sucking – pull without waiting for the contraction, the quickness is more important, so the baby won’t suffocate.

If the cat doesn’t gnaw the amniotic bubble, you should do it for her. You will need sterile scissors. Act quickly – if you wait more than half a minute, the kitten may suffocate.

If kittens are too big

Large kittens are hard for a cat to deliver. You will also find it hard to get the kitten out, it will slip back into the vagina. If the cat’s vulva is dry, lubricate it with petroleum jelly or lubricant. Proceed as follows:
– Wait for the next contraction when the baby approaches the vulva;
– Insert the index finger of your hand in a sterile glove a few centimeters into the vulva and push the skin towards the anus;
– As soon as the kitten emerges, grip it and move it gently to help it come out. The intensity of the action is up to you individually.

What to do if the kitten is stuck

A few hours before they are born, kittens assume the position with their faces forward. But sometimes babies change position or their head is turned sideways, making it difficult to get out of the vulva. To help a stuck kitten come out, lubricate the vulva with lubricant or Vaseline and use a hand in a sterile glove to do the following manipulations
– gently insert your finger into the baby’s mouth, if the amniotic bladder allows;
– turn the kitten’s head in the right direction so that the cat’s contractions push it further;
– press on the cat’s crotch at the bottom of the anal opening – this will cause a contraction and the baby won’t be able to come back.

What not to do during labor

In wanting to help a laboring cat, it is important not to do any harm. There are a number of actions that are forbidden. What you should not do:

• Do not put pressure on the abdomen, this will hurt the cat and hurt the kittens inside;
• Don’t pull the umbilical cord, so that it doesn’t break or cause a hernia in the cat;
• do not tear the bladder if the mother is willing to do it herself;
• do not give injections without a veterinarian’s approval and do not use drugs to induce a normal birth;
• Do not use instruments that have not been sterilized to avoid infection;
• Do not take kittens away from the cat immediately after giving birth.

The birthing process

It is impossible to foresee how long the labor process will last. Even in a cat that gives birth frequently, the process may take different amounts of time. The average birth time is two to six hours.but there can be a longer period of up to a day.

The calving begins with uterine contractions, which are accompanied by colorless vaginal discharge. At the end of the first stage the contractions become more pronounced and frequent. The cat breathes heavily and may make noises.

The second stage begins with the withdrawal of amniotic fluid. After this, the birth should occur. The period after the water has broken and kittens appear should not exceed two hours. Otherwise, the help of a veterinarian is required.

After the kitten comes out, the cat should lick it. If she does not, the owner should clean the mucus from her nose and mouth.

Kittens may appear one by one, but sometimes there is a break of up to two hours. You can tell whether the birth is over or not by gently probing the animal’s abdomen. They can easily be felt if they are still there. This examination stimulates labor activity, but it should be done with extreme caution.

The third stage is the exit of the afterbirth after the birth of each kitten. The cat chews the umbilical cord and usually eats the placenta. The cat’s owner must make sure that the number of kittens and afterbirths are the same. If placenta remains in the birth canal, it can cause complications after delivery.

Complications of childbirth

The owner can help his cat by calming and soothing her. But with complications, the owner must help the cat.

The kitten is born, but the amniotic bladder has not burst and the cat does not burst it. The following actions should be taken:

• Under the kitten’s nose, burst the bubble;
• Take the kitten in the palm of your hand, press and shake it. If there is no reaction, remove the fluid from the airway with a syringe;
• Wipe the kitten;
• Shake again;
• Put the kitten to the cat to lick it.

If the kitten shows no signs of life, it does not mean it is stillborn. He should be held upside down to stimulate breathing (but not by his feet!).

In order not to worry about the trouble of calving, you should consult a veterinarian beforehand and have the phone number of a veterinary clinic ready.

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Third Stage of labor

The third stage of labor is the state of calm in the cat’s uterus between the birth of the babies. It lasts about fifteen minutes. During this period, the cat may drink some water. It is not uncommon for the cat to also eat the afterbirth, which comes out after the kitten is born. But you should not let your cat eat more than two afterbirths. It can cause an upset stomach for the new mother.

INTERESTING: The number of afterbirths in cats should be the same as the number of kittens born. If the afterbirth does not come out, the owner needs to help the cat get it out. Failure to do so can cause serious inflammation in the cat.

It is impossible to determine the exact duration of labor in cats because it is a very individual process. There are individuals who can manage in a couple of hours, and some prolonged labor lasts up to 36 hours.

Complications during labor

It happens that the normal course of labor can be interrupted by some complications. The owner needs to be very careful, especially if the cat is in her first labor.

What to do if the cat’s bubble comes out during labor

Most often, the amniotic bladder bursts while still inside the mother in labor. If the whole bubble has burst, you can help it by disinfecting your hands first.

What to do if the kitten is born too big

Wait until the kitten is partially exposed during the contraction and then gently use your index finger, previously covered with Vaseline oil, to push the skin from inside the cat’s vagina closer to the anus. And then you need to gently embrace the kitten and gently move it from side to side, helping him in this way to come into the world.

What to do if the cat gives birth to stillborn kittens

A cat, if it cannot give birth to dead kittens, definitely needs help. The only difference is that the kitten can be pulled by any part of the body, just to free the mother from the dead fetus, so as not to cause severe inflammation with subsequent infection.

Stages of the procedure

The specialist notes several stages that precede the birth of kittens. The cat walks restlessly, the babies are actively moving in the belly.

The first stage of labor begins. It lasts up to 24 hours. The cat’s body temperature drops by 2-3 degrees. This is a natural process. The cat actively licks the nipples or genitals. In some cases there is vomiting. It is better to move the expectant mother to a pre-prepared nest. She will feel safe there and prepare herself for the birth.

The cat’s water is breaking, her pulse is racing. Breathing is occasionally interrupted. The contractions have started. The cat meows loudly, sometimes turning to screaming. The owner calms the cat by talking to her and gently stroking her belly.

The second stage sets in.. The abdominal and diaphragm muscles are activated. The cat is pushing hard and the baby is gradually advancing. The amniotic bladder partially ruptures and fluid leaks from the vagina.

Many owners wonder: is the kitten born headfirst or feetfirst? In this, felines copy humans. Like the human infant, the kitten is born head-first. But it’s worth noting that a pelvic or pawed-forward birth shouldn’t be of concern to the owner, either. This is natural for cats.

The mother licks the baby, freeing it from the amniotic bladder. Often cats eat this afterbirth. It is rich in vitamins and minerals. But a large number of afterbirths eaten causes an upset stomach. The optimal amount for a female is 2 pieces. The cat chews the umbilical cord on its own in most cases.

WARNING! The number of afterbirths corresponds exactly to the number of kittens. Sometimes their number does not coincide. So one of the afterbirths remained inside the uterus. It should be taken out to prevent further genital inflammation.

What help will be needed

So, we have figured out how to induce and induce labor. But in some cases, complications can go. The help of the host will be needed. Let’s consider the most common cases and specific actions. It is especially useful for people to know when a cat gives birth for the first time:

The fetus is large and does not pass through the uterus

We have found that preferably the kitten should be born head-first. There is nothing wrong with it coming out with its legs forward, but this more often causes complications for the cat. What to do if the fetus is large?

Put on gloves, pre-lubricating your fingers with Vaseline oil. Insert your finger into the vagina and feel the folds of the kitten’s paws. Move the baby from side to side, trying to extend the limbs forward. We grasp the paws at the shoulder joint area.

Sometimes the baby is far away from coming out of the uterus. We provoke contractions in the cat by stretching the vagina.

The cat does not chew the umbilical cord.

It is worth waiting 10-15 minutes, if the mother takes no action, you need to help her. Squeeze the umbilical cord with two or three fingers at a distance of 3-4 centimeters from the kitten’s belly. Silk or surgical thread tie it off. We take in hand sterile scissors. The best surgical scissors. We cut the umbilical cord. Treat the cut place with antiseptic.

Not released from the amniotic bladder kitten

We wait one or two minutes and cut it ourselves. Take the kitten out, wrap it in a cloth. Hold its head and bend its body so its knees reach its chest. Repeat the manipulation several times. Breathing should resume. If it does not come back, give artificial respiration. If necessary, remove amniotic fluid from the nose and ears with a pipette.

Dead kittens are born.

Scary situation, but do not lose composure. Sometimes severe contractions, low temperature, or an abundance of mucus in the nasal cavity cause the kitten to only look dead. Wiping the baby. We clear the airways, turn her head down and shake her gently. Then we put it to mom’s chest.

How to help the cat in labor

Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Whether you are a purebred breeder or just an owner of a pregnant cat, it is important to know what to do when the cat goes into labor and kittens are born. Generally, a cat’s pregnancy lasts 65-67 days, so when you know for sure that the cat is pregnant, start preparing for the birth. This article will tell you how to do that.

Preparing for birth

• The doctor will be able to check how the pregnancy is going and will give you some tips on how to prepare for the birth.
• It is especially important to monitor the condition of a cat that is overweight or has health problems. Show the cat to the doctor as soon as you find out about the pregnancy or suspect that the cat is pregnant. Such cats have a higher risk of complications. [2] X Source of information Feline Reproduction. Burke. Feline Practice 5 (6) 16-19.
• In some cases, the doctor may determine that a pregnancy could endanger the cat’s life and recommend that the cat be spayed.
• The doctor can also determine how many kittens will be born, and this will be helpful when the cat is in labor, since you will know how many kittens are due. [3] X Reproduction in the Dog and Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindal.

• During the first two trimesters, feed the cat as usual.
• In the third trimester, start feeding cat food for kittens. It has more calories for less volume. Since kittens will put pressure on the stomach, the cat won’t be able to eat much, so it’s best to feed the cat kitten food.