How to know if the cat has given birth to all kittens

In this case, the kittens are born almost continuously, the cat has no time or cannot lick the cubs properly or chew the umbilical cords, but may eat the afterbirth or even kittens. This indicates that either the offspring are not viable, or a miscarriage has occurred.

How to know if a cat is giving birth: basic signs

On average, a cat pregnancy lasts 65 days (plus or minus 5 days). This period usually guarantees the birth of healthy kittens. But how to know that the cat is giving birth – the signs of this event is not known to every person. Many inexperienced owners begin to worry about the upcoming event as soon as they notice that the pet is pregnant. The owner of a cat that will give birth for the first time feels particular anxiety. Yes, and the pet itself often demonstrates the anxiety. And we must say: not for nothing.

But do not worry too much. You will have enough time to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the cat's behavior during this period and to prepare the necessary supplies for giving birth at home. But first let's try to understand what signs can be used to guess that a cat is pregnant. It will be easiest to recognize the "interesting situation" and calculate the date of fertilization, if the mating was planned, and you know from what moment to keep a pregnancy report, which is conventionally divided into three stages with characteristic features for each.

Stages of carrying kittens

For the first time a kitten may become pregnant at the age of over six months, when the first heat usually appears. But most veterinarians believe that healthy kittens can only be borne by a mature female that is at least 12 months old. Pregnancy occurs in three stages:

After mating, the cat's genital swelling is visible, but that does not mean she is fertilized. The first signs are clearly visible from the third week:

• The pet becomes lethargic, does not eat well, does not move much, sleeps more;
• Within 2-3 days she vomits repeatedly;
• Her nipples will enlarge and become bright pink or, on the contrary, they will become lighter;
• When palpating the cat's genitals, the veterinarian notices an enlarged uterus.

In the middle period of pregnancy the animal noticeably adds weight as the fetus is actively developing. By the 6th week, the amount of amniotic fluid increases and the kittens begin to move for the first time. Stroking the cat's belly, you can gently "feel" the future babies.

At 7-9 weeks the cat's excitement increases, it bustles around the apartment in search of its future "nest". The kittens are actively moving around, which is especially noticeable in a sleeping cat. The animal restlessly licks its genitals.

Signs of the end of parturition in a cat

The interval between newborns is from 15 to 120 minutes, but there are exceptions, sometimes the duration of labor is prolonged to 36 hours, and then the process resumes afterwards.

• active pet care;
• the cat's breathing is even, the heartbeat is rhythmic, and there is no cause for concern;
• the cat shows appetite, can get up from the nest, leaving the brood for a few minutes;
• the cat's abdomen is soft on palpation, no lumps;
• after 40 minutes, you should check the cat's abdomen, but do not press, but put your palms on the sides and run them along her thighs;
• calm behavior of the mother in labor.

The uterus remains toned after 24 hours, and therefore you should not confuse this lump with a kitten. If there are suspicions, the cat can be injected with 0.3 ml of oxytocin, which stimulates the uterus and helps the unborn kittens to come out.

Even if the birth process has ended successfully, such an injection will be beneficial in any case – it will remove residual mucus from the uterus. It is not recommended to use this medicine without a veterinarian, so as not to harm your pet.

Attention! Worth worrying when the cat's temperature exceeds 39 degrees, and from the genitals comes out dark mucus with an unpleasant odor. In this case, you cannot do without a specialist.

There may be problems with delivery if the cat has already given birth to 5-6 kittens, and the new contractions are slow and may take up to 24 hours. It is important to monitor the cat closely to prevent serious complications.

Duration of labor – what does it depend on?

Most often a few hours elapse between the birth of the first kitten and full delivery, but there have been cases where labor stretched for several days.

In this case you should not disturb the cat, let it lie in its place, gradually giving birth to its cubs. It is advisable to call a veterinarian to avoid possible complications.

Warning. An interesting fact is that at an advanced age, cats do not give birth to more than 2-3 cubs, giving birth is difficult. At the age of 9 years old, cats do not bear offspring at all.

When parturition approaches, the cat loses its appetite, becomes lethargic and immobile, and actively seeks a secluded place. Preparing the nest in advance is not an option, as pets often do not approve of this area.

1. Lubricate the fingers with petroleum jelly or greasy cream.
2. Insert them into the vagina and begin to slowly pull out the kittens.
3. Support the belly of the kitten with your hand.
4. Gently massage the back and abdomen with strokes to stimulate new contractions.
5. Do not pull the kitten's head, which may lead to the death of the cub.

It is important to help the pet in time, as unfinished labor is dangerous to the reproductive system and life of the cat. Take care of your animals and enjoy your time together.

Can a cat not give birth to all kittens at once?

Finally the moment has arrived, which the owners of their pet have been waiting for for 2.5 months of pregnancy. The cat, comfortably ensconced in a prearranged place, begins to give birth to tiny and very cute kittens. However, people may not always realize that the cat has given birth to all kittens, especially if this is the first time they have delivered their pet. That said, the more kittens that are born, the more disturbing it will be for the owners.

It is quite natural that the owners of a cat in labor wonder if the cat might not give birth to all kittens at once. This alarm is not unfounded, because if in the womb of the mother at least one kitten remained after labor, it represents a serious danger to the cat's health, up to and including death. The fact is that the unborn fetus will eventually begin to decompose right inside the cat, poisoning the body with toxins.

At best, it can simply dry out in the womb and completely disrupt the pet's reproductive system. Therefore, owners need to know when everything ended safely and when it did not, in order to help their pet in case of anything. It is possible to know that the cat has not given birth to all kittens by the peculiarities of its behavior.

• The cat is not particularly interested in the kittens that have already been born, does not care for them and does not lick them;
• Does not want to eat or drink;
• A day after the birth of the last kitten the cat's temperature exceeds 39 degrees Celsius;
• After the birth of the next fetus, the cat does not change its posture, is not active and lies down as before the birth of the other kittens;
• The cat continues to push periodically;
• Several hours after the birth of the next kitten, the cat's abdomen remains tense and rigid;
• Forty-eight hours after the birth of the next kitten, the cat's reproductive system produces a bloody, unpleasant smelling discharge.

The main signs of the end of parturition

You can tell when a cat has given birth to its last kitten if:

1. The pet's breathing has evened out;
2. The cat begins to be active, changing its position and even moving away from its kittens for a while;
3. It begins to take an interest in its own babies, to lick them and feed them;
4. The heart begins to work normally;
5. Not long after the cat has given birth to all her kittens, she will be hungry and thirsty;
6. One hour after the birth of the next kitten, the cat's abdomen becomes soft and without any lumps.

It is worth remembering that the volume of the abdomen is not a guaranteed indicator that labor is over or, on the contrary, still going on. Even if labor is over, the abdomen does not always decrease in size quickly enough. At the same time the uterus, which still retains the tone, the owner of the pet, who has no proper experience, may well be mistaken for an unborn kitten.

If it is still decided to feel the abdomen, you should do it very carefully, without making any effort. It should be done with two hands along the ribs. It should be done half an hour after the last kitten has been born.

It is possible to check with special preparations. Usually oxytocin is used for this, which should be injected into the cat. The dosage is no more than 0.3 ml. This drug has a stimulating effect on the uterus, which helps the remaining kittens in the womb to come out. If all the babies have already been born, it will still be beneficial, helping to free the uterus from the mucus accumulated there.

However, you should not use this medicine for every birth. In fact, it is meant for extreme cases, such as when it is impossible to palpate the abdomen and the cat shows no signs of going into labor. It is highly recommended not to use this medication on its own. It is best, if there are doubts about the presence of kittens in the womb, call a veterinarian who will make a diagnosis and decide on the advisability of certain actions. Also, before applying oxytocin, he will check if the cat is allergic to this drug.

How to know if the cat has given birth to all kittens

• The cat takes active care of the babies: licking and feeding them;
• breathing calm, heartbeat steady;
• quite soon after the last kitten, the cat starts to feel strong hunger and thirst;
• for a short time comes out of the nest;
• 30-40 minutes after the last kitten comes out, the abdomen is soft to the touch, without lumps.

Note that the abdomen does not always sharply decrease in volume, so its size cannot be an objective indicator of the cessation of labor.

If the animal behaves calmly, it may not necessarily indicate that labor is over. If there are any doubts, it is better to go to the veterinarian and have an ultrasound.

If there are suspicions that not all of the offspring have appeared, you should pay attention to the behavior. There are a number of signs that can be used to determine that the birth process has not been completed:

• After the last kitten has appeared, the pet maintains its position, lies in the same position, no signs of activity;
• The animal is reluctant and inactive in caring for the kittens, does not try to feed or lick them;
• From time to time it is possible to observe pushing, the animal may try to push another fetus out of itself;
• The cat does not want to eat or drink;
• A few hours after the last kitten, the abdomen remains tense, rigid, and there is increased muscle tone;
• twenty-four hours after the last kitten, the mother cat has a fever of over 39 degrees;
• After two days, bloody discharge with an unpleasant odor appears.

If these signs are present, there is a good chance that there is a fetus in the uterus. It is absolutely necessary to call a veterinarian at home. The best option in this case is an ultrasound scan. You should not ignore the examination, as it can save the animal's life. However, it is best to prevent such situations and visit the clinic about a week before the expected due date. During the visit, the doctor will make an ultrasound, and then the owner will have accurate information about how many babies should be born. Then all that remains is to arm yourself with a notebook and pen and write down how many babies and afterbirths came out.

Useful Tips

Although the average norm is considered a half hour delivery interval in cats, some deviations are allowed. Much depends on health and age. In weakened or simply tired animals, this time may be longer. If the cat is calm, the owner should not be nervous either.

There are times when cats may drink water or even eat a little food in between contractions, although most veterinarians do not recommend giving food while labor is going on. This can lead to complications in the form of intestinal spasms and even more serious consequences. If you gently palpate the kitty's abdomen, you can feel the cubs moving.

There are situations when you need to call the vet urgently:

• The animal lies entirely without strength, from time to time meows loudly and long. However you should remember that it may be normal for a first-time mother to behave in this way, so do not panic;
• The last calf was born about an hour ago;
• A lot of bleeding;
• no signs of fetal activity are found when palpating the abdomen;
• the cat does not pay attention to the newborns, does not bring them in order, does not show any activity.

These signs may indicate the presence of serious abnormalities: death of one or more fetuses, their incorrect intrauterine position; possible injuries to the cat. In this case the help of a veterinarian is needed.

How to prepare a cat for labor?

In the last week of pregnancy it is advisable to protect the cat from stress as much as possible. The litter box, litter box and bowls of the expectant mother should be moved to the most remote and quiet room. It is important that there is no drafts in the room and a constant temperature regime is maintained.

1-2 weeks before the birth Most cats begin what is known as nesting. The cat looks for a secluded, dark, quiet and warm place where it will give birth and feed its kittens.

In most cases, cats prefer to make a nest in closets or under the bed. An expectant mother who has free access to the outdoors is more likely to make a nest outside the house, for example under the threshold or in a makeshift burrow.

For safety reasons it is not recommended to let the cat outdoors a few weeks before the birth.

Note that giving birth to kittens in a coat closet is convenient for the cat, but not for the owner. Monitoring the growth and development of kittens involves regular weighing. Temperamental and first-born cats can defend the offspring, so kittens will be hard to get. Arrange a nest for the cat and her future offspring in advance, you will eliminate a number of problems in the first month of kittens.

You can use as a nest boxes, which are sold in pet stores or ordinary, sturdy cardboard boxes. Experience shows that cats prefer to nest in a closed box with a roof. The side of the box is cut through so the cat can easily step over the threshold without clinging to its belly.

The bedding in the box will be wet during labor, so it is recommended to stock up on moisture-absorbent diapers. For the first 4-5 days after delivery, until the babies' umbilical cords fall off, we recommend using only white cotton cloth as bedding. On a white bedding, you will immediately notice soiling or suspicious discharge from the cat.

How to tell if a cat is about to give birth

Throughout pregnancy, certain hormones are released in the cat's body that are responsible for holding back labor and triggering it.

Two hormones play a major role: oxytocin and progesterone.

• Progesterone delays the onset of labor, gives the muscles and ligaments elasticity, allows the abdomen to lower and the birth canal to expand.
• Oxytocin is the hormone that triggers labor and lactation. A critical concentration of oxytocin in the blood triggers the production of several other hormones, including adrenaline, which keeps the cat awake.

If you notice that your cat has been awake and "fussy" for a long time, you need to monitor her behavior sensitively. You can be sure that the cat will give birth soon if you observe the signs described below.

Signs that a cat is about to give birth

A sure sign that a cat is about to give birth is behavioral changes and restlessness. About two weeks before labor, the pet periodically experiences what are called false contractions. Moderate contractions allow the kittens to push the birth canal and gradually prepare the cervix for dilation.

You can be sure that the cat is about to give birth if she spends most of her day in the nest and nursing. Inspect your pet's abdomen; there is a noticeable increase in the size of her mammary glands before she gives birth.

By palpating the peritoneum you will feel that the local temperature is slightly elevated. The mammary glands will look pink, wide and visibly bulging.

The cat will give birth today: signs

During the last weeks of pregnancy, the cat's appetite increases greatly. She will eat often, but little by little, as her stomach is punctured by the constantly moving kittens.

About a day before delivery, the cat will refuse to eat or will take food very reluctantly. At the same time, water intake will not decrease, but most often increase.

When should I go to the doctor?

The doctor knows the whole process of labor better and will help right away if the situation gets worse. The doctor will know if the cat has finished giving birth, or determine if the cat has given birth to all kittens. Still, the doctor should not be disturbed over nothing, but then, in what cases should you run to the doctor?

If you notice other signs of unborn babies, wait about a day. Perhaps the cat's body is resting and will begin to reproduce labor again when it is ready.

How to take care of your cat after delivery

You should start taking care of your pet even before the birth to prepare for the big moment, which can start at any moment. It is also necessary to continue to pay attention even after the birth has stopped.

• Be sure to prepare the birthing area in advance of the birth and show the birthing area to the mother. Prepare a box or build some kind of house. In some cases the cat may ignore these signals, it will find the secret places by itself. If this happens, gently move her to the prepared place.
• Put a snack and water nearby so that in case she is thirsty or hungry she can easily get to food.
• Make sure to put a toilet nearby, so that the mother can get close to her offspring and keep an eye on them.
• Don't hide kittens from the mother. When the kittens are not in her sight, she becomes nervous, and if she sees that a person is a threat, she may change her behavior.
• Babies and guests should not touch newborns, let only one person do it, so your pet can trust her offspring.
• Provide dim light, warmth, soft blankets and bedding. Bright light will be unfavorable to the eyes of blindfolds.
• Prepare diapers and towels to watch for hygiene. They usually lick off food residue on their own after giving birth, but some tails may not be able to do so. Inspect the genitals and wash them with damp cloths. Change the diaper as it becomes soiled.
• It is not necessary to put the cat on a diet after giving birth; on the contrary, give her as much food as she requires. It is necessary for her body to provide food for small children.
• If the tabby liked to walk outside before giving birth, now you can forget about it. While the kittens are small and unstable, you should forbid walking, even if she wants it badly. While walking, she picks up a lot of bacteria that she can pass on to her children, and their bodies are still very weak to endure it. Also, prohibiting her from walking will protect her from the next birth, because the heat can start again, and you should not get pregnant so quickly in any case.
• Watch the behavior of the body: check the temperature, monitor postpartum discharge, discharge from the nipples.
• The little guys should not be let out in the open, on the floor or on couches. The mother will not approve of this, and there will be danger: falls or colds.

How do you know when the birth is over?

In the normal interval, the end of parturition in cats is characterized by the following features:

• About an hour after the birth of the last kitten, the abdomen has become soft.
• The cat may leave the kittens behind.
• When all the kittens are born, the cat may show interest in food or water.
• Breathing becomes smooth and the heartbeat becomes calm.
• The new mother begins to engage in offspring, actively caring for the babies.

It is necessary to gently enough, without effort, to feel the area of the cat's abdomen with two hands, making movements towards the ribs. It should be done at least half an hour after the birth of the last kitten.

A cat's quietness does not always mean that the whole process is over. Most animals do not change their behavior during and after delivery. If there is any doubt as to whether there are still unborn kittens, consult a professional.

Symptoms of unfinished business

To determine if there are still kittens in a cat's stomach, it is crucial to prevent postpartum complications from developing. An infant left in the womb can cause the cat to die. If this is still the case, decomposition will begin in a few days and the cat will get serious poisoning. In another case, it may be mummified and the mother will not seriously harm it, but in this case its reproductive ability will suffer. This is why it is so important to clarify whether the kittens remain in the cat's stomach.

If there is a suspicion that not all babies are being born, the animals should be closely monitored. An incomplete delivery is indicated by a number of characteristic signs:

1. The cat continues to behave as if she were giving birth.
2. The new mother does not show the necessary care for the kittens, does not feed them, does not lick herself.
3. She takes her time to recuperate with water or food.
4. When palpating the abdomen, you can feel a lump inside, it is hard or tense. There is no feeling that there is nothing there.
5. Twenty-four hours after birth, the cat's temperature does not drop below the 39 degree mark.
6. Forty-eight hours after delivery, blood is excreted from the birth canal, most often with an unpleasant odor.

All of the above signs indicate that not all kittens are born. In such a situation, an important decision is to seek immediate qualified help. The clinic conducts an internal examination of the animal and palpation of the abdomen, followed by an ultrasound that will confirm or refute the hypothesis.

How to determine if all the kittens came out in childbirth?

The cat usually gave birth to three kittens each. This time two were born, big ones, though, from a Persian. The cat seemed fine, behaves calmly, eats with appetite and feeds the babies, but her belly seems a little bigger than normal. And I'm worried, what if not all the kittens came out? The birth was difficult, the second kitten had to help pull out. I'm worried. I tried to palpate, I did not find obvious lumps, but I could be wrong. What signs indicate that at least one fetus was left inside? If my suspicions are correct, decomposition will begin. It's the weekend, the cat won't be able to see a specialist for 24 hours.

The kittens were born about 24 hours ago. Outwardly, the cat is perfectly normal, showing no signs of anxiety or ill-health. While I am examining her, she lies peacefully on her back and lets me feel her belly. The bedding is clean, dry, and I don't see any abnormal discharge.

A cat that hasn't had a kitten won't feed her kittens, will worry, scream, won't eat, in general, she won't look like a well-to-do mom. And you can feel the kitten quite well. It feels quite definite. If in doubt, you can call a doctor with an ultrasound machine. But it's not cheap, and stressful for the mom.

Everything will be fine. The last kitten should come out and you have to let the cat eat it, it's healthy! It's full of enzymes!

Read the link below.

If the cat is feeling well, then all the kittens were born. Our Masya pooed yesterday, after the third kitten, I felt her belly – soft, that was it, all the kittens were born))))

If the cat is behaving normally, then the birth is over.
Our cat had the last kitten born with a delay,
so you could tell by her behavior that the process was not complete.
And then another healthy kitten was born.
Don't feel her belly too much or you could do some damage.

End of labor or temporary stop?

Normally, the birthing process in cats takes place in three stages. In the first stage, which may last up to 12-24 hours, the cat goes into labor. The first contractions may be unnoticeable, because they cause only slight discomfort, and they repeat with an interval of 30-40 minutes. In this interval, the cat is setting up the nest, if the owner has not taken care of this in advance.

Please note! A cat cannot sleep until the birthing process is over. The only exception is the natural suspension of labor.

The second stage of labor is called expulsion. The cat is in a state of strong contractions, which turn into pushing. From the beginning of panting to the appearance of the first kitten, normally it takes no more than half an hour. If the cat is in labor for more than an hour, and the kitten has not appeared, you should call the veterinarian immediately.

After the birth of the first-born, the young mother begins to lick it intensively, chew the umbilical cord and eat the afterbirth. If the cat ignores the newborn baby, you will have to take the initiative: tear the amniotic bladder, remove amniotic fluid from its mouth and nose, and thoroughly wipe the kitten with a towel. As soon as the baby beeps and begins to move actively, it should be returned to the mother (put under the nipple).

After the birth of the first kitten, subsequent kittens should appear at 10-20 minute intervals. Usually for the birth of the second and other kittens, the cat needs to do only two puffs. If more than 3-4 hours have passed since the birth of the first kitten, and the pushing has not resumed – call the vet immediately.

Please note! There is a small chance that there is only one kitten in a litter.

The total length of labor is very individual, depending on the size of the mother and kittens, the age and health of the cat. Experience has shown that having 3-4 kittens is easier than having a litter of 1 or 5-8 kittens. If there is only one kitten in a litter, by the time she gives birth she will be big and that will make labor much more difficult. A multiple litter requires more effort on the part of the cat during labor, which can lead to loss of strength.

Incomplete expulsion – how to determine and what to do?

The most common complication in cat labor is associated with incomplete expulsion of the litter or placenta. If a cat has given birth to all kittens or afterbirths, her uterus takes 48 hours to return to normal. Incomplete expulsion leads to inflammation and rapid growth of pathogenic microflora.

Carefully count the afterbirths, which are expelled immediately after the kittens. Each kitten has an individual afterbirth. Even if the cat has given birth to its last kitten and everything looks good, make sure the afterbirth is out.

Incomplete expulsion of the litter or afterbirth is a serious and very life-threatening complication. Any biological material left in the uterine cavity will begin to decompose, leading to a bacterial infection and intoxication. The bacterial infection will quickly spread into the cat's bloodstream, affecting all organs.

The cause of incomplete expulsion most often remains unknown and is attributed to individual body characteristics. Most often complications occur if the cat was unwell or exhausted at the time of delivery. Incomplete expulsion may occur if the delivery was prolonged or very difficult. The birth may stop early, after expulsion of stillborn kittens, if the cat is dehydrated or in an unsafe environment.

The symptomatology of incomplete expulsion is quite extensive, so the health of the young mother should be closely monitored. The first sign of complications is a mismatch in the number of kittens and placentas.

Important! If the cat gave birth to kittens in your absence and looks unhealthy, do not delay to see the doctor, because there is a high probability of incomplete expulsion of litter or placenta.

• Apathy, depression, lethargy.
• Rapid pulse.
• Increased body temperature.
• Lack of appetite or refusal of food.
• Swollen peritoneum.
• Constant muscle tone in the peritoneum.
• Foul-smelling discharge from the birth canal.
• Green discharge from the birth canal.
• Constant, but not intense, discharge of blood from the birth canal.
• Metritis – purulent inflammation of the uterus.
• Sepsis.