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How can you tell if a pregnant cat is about to give birth? If she lies on her side, meows insistently, her belly is tense, and contractions are increasingly frequent, then it is time for delivery!
Pregnant female cats during delivery are completely autonomous and usually do not need your intervention unless complications arise.
When the cat’s water breaks, here comes the first kitten.
Half an hour or more may pass between expulsions, but this is normal.
However, if you notice that your cat has prolonged contractions but fails to deliver, call your veterinarian immediately because it is possible that there is some kitty stuck and mama cat needs a cesarean.
Other signs to know if the cat needs a cesarean are the presence of pus, a greenish or black fluid.
The kittens are wrapped in the placenta, joined to the mother cat by the umbilical cord
As soon as the cat gives birth to them, she starts to release the young from the placenta and then eat it.
Do not be impressed to see them eating placenta and umbilical cord.
In fact, in nature, the placenta is the only sustenance the mother has as she cannot get away from the pups, so she deliberately stocks up on it.
Then he will lick each newborn kitten to clean and dry it, urge its breathing and activate circulation.
As soon as they are born, immediately after birth, kittens should not be touched by the human’s hand
Mother cat may not recognize them as her own and refuse to nurse them.
So if you really have to touch them for any procedure, always wear latex gloves.
Toothless, deaf and blind: this is how kittens are born
Kittens begin to feel around the fifth day of life and open their eyes around the tenth day.
On the other hand, they are endowed with an excellent sense of smell and an extraordinary instinct to the extent that they can smell their mother’s milk and head for their mother’s udders without delay.
What if a kitten doesn’t latch on to mama cat’s udders?
In case a kitten is born weak and cannot suck from the cat’s udders, intervene by trying to open its mouth.
Introduce the nipple by holding it in place with two fingers.
Then, press lightly and let some colostrum out.
Colostrum is the milk of the first thirty-six hours, which is essential to protect the kitten against infection and disease.
Make sure the mother always has enough milk and feed her properly.
How to deal with a cat who has just given birth?
During the first few days of life, kittens require no special attention other than to ensure that they have a quiet, hazard-free environment.
Kittens are not able to jump but are likely to try to climb.
It ensures a fairly high room temperature, at least on a constant 22°C.
And again, take care that there are no drafts.
Kittens spend most of their time sleeping and playing
Around two weeks old, kittens begin to grow baby teeth until they are completed at about 2 months.
At this time in their lives they begin to discover the world.
This is the stage of “educational” play, the kind that only mama cat can impart.
It is important not to separate kittens from their mother cat before they are two months old
In fact, play, under the careful supervision of mama cat, is the kittens’ school of life.
It is an early simulation of hunting, fighting and fleeing and prepares kittens to handle themselves independently.
This is why you cannot take kittens away from their mother until they are 60 days old.
What to do when, for various reasons, kittens cannot be suckled by mama cat?
If artificial feeding is necessary, always ask your veterinarian about it.
A kitten needs to eat regular meals at intervals of 2 to 6 hours, depending on age.
Feeding up to 30 days should be based on powdered milk specifically for puppies.
If your cat is about to give birth or has just given birth and you need practical advice, turn to the veterinary doctors on the Staff of La Veterinaria Clinic.
In this regard, in case of necessity and urgency, we remind you that La Veterinaria Clinic is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
For the joy of seeing them HAPPY.
