How to understand that a cat has given birth to all kittens: signs

Cat birth is the most sensitive and decisive process. The birth of a new life causes excitement among the owners, especially those who are encountering such an important event for the first time. But owners are more frightened by another point: how to understand that a cat has given birth to all the kittens? After all, the birth of each cat takes a certain period of time. The owner who is very worried about the cat needs to prepare in advance and find answers to all his questions.

Signs of the end of labor

A cat can give birth to several babies and you need to keep in mind that cat labor can take a long time. If you understand that it seems that labor has come to an end, you need to determine whether this is exactly so. So how can you tell when a cat’s labor has ended? The first thing you need to pay attention to is the cat's belly. It is necessary to touch the stomach with careful and light movements, without causing pain to the cat. If the belly is soft, without any seals inside, then we can conclude that all the kittens have come out. After giving birth, a cat’s uterus contracts for a very long time, so it is not immediately possible to feel the abdomen. But these are not all the signs.

A cat has finished giving birth to all her kittens if:

Breathing is even, without gusts.
The cat began caring for the offspring: licking and feeding.
Mom has calmed down and is no longer nervous.
The mother of the kittens can drink and have a snack herself.
Can easily change position and move away from children.

By the way, in rare cases, these signs may not mean the end of labor at all. Some cats may become very tired during a difficult birth, and the body triggers a protective reaction so that the cat’s life is not interrupted. Therefore, labor stops and continues only when the cat’s body is ready again.

If you're worried about how your cat's birth will go, you might want to find a doctor ahead of time. It is possible to give birth in a clinic where doctors will take care of the cat and kittens, or a consultation with a doctor will dispel all your doubts.

The end of childbirth is a significant moment when all newborns feel light, air and warmth.

Signs appearing within 7-10 days

Silence in a cat does not always mean that labor is over. Most animals do not change their behavior during and after birth. If you are unsure whether you have unborn children, consult your healthcare professional.

The first signs of impending calving appear 7-10 days before the kittens appear, and this should be a signal to the owner that it is time to prepare a bed for the mother. It is not difficult to determine the beginning of the process of preparation for calving. The following behavior of a pregnant cat indicates that labor is imminent:
Finding a quiet place with dim lights is the first sign that an animal is about to give birth;
dragging rags in one place;
spend a long time in an unfamiliar place.

Signs of unfinished labor

As we have already said, a cat may not fully lamb, but may leave a couple more kittens or the last one in the womb. It is important to identify this immediately, because if it is not noticed in time, the cat’s life is at risk. Small, unborn babies begin to decompose or dry out right inside the cat. For the mother, this poses terrible threats, for example, intoxication of the body, or disruption of the reproductive system. How to recognize an unborn fetus and help an animal with an incomplete birth?

Only an ultrasound can give an accurate answer to this question, so you need to have a doctor nearby. But sometimes there really is no such possibility, and all cats somehow cope on their own. In this case, you need to observe the cat’s reaction.

The woman in labor does not show sensitivity and attention to the already born offspring.
Anxiety, screams and pitiful moans from the cat.
The posture does not change, breathing is intermittent and uneven.
Characteristic contractions in the genital and abdominal areas, contractions.
After a couple of days, you may notice a discharge that smells like rot.

If you notice all of the above signs after the birth of several kittens, it means that things are getting worse and you need to urgently contact a veterinarian. You yourself won’t help the cat here, because you won’t be able to reach the cubs that could simply be stuck inside or are already dead.

Don’t forget that after giving birth, the cat should release its final secretions, which protected the fetuses throughout pregnancy. If it does not come out, it means that there is still a fetus inside that cannot come out into the light.

Unfinished labor is a bad sign. This means that the cat is having a hard time or its body is malfunctioning.

And here comes the baby

As soon as the amniotic sac ruptures, it is time to wait for the arrival of your first baby. First, amniotic fluid comes out, which softens the birth canal. In a few minutes the first kitten should appear. Some pets give birth to their entire litter within 5 minutes of each other. Others need half an hour for each furry angel. It is impossible to predict how long it will take a cat to cope. But if 30 minutes have passed after the birth of the first kitten, and the brothers still do not leave the womb, you need to urgently take action.

The birth should end within 2-4 hours; after the birth of each baby, the cat, armed with natural instincts, begins to play the role of mother. She meets the kitten, sniffs it, and immediately licks its face. After which it gnaws the umbilical cord and eats all unnecessary amniotic membranes. The placenta leaves the uterus on its own. Owners should not be frightened by the fact that the cat eats the afterbirth. But it is important to know that if your pet has a gastrointestinal disorder, the placenta in the stomach may be to blame.

Helping an animal during an unfinished birth

Only a doctor can diagnose a failed fetus and help your cat. But there are rare cases when there is no doctor nearby and you cannot get there yourself.

Then oxytocin, which is sold in ampoules for intravenous administration, can come to the rescue. It will help stimulate another birth, contractions will begin, the uterus will begin to contract and throw out all the remaining babies.

The dosage of this drug is 0.3 IU/ml and you only need to administer this dose, no more! If this dosage does not help, there is no need to administer another ampoule, this will only make things worse.

Keep in mind that oxytocin has a number of contraindications, such as: disorders of the cardiac and respiratory systems, tachycardia, temperature above 37 degrees. There is no need to introduce it if the fetus is lying incorrectly or the cat’s size is non-standard.

It is extremely dangerous to resort to this kind of behavior, so you should not do it immediately as soon as you sense something is wrong. Childbirth is a natural process for cats too. Her instincts guide her and she does her best. Perhaps the cat needs time and she controls the birth process herself. Therefore, wait, watch the kittens being born and watch the reaction of your pet. In 99% of cases, cats give birth without any problems.

Another type of help on your part is support and affection. Always stay close to your tailed one, support her mentally at this important moment, caress her and say pleasant words. The cat feels everything and childbirth will not be so scary for her.

The support of a loving owner really helps the tailed cat give birth much calmer.

What you need to know about cat pregnancy

The cat owner can calculate the approximate due date in advance. Pregnancy in an animal lasts approximately 60-65 days. Premature kittens are healthy.

If your cat shows abnormal signs during pregnancy, there is a chance that labor may begin prematurely. To ensure that your cat gives birth to a healthy litter and that the pregnancy does not end tragically, be sure to visit your veterinarian throughout the pregnancy. This is especially important in case of complications. During pregnancy.
There are some factors that influence when a cat can be born. These include race, health and body size. The age of first pregnancy can range from 5 months to 18 months. Veterinarians agree that only a mature cat can give birth to kittens from about 12 months of age. Readiness is expressed through restless behavior, loss of appetite, poor sleep, urgent dusting and a characteristic attitude (falling on the forelimb, arching the hindquarters).
You can tell if your pet is pregnant after some symptoms:
Fatigue (lethargy, phlegmatic, drowsiness);

Toxicity (morning vomiting);

If the fetus is in the birth canal, what to do?

In this case, you can try to stimulate contractions so that the body itself pushes the kitten out. But if this doesn’t help, then you should pull out the stuck kitten yourself.

This process is very complex and requires enormous responsibility, since in your hands is the life of not only the kitten, but also the cat itself.

Wear sterile gloves and disinfect. If you see the kitten's head, check to see if the amniotic sac allows you to insert a finger into the fetus's mouth. If everything works out, turn the kitten's head in the right direction; contractions at this moment will help push him. Gently pull the kitten out. If the fetus is lying on its sacrum, pull the legs carefully.

If the fetus is dead, then you can no longer resort to being careful and pull the fetus by any part of the body, the main thing is to help the cat give birth to everyone. The natural process will help you give birth.

Helping a cat push out a kitten is dangerous. After all, this threatens the baby. The cat itself knows what it is doing, nature helps it bear it.

How many babies do cats usually give birth to at one time?

To begin with, you should not panic. The harbingers of this wonderful event will help you find out about the preliminary date of birth of the kittens. As a rule, contractions begin in an animal after one or two days of intense tossing and active searches for a suitable place for future offspring.

Quite often, cats have from 1 to 6 kittens in one litter. Of course, it's different for everyone. Determining the main factor that influences brood size is not easy. Basically, it all depends on:

state and characteristics of the animal’s body;
hormonal balance;
age;
weight.

From the very beginning of pregnancy, fertilized eggs are attached to the uterine walls, where new cat lives undergo the entire development process. By the way, when they reach 6-8 months, cats are considered sexually mature. But quite often animals are not ready to bear full-fledged and healthy babies at this age.

We recommend reading: Heart Failure in Dogs: How Long Do They Live With It?

Many owners are interested in how many kittens a cat can give birth to. After all, often only a few owners can keep all the fluffy balls for themselves. You will have to take care in advance about further shelter for the kids. But if you know that the first time a cat brings a maximum of three individuals, then you can wait with the selection of options for their subsequent place of residence.

An interesting detail is that at an older age, a cat also quite often gives birth to no more than 2-3 cubs. Such births in cats are difficult, and every year the interval between the next litter is reduced, gradually disappearing. Over the age of 9-10 years, furry pets generally do not bear offspring.

When to see a doctor?

The doctor knows the whole process of labor better and will help immediately if the situation worsens. The doctor will understand that the cat has finished giving birth, or will determine whether the cat gave birth to all the kittens. Still, there is no need to bother the doctor over trifles, but then, in what cases should you run to the doctor?

If you notice that:

The cat's body temperature exceeded 39 degrees.
Greenish mucus is released from the vagina.

If you notice other signs of unborn babies, wait about a day. It is possible that the cat's body is resting and will begin laboring again when it is ready.

The doctor is the only one who can help your pet if the situation worsens.

What to do if the cat cannot give birth to the “last baby”?

Once again we would like to emphasize that only a veterinarian and only with the help of an ultrasound (and in the worst case, an x-ray) can accurately determine the presence of “late” kittens. On our own, we would not recommend touching or tugging at the animal’s belly. So it is difficult to understand whether the cat gave birth to all the kittens, but it is entirely within your power to harm the animal.

So, there is a calf in the womb. For some reason, the cat cannot give birth on her own. What to do? If the animal is not too emaciated and the abdominal and uterine muscles are contracting normally, an attempt can be made to induce a “second stage” of labor by injecting oxytocin. Including In any case, there is a chance that the resumption of contractions will help solve the problem.

But it is necessary to remember that oxytocin is not the safest drug, so when using it, several important nuances should be taken into account:

If after the first dose (no more than 5 IU) there are no signs of seizures, further administration should be considered pointless and even dangerous.
If the cat's body temperature is below 37.5° Celsius, there is no need to artificially induce labor.
Bradycardia, tachycardia, and other cardiac or respiratory disorders are also contraindications for taking oxytocin.

How to care for a cat after giving birth

Caring for your pet should begin even before labor begins in order to prepare for the crucial moment, which can begin at any moment. You also need to continue to pay attention after the end of labor.

It is absolutely necessary in advance, even before the birth, to equip a place for childbirth and show these places to the woman in labor. Prepare a box or build some kind of house. In some cases, the cat may ignore these signals and find secret places on its own. If this happens, carefully move it to the prepared place.
Place a snack and water nearby so that if she is thirsty or hungry, she can easily reach the food.
Be sure to place the toilet nearby so that the mother can be close to her offspring and keep an eye on them.
Don't hide kittens from their mother. When children are not in her field of vision, she begins to get nervous, and if she sees that a person poses a threat, she may change in behavior.
Children and guests do not need to touch newborns; let only one person do this so that the pet can trust her offspring.
Provide dim lighting, warmth, soft blankets and bedding. Bright light will have an adverse effect on the eyes of mole rats.
Prepare diapers and towels to ensure hygiene. Usually they themselves lick off the remains of food after labor, but some tailed animals may not be able to do this. Inspect the genitals and wash them with damp cloths. Change the diaper when it gets dirty.
There is no need to put your cat on a diet after giving birth; on the contrary, give her as much food as she requires. This is necessary for her body to provide food for small children.
If the tailed one loved to walk outside before giving birth, now you can forget about it. While the kittens are small and fragile, it is worth prohibiting walks, even if she really wants it. During her walks, she picks up a lot of bacteria, which she can then pass on to her children, and their bodies are still very weak to bear it. Also, prohibitions on walking will protect against the next birth, because estrus may start again, and under no circumstances should you become pregnant so quickly.
Monitor the body's behavior: check the temperature, monitor postpartum discharge, nipple discharge.
Small children should not be allowed out into open areas, onto the floor or onto sofas. The mother will not approve of this, but there will be danger: falling or catching a cold.

Watch the offspring and mother at this happy moment. If the health of the mother or babies becomes suspicious, contact your veterinarian. The cat must be as healthy and happy as possible, and the kittens must grow up strong.

The birth of a new life is a great process given to us by nature and such an event is especially valuable for a cat.

What to prepare for childbirth

At this stage, you should prepare the box and begin to accustom your pet to it. By the time she gives birth, she will get used to it and give birth to kittens in the right place.

Any owner who will have a kitten should prepare for this event. Prepare especially carefully if your cat is about to give birth for the first time: you don’t know what complications you will encounter during childbirth. A pet may need the help of its owner, so you should make sure that the following items are available in the house:
Soft disposable diapers;
scissors;
antiseptic solutions: chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution, green;
petrolatum;
sterile gauze wipes;
clean pieces of cotton fabric;
small syringe;
sterile medical gloves.

It is necessary to arrange a nest in which the cat must give birth and then feed her kittens. To do this, you need to use a cardboard box or buy a ready-made one at a pet store. We put oilcloth on the bottom of the house or box, then soft cloth, and disposable diapers on top. The house should be shown to the cat in advance so that it can get used to it. Place your pet's future home in a warm and secluded place, but do not place it near heating appliances.

If the owner notices signs of labor and knows for sure that the cat is about to give birth in the next 24 hours, notify the veterinarian so that he can come when called. This is necessary in case of an emergency when the animal may require the help of a specialist. In general, difficulties may arise for purebred kittens giving birth for the first time. Pedigree cats are more likely to go through this process more easily.

General information

So, let's start with the “truths”. Pregnancy in these animals lasts (on average) up to 64 days; cases are described when a cat walked for 70 days. The “average” pets give birth to four kittens per litter, but cases of six or even eight babies being born are not uncommon.

The only way to more or less accurately find out how many new pets you will have is to conduct an ultrasound examination.

The recommended period is at least 40 days of pregnancy. Keep in mind that even an ultrasound does not always provide complete information about the number of kittens: especially “nimble” cubs can overlap with others, as a result of which it can be quite difficult for the veterinarian to figure out the final number of babies.

But we are more interested in the process of childbirth itself. Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to run to the vet immediately after contractions appear.

Firstly, pushing in general can be preparatory, and they often begin three days before the “true” birth.

Secondly, the first contractions very often last for at least 12 hours , sometimes this period extends to a day. True, if your pet is primiparous or, on the contrary, old (in such cases the likelihood of complications is much higher), it won’t hurt to call the veterinarian at this time.

Don’t forget that many cats “love” to give birth at night, and 24-hour veterinary clinics are not available everywhere. So it’s better to agree on your presence at the birth with a specialist in advance.

Let's assume that the cat has already begun "real" contractions, that is, strong, long-lasting and constant. When can we expect a kitten to arrive? For about half an hour.

Important! Please note that after the membranes have broken, the baby must be born within a maximum of half an hour (but ideally within 10-15 minutes). If this does not happen, or the cat looks very emaciated and weakened, call a veterinarian.