Is my cat close to labor?
I have estimated her to be about 56 days along in her pregnancy (i’m not 100% about that though) She is very big, having trouble getting around. 2 days ago i found dried milk on her nipples, and its still there. She is constantly sleeping. I have put out a box and blanket in a quiet area for her to have, and showed her where it was – she rarely goes in there though. I haven’t, though, noticed a change in her eating habits, she may be eating less but not much. I have felt the babies kick a couple times. I have checked her rear and it looks normal to me. She also follows me around a bit, like to my bedroom or jumps on the bar stools when i’m cooking. She has been crying at the back door as well, its fully glass so she can see out, and she was an outside cat, so i didn’t know if she wants to be outside to have the kittens. So after listening to all that, do you think she is close to giving birth?
Just so you know – We WILL spay her as soon as she is able to be.
The average gestation for cats is 65 days but may extend to 71 days,now to answer your question she sounds pretty close to birth and the clue that gives the game away is her dried milk on the nipples,this is known as colostrum and appears at around 2-4 days before the birth,
other clues are sleeping more(she does this)along with following owners about they become clingy wanting to be with us,that’s how cats close to birth are,and her babies kick is another clue as they move about kicking as they turn over in the womb in preparation for the birth itself,this happens during the last week of pregnancy,
and as she takes no interest in the nest it could be its not as private as she would like it to be,cats are quite fussy when it comes to the nest,so as she cries out by the door tells me she want to choose a nest out doors,but please don’t let her as she could have them anywhere alone and you wont be able to find them,
not only that she would be in danger from other animals,so as much as she begs keep her indoors,and as she is very big she is more than 56 days,she is close to the end and very close to birth,and some cats do eat a little less as the time nears,
labour and contractions start up she will pace about and meow and even pant as they get stronger,it all sounds worse than it is,she may follow as some cats get scared of being alone,so be patient with her by sitting with her if she wants you close by,as some panic and run after the owners with kittens half way out,
so the next thing to look out for are her mucus plug coming away this should come away before the contractions but with nature it can be the otherway around,this is a gooey mess and she may lick at her bottom to clean it away,then the next stage waters breaking this will either dribble out or come away in a sack that bursts,after that the first kitten should arrive within hours,
if she is a first time mother then this can slow things down,and kittens are born with a few hours apart each one arriving,labour can be anything from 12 hours to 24-36 hours,so it will be a long night when she goes in to labour,so yes she sounds close and should give birth in less than a week,maybe even days,
if she gets stressed call a vet for advice though complications are rare,but its always wise to be on your guard,
heres a link all about pregnancy and birth in cats,it may help as it tells you what to expect,
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/howto15.html
Yes. Get her a cardboard box and put it in a dark closet for her. You might help and coax her during labor if you have the stomach, so then she will trust you more and not hide the kittens. You want her inside when she has the kittens.