Whilst it's safe to stroke your pregnant cat, make sure that you avoid her tummy. This area will be very sensitive, and any touching there could cause her discomfort or hurt her unborn kittens. If you do have to pick your cat up, make sure to “scoop” her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach.
Most cats would prefer to be left alone, and they definitely don't want to be pet or touched while they are giving birth. It's best to give your pregnant cat as much privacy as possible while also leaving yourself the ability to monitor the birthing process for any signs of issues or distress.
Active Labor Signs: Contractions—the uterine movements that move the kitten down the birth canal—may make your cat yowl through the pain. You may also see a discharge of blood or other fluids.
During birth, your queen will "cry" and sound distressed, which is completely normal. You can expect to see a kitten every 10 to 60 minutes, and it's likely your cat will eat the placentas and chew through the kittens' umbilical cords.
Absolutely! Petting your cat will not result in becoming infected. As a matter of fact, while Toxoplasmosis is a danger to an unborn baby, the chances of actually being infected are very low.
During her pregnancy, you will want to keep your cat relatively active in order to ensure she is fit for giving birth. Avoid any excessively rowdy activity towards the end of your cat's pregnancy, however. You will need to help her stay calm as she nears her due date, as anything too active could cause her stress.
However, there are a number of people for whom contact with animals can pose a great risk. People who should avoid close contact with cats include: Very young children. Pregnant women.
During pregnancy, the cat's behavior alters very little, although some cats become more loving, and a few become aggressive. During the final week, the queen may search for a suitable kittening bed or nest.
It's not uncommon for a cat to act jealous when a new baby is brought into the family. If your cat starts misbehaving seriously during pregnancy, then you may want to seek help from a veterinarian or a professional trainer.
It's best to give your pregnant cat as much privacy as possible while also leaving yourself the ability to monitor the birthing process for any signs of issues or distress. Don't be surprised if your cat decides to give birth in a location other than the “nest” you have prepared for mom and her kittens.
Pregnant cats need higher amounts of calories and protein, both of which can be found in a high quality kitten food. Switching mum onto a kitten food will also help her litter, as they'll be able to copy her and try some of her solid food as they wean off her milk.
It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma.
You can change your cat's litter box safely while you're pregnant, but it's better to have someone else do this chore if possible. The concern here is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through cat poop (such as in kitty litter or outdoor soil where cats have defecated).
The most common symptoms of toxoplasmosis include fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Other symptoms may occur depending upon whether the infection is acute or chronic, and the location of the parasite in the body.
Even though it may seem like a good idea, you should not be flushing your cat's litter or feces down the toilet. It can cause havoc on your plumbing, clog pipes, and damage your septic system.
About 20 percent of the American public is infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can infect birds and most other animals but that reproduces sexually only in cats. The parasite typically remains dormant in people after an initial few days of mild flu-like symptoms, said Dr.
Watch for Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding is abnormal during any feline pregnancy and should be a cause for concern. If the bleeding is noted during the early or middle stages of gestation, it's likely that the queen has had a miscarriage or aborted the babies.
In cats the average length of full parturition (delivery) is 16 hours, with a range of 4–42 hours (up to three days in some cases may be normal). It is important to consider this variability before intervening. The third stage is delivery of the fetal membranes.
Your cat's labour should go smoothly, but it's useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Get hold of your vet's out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night, or they might need an emergency helping hand.
Cats notice a change in routine and behavior
Your cat is probably well aware of a lot of changes that are likely happening due to your pregnancy. “Cats do pay attention to us — more than we give them credit for,” Dr.
Pregnancy. Your cat may start to follow you around more if she's pregnant. “If your cat is [an unspayed] female, she may be pregnant and looking for extra attention and support,” Hudson said. Some other signs to look for include increased appetite, weight gain, more affectionate behavior, nesting and swollen abdomen.