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.
Caring for your pregnant cat
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.
As the big day nears, your cat will become more affectionate and clingy. Young cats are often specifically anxious, especially during their first pregnancy. Don't leave them alone too much.
As if you couldn't love your cat enough, they could become even more affectionate than usual once they sense you're pregnant. You'll notice them spending more time rubbing against you and staying close to you. This is their own way of becoming more maternal and focusing extra attention on you.
Provide a quiet environment for your cat as much as possible during her pregnancy. Keep her in a quieter part of the house away from daily chaos, but make sure to spend plenty of time with her, too. If you have other pets in the home, consider separating them from her unless they get along very well.
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.
Your cat may also become restless or anxious and begin pacing in and out of her nesting area. Along with this behavior, she may become vocal, crying and meowing more than usual. As labor approaches, you will see your cat's appetite decline; her body temperature will drop to around 100F.
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.
Unlike us, cats are unable to take pregnancy tests, so cats know that they are pregnant as their belly starts to grow, and their brain receives chemical stimuli. This is usually at the 2/3 weeks pregnant mark. At this point, your cat is likely to become less active and more protective.
It takes an average of 20 days before he or she can confirm a cat's gestation period by feeling the abdomen, taking X-rays or performing an ultrasound. The further along your cat is in its pregnancy, the more accurately the vet can determine how many kittens she is carrying.
Licking, pacing, howling, and chirping
You might notice your cat licking her genitalia frequently – There is a discharge from the cat's vulva a few hours before birth starts. Your cat's water will break as well. Now is the time for pacing, restlessness, and howling, meowing, or chirping from your cat.
A green or dark discharge is seen coming from the cat's vulva prior to giving birth, or if a discharge is present 12 hours after giving birth.
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.
Between weeks 4 and 6 of a cat's pregnancy, the foetuses of the future kittens will start to grow rapidly. This brings about significant physical changes for the mother to be: her back hollows out, her pelvis becomes wider and her abdomen swells.
Pregnant or nursing cats are known as 'queens', and they can certainly live up to their title! She will start to sleep more during the day, appearing to have less energy or desire to move. Your queen may also start to act more maternal and needier, seeking extra attention from you – when she's awake that is!
Since the temperature of your body may be slightly higher during pregnancy, your cat may like to snuggle up with you more when you're expecting. Your cat may rub against you, sit on your pregnant belly, or even lie down beside you and put their paw on your belly.
Healthy round bellies are soft and squishy too. However, a potbelly shape indicates a bloated belly. It may feel hard and stick out, similar to a pregnant belly.
Nesting. With around two weeks to go in her pregnancy, a pregnant cat will often start “nesting.” “She may choose a quiet place and start arranging blankets for a birthing area,” says Barrack. Your cat may also start acting more maternal, being more affectionate toward you and purring more frequently.
Stage one labor: This stage "is characterized by restlessness and pacing behavior," Katribe explains. It's not unusual for cats to stop eating during this stage, vomit, vocalize, pant, or tremble. She might have a clear, watery discharge too. This pre-birth phase could last anywhere from six to 24 hours.
Her "Nesting" Begins
Pregnant felines are notoriously particular about where they deliver their babies. She will want a spot that is fairly hidden and concealed, so you may notice her hanging out some pretty unusual spots in the house, such as inside of cabinets and dresser drawers or the top shelf of the closet.
Your Pregnant Cat's Environment
Beyond some minor vet care and the nutritional changes, your pregnant cat should not have any special needs during most of her pregnancy. However, as she gets closer to queening (giving birth) she will start looking for a safe, quiet place to begin nesting.
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.
Most cats manage to deliver their litter of kittens without any help. So watching quietly and discreetly from a distance is the best approach. However, your cat may experience a difficult birth and there are some things you can do to help: ask your vet if you have any concerns.
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.