Hand Tufted, Oriental, Area & Persian Rugs

candyfloss. says:

Firstly, you are likely to have noticed that your cat’s appetite will have almost doubled in the past few weeks and you will be able to see her kittens moving around in her abdomen quite clearly.

Also, she will have been displaying nesting behaviour — looking for a safe, warm and quiet place in which to give birth. Hopefully, you will have already provided a suitable nesting box for her to use, otherwise you may find that she has chosen to give birth in the middle of your bed!

Then, as your cat nears the start of her labour, her appetite will reduce dramatically. It may even disappear completely.

A further sign of your cat’s labour is that she may become particularly clingy and want to be around you constantly, seeking your affection.
Your cat is due to go into labour around the 64th day of her pregnancy, although it is very unlikely that you will be able to be that accurate in your calculations
As she gets closer to the time that her labour begins, you may find that your cat starts pacing about, appearing nervous or particularly excitable.

Another very distinct sign that your cat is very close to going into labour is that she will begin to ‘call’ to you. Even if you have never been present when a cat is giving birth, you won’t be able to mistake this particular sound!

As the time approaches, you will see your cat repeatedly licking her bottom as she reacts to changing sensations in her body as it prepares for the birth of her kittens.

And finally, when your soon–to–be mother cat starts to feel the first twinges of her labour, she will appear to be uneasy and will repeatedly go in and out of her nesting box, ‘treading’ on the nesting material that you have already provided.

When you see this last behaviour, you can be quite sure that your lovely cat is entering the first stage of the birth process — your cat’s labour has begun.

Once she settles into her spot, she will go into labour, which can last for up to 12 hours. During this time you should prepare for the birth by getting a bowl of warm water, clean towels and cloths, dental floss and petroleum jelly together.

If the mother screams as the first kitten is born, don’t be alarmed. This is normal, especially for a first time mum. Some kittens will born head first (like human babies), but others will appear feet first – again, this is quite normal. Kittens normally come at 30-45 minute intervals, even over one hour between deliveries. Stand and watch at a safe distance, and only intervene if absolutely necessary, for example if you see her straining excessively without producing a kitten, or if there is a bloody discharge when the vet should be called in.
Once the kitten is born, the mother will break the amniotic fluid. If not, you may need to help tear the sack using a towel (never a sharp object), so the kitten can breathe.

After each birth, the mother will eat the placenta and clean every kitten. This is important maternal behaviour, necessary for the bonding process. However, if she fails to remove the membranes from the kitten’s face, you will have to step in. Gently clean it away from the mouth and nose, then quickly dry the kitten against the grain of the hair using a clean cloth (facecloths work well because they’re big enough to cover the kitten but won’t get in your way). Finally, firm rubbing with a warm cloth will dry and warm the kitten, and also stimulate it to take its first breath.

Mum will also bite through the umbilical cord, but your help will be needed again if she doesn’t. Just tie dental floss around the cord about 1 inch away from the kitten’s body, and cut the umbilical cord on the mother’s side of the tie. Don’t cut it too close to the kitten, as this may cause infection or even death. If you notice the mother trying to chew too close to the kitten, stop her and do it yourself.