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Anyone who keeps a cat in the house, sooner or later, as you know, she becomes pregnant. And now, when the long-awaited day of birth is already approaching, the question arises: how long will it take for a cat to give birth if her waters break?
There are symptoms that can help you understand when your cat will give birth.:
- The animal becomes restless and looks for a secluded place
- The cat begins to meow, calling its owner for help
- If you look closely, you can see the first milk being released from the cat's nipples. Veterinarians call it colostrum
- Zetas her water breaks
- Afterwards, contractions begin. The cat lies down and prepares for childbirth
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This is a whole preparatory process for a cat. Therefore, you need to give her due attention, especially if your pet gives birth for the first time. At first the plug will come off. This is a sign that labor has already begun. Then the brown-red water begins to recede. At this time, the woman in labor lies on her side, breathing heavily, and waits for the onset of contractions.
Cat pregnancy
Most often it passes easily and almost unnoticed. In order not to forget, immediately make simple calculations. This way you will always know how long it takes for your cat to give birth. Domestic kittens do not carry kittens for long. About 9 weeks pass from the moment of conception to birth. You need to know the exact date in order to prepare for childbirth. Although in the case of free-keeping cats this is not always possible. Veterinarians usually suggest using the following formula. Two days and two full months are added to the mating date. Knowing how long it takes for a cat to give birth, you can notice any pathology in time and seek help from a doctor.
Physiological changes in the cat's body
They usually become noticeable in the third week, that is, approximately 21 days after mating. This period is important for diagnosis and correction of the period. The papillae begin to redden and swell, they become rounded and raised. The abdomen becomes denser and harder, and brown flaking appears around the nipples. The cat becomes drowsy and has an excellent appetite. If you see all these signs, then you can already confirm the date and find out exactly how long it will take for the cat to give birth.
Reason to urgently contact a veterinarian
In most cases, feline pregnancy goes smoothly, and at the appointed time, you will have a small furry family. But sometimes unforeseen complications arise, which is why it is important to know how many months later the cat will give birth. If the previously set date has passed and labor does not occur, this is a cause for concern. It is especially important not to delay if your furry pet is constantly looking for a place, meows pitifully, or refuses food for a long time. This behavior is normal during the birth process, but if you see that more than 10 hours have passed and the kittens are not appearing, then you need to urgently take her to the veterinarian.
Other signs that require immediate medical attention may include cat lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea, severe vaginal odor, and seizures. Don’t delay, because your pet’s life depends on it.
Problems that require a veterinarian
After the cat’s water breaks, the process is not long in coming and the animal begins to give birth. But there are a number of situations when you cannot do without the help of a qualified specialist. This is especially true for cat owners whose pet is giving birth for the first time. You need to be vigilant and call your doctor if any problems arise.
The main problems are:
- the duration of the initial stage of labor after the water breaks is more than 6 hours if the cat does not give birth;
- the appearance of strong contractions, the cry of the animal for more than 30 minutes without the birth of a kitten;
- prolonged contractions of the uterus for 10 minutes;
- water breaks and there are no contractions for 6-8 hours;
- the appearance of a kitten in a fluid-filled bladder stuck in the birth canal;
- feverish conditions of the animal;
- the appearance of severe hemorrhages (bleeding from the vagina) lasting more than 15 minutes;
- the appearance of thick, unpleasant-smelling, black discharge from the reproductive organs.
Preparing the birth place
By calculating how many months your cat will give birth, you can prepare a mini-maternity hospital in advance. It can be a small box with slots for air, closed, darkened and with soft bedding. About a day before giving birth, the cat begins to look for a cozy nest, gets worried, and also demands double affection and attention from you. The most favorite places for lambing are linen closets, dresser drawers, with warm clothes. The most important thing is that the place is cozy and smells like the owner. The ideal option is a bed, which is why so often the owners wake up in the morning with the whole family. Even after giving birth in another place, the cat strives to move the newborns closer to the person. To prevent this from happening, prepare the box in advance. Be prepared for the fact that when the cat feels the first contractions, it will try to be on your lap, so she will not want to sit in her box alone. Before the birth of the first kitten, it is better to spend time with your pet, pet and calm her. If birth occurs at night, you risk waking up to the sound of your babies squeaking in your bed.
How to deliver babies of varying degrees of complexity at home
Assistance to the woman in labor depends on the severity of the lambing. It is impossible to predict its outcome in advance, so you will have to act according to the situation.
Lungs
For mild lambing, no intervention is required. You just need to ensure the safety of newborns. During labor, the mother may crush them, so place the kittens in a separate box until the last baby appears.
Compare the number of newborns and placenta. The lack of placenta is caused by getting stuck inside the womb, leading to inflammation. You will have to remove it yourself by wrapping your fingers in a clean bandage. If pus, mucus or blood appears, lambing is considered moderate or severe.
Average
At the end of labor, the new mother independently gnaws the umbilical cord, eats the afterbirth and cleanses the newborns of mucus. If she did not do this, you will have to play the role of an obstetrician. Carefully cut the umbilical cord 4 cm from the abdomen, tie it with thread and treat the wound with an antiseptic.
Before cutting the umbilical cord, remove membranes from each kitten and clean their nasal passages and mouth using a pipette or bulb. If there is no breathing or a characteristic squeak, carefully fold the baby in half, rub him with a towel and gently shake him upside down.
Do not give your pet more than two afterbirths. They are rich in beneficial microelements and have a beneficial effect on the immune system, but cause gastric upsets if consumed in excess. If the bubble does not burst inside the vagina, the pet may try to burst it along with the kitten. Discourage this action by noticing a bubble emerging from the vagina. After the newborn arrives, carefully open the amniotic sac, being careful not to touch the tiny body.
Progress of pregnancy
Very reminiscent of human pregnancy, because we are all mammals, and our bodies work very similarly. The only significant difference is the duration. How many days does it take for a cat to give birth? Typically, 59-66 days pass from the moment of conception, so you won’t have to wait long for the babies to appear. It is very difficult to determine more precisely, since sexual heat in cats begins long before ovulation and continues for some time after fertilization. Deviations are also possible. In rare cases, pregnancy may end prematurely, but in this case the kittens will not be viable. If the pregnancy is prolonged, then even more so the owner needs to know how many days later the cat gives birth. If pregnancy is delayed, this is a reason to urgently contact a veterinarian. A cat can carry kittens for a maximum of 66 days.
Features of some genera
Knowing only in general terms how cats give birth is not enough. For effective home care, it is recommended to delve into the possible nuances of different animals.
In purebred cats
British and Scottish women cannot do without veterinary care. These representatives often encounter problems when trying to push out an overly large fetus on their own. Veterinary obstetric assistance is required for safe passage through the birth canal.
In a primiparous cat
The first time a cat gives birth takes longer and is more difficult. It will not work to sit on the sidelines, reducing all help to approving words and strokes. The young pet experiences more than its owner. The first birth of a cat is characterized by weak contractions with a long break between them.
Premature birth
If kittens were born prematurely (50-55 days), then this is considered normal only for long-haired breeds. Early contractions in other representatives are caused by serious problems:
In these situations, some babies are stillborn. If the number of stillborns is no more than one, then there is a chance to save the remaining fetuses. To do this, it is recommended to undergo a full examination at a veterinary clinic.
Late labor
The absence of labor for more than 70 days is caused by a false or frozen pregnancy. In the second case, the entire litter dies inside the womb. Advanced decomposition processes are fraught with infection and damage to the uterus. The animal requires urgent surgery.
Cat pregnancy by week
All owners are very interested in how many days later a cat will give birth. Now let's look at the whole process of pregnancy so that you can better imagine it. It begins with conception and the release of the embryo into the uterus. There are no obvious signs of pregnancy yet. In the period from 1 to 3 weeks, the fetus attaches to the walls of the uterus. The most important organs begin to form, the outlines of the fetus appear. At this time, it is not advisable to feel the cat’s belly to determine the development of the babies. At this time, the cat’s behavior changes, she experiences vomiting and nausea. When your nipples begin to turn pink, you can confidently say that the third week is coming to an end. This means that it is already clear how many days later the cat will give birth. Another 6 weeks will pass and you will have fur babies.
From 4 to 6 weeks, the fruits increase greatly in size, they already look like kittens. The first signs of fur are already appearing. The cat begins to eat a lot, the stomach increases and becomes pear-shaped. Now you no longer have to guess how long it will take for your cat to give birth. The last “trimester” remains.
From 7 to 9 weeks, kittens are already fully formed and covered with hair, now they are just growing and gaining weight. The length of the kitten at birth is 8 cm, and they weigh approximately 100 g. Now the babies are actively moving. By stroking the abdomen, you can feel their heads. But you can’t press too hard, as you can harm the babies. Now the cat’s nipples swell, colostrum and clear vaginal discharge appear.
What does “water break” mean?
Amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid) is a natural barrier and performs a protective function. It directly reduces pressure on the walls of the uterus, prevents infection of the baby inside the womb, and protects against external influences. The volume of amniotic fluid increases as the gestation period increases, and by the end reaches a volume of 1.5 liters.
In the later stages, before childbirth, the integrity of the fetal bladder is disrupted and water comes out through the vagina. In this case, obstetricians use the term – discharge of amniotic fluid. This sign is a harbinger of the onset of the labor process, signaling the woman that it is necessary to go to the maternity hospital. In this case, you need to record the time when the water broke.
Changes in cat behavior during pregnancy
Now you know how many months it takes for cats to give birth, which means you can prepare for this event. Your pet’s behavior also indicates that labor is approaching. She becomes more lethargic and passive, losing her former dexterity. From about 8 weeks, it is already difficult for a cat to jump and climb on high objects; she can easily fall off and fall. She shows a wonderful appetite, but in the very last days before giving birth she may refuse to feed. Don't force her, her appetite will return after giving birth.
The birth of kittens
The last preparations are over, and now the cat’s water has broken. How long will it take for her to give birth - this question now becomes the main one. Place your hand on her stomach. You will feel contractions, you can stroke her, this will help you relax. After about 20 minutes, the cervix will dilate to its maximum and the first kitten will be born. If the amniotic sac remains intact, then you need to carefully rupture it, and then give the cat the opportunity to lick her baby. She has time to rest and gain strength, because it doesn’t mean that all the kittens will be born at once if the cat’s water breaks. How long it takes for the second one to give birth depends on the physiological characteristics, most often the interval is about 4 hours, although it happens that kittens are born one after another.
How and why to induce labor
Stimulation of labor is used in cases of late lambing or a prolonged interval between the birth of babies (more than an hour), when the pet cannot give birth on its own. During obstetrics, it is recommended to start with a light massage of the abdomen and nipples.
In an emergency, an injection of Oxytocin, a drug that accelerates uterine contractions, is allowed. It is used only after a preliminary conversation with a veterinarian. An incorrect dosage can lead to rupture of the cervix and cause the death of the mother and her offspring.
Let's sum it up
Most often, the birth is easy and the cat does not need assistance. They are good mothers and very rarely abandon their babies. On the contrary, a cat will willingly adopt someone else's kitten, puppy or even a rat if they have become accustomed to each other since childhood. But always be on your guard. If specialist help is needed, it must be provided immediately, otherwise not only the lives of the babies, but also their mothers may be at risk. With the advent of a furry family, the owner has one more concern: finding a good new home for each baby.
Organization of the “family nest”
On average, pregnancy in cats lasts 65 days. The period may vary from 60 to 70 days. Childbirth before and after this period can be caused by pathologies (impaired pregnancy, fetal death, etc.) and be accompanied by complications. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor the condition of the animal during pregnancy, and especially in the last stages. After the 60th day of pregnancy, it is necessary not to leave the cat alone for a long period of time, so as not to miss the onset of labor.
Childbirth is a natural process. Sometimes it causes even more stress for the owner than for the pet itself. The cat's instincts will allow her to perform all the necessary manipulations, however, a person should monitor the process and intervene only if necessary.
Before the birth itself, it is important to provide the animal with an appropriate place. The cat itself will look for a secluded corner and spend a lot of time there. Sometimes the animal is huddled in the farthest and darkest corners, to which there is no access, and in an emergency it will not be possible to quickly provide help. Therefore, it is better to organize a “family nest” yourself. To do this, it is recommended to use special baskets for cats or use a cardboard box. One wall of the box is cut off so that the pet can enter it without any extra effort. At the same time, the remaining side should become an obstacle for the kittens to prevent them from crawling out.
The place should be cozy, spacious enough, and located in a quiet and peaceful part of the house. It should be remembered that the mother and offspring will spend the next few weeks here, and at first they will not be disturbed.
