Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: lillielove on June 20, 2007, 22:16:52 PM
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hi, ive took in a pregnant cat shes due anytime now i was wondering if anyone could tell me what early signs to look for when shes in labour :thanks:
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Hi and welcome to purrs.
Hope you have somewhere safe and quiet for the cat to nest a large cardboard box is ideal, one side needs to be cut down sufficiently for the cat to see into the box so as not to jump on her kittens after they are born, It is a good idea to line the box with newspaper as cat will shred this as part of the nesting instinct which usually starts 7 weeks into pregnancy. A cat being pregnant for 9 weeks.
Usually the first signs of labour are the refusal of a meal and often little sounds almost like a cat calling. As labour progresses you can see the contractions rippling down the cats flank. Generally cats produce without difficulty but make sure you have emergency vets phone number to hand in case needed.
Remember mother cat is going to need a good diet, kitten food is an excellent source of nourishment for her.
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:thanks:
shes on jwb kitten food,i have just set up two boxes for her as i was told they like to move around a bit,ive put in newspaper and a small towel aswell,not sure if thats ok though
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Towel is fine, but make sure it is one you are prepared to part with........
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I would put the newspaper in a pillowcase just to be on the safe side, and possibly offer her some wet food too. Good luck with her.
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Desley I know you are as busy as me so I know you wont mind me correcting your little mistake about the paper in the pillowcase, think you must have been dreaming about hiding bank notes bless you. :rofl:
The idea of newspaper is to give mum cat something to actually shred to nest build,so pillowcase not required. As to any bedding used instead of paper as long as kitten cant get underneath and suffocate thats fine.
Hope Lillie is well
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yes shes fine just sleeping alot which is to be expected,although she has had a couple of mad moments running around the house which is funny to watch :)
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Will look into it later T, but am sure on the American forum I use, they recommend putting newspaper in pillowcases, something to do with the ink I think, but admittedly I could have got that wrong - I went to the vets a week early yesterday!!