When your cat is having kittens, it is an exciting time, but can also be somewhat unnerving for us owners. In some cases, we may not even be aware our cat was having kittens until the impending birth! It is important to be prepared for the birth and know what a normal birth should be like and when to call a vet. If possible, be equipped with items such as towels/blankets, access to warm water and soap, and the phone number for your vet. Typically, pregnancy in the cat lasts for an average of 63 days, ranging from 61-69 days. If nothing has happened by day 67, it is essential to contact your vet to ensure that everything is alright.
In the last week before the birth, the mother to be may start looking for a suitable place to give birth. Ideally, this place should be warm, comfortable, and safe. Independent cats may prefer a dark enclosed space where more dependent cats prefer a place where they can get emotional support from their owners, such as their owner’s bed! Ideally, the birthing place is observable enough that you can step in if your help and support are required.
While spotting labour in a cat can be tricky, there are some signs that could indicate your cat is getting ready to give birth. The mum may become very restless, pace up and down, go in and out of the litter tray and become very vocal. This would coincide with the first phase of labour.
Labour in cats consists of three phases:
Phase 1
This phase lasts between 4-24 hours and is when the cervix relaxes and dilates. You may see restlessness, nesting, vocalisation and sometimes even signs of aggression (due to abdominal cramping from the womb). The mother may also make unproductive trips to the litter box, and start settling into the birthing spot. If your cat has chosen a different birthing spot than what you have provided, do not move her.
Phase 2 (the “pushing” phase)
This stage usually produces kittens quickly and without too much straining. The first kitten may take 30-60 minutes to be born (because the birth canal needs to be stretched by the first kitten), the following kittens should be born without too much delay once straining (i.e., strong contractions) is seen. Kittens can be born either head or tail first. If strong contractions are seen without birth for 30 minutes, or if weak contractions are seen without birth for 4 hours, contact your vet! Owners can have a feel under the tail to get an idea whether or not the kitten has moved through the pelvic canal already and is in the final part of the birth canal. If so, it needs to be born soon, or the kitten may die. If a nose is sticking out of the birth canal, break the membranes and clear the airways so the kitten can start to breathe. If the tail presents first, but the kitten seems stuck, delivery is even more urgent, carefully assist the mum by gently pulling the kitten downward and out while mum is pushing. If no kitten can be felt or seen, and the birth seems stalled, contact your vet.
Of course, if a large quantity of bloody discharge is seen, without delivery of kittens, contact your vet immediately.
Phase 3 (delivery of the placentas)
This phase involves the expulsion of the placentas. The mother should be relaxed, and the kittens should be nursing. As cats have multiple kittens, there should be multiple placentas expelled. It is important to count the placentas as they come out and ensure that there is one placenta per kitten. The placentas in cats are red-brown in colour and usually come out after each kitten. If there are fewer placentas than there are kittens, there is a chance that the placenta was retained, and a vet needs to be contacted immediately. If two kittens are born in quick succession, both placentas may come out together after the second kitten.
Some special notes regarding the birthing process:
- Sometimes, cats can give birth to one or more kittens, then pause to rest and suckle the kittens; she can even eat and drink and be quite content, before restarting the birthing process. Some dependent cats may interrupt or delay the labour until the owners are home. This is called “interrupted labour” and is quite normal.
- This is different from a cat who still has kittens inside her but is straining without success or panting, crying, unsettled, or in the end exhausted. In this case, veterinary help is needed a.s.a.p. Some cats have problems giving birth due to obstructive problems of the mother (for example if the pelvic canal is narrowed through healed pelvic fractures, severe constipation or uterus problems) or kittens (for example hydrocephalus, kitten death, oversized kittens). Other cats can have problems due to weak contractions, either due to stress, old age, obesity or ill health. This is called “inertia”.
- A special type of inertia is “hysterical inertia” where the mother cat panics so much due to the pain she may feel that the first stage grinds to a halt. The cat will be very distressed, crying and seeking attention from the owner. This problem needs addressing immediately! Oriental, Siamese and Burmese cats especially are known to suffer from this.
You may notice that some kittens are born within the membrane. If this occurs, either the mother or you, the owner, need to break the sac and dry and clean the kitten. Make sure the kitten is breathing; usually the mother’s tongue can stimulate the kitten to breathe. If this does not occur, you may need to assist them by clearing the throat or gently shaking them. You can try holding the kitten in the palm of your hand, head towards the fingers, and gently flick your wrists to expel any inhaled fluid. You can then massage the chest to stimulate breathing. The mother also usually bites the umbilical cord. If she does not do this, you may need to tie them off and cut the cord on the placenta side of the tie, or tear the umbilical cord about 3 cm from the kitten’s abdomen between finger(s) and thumb, mimicking the chewing of the cord (and so crushing the blood vessels to prevent bleeding).
Once the birth is over make sure the mother has plenty of water available, and is in a warm and quiet spot. The kittens should start nursing immediately, and the mother should be calm and happy. If you have any concerns regarding your cat, or if you think your cat is pregnant, please do not hesitate to contact Cronulla Vet Clinic on 02 9527 2604 with any questions.