How can u tell when your kitty is about to have her kittens? We don't know her age, she is a stray...thanks!

Question

We adopted a beautiful young stray that showed up at our door one day, and at the time we didn't know she was pregnant. We found homes for all of the kittens-to-be and will have her spayed after she gives birth to be responsible cat parents. We think she is about 9-12 months old and she is very large...we can see the kittens moving around in her belly! Someone told us that since she is so young she might have trouble giving birth and there is no easy access to a vet or clinic where we live...she is a very friendly and gentle lady and we don't want to lose her! Can anyone give us some help?

Answer 1

you can feel around her stomach.Cat's are aren't pregnant for 9 months like most humans they can give birth early as 2 months.And just be ready make sure she has a little spot.Cat's are smart and they always know what to do when their babies are born.Just make her a small warm spot and since you have no easy access to a vet call one and ask them for some tips.

Answer 2

Sometimes Cats Start to move blankets, etc around to make a nest like thing and that tells you she is almost ready

Good luck

Answer 3

Oh, I know just how you feel...all the anxiety...I foster pregnant mother cats for my shelter, and I always feel I'll miss the birth.

The signs vary from cat to cat, though if you see the little ones moving, its probably going to be in the next few days, a max of about a week. One of my cats bearly showed any sign...just went in the box and half an hour later she had two little kittens! My latest one was laying in her box, and her stomach was kinda moving...I went to take a shower and when I came back her entire bottom was soaked...within half an hour she had the first! I found for her a good sign was scratching up the bedding. Some cats have milk discharge, but not all...it happens more for second time moms(though yours is pretty young, so probably her first litter).

As for trouble, you should be good, though on the off chance you may have to help her-as a matter of fact we had to help our last one and she had 8! If it isn't coming out, you may have to help her or if its out but she's not doing anything you may have to break the sac and cut the cord, though they say 99% of births are done without help needed, so I wouldn't worry!

For more info go to google and put in "cat labor" or "signs of cat labor"

Good luck, and have fun!

Feel free to e-mail if you have any more questions!

=]

Amy

Answer 4

Ideally you would take her to a vet, and I'd locate one just in case there are problems with her giving birth, since she's so young.  Other than that, it sounds like the time is close.  Give her a box to nest in, with lots clean towels inside (towels are easier to wash than big blankets).  Try to put it in the area where you'd prefer she have the kittens, and be sure it is in a safe and secure spot (from her point of view - not yours).  When she starts showing a real interest in "nesting" then the time is getting really close.  

As a precaution, go out now and get some KMR formula and a feeding kit.  This way if for some reason she rejects a kitten, or doesn't have enough milk for them, you'll have it on hand instead of having to make an emergency run for it at an inconvenient time.  

Good luck to you and the mom to be!   The day the kittens are born, make her spay appointment for 8 weeks out so it's all ready and waiting for her when the time comes.  Vets can really get backed up this time of year due to all the kittens being born and needing altering, so this way you won't have to wait.