What should I do with a pregnant stray cat who's adopted me?

Question

It's been about 3 weeks since 'Kitty' has adopted me. She's in her last stages of pregnancy and I'm unsure of what to do to help her. I have an eleven year old cat of my own (my princess) and I have never let this stray inside my apartment for fear of her having any sickness that may hurt my cat. The stray has now decided that my balcony patio is her new home but was only coming around for some dinner every night. During the day, there's no telling where she has been. However, this morning she was still out there and looks like the kittens are right around the corner. If I knew she was clean of disease, I may bring her into a room I could close her off in so she could rest and have her kittens inside. With my beloved cat inside, however, I'm reluctant to do so. I have called my vet to ask advice, but he has yet to return my call. Anyone who may have had any experience with what to expect when your cat is about to give birth would be great. Even better, anyone who's dealt with a cat who's adopted you to bless you with a rather unexpected litter? Please help, "I don't know nuthin' 'bout birthin' babies"!

Answer 1

The best thing would be for you to make an appointment at the vet for the cat and take the cat in ASAP.  I understand your reluctance to bring a stray into the house.



You might also want to make a birthing box for the cat, should she go into labor before you can get to the vet.  Get a nice sized box, bigger than the cat of course, but not too huge (the liquor store is often a great place to find good boxes) and put it on your porch.  Seal the lid, but cut an opening in the front, a few inches above the ground, so the cat has to step in.  Line the inside of the box with soft things.  Old baby blankets are excellent for this, but any large, soft, peices of cloth will do.   Put the box on the porch, put some fresh water and food by it then ignore the box as much as possible. Cats don't like to give birth in areas they feel are highly watched and traveled, so the idea is to make the cat think this wonderful box sprung up out of nowhere and that you and all other humans are oblivious to its existence.  

If you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain, cover the box in plastic (Outside only, never inside) A large trash bag is usually perfect for this.  

I won't garentee the cat will use it to give birth, but if she really is trying to adopt you, it is likely she'll want to be near you when she gives birth.  Just remember, don't point out the box, let her find it herself.  

Best of luck and I do hope the vet can squeeze you in soon.  If your vet doesn't call you back ASAP, I'd consider getting another vet.  

Answer 2

If you get cleared by a vet do the folllowng. Prepare a birthing box right away and read up on hand raising kittens in case an emergency in which the mother doesn't nurse or something happens to her. Teach her about the birthing box and she will understand that she willl have to keep her babies there. Just google hand raising kittens and you will find good websites. Since she is in the late stages provide with water constantly. The typical "going into laber" signs she will  be walking contstanly and panting. When you see her in actual labor monitor here and make sure the embical cords dont wrap around the kitttens' legs and she eats the placentas. Sometimes there can 1-2  hours periods between each kitten coming out. But just monitor her frequently. Please update on what happens and if you need information or advice feel free to contact me here. I have dealt with numerous mother cats and litters in my life.

Answer 3

Hi  ,, I have seen this 100000 times..LOL...Just watch her and make up a box  over9 inched  high...Far as her being  sick ,well I thbink if she was sick or even undernurished ,she would have aborted  teh little  guys  before this,..I wouldnt hesitate  to bring her in the house..I have done this before with strays..If they  act.eat. and behave normally  ,she will be ok to  bring in..Besides  it is sure a safer place  in your home,than on teh street...

Answer 4

Fortunately, she will instinctively know most of what to do.  You are right to be concerned about contact with your resident cat, although in a closed off separate room would be quite safe.  But make sure to keep them separate;  the vet should be able to provide appropriate suggestions as to removing any health risks to your resident cat once she is out of the room.

If you take up the challenge, provide her with kitten chow, as she will need the calories and nutrition.

When the time is near for her, she will be 'nesting'.  And if you provide a sheltered spot with blankets, etc., she may like the balcony.  Of course, then it becomes an issue of the area being safe for her, or you could wake up in the morning to find she had relocated the kittens to an unknown spot.  Then, it becomes natural to worry.

I have posted a link on newborn kitten care.

Answer 5

We used to feed strays all the time, particularly two young females who used to hang around our house all the time and still do. I've been away from my folks for a year due to my studies, my folks, 'specially my dad is carryin' on the work.

One of them used to give birth to kittens frequently (the other one was not as horny LOL) in our shed, most of which continue to live to this day and add to the ever increasing stray cat population( still stray? u might ask. most of them are very timid and maybe the lil' tigers prefer to remain wild even with all the care we give em, still tamed some, though) in our area. Well, all those strays and those which we managed to tame were all pretty free of disease, nice and clean, even if they were gone all day long(or never took showers for a week hehe). One even bit me once and I did nothing fancy(just used band aid and disinfectant) and nothing happened to me. As far as I know, stray cats are pretty clean and disease free( mostly if they "look" disease free), you might wanna watch out for fleas though, strays are fleabags, your princess will be mad at you if she ever gets fleas. Get some flea powder for kitty before you take her in, but remember, its best to do what the vet says. Even if you cant take her in, you could make a little box or shelter for her outside to give birth in (make sure its rainproof and comfy and dark though, cats are very picky and you dont wanna see a soaked kitty in labour). As for the birthin' babies part, most cats can take care of themselves, though i've seen one which couldn't and my mom had to step in, so watch her just in case. Expect some blood and fluids! Good luck, I do hope this helps, and remember, cats are xtremely horny, lol!!! tha deuhin enkol roh o!!

Answer 6

Get her a cardboard box with some old rags and newspaper for birthing. When the kittens are born I would wait a few weeks and take them in to get checked out. If she is free of disease get her spayed after the kittens are weaned and keep her : )  

Answer 7

CALL the ASPCA or 311 and ask for help