The mother cat and litter of kittens were rescued from the trash couch in no time
A mother cat and her kittens were living on an old couch in Ohio that was about to be thrown out when these rescuers saved the day.
Humankind, USA Today
It’s a kitten!
Finding out that your cat is pregnant can be a shock and a surprise. Adopting a pet is a lot of work, but this responsibility is probably not one you signed up for.
However, as the caring owner of your cat, making sure their pregnancy is as healthy as possible is your job. This means taking your furry friend to the vet, learning about cat pregnancy and finding new homes for the kittens if you can’t keep them. About 3.2 million cats end up in US animal shelters each year, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty.
How long are cats pregnant?
Expect your cat to be pregnant for about two months. A cat’s pregnancy lasts between 62 to 70 days, and the average cat’s pregnancy is 64 days, says veterinarian Diana Watkins, who owns 143 Veterinary Services in Massachusetts.
How long after a cat starts showing will she give birth?
Pregnant cats start showing about halfway through their pregnancy, about 30 days. Every cat is different, however. Thin cats can begin to show early in their pregnancy. Owners of larger cats may not realize they’re pregnant until they’re ready to give birth, Watkins said.
If you suspect your cat is pregnant, take them to your vet. They can help you care for your cat while she is pregnant. It’s important they know she’s pregnant so they can’t give her the feline distemper vaccine, which protects against some infectious diseases but isn’t safe for fetuses, Watkins said. Watch out for these pregnancy symptoms:
- Swollen, or swollen, abdomen
- Prominent nipples
- Nest, or creating a cozy, quiet and safe place to give birth
If you have an unspayed cat over four months old, it’s a good idea to take her to the vet if she shows up, even if you’re not sure she’s pregnant. Cats are “really, really good at getting pregnant,” Watkins says, because they can ovulate at any time.
Once you get the confirmation your furry friend is hoping for, there are a few things you can do to keep them healthy and happy. To begin with, keep them indoors. You can also feed your cat kitten food, which has the extra nutrients that growing babies need. Your veterinarian can help you calculate the exact amount of calories they’ll need while pregnant, Watkins says.
Provide access to a safe, comfortable place for childbirth. It should be somewhere hidden and out of the way, like under the bed or in a closet. Provide blankets, towels and a nesting box.
When it comes time to give birth, “they do it on their own,” Watkins said. Keep your distance so you don’t stress them out but check in now and then to make sure the process is running smoothly. They usually start nesting and disappear from plain sight the day before they give birth. Labor can take about six hours, and they usually give birth to one kitten every 30 minutes, Watkins said.
Can you pick a pregnant cat?
You can still cuddle a pregnant cat, but be careful. Try scooping him from the bottom to avoid touching his sensitive stomach, which can cause him discomfort, says Purina, a pet company.
Be careful around children, who may not understand how to handle animals gently.
How many kittens can a cat have in her first litter?
Cats usually give birth to between four and six kittens, although a cat giving birth to her first litter may have fewer kittens, Watkins said.
It’s important to be prepared for how many kittens to expect, whether you plan to give them up for adoption or keep them in your home. Veterinarians can count fetuses using X-rays within 45 days of pregnancy.
How many times does a cat get pregnant in a year?
On average, cats can have about three litters per year because their pregnancy lasts only two months. However, no more than once or twice a year is recommended to give the cat the necessary time to recover, say the vets at PetCoach.
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