Childbirth in a cat (manual). Normal course of childbirth. Situations where veterinarian help is needed

The first part of the exciting period is coming to an end - the cat carried the kittens and is preparing to give birth to them. Childbirth in a cat is difficult stage, therefore, the owner must facilitate the process in every possible way, and if necessary, even help the pet in this difficult matter.

The last two weeks of a cat's pregnancy are bound to be filled with excitement. Both the animal and the owner are worried. By the end of the term, the cat feels the activity of the kittens, and begins to look for somewhere to retire. She definitely needs to be helped in this by providing a reliable corner with warm bedding and maximum peace of mind.

The closer the date gets, the more time the cat spends in its shelter. Her character has already changed beyond recognition, and before the birth itself, the cat falls into a kind of panic. Main symptoms imminent attack generic activity can be called:

Cat excitement. She restlessly runs around the house, rushing about. Can actively lick the belly. Also exhibits great attention genitals.
When contractions appear and become more frequent, the cat begins to breathe heavily and often.
Body temperature drops below 37 degrees.
changing appearance genital organs, discharge is possible.
The nipples also swell.
The cat can in every possible way attract the attention of the owner and call to the "nest". Do not ignore her requests.
Some cats hide from people when they feel pain.

Preparing the place for childbirth

A box or basket for a future cat family must be prepared in advance.
The cat will spend a lot of time there. The home must be clean, foreign odors, and be in a quiet corner without drafts. Also, the cat will be grateful to the owner if she is not disturbed too often while she is accustomed to the shelter.

Immediately before childbirth, you need to equip the house properly. On hand should be:

Litter. After childbirth, it will become unusable, so it is better to use cheap materials.
A bed to which a cat with kittens will move after the completion of childbirth. The best thing white color- to control secretions. It will need to be changed at least once a day.
Towel and napkins.
Near the house you need to put a cup of water so that the cat can drink without being distracted for a long time.

Stages of childbirth in cats

The average duration of pregnancy in cats is 60-65 days. Deviations of several days are permissible, depending on the breed or characteristics of the organism.

Generic activity takes place in three stages. To help the cat as much as possible in the process, the owner needs to know the features of each of them.

The first

Before the birth itself, you can notice that the cat's stomach becomes elastic. There may be slight discharge from the genitals. During this period, the cervix opens, contractions begin. Muscle contractions are weak, they will help the kittens move through the birth canal.

The cat feels pain, which causes her to meow and push. The presence of the owner will help alleviate the condition of the pet. It is necessary to stroke her and address her in a calm voice. The onset of labor can take up to a day, but if the cat cannot begin to give birth longer, it is worth calling a veterinarian to the house to help.

Second

The next stage begins when the baby enters birth canal. The time between the appearance of kittens can vary from a few minutes or longer. Sometimes it takes a couple of hours. Prolonged labor occur in primiparous cats, as well as for some breeds. The reason for this is stress, which causes the cat to deliberately delay the process.

Kittens can appear both head first and hind legs. This is normal and you shouldn't worry. The time from the appearance of the kitten to its full exit usually takes about 15 minutes. If the process is delayed, it is urgent to call a veterinarian.

A born kitten needs help: it needs to be freed from a film - a bubble. If the cat did not do this or did not gnaw through the umbilical cord, the owner should take care of the baby. It is necessary to wipe the kittens and clear their airways. Also, after childbirth, you need to count the placenta: so that there are exactly as many of them as there are kittens. The placenta remaining in the uterus can threaten the life of the cat, so you should immediately consult a doctor.

Third

At this stage, the cat rests between the appearance of kittens. She takes care of already born babies,
licks them and himself. At this time, it will be very handy to offer water to the exhausted mother. The presence of the owner during childbirth is mandatory, since a stressed animal can behave unpredictably. Outbursts of aggression against cubs are rarely noted, so the owner needs to follow the events.

Possible problems

Problems during childbirth are rare. However, the owner must be aware of the responsibility and prepare properly. You also need to be ready to accept kittens if difficulties arise and the veterinarian cannot arrive on time. Before the start of childbirth, you need to prepare:

napkins, best of soft fabric,
blunt-tipped scissors
medical gloves,
brilliant green,
Oxytocin drug and syringes,
a thread,
petrolatum,
leave the doctor's business card in a conspicuous place for an urgent call.

Need for medicines rarely occurs, but they should be on hand. In addition to oxytocin, which stimulates tribal activity, you need to have Sulfocamphocaine - it supports the work of the heart.

If the head of the fetus is visible, but the cat cannot push it out, it is necessary to lubricate the visible part of the kitten with petroleum jelly. This should fix the issue.

It happens that the cat does not have time to release the baby from the bubble. This must be done within a minute. Then you need to make the kitten breathe by gently bending it into an arc so that the hind legs reach the breast. Use a pipette to remove fluid from the nose and mouth.

If the kitten was born, but the placenta does not appear, you need to get it manually, wearing gloves or gently pulling on the umbilical cord.

If the baby is too big, has already begun to appear, or due to its incorrect position, the cat cannot give birth, in no case should it be stimulated with drugs. You need to call a doctor urgently.

When the uterus is weak and unable to push the kitten out, it is necessary to resort to oxytocin. The injection can be done at home. 0.2 ml of the drug is injected intramuscularly. If there is a need for a second injection, the interval between them should be at least an hour.

There are times when the help of a veterinarian is needed. If the cat is giving birth longer than a day, loses consciousness, she has a fever or saturated bleeding should seek help immediately. If the doctor does not have time to arrive, you need to carry out all the manipulations that he dictates by phone.

First birth

Often, childbirth in cats takes place without human intervention. Complications are rare and usually resolve quickly. An exception may be the first birth of a cat. This is a huge stress for her psyche and body. Not less than stressful situation is also for the owner, especially if he did not take part in the birth of kittens before. The owner must be prepared for any situation if his pet is pregnant for the first time.

It is important to know that the first pregnancy in a cat should occur only when she can bear kittens, and then feed them. The cat must be physically developed, healthy. It is advised to knit a cat only after the onset of the third estrus and at the age of not earlier than one year.

During childbirth main help the host will be his presence. The cat is under stress, so the attention given to the pet will be worth its weight in gold. It is worth talking to the cat, calming her down and stroking her stomach and sides in a clockwise direction. This will help the anxious animal to calm down.

Often, giving birth for the first time, the cat is very tired, so you may need the help of the owner in the first minutes after the appearance of the kitten. It also requires control over the situation, especially over well-being. future mother.

Owner participation in the process

In the process of childbirth, the owner may require not only the presence and "moral" assistance to the cat. Sometimes there are complications, and you have to intervene in natural process.

Another factor is instability. emotional state cats. It's good if she meows and asks for help. But there are situations when a cat, against the background of stress, shows aggression towards a person, hisses and does not let him in. Then there is nothing left but to observe and be ready to call a doctor. AT rare cases veterinarian may apply sedatives to comfort the mother-to-be.

At the very beginning of labor, do not put the cat by force. She feels better how she will be more comfortable. With the direct passage of the kitten through the birth canal, you should not rush. One fight can push the baby out to half, then the cat sometimes waits for the second to fully give birth to the cub. It is worth intervening only if the kitten is in this position for too long - from 15 minutes.

Help

If the kitten stays in the birth canal for half too long, and about amniotic sac is torn, you need to gently pull the kitten down with a napkin towards the stomach. The procedure must be carried out in rubber gloves, and if there were none, you need to treat your hands with alcohol and cut your nails short.

If the baby has not completely left the birth canal and has stopped with the booty forward, and the bubble has been torn, you need to act extremely quickly. This position is dangerous: the kitten may suffocate. You can pull the baby only during the fight, and hold it not by part of the body, but grab it as much as possible.

If the kitten is too big and constantly "slipping away" after the contraction is over, it is necessary to intervene. After waiting for the next muscle contraction, you need to pull the lower part vulva to the side anus, thus expanding the passage. When the head and at least one shoulder appear, you need to gently pull (not by the head!) The kitten in an arc down to the stomach with swinging movements. You need to help slowly and very carefully.

If the kitten is in wrong position and the cat cannot cope on its own, it is necessary to deploy the baby. To do this, you should lightly press your finger on the visible part of the body and turn it with stroking movements to the position that is closer. If you act with extreme caution, the cat will soon be able to push the cub on its own.

If the cat is confused or unable to take care of the baby, then, in addition to freeing the bladder, it is necessary to cut the umbilical cord. This is done with small scissors. rounded tips. First you need to clamp the umbilical cord at a distance of a few centimeters from the tummy. After 20 seconds, cut it at the place of compression. If the blood does not stop, you should tie the umbilical cord with a disinfected thread, and burn the tip with brilliant green.

Are all kittens born

The first sign that not all kittens were born will be the behavior of the mother cat. If she doesn’t get up and start caring for the offspring, then most likely the birth continues, there just came a pause. This happens when the process is for a long time, and the cat has time to get tired.
You can also feel the tummy of the woman in labor for the remaining children. It is easy to confuse the uterus and its cervix with a kitten, but they are usually not difficult to distinguish.

It is worth calling a doctor when the cat does not pay attention to kittens for a long time, but does not begin to give birth to another baby. Also alarm bell should be an increase in body temperature and excessive discharge from the genitals.

Determining the end of labor is most difficult when the cat has already given birth to 5 or more kittens. Since even with babies in the womb, the animal will need rest. It is necessary to monitor her condition and proceed to decisive action as soon as necessary.

Pregnancy of a cat is an exciting time for all households. In order for it to end successfully, it is necessary to carefully monitor the state future mother and provide all needed help during the birth of kittens. After reviewing the information provided in the article, the owner will be able to become a reliable companion for the pet in this difficult matter.

Childbirth in a cat is an exciting and responsible event that requires a certain approach from the owner of the pet in preparation for this process. To do everything right and without mistakes, you should figure out how a cat's pregnancy proceeds and when does the moment of birth of kittens come?

As the pregnancy comes to an end, the owner must carefully prepare for the delivery of the cat, especially if it is the first. At least two weeks before the expected birth, it is necessary to prepare a place where the expectant mother will take care of the kittens.

Attention: the owner must remember that from the very beginning of pregnancy, the cat should eat twice as much. It will be nice if the cat will receive additional fortified supplements. Make sure that the animal is not stressed.

How to equip the "nest"?

The place in which the cat will give birth and nurse her cubs should be as spacious and comfortable as possible.

For this purpose, even a thick cardboard box is suitable, in which you need to put several layers of paper and disposable napkins. After the birth, the “nest” is equipped with something warm, but not hot, so that the kittens do not overheat.

Also for the "nest" you can use special cat houses, which are equipped according to the same principle. If you are smart, then it is not necessary to purchase such a house, you can make it yourself.

What should be on hand?

As soon as a cat goes into labor, you should definitely have the following things on hand:

disposable gloves;
antiseptic;
petrolatum;
threads;
clean scissors;
pipette;
good number veterinarian;
heating pad in warm water;
clean wipes;

Attention: all necessary items, which will be needed during childbirth, it is better to prepare in advance.

How to choose a place?

To give birth to a cat comfortably and without unnecessary fuss, it is better to choose the room that is least used. It should be dry, warm, quiet. In the future, no one should disturb the mother cat.

Therefore, walk-through rooms, as well as where children and other animals live, are excluded.

How do they start?

Signs of incipient labor are very pronounced. So that you are unlikely to notice that your pet is in labor.

You can understand that childbirth begins by the following symptoms:

The cat is very excited and anxious.
The animal meows and follows you around.
The cat often licks its own genitals.
The animal's vagina looks swollen and inflamed.
There may be yellow or bloody discharge.

It is not recommended to leave the cat alone at the time of birth. This event happens quite painfully and the animal will be very worried. At the time of contractions, the owner can do a relaxing massage of the abdomen, pet the cat and talk to her.

How long do they last?

Cat birth lasts from several hours to one and a half days. Both the first and second cases are considered completely normal from the point of view of the physiology of these animals. In terms of complexity, childbirth also takes place in different ways.

It depends on the characteristics of the cat's body and the number of pregnancies experienced.

The following stages of the birth process are distinguished:

First stage- it is characterized by contractions that can last for quite a long time. After the contractions are over, the attempts themselves come, which contribute to the birth of kittens.
Second stage- characterized by the very birth of kittens. The babies themselves are most often born head first. But it is not uncommon for a baby to be born forward with its hind legs, which is also considered absolutely normal. Yes, on initial stage the second stage, from the cat's vagina, fluid first appears from amniotic sac. Only in the future will the kittens themselves appear.
Third stage- the final stage, in which the uterus contracts to normal sizes. AT without fail afterbirth comes out of the cat. They should come out as many as kittens were born.

Attention: most often the cat eats afterbirth. However, it is better not to let her do this in order to avoid the occurrence of vomiting and diarrhea.

Even after the birth of the last kitten, do not rush to relax. The cat must be carefully observed and see if all the afterbirths have come out.

If the number of afterbirths does not match the number of kittens born, then this good reason contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Not departed placenta can cause a serious inflammatory process.

Problems that may arise during childbirth

Childbirth is a rather complicated process. Most often they occur on the 63rd or 65th day.

Sometimes a cat needs human help, without which she or the kittens may die. In the event that it is not possible to urgently contact a veterinarian, it is worth knowing what problems your beloved pet may have and how to help her.

Kitten can't be born

The situation when a kitten cannot be born is not uncommon.

There may be several reasons for this:

incorrect location of the kitten;
too much big sizes fetus;

Another problem is that a kitten is born with its hind legs forward. Usually, when healthy childbirth, the kitten comes out head first. Otherwise, the birth of the baby may be difficult.

The exit of the fetus with the hind legs forward is usually characteristic of the first kitten. All subsequent kittens are born without much difficulty.

Attention: problems with the birth of kittens can occur in cats that have previously broken pelvic bones. In this case, difficulties with the birth of a kitten can even lead to the death of the mother cat.

If the kitten comes out, but not completely and the cat cannot give birth to him on her own, it is worth helping her with Vaseline. It is required to lubricate the kitten itself and the cat's vagina well. Usually, after that, the kitten comes out without problems.

Attention: pulling the kitten by the head, paws or tail is not worth it. This can injure the baby and even lead to his death or physical abnormalities.

The cat does not release the kitten from the amniotic sac

The cat must release the kitten from the amniotic sac within 1 minute. Since this did not happen, you urgently need to cut the bubble yourself with scissors.

After that, the actions should be as follows:

The baby needs to be wrapped in a soft, clean cloth and lowered with its muzzle to the floor.
Holding the baby in your hands, the kitten's legs should be very slowly brought closer to the chest and straightened back.
The action must be repeated about 10-15 times, after which the kitten begins to breathe.
If the nose and mouth of the kitten are burdened with amniotic fluid, it is worth sucking it out with a pipette or a small syringe.
It is required to wipe the baby with a rough towel and send it to the mother cat.

If the kitten did not breathe even after all the manipulations done, then only artificial respiration mouth to mouth.

At the same time, you should not inhale air into the kitten too persistently, it should be understood that the volume of the baby’s lungs is very small and they can be damaged by an excessive amount of air.

The cat does not gnaw the umbilical cord

The problem when a cat does not gnaw through the baby's umbilical cord also occurs. Most often this is due to the fact that the cat has a lot of stress and due to childbirth, she became absent-minded. If within a few minutes the cat has not gnawed through the umbilical cord, it needs to be cut off on its own.

For this:

It is necessary to tie the baby's umbilical cord with a thread at a distance of 4 cm from the tummy.
With sterile scissors, you need to cut off the umbilical cord next to the thread from the side of the abdomen.
The place where the umbilical cord was cut should be wiped with an antiseptic.

Attention: in no case should the umbilical cord be cut in such a way that nothing remains of it. A piece of umbilical cord 3-3.5 cm long should remain. Over time, this small process will dry out and fall off on its own.

Doesn't come out after

If the cat’s placenta does not come out on its own, it also needs human help. It is necessary to wear gloves and carefully remove the afterbirth.

If the placenta remains in the cat's body, this can lead to very dangerous consequences, rotting of the tissues remaining inside may begin, blood poisoning, and in the end the pet will die.

In the event that the placenta could not be removed on its own and it never came out, the cat needs to be very short time deliver to veterinary clinic, where doctors will remove the remnants of tissue and examine the animal.

How to understand that childbirth is over?

The birth of a cat ends at the moment when she gave birth to all the kittens and all the placenta came out.

To understand whether all the kittens were born can only be the right way- you need to gently feel the cat's stomach. It is important not to confuse the kitten with the cervix, which is also clearly palpable after the birth is over.

If one or more kittens are palpable in the abdomen, but the cat is not going to give birth to them after the next 3-4 hours, you should contact the veterinary clinic.

When is it urgent to contact the veterinarian?

Cases when a pregnant cat needs urgent care doctor, there may be several:

Pregnancy and gestation of kittens lasts more than 70 days.
The cat is feverish.
The first stage of labor lasts more than a day.
With strong contractions, the kitten does not appear within 20 minutes.
The cat has a strong and very unpleasant odor coming from the vagina.
The pet has red discharge and it lasts more than 7-10 minutes.
Strong contractions that last more than 2 hours, but kittens are not born.
A kitten cannot be born and there is no way to help him on his own.

These cases require urgent appeal to the veterinarian. Only this can help preserve the fetus and the health of the pet.

The birth of kittens is a positive and pleasant moment. However, the owner must remember that pregnancy and childbirth are a very exhausting and painful process, which, moreover, can provoke many diseases in your pet.

Thus, after the birth and distribution of kittens, ask your treating veterinarian about further sterilization of your ward.

This procedure will not only save the cat from false heats but also allow her to live a longer, happier and more peaceful life.

The article discusses the main decisions that could be taken in similar situation at home, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Write your life stories and tips in the comments.

What are cat births called?

The process of giving birth to offspring in cats is called Lambing. The same name applies to other genera of mammals.

The first birth in cats how many kittens there are

The number of kittens in a pregnant cat can be determined by ultrasound examination. If the cat became pregnant for the first time, then the offspring can include from one to three kittens, depending on the breed, the cat's body and the state of health. Subsequent pregnancy will increase the number of kittens.

If the kitten is stuck during childbirth and contractions, what to do

Childbirth in a cat does not always go quietly and successfully, there may be cases when a kitten gets stuck in the birth canal and then you need to urgently intervene in the birth process. There are two ways to help a cat: C-section or independently remove a stuck kitten.

To do the latter, you need to gently massage the stomach, as soon as new contractions begin, you need to catch the rhythm and go on massage to the beat of the contractions. In this case, you can not pull the kitten by the head and perpendicular to the cat, you can damage the neck and fragile spine of the crumb.

You need to get the kitten by pulling the skin of the neck or torso from side to side without sudden movements.

Is it normal for a kitten to tail during birth?

During the birth of kittens in 20% of cases, a case of birth forward with paws is possible. In general, this normal phenomenon, however, may not always be successful. In order for the kitten to be fully born, you can hold it by the belly and very carefully pull it towards you. After removing the kitten from the birth canal, it is necessary to allow the cat to gnaw through the umbilical cord.

Helping a cat during childbirth at home and how to give birth to a cat, what to do

Childbirth in a cat lasts up to 36 hours. The main part comes when the cat begins to flicker, arrange a floor for a comfortable birth, carefully lick itself and meow.

At first, you should not interfere, you can only stroke the sides and closer to the tail, speaking in an affectionate tone to support the pregnant cat. After that, the first contractions begin, the cat's muscles contract and go in waves throughout the body.

When the kitten turns around and begins to walk through the birth canal, you can see a small bump in the abdomen, which is forbidden to touch. A cat’s birth should take place in an intimate setting, you can’t convene everyone to look at the process, and even more so invite guests.

The pet must feel protected, otherwise the birth may end or the kittens will be born dead.

What to feed a cat after childbirth

After the end of childbirth, the cat eats the placenta, and then you need to feed it after 4-5 hours, but be sure to put warm milk or water. Since the body is rather weak, it needs easily digestible and nutritious food so that the cat can restore strength and provide full-fledged milk for its children.

The first 10 days you need to give dairy products, vegetables and boiled chicken meat, but in small quantities. Dry food should not be given as it does not contain water and can lead to stomach blockage.

After the cat's 12-day recovery period, a basic food containing magnesium and calcium can be introduced to strengthen the cat's bones.

If a kitten was born dead, what to do and why this happens

During the birth of a cat, there may be cases of the birth of dead kittens, or a suspicion of it. In order to determine dead kitten or not, you need to hold the kitten upside down to stimulate breathing, and if he does not come to life and does not move, then the kitten is really dead.

This happens when something interferes with childbirth or sharply frightened the cat, also due to strong contractions and external factors. Cold place for childbirth, draft or blockage respiratory tract kitten can lead to his death.

If a cat has not given birth to all kittens and does not give birth, what to do

During childbirth, the birth of kittens may not always be complete. It happens that the cat does not give birth to the last kitten, then you should carefully monitor the behavior of the cat.

If the cat is not at all worried about this, then perhaps the uterus has not contracted and the birth of the latter can be within 12 hours. If the cat looks anxious, then you should immediately contact the veterinarian to save the kitten and cat.

How do cats break water and how long does it take

Childbirth in a cat lasts up to 36 hours. Until this moment, about 65 days pass from the day of fertilization, and the moment comes when the waters break. This process can take one minute or up to an hour. After that, the birth itself takes place, the process can begin both immediately and after a few hours.

Premature birth in a cat how to help

preterm birth cats are very rare and do not occur just like that. Often this depends on the breed of the cat and environmental factors. In non-pedigreed cats, this phenomenon can pass without complications and death of offspring, unlike thoroughbred ones.

A thoroughbred cat during premature birth can lose offspring or die itself, so you need to be very careful about this pathology.

In order to help the cat, you need to look after it. Premature birth can start very intensively and end with the extinction of kittens, so they give drugs to relieve stress. If helping a cat at home is not possible, then you need to call a veterinarian.

How to find out when a cat will give birth at home and how she prepares for childbirth

Birth in a cat on average lasts 35 hours. For the first 22-24 hours, she will walk, look for a place for a favorable birth, then the waters will break, and the cat will begin to meow and lick herself, comfortably lying down on a soft and warm place. A few hours later, the birth of the first kitten will begin.

How long does a cat birth last?

The delivery of a cat generally lasts for 34-36 hours without complications. Childbirth is divided into 3 stages: the first stage - 15-20 hours (first contractions), the second and third stages last up to 8 hours (directly childbirth from the first to the last kitten with afterbirths).

Childbirth in cats interval between kittens

Each cat's body is individual and childbirth in each cat can take place in a different time interval. The standard time between births of kittens can be from 5 minutes to several hours. If the interval is more than 5 hours, then you should contact your veterinarian or stimulate contractions yourself.

Procreation is one of the natural wonders of nature and the main task for every living organism. But any important process, even completely natural, is not always easy. Cat owners are faced with giving birth to their pet more than once. Some carelessly rely on nature and do not even interfere in the process. But if a cat is surrounded by caring and caring household members, she has more chances for a successful, safe birth and healthy offspring..

Should owners help a cat with childbirth?

Fluffy angels are often born at home, where the cat feels most secure. If the pregnancy proceeded favorably, and the cat feels well, she will cope on her own - the owner can only quietly control the process. Healthy cats do a wonderful job even with the first birth, producing beautiful, strong offspring. But if there are the slightest risks for the cat or her cubs, it is recommended that the "mommy" be taken to the veterinarian - experienced doctors know how to minimize problems.

It's great when the owners control the entire pregnancy and know the due date for childbirth. Usually the cat's "position" lasts 60-70 days - this is enough time to read the entire important information and prepare for the birth process.

Attentive owners notice everything a week before birth important changes able pets and are already at the ready. These are the most important days in which the cat should not be left unattended. If these are not the first kittens in the pet, then the owner, who has already gained experience, easily notices the signs early delivery. But how to determine that a cat is about to give birth if she has never brought kittens? How to behave as an owner and what to do for the benefit of his pet, which will face a difficult test?

First of all, you need to calm the panic so that the animal does not become infected with nervousness and does not think that some kind of trouble has come into the house. The first signal of the upcoming birth is the cat throwing around the apartment in search of a place for kittens. Usually the pet is looking for 1-2 days, after which the contractions begin.

How many kittens can a cat give birth to once?

It is impossible to telepathically predict how many babies a fluffy pet will bring. Usually in one litter there are 1-6 kittens, and it doesn’t matter if it’s the first birth or the fifth. It is impossible to say for sure what exactly will affect the number of cubs. It could be anything:

individual characteristics of the cat's body;
health of the "maternity";
hormonal balance;
weight of the animal;
age.

Already at 7-8 months, the cat is considered sexually mature and can become pregnant. However, this is too early age in order to safely carry all the fertilized eggs and produce healthy kittens. Therefore, at such a young age, a cat's pregnancy can fail, and among the born cubs, alas, not everyone can be alive.

The best age for cat birth is 1.5-6 years. During this period, the body is as strong and enduring as possible, and hormonal background stable."Elderly" cats sometimes also give birth, but, basically, no more than 2-3 babies once. Moreover, childbirth in older individuals takes place with complications, and the ability to conceive is gradually fading away. Already by the age of 9, many cats cross the threshold of "fertility" and no longer bear offspring.

No matter how old the woman in labor is, the owners do not just worry about the number of new household members. Not everyone can leave the kids in the apartment, and finding new owners is not so easy. That's why the owners fuss, not knowing how much good hands they will have to look, and what to do next.

Signs and symptoms of impending labor

When the cat's gestation period starts to get to 2 months, tension builds in the house. The owners are worried: well, when already? You should carefully look at the pet. Only careful monitoring of the expectant mother will help determine that labor is about to begin. The signs of this are as follows:

Kitty starts to lose his appetite, her movements become sluggish, limited. This is the most bright sign that labor will soon begin.
fluffy mommy looking for a secluded place, inspects the whole apartment, sniffing corners, even opening cupboards with his paw. Some owners prepare a box with a piece in advance for the woman in labor warm blanket inside, but the animal may not approve of it and keep looking.
A couple of hours before the onset of the birth process, the cat comes out with a mucous plug, and vaginal discharge appears.
If you closely examine the belly of the future mother, you can see how the nipples are swollen, as well as the colostrum that comes out of them.

It is easier for women to put themselves in the place of a giving birth cat and imagine how she feels and how she worries. But the male owners usually have no idea what will happen and how. It is advisable for them to read special literature in advance, to get acquainted with the physiology of the cat, and then errors during obstetrics will be reduced to a minimum.

The birth has begun!

When a cat has the first contractions, she may scream loudly. This means the process has begun. But before the first newborn fluffy is born, the kitty has a lot to deal with. A lot also depends on the behavior of the owner. The animal is already helpless and frightened, and if the household will run around and loudly discuss what is happening, this will cause the cat great discomfort and suffering.

Childbirth in a cat goes through several stages:

The waters are leaving.
The cervix and birth canal open.
The first cub appears (each next kitten will go outside in 15-30 minutes).
The placenta comes out of the uterus.

Cat birth is not uncommon, but the pet must be taken seriously. loving host be sure to go to the pharmacy in advance and buy the following products:

sterile gauze;
small towel;
scissors;
pipette;
warmer;
baby cream or vaseline.

Start of labor

Even the most experienced owner must understand: sometimes there are Unexpected situations, and, it would seem, to absolutely healthy cat you have to call the doctor. This must be taken into account and have a telephone at hand, and it is better to arrange a meeting with the veterinarian at home in advance. Cat birth lasts up to 12 hours. And if this is the first birth, the pet, like a woman, will be more worried and feel pain more acutely. Plus, the process itself can be delayed.

The beginning of contractions scares the cat: she begins to fuss, breathe often, may scream in fright. The most important: in no case should you scold a cat, even if it starts to behave inappropriately. In a calm tone, you should call the pet by name several times, stroke it (if the cat allows it), try to calm it down or distract it with a toy. The animal must feel the protection of the person.

Video "Harbingers, the onset of labor in a cat, how to know that a cat has begun to give birth?"

What to do if the birth process is very weak?

If half an hour has passed after the discharge of the waters, and labor has not begun, this is a cause for alarm. The cat needs urgent help, but you can’t rush too much - careless and thoughtless actions can only cause more harm.

The owner can do the following:

lubricate fingers with petroleum jelly (baby cream);
very carefully insert your fingers into the pet’s vagina and try to pull the kitten by the shoulders with weak, helical movements (you can’t pull the head, you can inadvertently break the baby’s neck and kill him);
support the abdomen of the pet with the second hand;
if the contractions have stopped, rumple the back and tummy of the pet to stimulate a new attempt.

These measures should only be taken in extreme cases! If 30 minutes after contractions has not yet passed, you can not provoke labor on your own.

And here is the baby

As soon as the amniotic sac bursts, it's time to wait for the first baby to appear. First, amniotic fluid comes out, they soften the birth canal. In a few minutes, the first kitten should appear. Some pets give birth to their entire brood with an interval of 5 minutes. Others take half an hour for each fluffy angel. It is impossible to predict how much a cat will manage. But if 30 minutes have passed since the appearance of the first kitten, and the brothers still do not leave the womb, urgent action must be taken.

Childbirth should end within 2-4 hours, after the appearance of each baby, the cat, armed with natural instincts, begins to play the role of a mother. She gets acquainted with the kitten, sniffs it, immediately licks its muzzle. Then it gnaws through the umbilical cord and eats all unnecessary amniotic membranes. The placenta comes out of the uterus on its own. The owners should not be afraid that the cat eats the afterbirth. But it is important to know that if a pet has an upset gastrointestinal tract, then the placenta in the stomach may be to blame.

If not all babies were born, what to do?

If the cat’s birth is suddenly too long, you don’t need to immediately think about the bad. But it's also not worth waiting until everything resolves itself. The first births are very long. If there are a lot of kittens in the womb, the process can also be delayed. But how do you know if all the little ones have come out? Suddenly 1 or 2 remained inside, and the animal is not going to continue labor? So, when the owner should be wary:

The cat has strange behavior.
If you feel the abdomen, it is determined by a seal about the size of a kitten.
The cat's tummy does not "deflate".
The temperature has risen to 39 degrees.
Appeared greenish discharge from the vagina.

It also happens that mommy just decides to "rest" a little, having already produced 4-5 babies. And during the break, the cat calmly goes about her maternal affairs: she licks the kittens, feeds them, eliminates the remnants of the placenta. If the cat looks calm and content, everything is in order, after some time the remaining kittens will be born.

But if one or more of the above symptoms are present, then the presence of kittens in the womb can lead to big problems. The owner, who noticed something was wrong, urgently needs to call a specialist. Every minute is precious. Not only unborn kittens are under threat, but the cat itself.

Maternal instinct

If the birth went well, the cat is happy, and the kittens are healthy, there is no reason to worry. Nature has laid in the pet a program for the care of offspring, which the cat will carry out in the allotted time for this. No one is better at taking care of babies than a mother herself.

But it wouldn't hurt to take care of the cat. The pet was very tired, she spent a lot of energy and nerves on the difficult process of childbirth. Now she has an equally difficult task - to leave all the offspring. The cat needs a rich man complete diet, which contains proteins to the maximum and all useful vitamins. The pet will share all this wealth with kittens, feeding them with milk. By 3 weeks of age, babies can already eat on their own, and they can be attached to new hands.

Important Facts

An owner planning to breed offspring from his pet should know that:

There are a few tips, following which will help not only to endure and give birth to healthy babies for your pussy for the first time, but also keep you calm and nerves:

A cat's pregnancy must be planned. And in the preparatory period, you need to get a doctor's consultation, check for contraindications, perhaps do an ultrasound of the small pelvis and pass some tests.
A primiparous cat must observe good physical activity , but without excessive loads. The items she needs should be within reach so that the pet does not try to jump too high. Pregnant animals should not be allowed outside unaccompanied.
The nutrition of the expectant mother should be complete and balanced.. No deficit allowed important elements: calcium, proteins, vitamins. Mandatory in the diet meat products, dairy. Perhaps the doctor will advise a complex of vitamins. Do not neglect the recommendations if you want to get full-fledged offspring and keep your cat healthy.
AT last days pregnancy, purchase drugs that may be needed during labor: Oxytocin to stimulate contractions, Gamavit to maintain the body of the woman in labor, Ringer's solution to prevent dehydration.
If you are as inexperienced in cat birth as your pet, then think about professional help. When contractions appear, you can call the veterinarian home, this will help prevent the occurrence of unforeseen complications.
At self help in the process of childbirth, carefully study the entire theoretical base to be ready to help and not panic at all. When health threatening and life situations, seek medical attention immediately.

Although labor activity is a natural process laid down by nature, the first time is always the most difficult, even for a cat, even for a person. After a couple of litters, your pet will be experienced enough to manage on her own. But for the first time giving birth, it is better not to be left without the support of a loving owner. And your task is to remain completely calm so that an inexperienced animal does not become even more nervous.

The time of the birth of small kittens-lumps is approaching, and for a couple of months of pregnancy, the owners, of course, managed to prepare and found out everything about the birth of cats.

The most important thing is to properly equip the place of birth for the pet and put it in the place where it will be convenient, if necessary, to carry out obstetric care. Often the cat herself chooses secluded corners in the apartment, in closets on clean linen or in the master's bed, but you should not allow her to make a nest there. Childbirth is not a completely clean process, and it will become unpleasant if you have to wash a bunch of laundry or expensive things get damaged.

It is important to equip her with a place in advance, in a spacious clean box and accustom her to it in advance. At the bottom of the box, you need to lay many layers of paper or use disposable sheets that are convenient to change during childbirth. If there is a suitable house for a cat, then you can arrange a "maternity" there. In the room where the birth will take place, there should be no noise, no strangers, children and animals.

If the cat is giving birth for the first time, or the owner feels that he cannot help on his own, then you can invite a veterinarian in advance and discuss the time of a possible call.

Before giving birth to a cat, you need to prepare a bowl of water, food and put a bag for garbage.

Also on hand should be a phone with the number of a veterinarian, in case something goes wrong, scissors, a pipette, surgical gloves, a separate box for kittens with soft bedding and a heating pad, petroleum jelly (gel lubricant), thread and any antiseptic.

The time of childbirth, if the owner is at home, cannot be missed. Even a day before, the cat comes to the owner to fawn and exposes her stomach so that he strokes it. Before giving birth, kittens begin to move actively, as if “line up”, and then freeze. The behavior of a cat before childbirth changes beyond recognition. Usually a sleepy and calm cat staggers restlessly around the rooms, trying on a nest or looking for secluded, hard-to-reach places. It is important to measure rectal temperature, it should be below normal, approximately 36.7 degrees.

As the pain before childbirth increases, the cat begins to purr rhythmically and breathe heavily, the vagina looks swollen and bloody or yellowish discharge. Although the owner may not notice this moment, as the cat carefully takes care of itself.

The first stage usually lasts from 12 hours to a day.

A strong emotional attachment of a cat to the owners will require the owner to be constantly, during the entire period of childbirth, so the cat will be much calmer.

At the first stage, the cat begins contractions, which are supported by attempts, under the influence of their efforts, the fetus gradually moves through the birth canal.

The second stage is the birth itself, their clear harbinger will be the rupture of the amniotic sac. Between the pouring out of the liquid and the birth of the first kitten, no more than two hours should pass, otherwise the veterinarian should be called immediately. The kitten usually goes head first, but there is a wrong one, posterior presentation, which can be seen by the presence of a tail or back paw, not muzzles. A rearward birth is not abnormal, but in some cases the kitten should be helped by gently pulling it towards you and down (so as not to damage the spine). Too long tail-first birth can cause the kitten to suffocate.

During childbirth, cats behave differently, and breed affiliation also matters here. Highly bred, elite cats, as a rule, do not have natural knowledge and skills, so they need the help of a veterinarian or an experienced owner.

Usually, cats themselves break the fetal bladder near the baby’s muzzle and bite the umbilical cord, but if this does not happen, or the birth is fast and the cat simply does not keep up with the newborns, this function should be taken over by the owner of the cat. This should be done carefully, with clean hands and obstetrics. If the kitten is in the shell, then it is torn with hands near the nose and the umbilical cord is carefully cut at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from the tummy. slight bleeding can be stopped with an antiseptic wipe (not iodine) or hydrogen peroxide. Then the kitten is carefully wiped with a clean cloth and the nose and mouth are cleaned of mucus. You can put the kitten on a heating pad in a separate box, but it is better, if possible, under the nipples to the cat. Starting to suck colostrum, the kitten stimulates labor activity, and the whole process will go more smoothly.

The third stage of childbirth is characterized calm state uterus and the exit of the placenta after each cub. It is important to calculate how many afterbirths there were, their number should correspond to the number of kittens. Sometimes the cat eats the afterbirth. But it is better not to let this be done (or no more than 2), otherwise there may be vomiting or diarrhea. The rest period usually lasts 15 minutes, after which labor continues.

If the birth goes without complications, then the owner of the cat can only count the kittens and the afterbirth, which should all come out, otherwise serious problems cannot be avoided. inflammatory processes in the uterus.

The physiological feature of the cat is such that after the birth of a certain number of kittens, childbirth can stop, and will continue after 12-36 hours, when the rest of the babies are born. There is no need to worry in this case.

When is help needed?

The cat after childbirth calms down and takes a place next to the newborns, carefully licking and massaging them until they are sated. Soiled rags and napkins must be removed and the place covered with clean ones. If the cat has long wool, and it got dirty around the tail, then you need to wash and dry the cat. You should not leave her in this form, because when she licks herself, she swallows wool, which can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Help from the owner or veterinarian is required if:

Often a kitten appeared, but he himself could not be born for a long time;

The cat did not immediately release the kitten from the amniotic sac;

The cat did not gnaw through the umbilical cord within 10 minutes;

The afterbirth does not come out for a long time (especially after the last kitten).

Urgent veterinary care needed if:

- in a cat fever and fever;

Pregnancy lasts more than 70 days;

A sudden bright red discharge from the vagina has begun, or an unpleasant odor has begun;

The first phase of labor lasts more than a day;

Strong contractions for two hours, but kittens are not born, the simultaneous passage of kittens through the birth canal is possible.

The first days after childbirth, you should not disturb the cat too often and take babies in your arms. Do not forget that any cat is a predator, and, defending its offspring, it can inflict serious wounds on a person. Let her take care of the newborn babies herself.

Frequently Asked Doctor Questions.

How long does a cat birth last?

From half an hour to two days, it all depends on the cat itself, the breed and whether it is the first or subsequent births.

If the cat does not deal with newborns at all, what should I do?

Take over this feature. The maternal instinct is not inherent in all cats, especially for artificially bred high-bred individuals.

Do I need to feed my cat right after giving birth?

Usually cats do not ask for food after giving birth, but rest quietly. And here is clean drinking water should always be available.