information about cats

 Key questions on the topic

- How long does a cat's pregnancy last?

58 to 72 days from the expected mating date.

- How long does the birth of cats last?

From 6 to 24 hours.

- After what period of time from the onset of childbirth are kittens born?

The first kitten is born within 2 hours after the amniotic fluid breaks.

- What is the normal interval between the birth of kittens?

Kittens are born at intervals of 15 minutes to 2 hours.

- How to determine how many kittens a cat will give birth to?

On the 21-28th day of pregnancy, you can do an ultrasound scan, on the 35th - feel the kittens with your fingers, on the 40-50th - conduct an X-ray examination. X-ray is the most reliable. It helps to determine the position of the fruit and their size. But they do it only according to indications.

How to determine the date of birth of a cat

To determine the most likely date of birth, there are special pregnancy calculators. But the calculation will be inaccurate. And all because its duration is influenced by several factors at once.

For example:

Breed. Pregnancy in Siamese cats and Orientals can last 66 days. While a Burmese or a cat has a Korat - only 53.

How to determine the date of birth of a cat

The number of kittens. If the pregnancy is multiple (more than 5 kittens), childbirth begins earlier, if the pregnancy is infertile (1-2 kittens), the cat walks.

Psycho-emotional state. If the animal is experiencing severe stress - for example, moving to a new home - kittens can be born both post-term and premature.

Age. Primiparous and mature cats (over 5 years old) may give birth late.

Relying on the duration of the previous pregnancy will also not work. Even if the cat gives birth not for the first time, each subsequent pregnancy proceeds in a new way, and no one can guarantee a repetition of the past experience.

Instead, veterinarians recommend looking closely at the first signs of labor. As a rule, they are of the same type and begin 2-3 days before an important date, or even a week.

The first signs of childbirth in a cat

Harbingers of the imminent birth of kittens are of two types: behavioral and physiological. Let's analyze both of them in relation to the time at which they can be seen:

1 week before delivery. The cat is actively looking for a secluded quiet place and spends a lot of time there. Some pets drag rags, napkins or towels there. But this is optional.

The first signs of childbirth in a cat

When examining the nipples of the expectant mother, you can see that they are enlarged in size, and the skin in their halo is flaky. These are signs of the imminent production of colostrum - the secret of the mammary gland, rich in antibodies for the formation of primary immunity of the cubs.

The general behavior of the cat expresses nervousness. The animal can become aggressive and irritable, or, conversely, atypically sociable and affectionate.

2-3 days before delivery. The cat loses its appetite and drinks little. Eaten food begins to put pressure on the uterus and cause discomfort to the animal. Therefore, the daily portion is not completely eaten, and the pet often screams immediately after feeding.

1-2 days before delivery. The cat follows the owner on the heels and attracts his attention with his voice.

At the same time, you can notice how colostrum begins to stand out from the nipples, and a mucous plug from the loop. If the pregnancy proceeds without pathologies, the mucus will be transparent with small streaks of blood. If something went wrong - cloudy, with an unpleasant odor, yellowness or greenery. If you find mucus of an atypical color and consistency, you should immediately consult a doctor. This may be a sign of death of the kittens, infection of the birth canal or inflammation of the uterus.

1 day before delivery. Body temperature drops by 1 degree (to approximately 37-37.5 degrees). To track the decrease in temperature relative to the usual norm, the owner will need a graph of its fluctuation for the previous week. Measurements are taken rectally or with an ear thermometer. But his testimony is less accurate.

At the same time, active movements of the abdomen are observed. The cat constantly licks the external genitalia and goes to the toilet.

5-6 hours before delivery. The cat arches its back and tightens its stomach. The body is preparing for contractions.

Usually cats give birth in the evening or at night. In order not to miss an important event, in the last week of pregnancy, control your pet around the clock.