My cat is approximately a month and a half pregnant. She is very big in the belly, and I can see all the babies moving. Her nipples are very big, but she doesn't show any signs of getting ready for the birth. How can I tell when she is ready for birth?

Observe her eating habits

Your cat is huge since she is in the late stage of pregnancy. The average gestation of cats is 63 days, making her just about due.

She will begin to show nesting behavior when she is ready to have the kittens. She may also refuse to eat during the last 24 to 48 hours of gestation. This is a good indicator that she is going to be giving birth soon. If she does not give birth, then you may need to have her examined by a veterinarian. It is important to provide her with a secluded, inviting place to have the kittens. A closet or bathroom that can be partially closed off is a good place to allow her to have them. Provide her with a box and clean towels.

Mother cats do not like to have an audience when giving birth and can even delay birth if they feel bothered. They will often become restless and pant prior to the birth. Some cats will vocalize or purr. It is okay to sneak in to check her periodically, but you should disturb her as little as possible. Her instincts will get her through the process very well.

I would recommend that you find a veterinarian to examine the mother, or queen, and the kittens within a few days after the birth. They will palpate her to be sure all of the kittens have been delivered and that she is doing well. The kittens will all be checked for congenital abnormalities and overall health.

Be sure that you are feeding the queen a good quality kitten (not adult formula) food so that she will have enough nutrition for nursing. Please refer to our magazine article for more detailed information in "The Art of Successful Queening."

If you do not wish to raise any more kittens, then I strongly recommend that you have the queen spayed after the kittens are weaned. This will help to keep her healthy for the long run. For more information about spaying, see the "Spaying, Feline" article in our encyclopedia.

05/04/06