How to Assist a Cat in Giving Birth

No matter if you’re raising a purebred cat for a livelihood or are simply taking care of one, it’s crucial to know what steps to take when your cat goes into labor and delivers kittens. The typical pregnancy period for cats lasts around 65-67 days, so once you confirm your cat is pregnant, it’s time to start preparing for the birth. Here are the steps you need to follow.

Look for signs of pregnancy. If your cat displays any of the following signs, she may be expecting.

• Common pregnancy signs include enlarged and pinker nipples, a growing belly, and the absence of mating behavior.

Take your cat for a checkup. Once you know your cat is pregnant (or at least suspect it), take her to a licensed veterinary clinic for a health check.

• The vet can often confirm pregnancy without much intervention and will offer valuable advice on how to prepare for the arrival of the kittens.
• Especially if your cat is overweight or has a history of health issues, it’s essential to bring her to the vet as soon as pregnancy is suspected to prevent any health risks for your cat.
• In some cases, the vet may determine whether continuing the pregnancy could pose a risk to the mother, which may lead to a humane decision to terminate or spay.
• The vet can also estimate how many kittens your cat is carrying, which is helpful for you when assisting with the birth.

Adjust the cat's diet during the final stages. When a cat reaches the third trimester (around day 42 of pregnancy or when her belly noticeably expands), she will have different nutritional needs, so make sure she gets enough food.

• Maintain her normal diet during the first two-thirds of the pregnancy.
• In the final stages, feed her kitten food with more calories in smaller portions as the growing kittens start to crowd her stomach. Kitten food is ideal to help maintain proper nutrition for the mother.

Create a nest. Cats need a warm, quiet, and safe space to give birth, and they will instinctively seek out such a place before labor. If your cat starts looking for a nesting spot, it means labor is approaching, and it’s a perfect time to guide her to the space you’ve prepared.

• Utility rooms or bathrooms are ideal; just ensure there are no children or dogs around, as the mother cat needs a safe, relaxing environment in her nest.
• Prepare fresh water, food, and a small box (ensure food, water, and litter are placed at least half a meter away from the nest to avoid contamination).
• Find a box with high sides and line it with towels, soft blankets, newspapers, or anything old that you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Regardless of the material you choose, make sure it’s odor-free, as cats have a highly sensitive sense of smell and may refuse to use the box if it smells.

Prepare for the kittens’ arrival. Continue feeding her high-quality food and watch for signs of reduced appetite, which indicates that labor is imminent.

• If your cat is a long-haired breed, consider trimming the fur around the genitals (a few days or a week before birth). Some also suggest shaving the fur around the nipples to prevent the kittens from swallowing hair while nursing.
• If you haven’t trimmed her claws before the birth, avoid doing so now, as it may hinder the kittens from recognizing their mother’s scent.

Be prepared yourself. In addition to the items like the nest box, food, water, and litter, you should have a few more essentials ready in case of an emergency.

• Keep a cat carrier nearby for easy transport to the vet in case anything goes wrong.
• Ensure your phone is charged, and save the vet’s number and the nearest animal hospital contact details for quick access during potential complications.
• Have a stack of clean towels ready to help clean up the kittens when necessary.
• Purchase kitten formula and bottles from a pet store to assist in caring for the kittens alongside the mother.

Track the pregnancy cycle. The length of pregnancy can vary and it's difficult to determine the exact day your cat will give birth. Therefore, a cat that has been pregnant for 67 days should be professionally checked.

• The veterinarian will use a machine to scan the mother's belly in order to assess the health of the kittens and may extend the pregnancy by another 4-5 days. If the kittens still haven’t been born by then, a cesarean should be considered.

Look for signs of complications. Warning signs of potential issues include unusual discharge and illness.

• Unusual discharge: Mucus leaking from a cat’s vagina during pregnancy is abnormal. Greenish-yellow discharge may indicate uterine infection, light green suggests placental separation, and vaginal bleeding could point to a ruptured placenta. If you notice these symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.
• Illness: The mother cat’s body goes under a lot of stress during pregnancy, and her immune system weakens. If your cat seems unwell (vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, loss of appetite), take her to the vet without delay.

Give space. During most of the birth process, the mother cat won’t need you. However, being present nearby can help calm her.

• Maintain a sufficient distance so that the mother can focus on giving birth, but remain close enough to intervene if necessary.
• Be prepared for potential risks and recognize the signs of complications.

Know when the cat is about to go into labor. Familiarize yourself with the signs that indicate the cat is nearing labor. The first stage usually lasts 12 to 24 hours and involves the following signs:

• Restlessness or agitation, looking for a place to hide (guide her to the prepared nest)
• Licking herself thoroughly, especially around the genital area
• Slow movement and heavy breathing
• Growling or loud meowing
• A temperature drop of about one to two degrees from the usual 38.9ºC
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• If you notice vaginal bleeding, seek professional help immediately. Bleeding before birth is a sign that something is wrong, and the cat may need medical intervention.

Clean and sanitize your hands when help is needed. Remove watches and rings, then wash your hands with antibacterial soap. Rub the soap into your hands, covering the back of your hands and wrists. You should rub the soap for at least 5 minutes. Use a nail brush or an old toothbrush to clean beneath your nails.

• Do not use hand sanitizer! It does not fully eliminate bacteria, and you do not want the kitten to lick any residual hand sanitizer on its fur, which could potentially make the entire litter sick.
• Hand washing is a precautionary step, and the mother cat should handle the delivery herself. Only intervene if a kitten is having trouble, and then quickly return it to the nest.

Observe every kitten after it is born. Once the mother cat enters the nesting box and begins experiencing labor pains, the best thing you can do is stay quiet, be prepared, and monitor closely throughout the process. Remember that you and the surrounding environment must be peaceful, as any distraction, the presence of other animals, or moving the mother cat to an unfamiliar place could delay the birth. The next stage of labor, Stage 2, will progress as follows:

• The cervix dilates, and the mother cat begins uterine contractions.
• The contractions intensify, and the first kitten moves into the birth canal. This takes 2-3 minutes, and the mother typically assumes a squatting position. She may grunt and pant.
• The amniotic sac (the water) emerges first, followed by the kitten (either the head or two feet first).
• Once Stage 2 begins, it will last approximately 30 minutes to an hour, with the first kitten born. The kittens will arrive every 30 minutes, sometimes up to an hour apart.
• If over an hour passes and the mother cat has calmed but continues to strain with no kitten appearing, something may be wrong. Examine the mother’s vulva. If nothing is visible, call a vet. If you see signs of a kitten, allow the mother to continue for 5 more minutes. If there’s still no progress, you should assist. Wash your hands thoroughly and gently grip the visible part of the kitten while the mother’s contractions continue. If the kitten does not slide out easily, contact a vet.

Ensure the mother cat breaks the amniotic sac and licks each kitten clean. The mother will lick vigorously to break the sac so the kittens can breathe and move.

• If the mother cat does not do this quickly, you must intervene. Put on sterilized gloves and break the amniotic sac to allow the kitten to breathe. Wipe the kitten’s face with a clean, dry towel.
• Return the kitten to the mother by placing it under her nose. If she remains indifferent and the kitten starts to tremble from being wet, you need to dry it with a clean, dry towel. This will cause the kitten to cry, drawing the mother’s attention and care. Now is the perfect time to place the kitten back in the nest with her.

Examine the placenta. Each kitten is accompanied by a placenta, which must be expelled from the mother’s body. Be vigilant for any retained placentas, as this can cause infection and death to the mother.

• DO NOT PULL THE PLACENTA OUT. If you pull the umbilical cord, it will tear the mother’s uterus, leading to death. If you suspect a placenta remains inside, take the mother to the vet.
• It’s common for cats to eat their placentas. They are rich in nutrients and hormones that help replenish the mother’s body, so don’t interfere with this process. Just ensure she does not attempt to eat her kitten, as she may be inexperienced in birthing.
• Allow the mother to consume a few placentas, but dispose of the rest, as excessive nutrients at once could cause diarrhea or vomiting.

Do not cut the umbilical cord. Many believe that cutting the umbilical cord of the placenta is unnecessary. Most mother cats will chew through it naturally. If she does not, consult a vet.

• Do not cut the umbilical cord if it is still inside the mother. The umbilical cord is attached to the placenta, which could become lodged inside her body and fail to expel. This can lead to infection and danger to the mother. Instead of attempting it yourself, call the vet for guidance.

Ensure the kittens start nursing as soon as possible. The initial milk, known as colostrum, is rich in nutrients and antibodies that are vital for newborn kittens.

• Newborn kittens are both blind and deaf; they rely on their sense of smell and touch to find their mother's nipples. Sometimes they do this immediately, but other times, it may take a moment after birth before they begin nursing.
• The mother cat may wait until all the kittens are born before allowing them to nurse. However, if she shows signs of refusing to nurse, you should use the prepared bottle and formula to feed the kittens yourself.
• If a kitten attempts to nurse while meowing, it might indicate that the mother cat is having trouble producing milk. In this case, a vet can stimulate her milk glands, but in the meantime, continue feeding the kittens with formula using the bottle.

Taking Care of Kitten Health. Always keep an eye on the kittens to ensure they are adjusting well.

• If a kitten makes a wheezing sound or seems to be choking, it could be because of fluid in its airway. Hold the kitten in your hands, with its head resting on your fingers, and support it with your other hand (like a sling shot). Make sure to wear gloves and handle the kitten carefully since newborns are very slippery. Gently shake the kitten up and down to help any fluid drain from its lungs. Use gauze to clean its face afterward.
• If the mother cat cat seems disinterested in her kittens, try rubbing her scent onto the babies. If this still doesn’t help, you may need to take over the care of the kittens, feeding them regularly and keeping them warm in a box. There are many more details about this, so it’s advisable to seek professional advice from a vet.
• Don’t panic if a kitten appears to have died. Be sure it’s truly deceased before handling it. Try stimulating it by rubbing it with a warm, damp towel or gently raising and lowering its legs, and even blowing gently on its face and mouth.

Postnatal Care for the Mother Cat. Place a nutritious meal and fresh water near the nest once the birth is completed. The mother cat might be reluctant to leave her kittens or even her litter box, so keep everything she needs close by to prevent her from straying too far from the kittens. She needs to eat to replenish her energy and produce milk for nursing.

• In the first few days after birth, the mother cat might not be able to get up, so make sure her food is placed close to her nest.
• Check the mother's recovery progress and observe her level of care for the kittens.

Record Information. Note down the time of birth, gender, weight (using a kitchen scale), and the number of placentas.

• This information will be valuable later for the owner, particularly in relation to any potential health issues.

• As the time for delivery approaches, consider covering your bed and bedding with dark-colored sheets. Even if you've prepared a birthing box, the mother cat may still choose to give birth on your bed due to its familiar scent and safe feeling.
• Avoid getting too close to the cat while it is giving birth unless absolutely necessary. You might get scratched or bitten. Only offer assistance if the mother cat encounters difficulties.
• Unless you plan to breed your cat, consider spaying her for the well-being of the kittens (many unplanned pregnancies lead to abandoned kittens that die from starvation) and the health of your cat. Spaying reduces the risk of uterine infections that can lead to serious health issues and death if not addressed.
• Do not interfere with the birthing process unless the cat requires help.

• If the mother cat has been in labor for two hours with no kittens, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian. Similarly, if there is a gap of more than an hour between the birth of each kitten, get in touch with the vet. The best thing you can do is stay calm and reach out to a professional for guidance.
• Immediately take your cat to the vet if you notice any of the following warning signs:
  • There is no kitten after one hour of uterine contractions
  • A part of a kitten appears but does not emerge fully
  • The mother cat begins to bleed from her vagina

• Antiseptic solution (e.g., Betadine) – You must disinfect anything that comes into contact with the cat, such as scissors, clamps, or the umbilical cord when it is cut.
• Small clamp (consult a veterinarian or a reputable pet store)
• Scissors (not too sharp)
• Medical gauze
• Thin rubber gloves
• Clean, old towels, fabric, or blankets to line the nest
• Carton box of appropriate size with high sides for the mother cat and her kittens
• Kitten milk replacer and a feeding bottle (in case the mother cat doesn't have milk)