How can I tell when a
feral cat
is ready to give birth?
-
Mammary glands will increase in size. During the
final week
of pregnancy, the mammary glands of your cat will increase in size - Nesting behavior will begin
- Temperature will fall
- Behavior changes
- Decrease in appetite
- Licking, pacing, howling, and chirping.
What can I give my pregnant stray cat?
The
mother cat
should be fed
high quality kitten food
during the pregnancy and through the duration of nursing the kittens. Kittens should not be separated from the mother and siblings until they are fully weaned—generally 8 weeks old as this provides important nutrition and social skills for the kittens.
Where is the best place for a cat to have kittens?
Once she is close to birth, your pregnant cat will be searching out a safe and secluded place to deliver her kittens. Make it easier for her by creating a special nesting place A simple high-sided cardboard box lined with soft towels, bedding, newspapers, etc.
How big should a box be for a cat to give birth?
A good size is 15 inches by 24 inches , bigger if you have a large-breed cat. Cut a piece out of the middle of one side that is large enough for the cat to get through — about 5 inches wide. Leave the bottom 4 or 5 inches of the box intact so newborn kittens can’t fall out but the mother doesn’t have to jump to get in.
How long are feral cats pregnant?
Cats can have three litters each year, although two are more likely, with a gestation period of approximately 65 days.
Do cats give birth at night?
Your cat’s labour should go smoothly, but it’s useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Get hold of your vet’s out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night , or they might need an emergency helping hand.
Will a shelter take a pregnant cat?
If the pregnant cat is a stray and you are determined to help her finish out her pregnancy and give birth, the shelter or rescue should have plenty of advice and resources for you. Once her babies are born and weaned, the mom and her babies can be placed up for adoption.
Do feral cats have kittens in the winter?
As winter draws to a close and the weather begins to warm, many unaltered female cats are in heat. Sixty days later they begin giving birth to litters of kittens.
Should I take
feral kittens
from mother?
5-6 weeks is the optimal age to take the kittens from a feral Mama Cat for socialization and adoption placement, and any time after 8 weeks for Trap-Neuter-Return (spay/neuter, vaccination, eartip, and return to their colony). For kittens of friendly cats, they should remain with Mama Cat until at least 8-10 weeks old.
How many kittens usually survive in a litter?
The mortality rate, which is the ratio of kittens that die at or immediately after birth, is between 15% and 30% This means that, in an average litter, it is likely that one kitten won’t make it. It is also possible that all kittens will be healthy.
What does it mean when a stray cat comes to your house?
This means there is a very good chance you will have a close encounter with the feline kind if you haven’t already If you find a stray cat hanging around your house, or trying to gain access inside, it is more than likely looking for a safe haven with food, water, and a little bit of TLC.
Can a pregnant feral cat be spayed?
Can a pregnant or in-heat cat be spayed? Yes, spay surgery can be done on both pregnant and in-heat cats Pregnant females whose kittens are aborted often receive extra care and fluids following surgery.
Do feral kittens stay together?
Almost all feline species live (mostly) solitary lives However, some feral cats will live in colonies that loosely resemble lion prides. A colony consists of a group of (usually) related females and their offspring. The size of the colony depends on the availability of food and other resources.
Do cats need help delivering kittens?
Fortunately, most queens can deliver their kittens without human intervention However, some complications may occur. Extended contractions without birth: If your cat is having more than 60 minutes of strong contractions without any progress, take it and any kittens to your vet.
What do I need for my cat to give birth?
- Feed your mother-to-be kitten food
- Set up a kittening area
- Choose the right bedding
- Organise some emergency equipment
- Prepare milk replacer and kitten food.
Where do feral cats hide their kittens outside?
In places where there are no human-made structures, look in trees and bushes or try to find any sort of natural den that may be in the area While the cat will want to find someplace hidden and remote, they won’t want to stray too far from familiar territory.
How long is a cat in labor for the first time?
Scratching and bed-making may be evident and some cats may begin to pant. “In many cats having their first litter, this first stage of labor can last up to thirty-six hours” The queen usually stops eating during the last twenty-four hours before labor, and her temperature may drop below 100°F (37.8°C).
How long after the water breaks does a cat give birth?
Abdominal contractions will then commence, the queen will strain and the first kitten should be born within 1 to 2 hours The placental membrane often ruptures (“breaking of the waters”) prior to the kitten being born but is not always the case and some kittens are born completely covered in their membranes.
What should a pregnant cat not do?
Avoid any excessively rowdy activity towards the end of your cat’s pregnancy, however. You will need to help her stay calm as she nears her due date, as anything too active could cause her stress. Throughout the pregnancy be sure to pay attention to her appetite and her comfort level.
Do cats need a whelping box?
You should put together a nesting box where your queen can give birth This can be a cardboard box that’s big enough for her to lie down in and with tall enough sides so the kittens won’t fall out. Line it with plastic and then newspaper, which is easily removed if it becomes soiled, and cover it with a blanket.
Can I touch newborn kittens?
Vets recommend not touching kittens unless you have to while their eyes are still closed You can check on them to make sure they’re healthy and gaining weight, but try to limit direct physical contact. The kitten’s mother will also let you know how comfortable she is with you handling her babies.
How many kittens can a 1 year old cat have?
How many kittens are in a cat’s first litter? A healthy cat’s gestational period lasts roughly 63–65 days, and queens may have an estrus cycle within four weeks of giving birth, even if they’re still nursing. A healthy queen can potentially give birth to three litters per year, each containing up to 12 kittens.
Where do stray cats usually give birth?
To reduce her stress, provide a warm, secluded, quiet area for her to give birth and nurse her litter. If you cannot trap her, or if she seems about to give birth outside, provide a warm, outdoor cat shelter so she can choose to have her kittens in it.
How do you make a kitten whelping box?
The box should be lined with paper at the bottom Newspaper makes a good material as it is clean, disposable, absorbent and the queen can tear it up when she is building her “nest.” Soft washable bedding material can also be used such as blankets, towels or whelping pads.
How many kittens does a feral cat usually have?
Data from scientific studies yield facts to reveal truths about free-roaming cats. A study of 2332 female cats revealed an average of 1.4 litters/year with litters averaging three kittens/litter Approximately 75% of kittens died or disappeared by six months of age.
How often can a feral cat have kittens?
Female cats can reproduce 2 to 3 times a year , and their kittens, if they survive, will become feral without very early contact with people. Cats can become fertile as early as 5 months of age, and the number of cats rapidly increases without intervention by responsible and caring people.
How can you tell how many kittens a cat will have?
Unfortunately, there is no real way to know how many kittens your cat will have with any certainty At around 3 weeks an experienced vet can palpate the stomach and get a rough idea of how many kittens there are, but not a precise number.
What do you feed a cat after she gives birth?
Nursing mother cats need to eat a high quality kitten formula food If she is a picky eater, do not hesitate to try feeding her canned tuna, chicken or salmon. Do not give cow’s milk to cats, despite popular belief, it is impossible for cat’s to digest and often causes serious stomach upset.
Do cats purr a lot when in Labour?
The cervix relaxes (dilates) and uterine contractions begin. Your cat may purr and socialise during this time.
Can feral cats be nice?
You may have a chance of taming or domesticating a feral kitten. However, it’s not generally recommended to tame a feral cat, and it’s usually not possible to tame an adult one. Feral cats aren’t used to human contact, and they probably won’t ever be as docile and friendly as a domesticated cat.
How cold is too cold for a feral cat?
As a general rule, vets advise against allowing your cat to stay outdoors without a warm place to retreat when the average daily temperature is lower than 45°F That’s average, not one-time. If it’s been 55°F all day but dips to 44°F during the night?.
What is the best bedding for feral cats?
Straw, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it the best bedding for outdoor cat shelters Loosely pack the straw in the shelter to the quarter or halfway point.
Do mother cats get sad when their kittens leave?
If kittens are removed before the age of 10 weeks and before they are fully weaned, this behavior from the mother cat may persist a bit longer, but not by much as she’s instinctually programmed to leave her litter and cats do not “remember” or “grieve” for kittens in the way that a human parent would.
References
Feral Pregnant Cat Delilah & Her Kittens Find Peace, Love AND A New Forever Home…TOGETHER!