How to give birth to a cat? In most cases, the natural process of giving birth to kittens does not require outside intervention; it is relatively easy. Of course, this does not mean that the pet should be left without support. During childbirth, the help of the owner is useful to the pet, the occurrence of complications cannot be ruled out.
Signs of pregnancy
How to give birth to a cat? First you need to learn how to determine pregnancy. In the first 2.5 weeks without an ultrasound, the doctor will not be able to detect signs. The restructuring of the body begins in the third week. Lethargy, constant mood swings, vomiting are possible symptoms. You can also note the pink area of the nipples.
The cat’s belly is rounded closer to 6-7 weeks. At the same time, there is a noticeable increase in the mammary glands.
Pregnancy duration
How to give birth to a cat? The owner should at least approximately determine when they will begin. The duration of gestation depends on the health and breed of the pet. Say, Siberian cats give birth quickly, while their Persian sisters carry kittens in the womb longer than anyone else.
On average, pregnancy lasts 62-66 days.
Pregnancy
Complications during pregnancy are most often observed in thoroughbred animals that have been bred artificially. This is evidenced by the condition of the pet, which is noticeably worsening. The cat can refuse food, whine in a dream. It is difficult for her to get to her feet; she spends most of her time lying down.
Precautionary measures
How to give birth to a cat? Even during the pregnancy of the pet, it is important not to forget about precautions. It is better to pick up the animal as little as possible, raise it. It is especially important not to forget about it when the cat already has a big belly.
If you accidentally hurt your pet while walking, a hiss will be heard in response. Do not be surprised at this, because in this way the cat protects its future offspring. For some time, she can become aggressive after childbirth.
How to give birth to a cat: preparation
Prepare for this procedure in advance. How to give birth to a cat at home? First of all, it is necessary to take care of the so-called "nest". The pet will not like the idea of giving birth on a bare floor, thin litter is also not suitable.
Equipping a “nest” is easy. To do this, you need to take a shallow but wide enough box, throw a soft mattress to the bottom. It can be made from an old towel or blanket or stuffed with synthetic winterizer. It is important to make sure that no threads stick out of the litter. When choosing a fabric, it is advisable to give preference to non-slip material, so that it is convenient for kittens to crawl. In addition to the mattress, disposable diapers for animals, which can be bought at the pet store, should be laid at the bottom. Conventional products for children are also suitable.
Introduce the cat to the nest before delivery. It is important to understand that if she doesn’t like an improvised house, she will look for a more suitable place. To prevent this, the "nest" is best placed in a quiet and dark place.
Tools and materials
How to take birth in a cat? This will require the following tools and materials:
- rags or diapers;
- warmer;
- scissors;
- cotton threads;
- petroleum jelly;
- antiseptic;
- small "nest" for kittens.
What else do you need to think about in advance? The owner must provide all possible options for the development of events. Therefore, you should find out the phone number of a round-the-clock ambulance for animals or a veterinarian. It is better to attach the sheet with the number to the refrigerator, so that in an emergency you do not waste time searching for it. It is also advisable to stock up with a carrier for the animal, with which you can deliver it to the clinic.
Before birth
How to understand that childbirth is close? In a couple of hours, the animal begins to experience excitement, which is completely natural. The pet can refuse water and food, meow, walk around the apartment. A fussy state also indicates anxiety. For example, a cat can climb under a sofa, delve into a cooked "nest", try to settle in a pile of clothes.
The owner should talk with the animal, caress it. Before the "nest" should put a bowl of food and water.
Step-by-step instruction
Even inexperienced owners can help their pet to give birth to kittens. To do this, just follow the steps below. How to take birth in cats? How to help the animal?
- Childbirth begins when gray-brown water leaves. Fights at the pet should begin about 50-70 minutes before the first kitten is born. Labor can weaken, with the result that the baby will be born only 5-8 hours later. If the birth of the first kitten has to wait more than 7 hours, it is best to consult a specialist.
- Delivery without complications lasts 2-4 hours. The interval of the appearance of babies can be from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours. If the pet does not manage to give birth to a second kitten, you should also contact your veterinarian or deliver her to the clinic.
- During childbirth, signs of panic cannot be demonstrated. It is important to remain calm in order to prevent the cat from sinking into a state of stress. The owner should talk with the animal in a quiet and gentle voice, stroking it.
- If the cat’s contractions are weak, it is necessary to help her relax. How to strengthen labor? To do this, pet the belly and back of the pet. If the kitten is stuck in the paths, you also need to intervene. Fingers, pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly, should carefully pull the baby to yourself. You can not pull strongly on the paws, it is necessary to take folds on the body and neck.
- The placenta should not remain inside. If necessary, pull it out with your hands to prevent inflammation. The cat will definitely want to eat the afterbirths left by the newborn kittens. Do not allow her to eat more than two pieces, as this can lead to an upset stomach and stool.
- The cat may not guess to bite off the umbilical cord. In this case, you should arm yourself with disinfected scissors, pull the umbilical cord with a thread at a distance of 2 cm from the belly of the kitten, then squeeze it with your fingers and carefully cut it. Be sure to treat the cut site with an antiseptic.
What to do after?
The above describes how to have a cat at home. What to do after? First, you should examine the newborn kittens. If the lungs are clogged with amniotic fluid, you need to take the baby in the arm and lower it upside down. Thanks to such actions, water will flow out of the nose. You can also shake the kitten a little. You need to make sure that breathing is normal.
Attention should be paid to the cub’s tongue, it should be pink. A color close to purple or blue should alert. In this case, the kitten wrapped in a diaper should be held upside down for some time. Mother of the baby can be passed after it beeps.
British breed
What other information is useful? How to give birth to a British cat? Her pregnancy does not have specific features. Childbirth occurs approximately 9 weeks after conception, human intervention in most cases is required at a minimum level. The owner of a British cat can safely follow the instructions given above.