pregnant cat

**wolfsoul** · 02-13-2003, 07:38 PM

a friend of mine was given an abused cat, whom the owner said was vaccinated and fixed...well, now shes pregnant...my friend has never had to deal with pregnant animals, and i was wondering if any of u could give us some advice...

**moosmom** · 02-13-2003, 08:15 PM

Wolfsoul,

If your friend has a spare room, close her in there with a birthing box in a quiet, isolated place. A cardboard box lined with plastic and old towels will be fine. Cut the box so that it's easy for mama to get out but not the babies. In the room, put a litterbox, food, water, a nightlight and a radio that plays soft, classical music. Do not, if your friend has other cats, let her near them until she's been tested. Especially since the owner of the cat lied about her being fixed.

The gestation of a cat pregnancy is 42-46 days, which is difficult for your friend since she doesn't know when the cat got pregnant. Your friend will be able to tell when mama is in labor because she'll become very fidgity and her appetite will decrease. Unless there is a problem, just let nature take it's course. Once the babies are all born (they'll come out in little embryonic sacs that mama will tear open and begin cleaning the baby) just make sure mama caring for all the babies. If there seems to be a problem and she's ignoring one, you may have to bottle feed. But that's getting a little way ahead.

Keep me posted and I will try and help you as best as I can. One more thing, if mama moves the babies, that's an indication that she feels threatened. Good luck and don't panic!

**wolfsoul** · 02-13-2003, 08:54 PM

thanx! i will definatly tell her that!
unfortunatly, she was let near her other cat, but ashley (thats my friend) is going to take ozzy (thats her preggy cat) to the vet asap...luckily, the cats dont go in contact as they do not get along...but they do go into the same rooms so that doesnt help haha...
its too bad that she doesnt know when her cat got pregnant...but shes sure that ozzy is pregnant cuz she has gotten very fat and her nipples are showing...
are there any signs that might help us know how far along she is?

**moosmom** · 02-19-2003, 09:17 AM

The vet will be the best one to tell you how far along she is. The fact that her nipples are engorged and pink leads me to believe that she's pretty far along. Keep us posted. If you can, tell your friend to keep the cats separate (hers and the preggy one). It's much safter that way. The last thing you want to do is stress the mama out. She needs quiet, with no other cats going in and out of a room she's about to give birth in. It'll stress her out and could cause complications.

**moosmom** · 03-02-2003, 11:25 AM

How are things going with Mama cat???

**wolfsoul** · 03-02-2003, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by moosmom
How are things going with Mama cat???

well, so far, no babies...ashley says u can feel the lumps on her tummy though...she says that ozzy doesnt look uncomforatable, so im not sure if her time is coming...but ill let u all know when the kittens arrive!
ps i told ashley that ozzy is going to have 5 kittens, some black and white and some tabby...she, on the other hand, says that she is going to have six kittens, and that they will be tabbies and calicos...bet im right mwahaha