Breeding and Showing Cats/Pregnant Cat

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Expert: - 10/28/2010


Question

Cat
Hi, I recently found out that my cat is pregnant. (about a week ago) But im not sure how far along she is, ive been doing my research online and by the signs she could be due very soon. But im not sure how soon so i was wondering if you could help in anyway. At the moment shes eating well, pooping well. ect.
But lately in the past couple of days shes been craving my attention and just sleeping alot, could this mean she could have the babies soon?
and is it true cats only give birth at night?
is there any really obvious signs that she will be going in labour? shes a really timid cat so im worried she wont call out for me when shes in labour.
Thanks.


Answer
Hi Sam

No cat acts the same when it comes to getting ready to give birth.  Some may not eat just before, some get very clingy with their owners, and some just go away and get on with it.  

Signs to watch for are change of shape as the kittens move down to position, milk glands getting larger and if you squeeze gently you will see some drops of milk.  They often 'nest' by finding a box and digging around in it to make their nest.  I would make sure you have a box with perhaps paper and blankets situated in a nice quiet darkish place as that would be ideal for her.  Giving her somewhere to have them also means that when she starts nesting you will be able to see this happening.  Be warned though, nesting and milk production may happen anything from a week before she has them and some cats don't do it until right on the delivery time.

As to how far pregnant she is, have you seen the kittens moving.  You can see and feel them moving about two weeks before they are due.

Regards

Marcia.

Breeding and Showing Cats

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Marcia Owen

Expertise

I can give answers on cat breeding and showing having 'served' over 30 years in this particular field. I head up a Yahoo Group and also a cat club (NBA Cat Club) devoted to educating novices in the correct way to breed, and also show with both GCCF and TICA on a regular basis, and am well versed with the show world, having been involved in the management of the major GCCF Supreme Show in the UK for over 25 years. Genetics however is not my strong point.

Experience

30 years of continuous cat breeding and showing with two major organisations.

Organizations
GCCF (UK) TICA Various UK cat clubs

Publications
Our Cats, Cat World, Club magazines

Education/Credentials
Normal middle school education, and college. Best education credentials I have are raw experience of 30 years

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