Expert: Jessica - 2/18/2010

Question
this is concerning a 4 year old calico female pregnant.. not sure of the days prego, but its close to delivery, shes quite big.


Ive not had her fixed and shes been pregnant several times for me to notice different stages of pregnancy. It seems like in the last 4 days her stomach has popped out even more. I felt her and shes feels so full and tight. Im concerned she is in labor or nearing it. She follows me around, and has been eating a ton. I allow her to go outside because she was mainly an outside cat. But i still call for her to come in as she wishes. She never used to care to come in. But as soon as you open the door she runs in.


Do cats nearing labor or in labor have large bowel movements? She climbed into bed with me and had used my bed as a litter box in the middle of the night.I was concerned that she jumped up there to tell me something.

Shes craving alot of liquids and is nibbling several times in the day.A bowl of water left out isnt enough for her, shes going into bathroom and drinking from bathtub and sink.

The times she had gone into delivering i was never home.But I had witnesses a partial delivery of one. SHe had ran to litter box thinking she had to go potty.

shes acting different and im not sure what to think. I can just tell shes uncomfortable.

Answer
Hi Tara.  It does sound like she could be in the early stages of labor.  It sounds like you are feeling her abdominal muscles contracting, and this type of clingy behavior is common when cats are in labor.

Pregnant cats tend to move their bowels more often than other cats because of the pressure of their litter, but I'm wondering if your kitty had the accident on your bed because she was confused about the sensations she's experiencing.  As you mentioned, labor pains and the urge to push can easily be confused with the need to defecate.  It's possible your cat didn't realize she needed to defecate but only felt like she was having contractions when she got on your bed.  Maybe she intends to deliver her babies there!  See if she'll go for a cardboard box lined with old towels by your bed somewhere, instead.

I wouldn't let this behavior go on for too long.  If she hasn't delivered within the next 2 days, get her to a vet.  It really sounds like the babies should be on their way by then, and if they aren't, something could be wrong.  I've seen my fair share of complications, and it's always better to be safe than sorry (I have been on both sides).

Ideally, you should have mom spayed as soon as these kittens are weaned.  If she's not outdoors mating, she'll be less likely to contract deadly diseases like the feline leukemia and feline AIDS viruses.  You might be able to find some assistance or low-cost services at:

www.spayusa.org
www.neuterspay.org
http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

Good luck with all!

Jessica