You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- My cat/new kittens
Cats/My cat/new kittens
Advertisement
Question
Hi, my cat is just about 2yo this April, and just gave birth to 3 healthy adorable kittens. I was just wondering if my cat will go through depression after giving birth like some humans do? Also she seems to be moving alot more since giving birth outside of the kitten box and even catch laying outside the box, is this normal?
Eric,
Congratulations on the new litter. In our experience, the mama will spend all her time with the kittens for about 3-5 days. Once the kittens are suckling fine and getting their fill and quieting down between feedings, the mama will take some time out. I have not seen cats go through post partum depression.
The best way to make sure the kittens are flourishing is to weigh them every day at the same time (I like a digital postal scale) and see that the are gaining weight each and every day. As long as the kittens are warm and gaining weight, all is well.
Best regards... Norm.
Related Articles
- Care of a Pregnant Cat - Helping With Birth - Cat Reproduction 101 Lesson 8
- Kitten Care Online Course - Lesson 1 - Preparing for a New Kitten
- Help with integrating kitten with older cat - Cat Behavior FAQ - Kitten vs Older Cat
- Care and Feeding of a Pregnant Cat - Online Course - Lesson 5 - Delivery Day
- Cat Pregnancy Stages - Fetal Development until Day of Birth
Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.