Unneutered cats are very prolific breeders and can produce three litters a year when left to their own devices. The female cat is usually able to breed from as young as six months old, sometime even younger.
The signs of a cat in heat or to use its medical name Oestrus, can be quite subtle and can be easily missed by cat owners. Although there will be some bleeding during this time, it is a lot less noticeable than in a human and if the cat is allowed outside may be missed completely. Usually the first indications that a cat is “on heat" are changes in behaviour. Often the female cat will become overly friendly towards everyone and will rub herself around your legs more frequently than usual. She will also roll around on her back more often, make unusual yowling noises and will want to urinate more often, which helps to spread her scent around.
If your female cat does have contact with complete male cats during this time, it is likely that she will mate with all that she encounters. This explains why a litter of kittens may contain many different fur colourations and markings, as they may all have different fathers.
The gestation period for a cat is between 60 and 65 days and the first signs that your cat is pregnant may not be evident until the third week of pregnancy, when her nipples will start to become enlarged. By week four the pregnancy should become visible and it during this time that a vet will be able to feel the kittens through her abdomen.
During your cats pregnancy it is important that your cat is fed top quality cat food, choosing one that is formulated for kittens is a good choice as it is higher in protein and calcium. However over feeding should be avoided, as over weight cats can suffer complications during birth. Extra vitamins may be beneficial to your pregnant cat, but supplements should not be given without the approval from a qualified vet.
As the birth draws near, the queen will start to look for a place to have her kittens. She will probably want to choose a quiet secluded familiar place that is warm and secure. As an owner you can help choose this place by placing a cardboard box lined with newspaper in a quiet warm room. Food, water and a litter tray should also be placed near by to encourage your queen to make this her birthing box.
One of the first signs that your cat is preparing to give birth is that her appetite will decrease and she will either begin to want to be on her own more than usual or she may seek out human affection to help reassure her. Also her mammary glands will become very swollen and may start to produce milk a few days before the actual birth.
During this time it is important for the owner to keep a close eye on the cat and to watch out for any signs of distress or illness. Any signs of a temperature or if the cat has not eaten at all for 24 hours, should be investigated by a vet.
Cats are normally able to give birth without any problem completely by themselves. The process appears to be practically pain free, and apart from the actual straining, the cat seems unperturbed by the whole situation. Human intervention is rarely needed, even dealing with the umbilical cord and foetal membranes can be left to the cat.
After the first kitten is born it may not be for another hour or so before the next kitten is born. However it is not unusual for successive kittens to be born 12 to 24 hours after this first wave of kittens. It is therefore important not to let your cat out or try to handle them for at least 24 hours, to make sure that the process is completed. Reassuring strokes and tickles will be enough to comfort the cat and reassure her that all is well. Fresh water, food and a litter tray should be provided close by.
Mother and kittens should be allowed to be left alone to bond and the handle of the kittens should be minimal for the first 24 hours so that our scent does not mask their own and their mothers.
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 View other articles written by Kate Tilmouth(574)
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