Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site opus.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!hao!nbires!opus!rcd From: rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn) Newsgroups: net.pets Subject: Re: pregnant cats Message-ID: <1094@opus.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Feb-85 03:30:27 EST Article-I.D.: opus.1094 Posted: Wed Feb 13 03:30:27 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Feb-85 19:01:01 EST References: <445@decwrl.UUCP> <127@tove.UUCP> Organization: NBI,Inc, Boulder CO Lines: 62 A few additions to the parent article on dealing with pregnant cats: > Probably one of the best early signs that a cat is pregnant is that > her nipples will stand out. When you see that, it's probably 5 to > 6 weeks before the kittens will be born. If you actually know when she was bred, it's possible to be more precise-- gestation in cats is 63 days, and they generally hit it pretty close. > You should probably get a box ready, but there's a very good chance > that she won't use it. In fact, she may well have her kittens in > the closet or in your bed... Or some place worse (for you, her, or both)...it's a good idea to try to forestall this by confining her to the general area where you would like the kittens born when the time draws near. Someplace warm, out of commotion, and somewhat enclosed will be preferred. A cat's attachment to its owner will show up at this time--this is why they may choose your bed if given free choice. > I'm not sure what the best thing to put in the box is -- my cat > book says torn up newspapers (use a yardstick to guide the tearing) > and never towels or blankets since the kittens could suffocate? Towels or small blankets will work, but as the parent article suggests, straighten them periodically. > ...The biggest thing to > watch for is if she goes into labor and isn't getting anywhere. > If she hasn't yet had any of the kittens, this is harder to tell, > but if she has and she's stays in labor for two hours and hasn't > had any more, that's a warning sign. About a half hour between > kittens is average, but I've seen four kittens born in the span of > half an hour(!) but longer than half an hour is not unusual either. This is a hard one to call. Particularly for the first litter, a queen may have one or two kittens, then wait/rest for several hours. Second and succeeding litters are easier. > The kittens won't start eating solid food until they're about 4-5 > weeks old (depending on how much milk mom has for them). They'll > probably continue nursing until you find new homes for them... Of course, there's no harm if they want to start eating it sooner--they're not likely to start on it before they can handle it. On litterbox training, you may have to help a little, but generally as long as the litterbox is accessible and mom is well-trained, she'll take care of 99% of the training. > Believe it or not, the kittens will hardly need to use the litter > box until they start eating solids... (Because mom takes care of the problem, in a way which humans don't find all that appetizing!) Overall, remember that cats have been having kittens without human assistance for a long time. The main things you need to do are to accomodate the mother's needs and give her attention. -- Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086 ...Cerebus for dictator!