The whole labour period for a cat should take about 6 hours. When cats give birth the process is called ‘queening’ with the cat being referred to as the ‘queen’. If the queening goes on for longer than 7 hours the queen and all the kittens should be taken for a check up at the vet. This is a precautionary measure even it seems that any kittens born after the 7 hour window are quite healthy.
During the labour it is likely that little assistance will be necessary. It is not uncommon for a cat to give birth at night whilst the owner is sleeping. However, it is important to prepare for an impending birth and to know of signs to look out for in case of complications. First and foremost it is essential that a pregnant cat is examined by a veterinarian to ascertain her overall health.
Pregnant cats will show signs of nesting a few days before the birth of the kittens. She will search for a quiet secluded place to give birth. It should be generally unused by anyone else and extra food, water and a litter box should be moved into it. The cat will need somewhere to sleep so a cardboard box or laundry basket lined with towels should be placed in the room as well. The cat is likely to sleep in this box prior to giving birth to mark it with her scent, which the kittens will then recognise. It is important that the cat will be able to get into the box in her pregnant state.
If possible it is advisable to count the placentas, which come out of the cat during queening. If one is retained veterinary intervention is necessary. The placentas may come out with each kitten or within 24 hours of the birthing process.
During the labour it is likely that little assistance will be necessary. It is not uncommon for a cat to give birth at night whilst the owner is sleeping. However, it is important to prepare for an impending birth and to know of signs to look out for in case of complications. First and foremost it is essential that a pregnant cat is examined by a veterinarian to ascertain her overall health.
Pregnant cats will show signs of nesting a few days before the birth of the kittens. She will search for a quiet secluded place to give birth. It should be generally unused by anyone else and extra food, water and a litter box should be moved into it. The cat will need somewhere to sleep so a cardboard box or laundry basket lined with towels should be placed in the room as well. The cat is likely to sleep in this box prior to giving birth to mark it with her scent, which the kittens will then recognise. It is important that the cat will be able to get into the box in her pregnant state.
If possible it is advisable to count the placentas, which come out of the cat during queening. If one is retained veterinary intervention is necessary. The placentas may come out with each kitten or within 24 hours of the birthing process.
