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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

My cat is pregnant. What do I need to know?

80 replies

GirlInterupted · 09/05/2015 16:07

We adopted a cat 6 months ago from a reputable animal rescue. Before adopting her we were told she was spayed and vaccinated.

A week ago I noticed changes than made me think she was pregnant. I took her to the vet today and she is Sad I'm really disappointed and fuming too.

I know nothing about cats giving birth and taking care of kittens.

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlInterupted · 09/05/2015 16:08

Btw the vet says she has only 3 weeks left

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 09/05/2015 16:10

What have the rescue said?

justonemoretime2p · 09/05/2015 16:21

Ask your vet.
My general experience:
She is going to be looking for a warm safe place to give birth so do everything you can to facilitate her if she is spending a lot of time in 1 area bring her food to her and make her comfortable.
When she gives birth try to stay out of the way until she has given birth to the whole litter and cleaned them off. She might end up bringing the kittens to see you if she doesn't avoid picking them up unless any of them have died.

Original poster
GirlInterupted · 09/05/2015 16:39

The rescue are mortified and very apologetic. They offered to take her back until the kittens are weaned but tbh I'd rather take care of her myself. I want to keep her stress to a minimum.

Justonemore, that's really good advice, thank you. I think I'm going to have to let her have them in the spare bedroom as I have a really busy house. The only problem is that there's carpet in then

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 09/05/2015 16:43

Are the rescue taking the kittens on? I trust they will be repaying you for the cost of the visit today?

Original poster
GirlInterupted · 09/05/2015 16:46

They're going to take the litter and pay for all vet cost, extra food and basically anything I need. They are genuinely gutted.

OP posts:
GlitzAndGigglesx · 09/05/2015 16:52

You'll notice her being more sluggish and uncomfortable when labour is due. My first cat had kittens when I was about 10 but I remember my mum putting towels down all over the floor as she didn't want to stay in one place to push. It didn't actually get too messy but the kittens weren't very clean when they came out

PuppyMonkey · 09/05/2015 16:52

We had a stray cat move in with us when she was pregnant. She made herself a cosy little den in a cupboard in our back porch and had her four kittens in there. She let us watch the whole thing , one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

Mummy and kittens all stayed in the back porch for 8 weeks and then we found new homes for them - well, not mummy - she stayed with us and is currently fast asleep on my knee.

Never did find out where she came from despite trawling round the whole village to ask if anyone had lost a cat

Tbh we didn't do that much for the kittens - their mum looked after them. The last few weeks we offered some kitten food, that was it. And they didn't try to run off every time we opened the back door, they liked the little cupboard area. Plus DP made then a little assault course thing in the porch. Hours of fun watching them.Grin

thecatneuterer · 09/05/2015 17:35

We would abort with three weeks to go. There are just too many cats and not enough homes. Abortion isn't nice but it's the lesser of two evils.

Original poster
GirlInterupted · 09/05/2015 17:37

I did ask the vet about that and spaying her at the same time but he wasn't comfortable doing that.

OP posts:
thereinmadnesslies · 09/05/2015 17:37

My childhood cat gave birth on my sister's bed, there was virtually no mess as the mother cat eats the afterbirth and licks the kittens clean. We initially confined the kittens using a large cardboard box with shallow sides, so the mother cat could come and go but the kittens couldn't. The mother cat was ok about us moving the kittens a few hours after birth, as obviously we couldn't leave them on the bed.

IHaveBrilloHair · 09/05/2015 17:41

My cat just got on with it and did it all herself, she chose to give birth on dd's bed, when dd was sleeping in it!
I kept two kittens, and the other two went together to someone I know.
Cat is spayed now, also has only three legs but that's another story.

thecatneuterer · 09/05/2015 17:43

God - find another vet then! There are plenty who will - they recognise it's for the best really.

If you're in London you can come to us.

Original poster
GirlInterupted · 09/05/2015 17:49

Thank you but I'm in the north west.

OP posts:
fiveacres · 09/05/2015 17:56

We had a similar situation 2 years ago: a cat adopted us and she was pregnant. Our vet was "pro life" Grin

Honestly, it was one of the most magical experiences of my life. We were SO lucky: she gave birth under a bed in the spare room (ignoring the lovingly made baskets provided for her Hmm) to four beautiful kittens. I have the most beautiful memories of that summer, especially as I got pregnant with my daughter around when she was giving birth! :)

My main advice is firstly she will move the nest - don't panic if you can't find them. I know everyone says not to handle them but we did and were 'rewarded' with four very friendly happy kittens. Your mama cat will need kitten food since as we know breastfeeding is exhausting! Try to keep mama and babies together for a period of 3 months - this is HARD after about 8 weeks but the longer they are with Mum, the better :)

Good luck Flowers

MissingYouSoMuch · 09/05/2015 19:37

thecat

Hmm Yeah ok.... we get that you have an opinion on this. Crikey.
MissingKittyCat · 09/05/2015 19:50

thecat OP is clearly not going for that option. There will be homes. No doubt in a few months, we will be looking at rescuing a kitten. I think aborting with three weeks to go is cruel, especially when the OP is willing to support mum and the litter. I understand there are too many cats but we've just lost two in the space of two months, our home is still one cat down. From pages on FB such as Cats Protection League and local shelters, kittens are going to new, checked homes everyday.

OP our cat had kittens a decade ago when I still lived at home. It was wonderful. She was my favourite cat, I was at work when labour started and rushed home. She was howling until she saw me. I held her paw throughout! It was fantastic. She gave birth in a big cardboard box we had equipped with a towel and kittens were quite happy in there for weeks. I don't remember any mess. All healthy kittens went to their new homes (friends) at around 8-10 weeks. The runt stayed with us, we supported him, and he is currently snoozing on the bed after a lovely big cat dinner.

If you need a new kitten home, we are really missing having another around! Not ready yet, still raw from losing ours, but may well be once they're ready. Good luck! Mama will need lots of extra food and will hopefully be excited to share her brood with you.

But irresponsible of the rescue centre! Bet they are gutted.

IamJeff · 09/05/2015 19:52

Ahhhhhh lovely!

There is nothing more beautiful than a queen with her kittens. I found I gained a whole new love and respect for my cat...all so instinctive!

I would echo what others have said. Don't disturb her too much, give her lots of affection, she should clean up all the mess.

EnjoySmile

hesterton · 09/05/2015 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hesterton · 09/05/2015 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MissingKittyCat · 09/05/2015 20:06

I didn't mean it in a 'shut up' way. I agree, there are too many. It's heartbreaking. But the vet has said no, and OP is prepared to look after them. The rescue centre will help, it was their error. This isn't the same as a feral cat, starving and struggling, is it.

thecat I respect what you do.

hesterton · 09/05/2015 20:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IamJeff · 09/05/2015 21:10

The OP has found herself with a pregnant cat from a shelter which is very common Hester.

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/05/2015 21:19

Abortions very emotive, it doesn't matter what species it is. It's always going to polarise opinion.

Plus the vet concerned has to be comfortable performing the procedure.

MissingYouSoMuch · 09/05/2015 21:21

How dare you try and shut her up
Oh FGS.... get over yourself.
I am not alluding to what she does but her tone of God - find another vet then! was IMO rude and un-necessary.... is that ok with you? Hmm

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