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The litter tray

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Do you think this cat is pregnant? (Photos)

37 replies

SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 17:58

Bit of a long story - not our cat (yet!) and I have very limited knowledge of cats. Slightly concerned she has developed a rather rounded tummy and prominent teats. Of course it may just be that she is behaving like 'Six dinner Sid' and that is the reason for the plumpness.

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SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 18:00

Photo 1

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SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 18:01

Photo 2

Do you think this cat is pregnant? (Photos)
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Justhadmyhaircut · 12/07/2017 18:02

Pretty obvious to me. .
Congratulations on your gk (grandkittens)....

EezerGoode · 12/07/2017 18:02

A vet would be able to tell...

Weedsnseeds1 · 12/07/2017 18:03

It's a yes from me too!

1wokeuplikethis · 12/07/2017 18:05

Definitely. And cats are only pregnant for 6 weeks. Ours looked like yours does at 4-5 weeks!

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 12/07/2017 18:07

I'd be inclined to believe that you have a pregnant fluffy too.

StarHeartDiamond · 12/07/2017 18:13

I'm not convinced of pregnancy - I'm concerned that those "teats" are very oddly spaced. Usually cats have them in pairs/rows, fairly evenly spaced. These look odd for teats.

I can't see closely from the pics but are you sure they aren't ticks? As ticks grow they look like grey shiny grains of rice.

thecatneuterer · 12/07/2017 18:15

Without a doubt. And they are pregnant for 9 to 10 weeks. Not 6.

Weedsnseeds1 · 12/07/2017 18:41

Where are you obtaining this beast from? Or has she just taken up residence with plans to foist her new family on you? Grin

stumblymonkeyagain · 12/07/2017 18:42

Definitely upduffed. Agree that it's 9 weeks gestation, she looks about 6-8 weeks at a guess though an x-ray will confirm.

I'm a fosterer for Cat's Protection.

She really needs to have a nice, warm safe box or something to give birth in lined with a towel that you don't ever want back. Is she stray at the moment?

Worth googling about cat pregnancy/birth/kitten care...

SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 19:39

Oh dear! Cat seems to have adopted us for the past 2 weeks. I do NOT want a cat, nevermind kittens!!!

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stumblymonkeyagain · 12/07/2017 19:42

Is she stray?

Google to find your local Cat's Protection and they'll check her for a microchip.

If there's no microchip then they'll find her a foster home where she can have her kittens in a safe place and will then arrange for them all to go to lovely homes...

SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 19:55

Kids are going to be in their element!

So, large cardboard box, nice soft padding (towel / fleece), anything else?

Secretly v v v v excited, but don't tell dh or the dc!

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Weedsnseeds1 · 12/07/2017 20:00

Food. Lots of food and water.

Allergictoironing · 12/07/2017 20:03

Plenty of good quality food for her as she will be feeding many mouths. Emergency vet number written down just in case - if you are prepared, then you're less likely to need it Wink. Depending on what the weather is like where you are, possibly a very well wrapped hot water bottle. And somewhere quiet - she may well reject the nice box you have prepared & decide to give birth in your knicker drawer like a mate's cat did many years ago!

caffeinestream · 12/07/2017 20:22

Ooh, kittens!

Good luck - she's obviously chosen you because you/your house is a "safe space" for her to give birth - you should feel honoured!

BertrandRussell · 12/07/2017 20:26

I'm not sure- the teats don't look quite right to me. I would take her to the vet to be sure.

Floralnomad · 12/07/2017 20:31

Personally I'd call cats protection and let them check her for a chip and if she's not got one jet them deal with her , you can always say you would like to adopt her when she's ready to be rehomed . It's ok saying you are excited but how much are you prepared to spend if something goes wrong and her and any offspring a vet .

SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 20:42

Ok, will do a bit of research locally for the real owner. Will also research CPL. Don't fancy trying to take her anywhere as she is friendly on her own terms only! I can be patient and wear thick gloves though!

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Floralnomad · 12/07/2017 20:47

If she is just hanging about all the time the CPL might be willing to come and fetch her

stumblymonkeyagain · 12/07/2017 20:50

Okay....

So she would need a safe space...a nesting box of sorts with a spare towel somewhere quiet in the house like a spare room or the back of the lounge.

She'll need a litter tray, food bowl and water bowl nearby (but food/water kept away from litter).

She will need extra food, best to give her kitten food, while she's pregnant and breastfeeding.

You'll need to have a vet identified to take her and kittens to if there are any issues during labour.

For the first few weeks after the kittens are born you must not handle them...I would wait for at least four weeks or so as the change in scent may lead her to reject the kitten. She will feed them, stimulate them to go to the loo and clean it away, etc. Your job is to look after her.

The kittens should start to be introduced to kitten food mashed up with water from 8 weeks so they can start weaning. You'll need to put small meals out for them four times a day. Is someone at home every day to do this?

If she rejects any of the kittens you would need to hand feed them with specialist equipment from the vets and stimulate them to go to the loo and clean them up for the first few weeks several times a day, are you okay to do this?

They need a very shallow dish - I tend to use an old large plate that they all gather round.

They'll need a vet check up (taking mum with them) about four weeks and then the vet will tell you what you need to know about worming them and their vaccinations.

This won't be cheap - she could have a number of kittens, will you pay for all of the care they need?

When it comes to finding them homes you'll need to think about how you make sure they go to suitable homes who will microchip them, neuter them, vaccinate them, won't be near a main road, etc.

stumblymonkeyagain · 12/07/2017 20:52

We (CPL) would come with a cat trap (not as horrible as it sounds) baited with cat food if she won't let someone pick her up.

That being said we're pretty used to scratches so as long as she's not totally vicious we'd probably be fine with her...

gamerchick · 12/07/2017 20:54

Are you sure she's not covered in ticks as well?

SlowRiver · 12/07/2017 23:09

Will (gently) pin her down tomorrow and check for tics. I'm happy to remove tics if found. She doesn't currently come into the house apart from an occasional sneaking in. There is no way she would accept being contained in a room. She currently favours the greenhouse, but I will try and encourage her towards the shed instead. She is really sweet, but VICIOUS!

Bird population going down - boo.
Rat population going down - yeah.

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