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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

How do you know when cats are finished having kittens?

256 replies

TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 20:27

Hi all,

As the title suggests how do you know when a cat has finished having kittens?

Sat down for my tea and my beloved cat popped out a still born kitten, didn't even know she was pregnant.

Well apparently when I was away one weekend she got through the kitchen window and returned before I came home so DH didn't bother to tell me.

I know I'm irresponsible but she's an indoor ragdoll cat so didn't have had any urgency really (idiot) but I just need help with making sure she's okay now

She's being very affectionate, following me everywhere but not much else

OP posts:
SassySusie · 10/03/2025 20:29

Why is she not neutered?

minipie · 10/03/2025 20:29

I’d take her to the vet tomorrow. You don’t want to risk anything left inside. And get her booked in for the op! Hope she is ok.

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/03/2025 20:30

Get her to the vets.

Idonthavemytoolsmycloak · 10/03/2025 20:32

We've had a couple of litters, birthing had gone on for up to two hours in our experience.

Original poster
TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 20:32

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/03/2025 20:30

Get her to the vets.

I've called the vets, they said to just keep an eye on her but I want to know if she's finished really or if we should expect anymore (I assume stillborn kittens so I can bury them together).

She will be spayed as soon as she can be.

She was an indoor ragdoll cat, it was on my list of things to do and got lost along the way - I was stupid and irresponsible and she will absolutely get the op now but I'm trying to help her the best way I can now.

OP posts:
richardosmanstrousers · 10/03/2025 20:39

God OP you are really minimising here with the 'popped out a kitten' narrative.

Original poster
TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 20:41

richardosmanstrousers · 10/03/2025 20:39

God OP you are really minimising here with the 'popped out a kitten' narrative.

I'm just describing what happened, she wasn't in any distress or even showing signs of labour. A kitten literally popped out of her - I'm not sure how else to describe it, I wanted to be accurate because if it came out easier does that mean there's only one or should I expect more

OP posts:
Idonthavemytoolsmycloak · 10/03/2025 20:45

With 5/6 kittens each time

Original poster
TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 20:46

Idonthavemytoolsmycloak · 10/03/2025 20:45

With 5/6 kittens each time

Is there a chance they'll all be stillborn ?

OP posts:
justasking111 · 10/03/2025 20:50

My bitch had a still born first but after that the puppies were okay. You'll just have to watch her tonight. I'd be sleeping on the sofa with her nearby.

RandomMess · 10/03/2025 20:51

Cats have 2 horns in their womb so I would expect at least one more. It's also normal to have at least an hour between the 2 horns.

sparrowflewdown · 10/03/2025 20:55

We had 4 kittens over an hour or two.

Shouldbedoing · 10/03/2025 20:57

A Mumsnetter had similar last year and apparently early litters/first litters tend to be one or 2 kittens maximum

Scampuss · 10/03/2025 21:09

Is she fully vaccinated? As well as the current problem, if she's not vaccinated she's been put at a high risk of communicable disease through being mated by some random tom.

socialdilemmawhattodo · 10/03/2025 21:12

SassySusie · 10/03/2025 20:29

Why is she not neutered?

This, and your DH casualness. Indoor cats are a total pain. I know. I have 2 rescue indoor-only Siamese. But mine are neutered; i had 1 escape. It's not unheard of. I'm sure you love them a lot, but....please you need to prepare for all eventualities.

Original poster
TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 21:15

She's fully vaccinated, I kept booking her in to be spayed and then something would happen and I didn't prioritise like I should, yes I'm irresponsible and I made a mistake - this will be rectified asap.

She's not in any distress but I think she may still be in labour but the last kitten was born around 7.20pm.

OP posts:
MelainesLaugh · 10/03/2025 21:17

You’re in for a long night! Is she trying to nest somewhere dark?

Original poster
TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 21:18

MelainesLaugh · 10/03/2025 21:17

You’re in for a long night! Is she trying to nest somewhere dark?

She's trying to go back to the sofa where she had her first kitten but we have kids so I'm waiting until they go to bed and will let her go there if she needs to

She showed no signs of nesting, or labour before the kitten was born.

OP posts:
richardosmanstrousers · 10/03/2025 21:23

She's trying to go back to the sofa where she had her first kitten but we have kids so I'm waiting until they go to bed and will let her go there if she needs to

Please move the kids now, she will end up getting distressed if you just expect her to wait until your kids go to bed. Surely you can just move them so she can go back to her chosen spot

Jade520 · 10/03/2025 21:25

I think she needs the sofa more than your kids do right now OP.

NameChange101xox · 10/03/2025 21:26

Agree, send the children to bed or at least another room.
dim the lights and keep her warm and with access to food and water. Poor cat, I hope she’s ok

Original poster
TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 21:27

There's literally no where else to put the kids apart from bed which they won't go - can I bring the cushion up to her? The one she gave birth on

OP posts:
lpzzioss · 10/03/2025 21:27

It's 9.30, presumably your kids aren't that young if they're still up, so send them to their rooms?

DaisyChain505 · 10/03/2025 21:28

TakingBackSunday · 10/03/2025 21:27

There's literally no where else to put the kids apart from bed which they won't go - can I bring the cushion up to her? The one she gave birth on

For the love of God send your kids upstairs and give this poor cat the space and security that she needs right now.

NameChange101xox · 10/03/2025 21:28

How old are the children?
if they’re little they should be in bed by now anyway and if they’re older explain to them and let them sit on the floor for a bit?