How do you know when cats are finished having kittens?

[TakingBackSunday]

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

They can sit on the floor if needs be!

How old are these kids? If they're still up at 9.30pm then I'd say they're old enough to understand that the cat needs to take priority just now.

FFS prioritise the health and wellbeing of your cat.

They're young and autistic (well one on the pathway) - we don't really sleep in this house, unfortunately so I'm trying my best to appease everyone.

I've locked her away from the kids and other animals so she's safe, I've made a nest for her - would she feel better if I bring the sofa cushion up for her?

Just let her have the space she wants. You can move autistic children. They might not be too happy but you can manage that for a short time surely?

She isn't safe being locked away either. She was trying to get to a specific place and you have removed that from her which will cause distress. Let her out and prioritise her for a couple of hours.

Let her go where she wants. Make up a reason kids must leave room and give her some quiet. All of you leave the room.

I only have one living room and one kitchen, it's a small new build house.

We don't have a kitchen door so the kids will be able to get to her and she wouldn't be safe (nor the kittens if any)

She's purring, and scratching the little nest I've made. She's not in any distress but if bringing the sofa cushion up will help her then I'll do that.

Move the children. I don't believe for a minute they cannot be moved from a sofa/area of a room.

If she wants to labour on the sofa you're going to have to find a way to let her. Otherwise she will become distressed and any kittens born alive will probably get eaten

Move the children so they cannot get to her. All of you, move. Poor cat.

Sorry I was agreeing it looks like I wasn't

Honestly I don’t think a pile on will help the cat or OP. What time was the first kitten born? How is she now?

It's not a pile on so much as trying to get OP to listen. Of it isn't reiterated every time OP makes an excuse she will never see that she needs to take action for the cat.

It could be just the one kitten or there may be more. Time will tell. She may be going back to the sofa to look for her kitten rather than carry on giving birth. Please let her go back to the sofa and allow her to be with her dead kitten a while so she understands. Have some compassion and move the kids.

And no bringing the sofa cushion won’t help.

I'm literally doing my best for her, unfortunately yes with two autistic children life is unfortunately unnecessarily chaotic.

If we try and put them in their rooms now they will scream and cry and won't sleep at all - we're under multiple professionals including the sleep clinic.

My kitchen has an arch not a door and is connected to living room so she wouldn't be safe, I'm not doing it to be a bitch or because I can't be bothered I'm trying to help her.

She's not distressed, she's purring and meowing but no distress.

She's in a safe, nested warm area which is better for her - it's dark, calm and warm.

Hopefully no more kittens come but I'll stay with her all night to make sure.

What’s worrying me is that the OP said ‘We don't have a kitchen door so the kids will be able to get to her and she wouldn't be safe (nor the kittens if any)’.

The implication being that the cat & any surviving kittens might be in danger from the kids.

You’re doing fine, OP. Unfortunately the worst of MN have come tramping through your door.

Are there any other pets in the house? If she does have more kittens you’ll need to keep her safe

I would be sending the kids to bed