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

I'm not adding this to pile on to OP, but I always add this comment to a post about cat pregnancy to be informative as it's not something I knew when I first had cats.

If someone can take something from this, then me spreading the information may save someone some heartache and give some cats a longer and happier life.

I lost my last cat to a form of cancer in her mammary glands. She was a rescue and had had a litter of kittens before I got her. I was absolutely devastated as she was the best cat you could ever wish for.

The vet told me, and I confirmed with research later, that if a cat is spayed before their first heat season, the risk of developing this type of cancer reduces by 86% if they are done before 1 and by 91% if they are done before 6 months!

If they develop the cancer there is a 90% malignancy risk.

(bvna.org.uk/blog/management-of-mammary-neoplasia-in-domestic-cats/)

My cat underwent surgery to remove the cancerous growths which bought her an extra year of life, but she died at 13, when she could easily have lived another 6/7 years if she'd been neutered by her first owners.

Hope all was well in the night OP.
If it’s any help I confined my cat to our garden, and kept out other cats, with a cheaper DIY version of this https://protectapet.com/pages/cat-proof-garden?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADe5tjH66v92QPWT4rgkHToVnVX56&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI05ffp-OBjAMVXptQBh2DDwwdEAAYASAAEgLW7_D_BwE

Your neightbours are the ones in the wrong. Ragdolls are a passive breed and have had a lot of normal cat behaviour bred out of them. They need to be indoor cats to keep them safe. Any reputable breeder makes you sign a contract saying you agree to keep them in

You don’t know what you’re talking about

To all the people slagging indoor cats, the rest of us, who don't have cats and don't want cats, VASTLY prefer their cats to yours which you allow to roam the streets and/ or countryside killing wildlife and shitting on everything. Congrats on having a pet you by definition do not supervise. Great work.

It is absolutely none of your business when other people's children go to bed. "Should be in bed by now anyway..." Okay Mrs Crumplebottom.

I just wanted to say that you sound amazing and I think you've done everything right. People can be so nasty and judgmental, don't pay any notice to them. And it wouldn't have even occurred to me to spay an indoor cat. Take care ❤️

Don't want to but hey do it anyway 🙄 ffs read OP's posts and stop giving her shit. She's asking what happens next and how she can help her cat. All this judgement is so totally over the top...if you can't actually help, shut tf up

Exactly! Well done for being kind unlike all the other self-righteous sanctimonious witches on here 👏👌

Those of you who think pet animals should be kicked out of the house from morning till night, roaming god knows where would be the first to be screeching if someone did that to their dog.

I don’t care that they are different animals; pets should be kept safe.

OP

How is she today? Has she been to the vet yet?

I used to foster for Cats' Protection, all foster cats are kept indoors. Some cats have to be kept in for medical reasons.

Average lives doesn't mean much in the abstract.

I live on a quiet cul-de-sac, mine visits all the neighbours. There is rarely any traffic, only 3 people on the road have cars.

BTW OP you have not paid the kitty tax. That is the only thing I will criticise you for. Pic please.

Oh ffs!

I wouldn't blame the OP if she never came back to this, so I'll repost (she paid kitty tax earlier in the thread).

Adorable cat and I think you sound like a great cat slave@TakingBackSunday

Good grief. I think you all need to get some perspective. The cat got out once. Cat's are escape artists. It's happened. The OP hadn't spayed the cat YET as it was an indoor cat. The cat is warm, safe and being fussed over - all pretty reasonable so far. Back in the day my childhood cat gave birth in the dog's bed in his outside kennel. OP you are indeed doing ok. I would contine to keep her calm and watch her and see the vet as planned in the morning

Going a bit off topic here... but I was shocked when my adopted retired Queen had her first season with us. She was so loud, and was trying all ways to get out. I hadn't had a female cat before so it was all new to me. She actually sounded in distress. I booked her in ASAP more for my sanity I'm ashamed to say. If it hadn't been such an 'event' I might not have rushed so much. It all happened over New Years, and that's one I won't forget!

How old is she?

Sorry I didn't see the tax, but he (or is it a she) is gorgeous

I hope she’s a she otherwise this thread just got a hell of a lot weirder.

Sorry I'm running on very little sleep and not enough coffee.

My cousin called her kitten 'Stan Lee', then when Stan had a vet check up found out Stan was a girl.

Cats are 'finished' having kittens as soon as they reach a body weight whereby you can neuter them.

And then you do so.

She wanted to know if there were other kittens still inside the mum that hadn't been born yet I.e. how long the birthing process might take

@dementedpixie oh sorry, I misunderstood the OP.

Just an update :-

She's been to the vets, no more kittens or anything left inside of her and she's completely fine.

We have scheduled in her spay.

So glad she’s okay, OP. Sending you, the cat and your family good wishes! Ignore the madness on this thread!

Oh I'm so glad your cat is fine. Roll on the operation.