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OF CATS AND KITTENS

       Most of the e-mail we get concerns the cat's reproductive system, in one way or another.  Whether readers ask questions about sexing a kitten, determining pregnancy, or care of the queen and kittens, reproduction is a major issue.  Following are some commonly asked questions about cats and kittens:

At what age can cats reproduce?

Generally, cats reach puberty between six and 12 months of age, although this can fluctuate depending on certain factors such as breed, climate and nutrition.  

How long does it take for a cat to have kittens?

The average gestation period is 56 to 65 days, although, again, this number is general.  

How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?

It is often possible for a veterinarian to feel the fetuses in the womb, after about three to four weeks of pregnancy.  When the kittens' bones have ossified, at about five and a half weeks, it is possible to take an x-ray to confirm pregnancy and tell the number of kittens.  Certain physical changes also take place during pregnancy (although these may be associated with false pregnancy as well) such as swelling of the abdomen and distention of the cat's teats.  

How can I care for my pregnant cat?

A good, well-balanced diet is essential to the queen at this time.  During the latter stages of pregnancy, offer the queen more food, several times a day.  It's a good idea to have food available to her so she can eat at will, as opposed to at only specific feeding times.  As her uterus enlarges and compresses her abdominal organs, it might be difficult for the cat to eat the quantity she had eaten before pregnancy in one feeding.  

How can I prepare my cat for delivery?

If she is an outdoor cat, provide a maternity box.  This can be a cardboard box with an opening cut on the side, several inches from the bottom. This will allow the mother access into and out of the box and will prevent the kittens from falling out.  Line the box with clean rags, sheets or towels.  You can provide the same for an indoor cat.  (Of course, the best laid plans ... the cat may not use the box, despite your best efforts.)  

What will happen during delivery?

Prior to delivery, the queen may become less active.  She may lose her appetite and may seek out the maternity box.  During the first stage of labor, the queen may prepare a nest for her kittens by rearranging the towels, or sheets in the box.  She may pull out some of her fur to help soften the nest.  She may seem to pant or tremble at times.  This stage can last up to 24 hours.  (It may last longer if it is a first pregnancy.  If your cat seems to be having any difficulty whatsoever, contact your veterinarian who might have to intervene.)  The queen will experience more forceful contractions during the second stage of labor.  Some fluid may be passed through the vulva and the female will adopt a posture for delivery of her kittens, often on her side.  It may take up to an hour for a kitten to be delivered once the second stage of labor has begun.  After the head and the paws of the kitten appear, it should take about another 15 minutes for the kitten to be delivered.  If your cat is having problems at this stage, call the vet immediately.  As soon as the kitten is born, the queen will break the amniotic sac, allowing the kitten to breathe.  If your queen does not do this, you may have to.  A placenta is delivered with each kitten, or shortly after it's been born.  The next kitten may not be born for several minutes up to several hours.  Again, if your cat seems to be in any distress, call your veterinarian immediately.

Will my cat know how to take care of her kittens?

Most cats are good mothers and know how to care for their kittens.  

When can I hold the kittens?  Can I hold them right away?

For the first 24 hours, check on the queen and kittens, provide food and water for the queen, but don't handle the newborns right away.  If you try to handle the kittens, the queen might try to move them.  After a day or so, check on the kittens to make sure they are obviously OK.  Only handle them once a day, until their eyes are open and they are able to move about freely.  As mentioned, most queens make good mothers.  If there are obvious signs of trouble - continuous crying or squirming, diarrhea, etc. - call your veterinarian.  When the kittens are older and moving about freely, you can handle them more, at least once a day.  Supervise young, and not so young, children who might be overzealous in their handling of the newborns.  Kittens are socialized to people by being handled by people - but do so gently.  

Should I have my cat neutered?

Our answer to this is, not surprisingly, an emphatic YES!  Unless you are a breeder and depend on kittens for your livelihood, by all means have your cat neutered.  We can't  think of any excuses not to!  On the contrary, there are countless numbers of unwanted cats and kittens in this world, cat and kittens that might starve, be killed by cars or predators, and/or that might form feral colonies and become a nuisance to neighborhoods.  There are not enough homes for these cats and kittens. It's a sad fact that the ones fortunate enough to be given a second chance in a shelter might not be adopted and will have to be put to sleep.  The only way to cut down on the population of unwanted cats and kittens is to neuter your pets.  Neutering is neither cruel nor unnatural.  Many studies have shown that it prolongs the life of the cat and might prevent it from suffering certain diseases.  If cost is a concern, there are many clinics and shelters that will spay or alter your cat for a reduced fee.    

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