HAVING KITTENS

Queening is the process of giving birth to kittens and follows an average gestation (pregnancy) of 60 days. Cats generally do not have trouble giving birth, as compared to dogs. However, queens should be closely monitored when birthing is to begin.

The stages of queening

Cats approaching birthing will seek out a quiet, secluded and comfortable place in which to queen. This area should contain a food and water bowl, although you may keep food and water in their normal areas for whenever she will be moving around the house.

Queening begins with the onset of contractions, which you may or may not notice. In cats, once this process has begun, kittens can be expelled rapidly in sequence. Cats rarely need intervention, but if you notice prolonged pushing without kittens, you should call our clinic right away!

After queening

The mother usually will have all the post-queening issues well in order – cleaning up the placentas, grooming and stimulating kittens and allowing them to nurse. At this time, you should observe the cat and kittens to be sure that ALL the kittens are nursing and huddling together.

Care of orphaned kittens

Occasionally, one or more kittens, or even the litter, may be abandoned by the mother for various reasons only known to her. These kittens will need to be hand fed an appropriate kitten formula and stimulated to urinate and defecate. They will also need to be kept warm and away from draughts.

Parasite control

Kittens can begin receiving worm medication at 2 weeks of age and then regularly thereafter. Keeping their environment clean will also reduce the parasite load and transmission. Deworming the mother cat can help reduce the number of worms transmitted through the placenta, the milk of the environment.

Please schedule a health exam for the mother and her kittens as soon as possible.