My partner and I were given a cat 3 days ago. She is heavily pregnant, but the previous owner couldn't be sure how far along she was. She is constantly purring and is constantly seeking attention from my partner. She has been sleeping all day behind the sofa, every day since we have had her, but now she seems very restless and is pacing back and fore. She is meowing occasionally and the last time she used the littler box, she left some bloody mucus behind. Can anyone tell me if she's in labour, if so how long is it normally until she would have her babies?

The bloody discharge might have been the mucus plug, the loss of which usually signals labor will begin soon. Is she looking around for a quiet nest to have her kittens in, maybe a closet or on a pile of towels or clothes on the floor?

OK, no she's lying by my partners feet asleep, but not properly asleep

She's also grooming herslef lots and itching her ear constantly and also been sneezing tonight?

Just go about your normal things and treat her as you always do. She likely will have the kittens, or start having them within the next 24 hours. While she's delivering, leave her alone (don't hover) but keep an eye on her in case there's a problem.

OK thank you:)

Still no babies. She appeared to have some contractions last night but after a while she settled and fell asleep and tonight she has awful diarrhea

Is a vet still open? Give them a call -- but I am guessing this is also a precursor to labor -- her body is cleaning itself out as a prep for labor. It works that way for humans.

That's what I thought. I will check with vets thank you

Hi my cat had 5 kittens, we were concerned because we thought she was lying on 2 of them. Me, my partner and 2 friends saw her give birth to 5 kittens. She has def not left her box but there are def only 3 kittens. Could she have eaten 2 of them?

The kittens could have been sick or deformed and fated to die. That's usually why a new mother kills and eats them or disposes of them somehow. She may have moved them far from her nest so that you will find them (the bodies) when you clean house.

She has definitely not left her box at all, but she would have only had probably 10-15 minutes with her back turned away from us. Can they eat babies this quick?

Either you miscounted or you have a mystery on your hands. Don't you wish cats could talk?

Yeah! Very confused! :)

When did she have them?

Between 9.30pm and 11.30pm

And she has been in someone's sight since then? She hasn't had any chance to leave her nest?

Yes all 4 of us haven't taken our eyes off her

Are the two in the bedding? No, it doesn't take long to devour a tiny kitten.

Def none in the bedding in or out of box :(

If you figure this out, please post it!

I'm def thinking she has eaten them, can't think of any other explanation

Yes. It does sounds like her labor has begun. It can take hours before you see those babies but her moving aroundbeing restless,lookingfor places to hide, talking a lot.. those are all signs of labor. I have 5 cats... all have had a litter. And it never fails with those first signs. I would suggest putting her box in a quite place and just let her do her thing :) good luck with the new babies

yes. it does sounds like her labor has begun.
She had the babies nearly 24 hours ago. Please read the entire thread before you post. Two kittens are missing now.

Vet also thinks she's eaten them. Mum and 3 babies are doing well, thank you for your help and advice

Post photos!!

How do I upload photos on this site?

There's a sticky on the Cats board, so will c/p it here just for (((((you))))) --

1. At the bottom of the box that you type in there's a link that says "go advanced". Click it.

2. A paperclip symbol will show up on the top option on the box that you type in. Click the paperclip.

3. A new box will pop up called "manage your attachments".

4. Hit the "browse" button.

5. Find the picture you want to post and double click on it.

6. Hit the "upload" button beside the browse button.

7. Under the section "Upload file from a URL", a link will appear. That's your picture.

8. Close the manage attachments window.

9. Click on the paperclip again. Your link for your picture will be there. Click on it.

10. Post.

You can post up to 5 pictures per post.

It won't upload :/

Hmm, it might be too big. Some of mine won't either. If Alty or someone who knows how to do this comes on, I'll get them over here.

OK thanks. It just says unable to upload image