My cat is pregnant, but she was such a thin cat, it is hard to tell exactly if she is ready to give birth. Her brother was trying to mount her yesterday so I brough her inside. The kittens are not moving (however since she is an outside cat, I have never seen them move) She is purring a lot and kneeding her claws into anything she can. Her nipples are swollen, so I am thinking labor soon. Is there any sure way to know. I feel bad keeping her locked up... but we hate to have her give birth outside and something happen.

Keep her in, provide a safe and comfortable birthing place and introduce her to it. She will do all the work, you can't interfere during the birthing process. Yes, from what you describe, she is ready.

Tick

I have put her in the laundry room (yesterday around 5ish) she seems happy there. Laid out a few towels and there is a doggie bed, that my dog never uses haha. Laid in there with her a while lastnight and she kept trying to lay on my head so I had to leave her.

Is it normal for the males to try and mount her? I have had no experience with this before. We had a female have a litter about 2 years back, but no males were around.

I don't know if that is normal or not. Could be just a very confused male! Sounds familiar.

Tick

Thought maybe since it was her brother he c ould smell or sense something. Either way with all 3 of my kiddos and my one experience at kittens being born I have learned a good lesson. It will happen at the most inconvient time haha. Poor little mopmma. She just wants petting and sleeping. This is a great site, thank you so much for giving a quick answer.

Update: She is still eating and drinking so I am thinking maybe she is just purring non-stop cause she is happy to be inside..?. Going to stay out of the room and leave her be for the day. I guess time will tell huh... I felt her tummy though, and though it is tight ( not like contraction tight, like she is just a lean cat tight) I can not feel the babies or anything. So anyway, will update later and let you all know.

Since she is an outside cat I hope your planning on keeping her and her babies inside. I'd keep her inside from now until at least 8 weeks after the kittens are born. I don't know how to tell if a cat is going into labour, every time a cat had kittens it was when I wasn't home or she was just pushing them out (and usually it was VERY quick with her).

Sorry I wasn't much help.

We love pictures :)

Yes I do plan to keep her inside. I have 2 other cats outside and live in the middle of a hay field, so it is out of the question to leave her outside in 100+ heat to fend for herself!

That's good :)

Google "signs if cats going into heat" it will come up with plenty of things for you to watch out for. Give her a place to hide, my cat never had kittens in the open, she had them in the most weird places (in between the doors is one that comes to mind, nothing like opening up your door and having 5 kittens roll out onto your feet :p)

Haha,Ill bet. I have had 2 other sets of kittens ever. The first she had a breech kitten get stuck so we had to move her into the house(from under the porch) and accually pull the baby out. Umm yeah, I do not recommend this unless you have to, and then you may want to wear welding gloves cause she will not be gratefull to you ! The second one was about 2 years back and she had the kittens under the porch in a rain-storm. To make it a short story, I had to crawl under the porch in the rain and lighting and pull them out one at a time, then dry and warm them all. This time I will not let the cat out. FYI, not the same cat ever. We have a curse with cats. We take and get them fixed, they run away to our neighbors farm lol!

Cats usually give birth in the middle of the night. There's really no absolute ways to tell when they're ready until labor actually starts. There are some things you can watch out for that may tell you if she'll give birth later that day, but not cats exhibit any one sign.

Many cats stop eating, or just eat tiny amounts.

Some cats go through a personality change. A friendly cat suddenly starts growling and scratching, while a loner cat will want cuddles.

Some cats get restless and start wandering around, looking for a suitable birthing place. What you think is suitable, is usually not where the cat will pick.

Some cats start talking a lot.


The only SURE way to tell if labor is started is if you can see her contracting. Even then, a cat can stop labor for up to a day if she doesn't feel completely safe to have her babies.

Well, follow-uping. She is still pregnant. She meowed at the moon lastnight ALL NIGHT. She wants out so badly, but she's stuck inside. Still lots of kneeding ( have all the marks on my body to prove it too), still lots of deep sleep and lots of purring. She is still eating small amounts too, so not thinking its happening today. SIGH, I am too old to keep laying down on the tile floor with her though lol. She meows until I come in, then she lays in front of the door so I can not leave haha.

She has never been loving until yesterday. She is like I said an outside cat, and will allow us to pet for a second then leave. Now I can not pet enough for her. Yes, I have been watching for contractions, but none yet that I have seen. Babies did move a lot over-night. I have her in the laundry room. I have 2 towels and a bed, plus an empty cardboard box bottom. It is not huge, but it is big enough that if she wants me in I can still give her plenty of private space while being there for suport. Od thing though, she will drink A lot, then dump out the water and lay in the wet spot where it spills... ALso likes to dip her ear and cheek into the bowl.

She could be hot, depending on where you live your house may be hotter than outside. When I had outside cats they came into the porch during winter, they'd just lay there and pant until they could get used to the temperature differences. How far along is she? (roughly)

Guessing... pure guessing too, Id say 8-9 weeks.
Honestly the males trying to mount her and the non-stop kneeding and purring are what made me think labor. She maybe still in early stages I guess... or maybe not. Heck all I know is she refuses to let me leave her when I go in. She lays in front of the door or ontop of me lol. Still kneeds nonstop though, even kneeds the air.

I spent two weeks thinking my edith was going to give birth that night. When she finally did go into labor, there were no early warning signs. She started wandering around aimlessly about an hour before the contractions started. Other than that, none of her behavior changed the day of.

Cats are usually pregnant for about nine weeks. So she is around there.. Try ripping up some newspaper (Shredding it so it is in long strips) and placing it in the bed, she can then make a better nest, my aunty did this and the next day she woke up to kittens. If she seems distressed (Since she is so close yet no kittens) take her to a vet and see what's up, she may not show signs of distress but just watch to make sure. If you can feel the kittens (Which you said they weren't moving I will assume you can) feel how large they are, if they are about the size of the other kittens you have dealt with is a sign there ready to come out. Cat's are weird when having kittens, somedays they act like it times, and then the next day they act like there not even pregnant.

Hheath, yes that is what I am kind of in fear of I guess. I did finally let her out of the laundry-room ( just closed all the other doors in the house) She is walking around meowing wanting lovings. I am now kind-of wondering if maybe we are going to just hve to keep her in for however long. Not knowing how far she along she is makes it sooo hard. No cleaning herself or any of that so maybe I was wrong. I will keep you all updated.

Keep her inside, and try to encourage her to relax in a comfortable space, for example you could create little areas with blankets and her favorite toy and water a few places around the house. Cats, when pregnant will try to find a place alone maybe under a bed or somewhere, to have their kittens so you could set it up there. Also, for safety reasons, I would recommend letting the kittens grow up as indoor cats, but that is your decision, and that's just my opinion. Also once the kittens are born, you should definitely take them to the vet so they can get their shots, and regular check ups, etc. Q: My Cat Is Pregnant Should I Take Her To The Vet? - Pet Care Experts Answer! (http://www.practical-pet-care.com/archive.php?2002093019442191)
Good luck!

Is this male who keeps trying to mount her neutered?

Morgaine, no not yet. We can't just go adopt a cat where we live, it is 75 per cat. As my cats are all outside cats and run off sometimes I do not pay that much. We needed a litter so were waiting till the Sammi had a litter to neuter. Also thought that since he is her brother they may not mate, hubby says that anyway.

cats don't care if they're related. Had two cats, thought they were both boys, until one of them got pregnant. She has 4 little inbred babies ^_^

Hahaha hheath. Well I have been letting her out of the laundry room to roam, just closing all other doors. She seems to be doing fine.
Have you ever heard of a male cat mounting a pregnant female? I knew a male would kill the litter after birth, but never heard of him trying to mount her pregnant.

Have you ever heard of a male cat mounting a pregnant female? I knew a male would kill the litter after birth, but never heard of him trying to mount her pregnant.


Yes, litter mates will mate. Why do you think there are so many barn cats; my present cat Pickle came from a barn of probably 30 or 40 cats, mom and dad and all sons and daughters. Cats don't have to worry about genetic disorders from inter breeding. My own barn cats started to do that until I just started weeding them out and got rid of them. They interfered with me taking care of my horse and cattle. Always underfoot looking for food.

Probably that male is excited by her pregnant scent, that's why he is mounting her.

Tick

Hmm, well you learn something new everyday! I feel bad for her, she is such a thin kitty, all these babies must be part kangaroo cause her entire side just moves.

hmm, well you learn something new everyday !! I feel bad for her, she is such a thin kitty, all these babies must be part kangaroo cause her entire side just moves.

Should be interesting how many she has !

morgaine, no not yet. We can't just go adopt a cat where we live, it is 75 per cat. As my cats are all outside cats and run off sometimes I do not pay that much. We needed a litter so were waiting till the Sammi had a litter to neuter. Also thought that since he is her brother they may not mate, hubby says that anyway.

The only thing I could possibly answer to this would be extremely rude, so let's just put it that I have some SERIOUS issues with what you're doing here. My mind can't comprehend this.

With what I am doing? Im sorry, I do not understand what I am doing that is so awful. Other than keeping her inside, that I feel guilty about. Hun, I live in a hay field, there are 3 other houses around. We all-together have 40 acres of hay fields. The cats are safe, they hunt the snakes and lizards and mice an such. All of us have barns and porches so the cats have lots of safe places to be when they want to. All of us keep out the same brand of food. I have a litter from almost every female and the spay&neuter all of them after words. I personally think I am pretty responsible. All of my cats have shots and vet visits when needed,(unlike many who seem to come here saying I can't afford to take my cat to the vet so help me). I am very sorry you feel so consernd.

Update: she has a hard time getting comfortable and has no interest in playing. We had a balloon bouncing on the floor lasxtnight and she just looked at it then went to sleep. Still eating and drinking. She drinks A LOT, she has discovered our glasses have water and the potty has water lol. This is going to be my first day of going back to work so she will be in her room all day though : ( . Increasingly restless and though she wants to be in the room we are in, she no longer is wanting to be ontop of us... just lays a bit away on the floors (prob cooler as they are hardwood)

Sounds like you may have a bit of a wait, yet.

sounds like you may have a bit of a wait, yet.

Yes, thinking (hopeing) not more than a week though. School starts here on Monday which means it is going to be crazy busy for a bit. Talked to vet, she wanted to x-ray to see how far... I passed.

yeah, an x-ray just isn't needed. It would cost money you don't have to spend, and wouldn't really accomplish anything. You'd still be waiting, you'd just have an idea of how long you stood to wait.

plus, if doctors don't like to x-ray pregnant women because of possible health risks to the baby, I can't see how it would be healthy for a pregnant cat.

Less purring, no kneedig to speak of. Still not playful and the loving is back to what it use to be... you may pet me for 2 minutes then get away from me... haha. She is liking walking around the house though. Lastnight descovered she could fit under the sofa if she flattened herself out and belly crawled lol.

Ummm so will I get introuble for keeping this updated?? Does anyone even care if it is updated lmao!?

Yes, we care.

We like our animals here and always hopeful for a happy ending.

If you don't post,ill worry about the cat and kittens!

Edit: I can't offer you any more advice then what you have already gotten, but I'm interested in the outcome..

Nah, you can update your thread whenever, a couple months ago I updated on that was over a year old, the people helped me a lot so I thought they deserved to know (and it took a year for it to happen)

plus, if doctors don't like to x-ray pregnant women because of possible health risks to the baby, i can't see how it would be healthy for a pregnant cat.

Just a minor correction hh; they don't x ray pregnant women, they ultrasound.

tick

Just a minor correction hh; they dont x ray pregnant women, they ultrasound.
The vet had said he would x-ray the cat, and hheath said pregnant human women are not x-rayed, so why a cat? And yes, why not ultrasound for the cat, maybe to determine the size and number of the kittens?

I too am waiting for news -- and pictures!!

The vet had said he would x-ray the cat, and hheath said pregnant human women are not x-rayed, so why a cat? And yes, why not ultrasound for the cat, maybe to determine the size and number of the kittens?

I too am waiting for news -- and pictures!!! Yes, some vets have ultrasound to monitor medical conditions in animals such as obstructions in bowels, etc. I guess the question is, can a vet afford to have an ultrasound, as I know they do share them occasionally because of the cost in owning one.

Tick

Well I had laundry going when I had to leave today so I didn't close her in there, everyone pray that she doesn't have ne babies on my sofa lol! Though she doesn't seem to like the coach at all, prefers the cool floors.
Of course I will post pics! : )

Well, most cats I've known of have had their babies in the middle of the night. So, if she follows the majority, you should be fine.

Well I had laundry going when I had to leave today so I didnt close her in there, everyone pray that she doesnt have ne babies on my sofa lol !! Though she doesnt seem to like the coach at all, prefers the cool floors.
Ofcourse I will post pics !! : )

You don't know how much we appreciate new AMHD babies, especially the pet ones. Hoping all goes well with this delivery.

Tick

Well I now have someone else who likes to follow me into the bathroom and talk to me or watch me while I potty or bathe lol! She is wanting to go lay in our closet instead of being in the familyroom with everyone (I am guessing this is her chosen spot, please goodness no)

Well I now have someone else who likes to follow me into the bathroom and talk to me or watch me while I potty or bathe lol !!

**laughing** I can so picture that ashleycam, you will have no shame ! I have cat and dog following me into the bathroom. All I have to say is 'wanna bath too' and they sneak out the door !

Tick

My dog follows me everywhere, and unlike ticks fur babies that walk out, mine sneakily jump in. Ugh, my dog is nuts and a little to attached. Especially when I shower, he can't see me through the shower curtain so in he comes.

My dog follows me everywhere, and unlike ticks fur babies that walk out, mine sneakily jump in. Ugh, my dog is nuts and a little to attached. Expecially when I shower, he can't see me through the shower curtain so in he comes.

Brook quite blantantly rolled in 'something' at the end of our property yesterday and no alternative but to put her in the bathtub, god only knows what it was, but we do have a lot of visitors at night. My son carried her to the bathroom and she actually grabbed onto the door with her front paws knowing what was up.

Brook quite blantantly rolled in 'something' at the end of our property yesterday and no alternative but to put her in the bathtub, god only knows what it was, but we do have a lot of visitors at night. My son carried her to the bathroom and she actually grabbed onto the door with her front paws knowing what was up.

Awe, poor pup!

My kitties wait outside the shower for me to get out. Then, they drink the water that hasn't drained, and one likes to lick the water off my legs.

Her tits look more whiteish to me... less pink. She is still eating though, so I know I have atleasdt another 24 hrs every time I see her eat lol. This morning she rolled onto her back so I would rub her belly, was funny I have never seen a cat do that, only my dogs lol. Updated if I have any news

Sounds like your outside cat is fast becoming an inside cat!

Hopefully she will have the kittens soon.

She is happy to be inside! I can't wait for pictures!!

My mommy cat LOVED having her belly rubbed when she was pregnant. Two of her babies like it, too.

If she's letting you touch her belly, then hopefully she won't mind you being around the babies.

Hmmm, her poo is runny. She missed the box so I had to clean it up off the floor. This is the second runny poo today...
Any thoughts.

hmmm, her poo is runny. She missed the box so I had to clean it up off the floor. This is the second runny poo today.....
Any thoughts.
For human women, this is a sign that labor will begin soon -- "Loose stools are caused by the release of prostaglandins which causes cervical effacement, softening, etc. Prostaglandins also can cause soft stools or diarrhea. Time until labor? Usually only a matter of a day or hours." (pregnancy.about.com) hheath will know if that works with cats too.

It could be the change in diet. Do you know if she hunted when she was outside?

Yes she hunted everything and anything that moved : mice, lizards, frogs, birds, my roses and hydrangias lol. That is why we have outside kittys, they hunt. She always ate this same food too though.

OK, here is Sammi, our lil' momma : ) She is so tired, she couldn't stay awake this morning. Walked out of her room, jumped onto the foot stool and nodded off lol!

the diarrhea may just be because of the change in diet, then. She went from hunting and dry food (which provides a high protein diet), to just dry food. Give it time for her body to adjust, or try giving her a high protein canned food. The canned food will help her produce milk for the kittens, anyway.

she's gorgeous. And, it looks like you may have trouble getting her to stay outside after this. You may have ended up with an indoor/outdoor kitty ^_^

Try to get ahold of a cat rescue organization and tell them that you have a sweet stray momma who is about to have/just had kittens and you need someone to take them. They will find them good homes and get them spayed and neutered. Make sure it is cat rescue not a shelter that will put them to sleep.
If you don't do this try to find low cost/free spay and neuter through a cat rescue organization before you put them back outside at 8 or so weeks to prevent this from happening again.
You are a great person for taking her in to let her have them somewhere cool, comfortable, and safe. Most people wouldn't do that :D

Also, tell them about her brother and they will help you get him neutered too.

Good luck with you cat and your soon to be new kittens! You could call your vet and ask about her poo and her diet but it could just be due to her pregnancy.

ok, here is Sammi, our lil' momma : ) She is so tired, she couldnt stay awake this morning. Walked out of her room, jumped onto the foot stool and nodded off lol !!

Boy, has she ever got a big tummy !

Yes, you should have seen how lean she was before! Owl hun, we nuetered her bro on Monday, though after words they informed me he only had 1 testicle and could not reproduce anyway (notice they told me after the surgery ) haha. Poor little man! As far as wanting out, she had not been trying to get out until this morning, she shot out the door when the children walked out. Luckily I have mommy reflexes and caught her hehehe SUPER MOMMY POWERS SAVE THE DAY * said in an announcer voice **

I understand after reading the post this morning that I am/maybe considered a backyard breeder. I am very sorry to anyone who I have insulted. We tried last year to talk to the only shelter here, they charge $75.00 for all cats no matter what. I can not understand paying this much for any pet, ever. I tried to ask if I could adopt the cats they were going to put down and just pay the spay fee (usually15.00) they would not allow it. We do not all live in a town where we can readily resue a cat, and I ask that that is remembered. Our town has like maybe 20,000 people including the prisions and college students we are small. Just wanted to throw that in, I know a lot of you have sent me messages about having kittens on purpose and it being wrong. I do have kittens about every 2 years on purpose (our 3rd set won't go into why we had to have more) however afterwords all that we have get fixed. All my cats have shots tags and are loved. Anyway just wanted to state my side. Thanks!

I see farms as special cases. You're not breeding the animal repeatedly, or to sell the babies. You get your animals the vet care they need, and get them fixed when you have enough cats to provide the pest control a farm needs. You're not allowing a large feral population to grow on your property or neglecting the animals you have. You're animals aren't just pets, they're working animals that provide a vital function.

I understand after reading the post this morning that I am/maybe considered a backyard breeder. I am very sorry to anyone who I have insulted.!

Really ! I will have to go back and find that post. I would think anyone would understand what it is like on a farm to have multiple cats in a barn... backyard breeder indeed! There just has to be some people here who have to get that little dig in, but truth be told, its usually dogs they are on about and quite understandedly. Barn cats get out of hand, how well I know that and breed like rabbits. Before you know it you have 25 mouths to supplement with cat food. How well I know. My Pickle came from a barn, and god knows how many cats there were in there... breeding, breeding, breeding...

I am really sorry you have had PMs about this too.

Well ashley, we must register a new breed of cat 'barn cat', able to leep tall bales in a single bound, can down l5 mice at one sitting.

Off to search for that post now ! Or maybe you could cut and paste the link for me.

Tick

My guess is that she's talking about the new sticky in the pet forums. It was prompted by comments made by some new members, one in particular, that had to be addressed. It was decided that a sticky was the best, and most permanently visible, way to do so.

Oh how I needed that laugh tickle! Thank you hheath, I was afraid people were missunderstanding me and I can not stand to have fighting and or dissputes caused by me.
Went back to the thread that caused the sticky and now see more where it was coming from. : )

my guess is that she's talking about the new sticky in the pet forums. it was prompted by comments made by some new members, one in particular, that had to be addressed. it was decided that a sticky was the best, and most permanently visible, way to do so.

Can you post me a link ?

Awe your not backyard breeder, a backyard breeder is someone who breeds animals without doing any sort of tests on the mother or father (Mostly in dogs), and then sells the pups for large sums of money.. Most BYB never check where there pups are going, who they are going with, and most the times there born in gross places. Your not a BYB, your breeding cats to work for you.. they have a purpose, and I understand where your coming from about shelters, the one here won't allow you to adopt if you live on a farm anyway (cats or dogs!).. As long as they will all be checked by vets when needed and neutered/spayed when possible I think it's fine.

can you post me a link ?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cats/read-before-posting-pets-forum-501898.html

Oh how I needed that laugh tickle !! Thank you hheath, I was afraid people were missunderstanding me and I can not stand to have fighting and or dissputes caused by me.
Went back to the thread that caused the sticky and now see more where it was coming from. : )

Hi Ashley.

I'm so sorry that you thought that the sticky was addressed to you, it really wasn't.

We are against backyard breeding, but from what I read, you don't qualify as one. You also aren't a legitimate breeder, but a backyard breeder you're not.

A backyard breeder is someone that breeds their animals either to make a profit or because they think every animal needs to have a litter. These people usually don't care about the animals or the babies, they just care about the pay cheque they'll get from selling the offspring.

The major problem with backyard breeders and puppymills is over pet population and genetic defects. Legitimate breeders spend thousands of dollars having their breeding dogs/cats/etc. tested for genetic defects that could be passed down to their offspring. That's why animals bought from a qualified breeder are usually in the $1000's of dollars. The breeders don't usually make any money off the babies, they do it for the love of the breed, the love of the animal, and the hope of keeping the genetic defects out of the breed and keeping the line clean.

It's a lot of work. Backyard breeders don't do genetic testing. They usually pick two dogs or cats that are "cute" and hope for the best. Because of that there are many breeds and new "designer" breeds with nothing but genetic defects, and the more people backyard breed, the worse it will get.

The major problem with backyard breeding (for me anyway) is that we already have millions of animals put to sleep every year because they can't find homes. Many of the dogs and cats that are born to they backyard breeders end up in shelters. Many of them are euthanized every year. These people just keep breeding over and over and over again. A real breeder breeds their females once, twice at the most. They have a waiting list for the babies, sometimes you will have to wait years to get one, because they don't over breed.

In Canada alone 5 million dogs are euthanized every year. Just in Canada. That keeps me up at night.

Not once did I look at your post and think that you qualified as a backyard breeder, so please don't think that. Okay?

Good luck with the kittens. You know we thrive on pictures. Hint, hint. :)

Quite personally I think you should raise some major awareness of what is happening at the shelter. I think there's seriously something wrong with them thinking it's better to kill the strays than allow someone to take them and give them a home and simply pay for the spay. If they put them to sleep, they're still never going to re-coup the money it takes for their temporary care there. Something just seems terribly wrong with choosing a PTS option over letting someone have one.

Of course, for all I know, they do that here as well. I've never checked. (I'm not sure I want to know.)

Morgaine, I tried to do just that, my thoughts were that it would be cheaper and more humaine to let me take the cats than to kill them also. I sent a letter to the local paper about the ordeal and was informed that it would NOT be allowed to run. The person who runs the shelter here is one who spreads money around so they were not willing to run the piece.

UGH! Now I remember why I do not have inside cats, THE MESS! I have swept the floor 2x a day since she has been insde and still litter manages to get everywhere. With wood floors it is a mess !
She is still the same by the way. Eats, drinks (out of toilet if she can) sleeps. That's her life lol. She walks around meowing like crazy in the mornings, I am sure complaining. I am guessing 2 kittens by the way it feels. They are big enough to really tell what is what when they are moving around, so it is either 1 large or 2 lol. Poor thing never sleeps long though, constantly changing positions trying to get comfy. : (
Hopefully she will not get much bigger, she tries to llick her bottom, but has trouble getting to it.

Ah the joys of pregnancy. I never tried to lick my bottom, but I do recall wondering where my feet went for the last few months. ;)

Hopefully it will be over soon and than she can concentrate on her babies. The joy of kittens will make this all worthwhile in the end. :)

My edith couldn't reach her bottom for the last 2-3 weeks of her pregnancy. It's kind of funny to watch.

Lol heath, Isn't Edith the one you were sure was going to birth anyday... for 2 weeks ? I think maybe my Sammi is kin to your Edith haha! She has taken a liking to showers and bathtubs, with water on or off nomatter. She had a good shower this morning! She is eating less though, her food from yesterday morning is still in the bowl, just takes 2 or 3 bites then walks off. Usually it is gone by morning.
Altenwig, haha yes quiet well remember thinking my body had been invaded and would never be mine again! No feet, shaving was like an adventure lol!

MY CAT IS COO-COO-DING-DING!! So she dissapers for like and hour or 2 and I find her laying on a wet towl in the bathtub. Now this towl is stinky cause my 3 year old used it to wipe up the water off the floor 2 days ago. 2nd time I have found her there. She is happily sleeping there, then gets out tries to open the lid to the potty. Out of curiousity I open it, she jumps up sniffs it, looks at me and meows, so I flush it... THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTED. She goes in as it is refilling, plays in the water drinks a bit and back to the tub!? OMg this cat will have babies in the tub you watch. Ironic thing is the cat that had a baby stuck a couple years back, we moved her into that same bathroom to help her out and to let her have the rest of them. YEESH ! COO-COO-DING-DING

well, at least the mess will be easier to clean up ^_~

Labor started about 5am. We have 3 so far. 2 black and 1 white. Mommy n babies doing well. Will post updated and pics later.

Ok, had to go into work for a bit, still the 3 and I believe she is finished. She ate right up until her water broke and did not choose to have them on any towels lol, just the doggie/ kitty bed. They are all in the bed, which kind of concerned me since it was wet. I raised the window to help the room stay warm and will be back home in about 2 hours. Yeah!

How do I add the pics?

Click on the little picture that looks like mountains, and you can post them really easy if you've uploaded them somewhere else. If you haven't, then click on the 'go advanced' button to post and use the paperclip icon to attach the images to your post.

Well she's a bit mad at me now, I am washing the birthing bed. It was still soaked through 9 hours later. I used a towel she's been laying on the past week to move babies while she was eating, put them on the other towel she's been using last week inside a large laundry basket. She's in there nursing them though. Will post in morning from work.

Well she's a bit mad at me now, I am washing the birthing bed. It was still soaked through 9 hours later. I used a towel she's been laying on the past week to move babies while she was eating, put them on the other towel she's been using last week inside a large laundry basket. She's in there nursing them though. Will post in morning from work.

She must really trust you. I always advise not to move mom or babies because that makes it a problem if the babies have a human scent on them. It deters them from nursing some of them, the ones that smell the strongest of human.

Barn cats, as you know and I do, are the closest to maybe racoon, skunk in their birthing habits as far as scenting goes.

But, you know, ashleycam, barn cats make the most wonderful pets because they don't expect so much from us but what we are willing to give. My pickle is a barn cat and she is just wonderful,but spayed, and just little herself even at seven.

Tick

I was careful not to touch them hun. I wrapped mom's towel over my hands and scooped them up. They never touched anything mom had not aid on. I am very much aware of mom not nursing if you handle too much. Her brother was neutered last Monday and IF I can catch this little wild tom he will be too. She will be going in in 19 days as per vet orderers. After She is spayed we will move them outside into the garage them the barn ( bed and all)'
Is it normal for mommy to growl at her babies? When she hops out to eat and they start meowing for her, she growls then gets back inside lol. I kind of thought it was like a new mom groaning at the 2am wake up feeding...

Starting a new thread with new questions. Thank you all so very much for all of your advice and support. I will upload the pics from work in about 3 hours! : )

My mommy-cat grumbled and growled when her babies would cry for her every time she got up. After the first few days, maybe a week, they realized she would be coming back and she realized it was OK to leave them for short periods.

She has runny poo again. Will be getting kitten food for her this morning and praying that helps. Still growls deeply growls at the babies. She is restless. Wants to be in the tub alone again. Please don't let her reject these babies!

It she was going to reject them, she probably would have by now. She went from being an independent barn cat to having 3 tiny lives that depend on her for everything. She probably just wants some time by herself.

Give her all the love and attention she'll let you. If she wants to sit in the bathtub, let her, as long as she goes back to the babies when they need her. Praise her and pet her and give her treats when she's with the babies, more than when she's on her own, and she'll learn to associate the kittens with good things.

As for the runny poo, giving birth messes with human hormones. I can only think it does the same for cats. Try adding more protein to her diet, since she's used to hunting for food. It may help, and it will definitely help her produce more milk for the babies.

as for the runny poo, giving birth messes with human hormones. i can only think it does the same for cats. try adding more protein to her diet, since she's used to hunting for food. it may help, and it will definitely help her produce more milk for the babies.

Yes, her body is eliminating, healthily from the other end, what her body doesn't need now that she is not carrying extra weight, extra vitamins, extra proteins. It would be negative if she was eliminating anything from the end.

Got her kitten food today, she seemed to like it. Also bought a few toys, since there are no flowers and shrubs and birds to chase indoors. I have never given cat-nip, but one of the toys did have it inside. I let her out when we are home, when we are gone however she is stuck in the room with them. The dog seemed to help out some, she loved on him and followed him around lol. New pics on other thread.

Cat nip is good for cats. You probably have some growing around the barn that you haven't found and the cats have. Has a distinctive scent when the leaves are rubbed between fingers. It looks like mint. Take a look and dry some or give some to her fresh.

God, another job to do, eh, mom.

Tick

Just a note on the runny stool - You said "still" but I never saw anything about it, so don't know if that's been going on, or just started after she had the babies. But a change in food can cause that, so it might be related to her being used to eating critters outside and then suddenly getting commercial food.

Morgaine, I started a new thread with it mentioned. She has always had the same food, just had critters also. She pooed on my quilt yesterday. I am calling the vet today just in case it is a reason to bring her in.

Sounds like she's blaming you for her being trapped inside and saddled with babies. Either that, or your quilt just looked like it needed a little something extra.

Update time : One little kitten has one eye open all the way and the other about 40% open. The white one still has both closed, and the calicoish one has one eye about half way open with the other closed still! Growing incredilbly fast!

I want your calico kitten it is sooo cute!

Update time : One little kitten has one eye open all the way and the other about 40% open. The white one still has both closed, and the calicoish one has one eye about half way open with the other closed still !! Growing incredilbly fast !!

The white one may be long-hair. It takes them twice as long to open their eyes. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you.

Good luck with your kittens! Make sure to give them lot's of love

Well lstnight I took the babies out into the yard for about 10 minutes. Mommy was already out and the sun was down, so I thought it was a good time to start introducing them to the great outdoors. They were a bit unhappy at first, the little cali seemed the most relaxed. After about 2 minutes they were crawling around investigating. When the dog (who sleeps in the same room with them) came and sat on my lap, they all hissed and spit something awful lol! Tails up and all! Mommy finally came over after about 20 minutes and I took them all back in. They are sticking there noses out of the holes in the laundry basket they are in so they can see and smell. : ) Will post more pics on Wends.