I recently, as in today, adopted a kitty. She's very pregnant and should give birth within the next couple weeks.

I've dealt with a mommy cat before, so I know what to do before and after the kittens are born. The thing is, I wasn't home the day she actually gave birth, so I'm unsure of what I should be looking for to know she's in labor.

I have a box for her, and a blanket. I don't think she'll actually give birth in the box, but I have it for her anyway. At the very least, I can move the kittens there after they're born.

I just need to know how to be absolutely sure she's in labor. I know, with most animals it's fairly obvious. I also know that some animals, especially cats, can be very good at hiding the signs, and the babies. Thankfully, since I don't own much right now, there aren't a lot of places she can hide her kids. I'm just worried that because she's been a stray for who-knows-how-long that she'll hide the signs and I won't be able to help if she needs it.

First of all, you can't move the kittens after they are born. They will have to stay where she delivers them almost until they are weaned.If she was a stray, then she will be quite thankful for the birthing bed. Cats like their comfort. So I don't think there is any worry that you won't be able to find her nest.

You don't have to do anything after kittens are born. She cleans up all afterbirth and cleans kittens.

So, last but not least. Now you will have kittens you will have to find a home for. More expense for you after they are weaned buying food for them. I hate to say this, but you are perpetrating more stray cats now that there will be kittens. People hate spending money on neutering animals.

Here is a website for labor symptoms. It is all on Google.

I never, ever bring a female cat into my home without knowing she is spayed, and if not, I have it done immediately.

Labor in Cats – Feline Labor Signs and Symptoms

Tick

thanks. That site was helpful. I'm trying to keep an eye out for changes in behavior. It's just a little challenging since we're still getting to know each other.

she's inspected every nook and cranny of the apartment, but doesn't seem to have settled on one spot. I have a couple boxes set up for her. If she seems to finally settle on a spot, then I can move a box to there for her. Right now she prefers to lie in the middle of the floor or on the couches, or right next to me.

she seems to have hit the feline equivalent of the 'get this thing out of me' stage of pregnancy, so hopefully she finds a spot soon. She has trouble staying comfortable for long, and will get up and move to a spot just a couple feet away walk around aimlessly until she just stops and lies down in the middle of the room. Since we've been together less than a week, it's hard to say if it's new behavior or not.

I decided months before I knew she was pregnant, that if I found a place that allowed cats, I'd give her a home. I wasn't going to renege just because she got pregnant. I'm already working on finding homes for the babies. I plan on getting her fixed after the kittens are weaned. If I keep one of the babies, then I'll get it fixed as soon as I'm able. Until then, I have one of the sweetest, most well-behaved cats I've ever met, who just happens to be expecting kittens.

I'll only move the kittens if she puts them someplace potentially dangerous, or it's unavoidable. My sister had a cat that gave birth on her pillow right next to her face while she was sleeping. The same cat also gave birth on the floor behind a partially opened drawer. In one case, it just wasn't reasonable for the kittens to stay on her pillow. In the other, it was very possible that if they stayed behind the drawer it would get accidentally closed and they'd end up squished behind it.

since I don't have a dresser or any furniture she can fit under or behind, I don't think dangerous is going to be a problem.

she has suddenly become very interested in trying to fit her overly-round self under my couch. There's about 3 inches between it and the floor. Even if her head fit, she'd never get her belly under there ^_^