[tymberwolfe1]

We have this stray tabby that has been hanging around for months she had gotten to the point that I could pet her but not catch her. She has been in heat several times. It seems her belly has grown just like some sites describe plus she started getting very territorial which is really unusual because she usually is "hanging out" with the neighborhood cats in our yard even when she is not in heat. So, fearing she was pregnant we finally trapped her on the back porch( where she will be safe and warm and we could get to kittens if she has them) and at first she REALLY freaked out. We cannot take her in the house because we already have 3 inside cats. She lets me pet her but she will not let me feel her belly and I can't see her nipples for fur. At one point I swear I saw her belly moving yesterday but today nothing. The humane society said they would take her and let her have her kittens but we are afraid at this point that she will fight us so much trying to get her in the kennel that it may hurt the kittens if she is pregnant. We are barely making it financially as is because I lost my job do to an accident (so barely any income and medical bills) so spending a lot of money going back and forth to the vet is not an option although we have to BE SURE before we make a decision. I hate to keep her cooped up for no reason.. she is not real happy and I can't stand to see that.

1. If she is pregnant and it would hurt her kittens to get her in a kennel we will let her have them on the back porch.
2. If she is pregnant and not so far along we will either take her to the humane society where they can adopt the kittens out (it is not a no kill shelter so we would pay to have her spayed and bring her back home after weaning her kittens).
3. If she is not pregnant we will take her for shots, flea treatment and spaying and keep her as an outside cat, she has shelter (a cat door into the garage which stays warm in winter and cool in summer)and we fixed her a nice comfy warm bed with blankets and one of our winter coats.

Q. How do I know if she is pregnant if I can't feel her belly or see her nipples? She did let me touch her belly just enough to know it's hard... I don't think it's fat.

Thank you very much for your help we are desperate to know we have been taking turns sitting with her for several days now so she won't be lonely... we are true cat lovers and want the best for her.

[celticfc]

When my cat got pregnant she became more affectionate and she started eating twice as much as she did before find her nipples if she is pregnant her nipples will be a very light pink this procedure is called pinking.one thing it could be if she isn't pregnant is worms they make the stomach quite hard and bloated.if she is pregnant it would be best to take her inside when she starts going off her food they do this when they are nearly at the end of the pregnancy.when she has her kittens try and find a large cardboard box and put newspaper and old sheets in it for when she has her kittens.cats are pregnant for 9 weeks how long ago did you notice her stomach getting bigger? But if she has them early there is a chance some of the kittens may die.when she has her kittens they have to stay with her for 6 weeks this gives them time to open their eyes and be able to walk if the kittens aren't pedigree and you sell them I would rccomend 15 to 20 pounds per kitten that's what I sold mines for.if she needs help having them be as gentle as possible and get a towel to touch the kittens.when she starts to have them she will try and find paper and matiriels to make like a nest tipe thing this will involve her ripping and scratinchg things up.if she doesn't feed them go to the pet store get a bottle and milk powder.she will start jumping up and down on stuff when she is close to having them and making high pitch meow noises.this could be a false pregnancy but it is very unlikely.good luck.