The birth of kittens is an important event for both the cat and her owners. It is advisable that it does not take you by surprise, because you need to prepare for the reception of new pets. In order to find out the date of the expected birth as accurately as possible, you need to correctly determine the gestational age of your pet.
Instructions
Step 1
The normal period for bearing kittens is two calendar months. Errors of two to three days in one direction or another are permissible. Kittens born prematurely are often not viable. But if the pregnancy lasts up to 70 days, the cat may need urgent veterinary attention. Usually kittens from small litters "stay", and multiple pregnancies are faster.
Step 2
In the early stages, the position of the cat is difficult to see with the naked eye. The presence of embryos can only be determined using ultrasound. However, veterinarians prefer not to take risks and prescribe a similar examination no earlier than four weeks after fertilization.
Step 3
Observe the cat's behavior. In the first weeks of pregnancy, she sleeps more than usual, preferring secluded corners, sometimes refuses to eat, but begins to drink more. Some cats in the initial period often feel sick - this phenomenon resembles toxicosis in pregnant women.
Step 4
After a couple of weeks, the animal wakes up appetite, and the urge to vomit stops. Change the feeding regime by switching the pet to three to four full meals a day. It is advisable to give the cat a balanced ready-made maternity food or a good kitten food, fortified with calcium, phosphorus and protein.
Step 5
In the third week of pregnancy, the nipples of cats swell and turn pink. This is especially noticeable in young animals expecting their first litter.
Step 6
A month-long pregnancy can be easily identified by a cat's rounded belly. During this period, the animal becomes less active. The size of the fetus reaches 25-30 mm and all vital organs are already developed by this time.
Step 7
After the seventh week, you can feel the movement of the kittens by placing your palm on the cat's belly. At this time, your pet will become restless, start looking for a place for a future nest. Help her by offering a box covered with soft rags as a cozy bed.
Step 8
In the last week before giving birth, the cat's anxiety increases. Her belly is greatly enlarged - over the past month, the kittens have doubled in size. The cat's nipples swell strongly, a whitish liquid may come out of them. From now on, observe the pet especially carefully - labor may begin in the coming days.
