The duration of labor in a cat varies from two to six hours. The whole process consists of three periods. In each of them, the cat behaves differently, acting instinctively, sometimes resorting to extreme measures.
How to understand that a cat is giving birth?
A week before giving birth, a cat's mammary glands enlarge two or three times, and a few days later, milk begins to be released from them. On the day of birth, the cat absolutely loses its appetite. Her body temperature is getting colder than usual, at about 37 ° C.
The most obvious signs of the approaching birth of kittens is that the cat begins to pay more attention to its genitals and constantly licks them, while bustling around the apartment, choosing a cozy place for itself.
First stage of labor
In the first stage of labor, the cat's cervix opens, and the birth canal opens, through which the kittens will come out.
The first period can last more than 12 hours. During this time, attempts appear. The cat begins to breathe more often, purrs without stopping, sometimes it has a desire to bite itself on the tailbone. When trying to do this, she sharply throws her head back.
The cat's nose becomes dry and hot, and the pupils dilate. The uterus contracts, causing the cat to push. The abdominal muscles are constantly contracting, this contributes to the advancement of the fetus into the birth canal.
A cat giving birth for the first time may get scared and start asking for help from the owner.
Second stage of labor
At the beginning of the second stage of labor, a water sac surrounding the fetus becomes visible between the cat's labia. A few minutes after it appears, it bursts, and a yellow liquid begins to flow out of the cat's vagina. This liquid softens the passage of the fetus. Within 5 minutes after that, the first kitten appears.
If the amniotic sac ruptures during pushing, the kitten should be born no more than 30 minutes after the fluid appears.
Before the birth of the first kitten, the cat may have a green discharge. Do not worry, they inform about placental abruption. There is nothing wrong with that. The discharge will disappear after the birth of the first kitten.
Having given birth to a kitten, the cat gnaws at the shell in which it is located, and begins to quickly lick the baby, clearing its nose and mouth so that it begins to breathe. After that, she gnaws the umbilical cord on her own.
The next kitten should appear in no more than 30 minutes.
Third stage of labor
The third and final stage of labor is the separation of the placenta. The placenta is separated shortly after each kitten is born. At this time, the cat wakes up instincts, and she tries to eat it.
Also, if a cat gives birth to dead or sick kittens, she eats them too, thus destroying the traces left after childbirth. After all the kittens are safely born, the cat lies down sideways and attracts them to the nipples.
