Caring for a Mother Cat and Her Newborn Kittens

If you’re expecting a litter of kittens, congratulations! Newborn kittens are quite possibly the sweetest, cutest little bundles of joy around, but that doesn’t mean you can sit idly by oohing and ahhing. Your queen, or pregnant mother cat, deserves your full attention during this special, yet nerve-wracking time. She’ll be tuning into instincts we can only guess at, but with your support and calm assistance, she’ll be mama cat of the year.

Pregnancy Basics

Whether it’s accidental or purposeful breeding, feline gestation is about two months long. If you don’t know when conception occurred, we’d love to see her as soon as possible. Not only can we give you an idea of when she may go into labor, but we can evaluate if she’s healthy enough to nourish her kittens – presently and following birth.

Restless Nesting

You’ll definitely notice when your queen is getting ready. She may appear restless while pacing, meowing loudly, and possibly even panting. The first stage of labor can last a few hours to an entire day.

The Big Moment

Kittens will arrive in intervals of 45-60 minutes. They can be born either feet or head first. The mother first cares for newborn kittens by licking off the amniotic fluid covering the face and entire body. If she needs help with this, gently apply a towel to the kitten’s nose and mouth. Watch closely for the same number of placentas and kittens to be birthed by your cat. Your cat may need emergency care if:

• A placenta remains inside the womb
• She’s straining to deliver without results
• You notice bright red blood
• A foul smell is coming from the vagina

You may have to transport the mother and any kittens she gave birth to already, so it’s best to be prepared for any situation.

Caring for Newborn Kittens

It’s a joy to watch a mother cat embrace her new role. Many do this without human intervention, but you might offer help by:

• Ensuring each kitten is latching on and swallowing milk
• Keeping the “nursery” warm, draft-free, and dry
• Offering fresh water and high-quality food

It’s hard to resist touching or handling the kittens, but it’s important to let mama cat do her job. We recommend bringing her and the newborn kittens in to see us within a day of birth to make sure all is well. After that, kittens should be seen around 6 weeks old for their first official wellness visit.

Until Then…

Between birth and 6 weeks of age, newborn kittens should gain about half an ounce every day. Pay very close attention to when your mother cat goes outside, as nursing moms can get pregnant again during this time. After the kittens are weaned, we might discuss spaying your mother cat unless you’re interested in more litters down the line.

Enjoy the Cuteness

Once everything seems to be on the right track, sit back and enjoy the unique entertainment that is a newborn kitten. All the growing, playing, nursing, and, oh yes, sleeping is endlessly adorable.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call.