Birth Of Kittens

Keywords:
Birth, kitten, spay, breeding, queen, vaccines, tome, gestation, nursing, panting, purring, restlessness, labor, placenta, over population, pregnant, cat

Birth Of Kittens

Birth Of Kittens

Queening. Sounds like a chess move. In actuality, it is the term used when referring to the birth of kittens.

It may seem incongruous to many, but I strongly recommend that all cats be spayed or castrated. No, I am not trying to put myself or colleagues out of business. I am trying to put an end to the very tragic reality of pet overpopulation. You may want your children to see the miracle of birth. Watching kittens coming into this world is very special. Seeing them grow and explore their environment is amazing. Visiting a shelter and realizing that so many absolutely healthy and loving cats will never find homes and will be euthanized is horrific. A great alternative to breeding is purchasing the national geographic video "in the womb, animals". You can see footage of the mating, intra uterine growth and delivery of an Asian elephant, dolphin and golden retriever. You can find this video online.

If you decide to let your cat have kittens, I would recommend that you do your homework first. Planned pregnancies are always best. You will want to be sure that the queen and tom are both in good health, are up to date on their vaccines and deworming. Investigate their lineage to insure that neither are known carriers of any genetic conditions that you would not want to propagate.

The typical feline gestation, pregnancy, is around 62 to 65 days in length. Some breeds, like Siamese, may deliver at 71 days.

One of the first signs of pregnancy that you will notice is swelling of the queen's nipples. This occurs in the 2nd or 3rd week after conception. In the 3rd week, it is also possible for most veterinarians to be able to palpate the fetal structures. A swollen belly usually is not noticeable until the queen is 5 or 6 weeks along.

As the pregnancy approaches its culmination, prepare birthing box. It can be a simple cardboard box in a quiet area. Line it with newspaper for warmth along with clean linens or towels.

If your feline mother has long fur on her belly, a week or two before the kittens are born is the perfect time to trim this belly fur. It will make nursing easier for her offspring.

There are several distinct stages to labor and delivery. Panting, purring and restlessness characterize the first stage. Once the queen settles into her nesting box, leave her alone. Disruptions can prolong the labor. This phase can last up to 6 hours. If this is the first time that you have observed a queening and the first pregnancy for your cat, it may be a time of increased anxiety for the two of you. Be assured that most cats deliver without any problems. But be prepared. Have the name and number of your veterinarian and emergency clinic close at hand.

The actual appearance of the first kitten is preceded by a vaginal discharge and sharp abdominal contractions. This second phase usually last for 30 minutes. If a kitten is not born after an hour of strong contractions, take the queen to your veterinarian immediately.

Kittens will enter the world either tail or face first. Both are normal. After each kitten is delivered, you will notice a dark green bubble passing from the vagina. This is the placenta that contained the newly born kitten.

Once the kitten is born, the mother will lick it in order to clean it as well as stimulate its respiration. She will groom herself and typically consume the placenta.

Kittens are born 15 to 30 minutes apart. During this respite, she will commence nursing.

If you notice that a kitten is not born after an hour's worth of labor, if only a portion of a kitten is visible in the birth canal, or labor stops before all kittens are born, take the queen and kittens to your veterinarian. Even with an uncomplicated queening, I recommend that kittens and queens be brought to your veterinary hospital for a checkup within 24 hours of the delivery.

Kittens are wondrous creatures. You may find fabulous homes for all of your cat's offspring but remember, you need to consider the fate of their progeny. Pet overpopulation, you can make the difference.

Have questions regarding breeding your cat? Just ask your veterinarian.

  Go back

Daily Pet News


An End to Pet Allergies?
In the movie, Cats and Dogs, Jeff Goldblum’s character invents a vaccine for humans that cures dog allergies. Well, real life scientists are currently working on an injection that will cure cat allergies. Early studies show the vaccine is effective at reducing cat allergy symptoms by about 40%. When the irritants are injected instead of breathed in naturally, they turn off the T-Cells. The body builds a long term tolerance to the allergen, allowing the patient to interact with cats without the severe coughing and sneezing.

Pets, Plants, and Dangers
If you have been outside at all lately, then you have seen the trees and flowers in full bloom. And while they are beautiful, some plant life is very dangerous for your pets. The toxins can cause difficulty breathing, convulsions, or organ failure. Among a list of toxic plants are lilies, azaleas, elephant’s ear, oleander, and sago palms. The ASPCA website has a complete list.

Algae to Control Diabetes in Pets
Research shows that algae can help to control diabetes in pets. It’s important to start with a high protein, low carbohydrate diet to reduce the fluctuation in blood sugar. Couple the diet with spirulina and results should be quicker and better. Various studies show that the algae can balance blood sugar, reduce fat, inhibit osteoporosis, and speed up healing.

Where to Find a Particular Breed of Dog
Are you in search of a specific breed of dog? There is a new website called PerfectPetFinder.com that is designed find your perfect companion. The website has a form that can be used to help choose a breed for you. The form will indicate the most compatible breed based on living quarters, and activity levels and personality of the pet owner.

Cats and Vets
Cats are far less likely to visit the vet than dogs, but not because they are healthier. In fact, they are 4 times more likely to contract rabies. But many cats don’t like to travel and may have anxiety simply from being put in their carries. Some owners assume this is the case and do not even attempt to round up their cats. Unfortunately, the cats are getting the short end of the stick as they need to be examined , just as dogs.

What to Do When You Lose Your Pets
People lose pets everyday, but what do you do if you find one? A good place to start is by visiting local pet stores and posting flyers in the area. You can also call a veterinarian, and a local shelter. Get the word out through as many channels as possible to speed up the reunion. If you have the time, the means, and the desire, you can take care of the scared animal after getting checked by your veterinarian.

Pet Airways Riding High
Pet Airways more than doubled its sales for 2010 as compared to 2009. The world’s only airline specifically designed for the comfort and safety of companion animals boasts a 100% success rate for pet transportation. Pets enjoy a climate controlled main cabin ride and are examined periodically during the flight. Flying can be a dangerous experience for pets, but those dangers can be minimized with an airline that specializes in pet travel.

Benefits of Seizures Assistance Dogs
Epileptic children can benefit from specially trained seizure assistance dogs. The dogs can alert parents when their children have a seizure. They will also roll the seizing child onto its side so it will not choke. At times when a child may walk into traffic or other dangerous predicaments during a seizure, the dog will take the form of a protective blockade.

Twin Horses
A recent birth is worth mentioning. An Indiana mixed breed horse gave birth to twins. Horses only conceive twins in approximately one in every ten thousand pregnancies. And of those 1 in ten are carried to full term with a very small portion of the foals being born as healthy individuals. However, these twins have beaten the odds and are doing well.

Dangers of Biking with Long Leashes
A San Jose women died recently when she became entangled in a long dog leash when she was passed on a running trail by a biker and his dogs. The unfortunate accident has led to a change in leash law. From now on, San Jose trail patrons will only be allowed to use 6 foot leashes or shorter. Shorter leashes are not only safer, but are much better for training your dog to stick by your side.