How long does it take to give birth to a cat?
Or it is one of the periods that raises the most doubt among caregivers, perhaps because it is a process that occurs mainly internally, so it is difficult to control it at first sight, which increases uncertainty and fear that it does not happen indoors. Normal.
- In this article by Animal Expert we will see how long the birth of a cat takes to help caregivers identify whether the process is progressing normally or.
- Conversely.
- If it is necessary to go to the veterinarian.
Cats have pregnancies of approximately 62 to 65 days and breed an average of four kittens. They can give birth several times a year, usually in the clearest months. Veterinary follow-up during this period is recommended, which will help prevent problems, set an approximate date of delivery and monitor the correct development of pregnancy. We also need to change your diet to suit new needs. We will notice that your intake increases, although it decreases or even stops eating during the days leading up to delivery.
The birth approach is related to changes in body temperature. Therefore, by measuring the temperature, we can get an idea of the likely date of birth. Similarly, another symptom that indicates that a cat is about to give birth is the preparation of the nest, so it is normal for the cat to look for a safe and protected place for this moment. We can make a bed with materials such as sheets, towels or absorbent carpets and place it in the place you choose. Still, you may prefer to find your own nest.
On the other hand, before giving birth you can notice that it is agitated, scratching the ground, turning on itself, lying and rising, etc. You will also notice that your activity decreases and you spend more time lying down. So, now that we know clearly how to know if a cat is in labor, in the next section we will see how long a cat is born.
The question of how long a cat’s delivery takes can only be resolved roughly, because it is not a process that complies with fixed rules. Even then, it is possible to provide estimates that can be used as a guide for caregivers to determine whether childbirth is developing as usual or if there are delays that could cause problems.
It must be known, on the one hand, that childbirth consists of a first phase of dilation, when uterine contractions open the cervix to allow the passage of puppies, and a second phase of expulsion, in which the kittens are born. . To know how long a cat is born, it is important to note that the expansion phase can be prolonged. Before birth, the cat may lose the mucous layer, which is the substance that seals the uterus during pregnancy to prevent infections. This tampon can fall between 7 and 3 days before delivery, although we can’t always see it because it’s normal for the cat to ing it. If more days pass, we should consult the veterinarian, as well as if there is a greenish secretion that is not followed by the birth of a young person.
It is important to distinguish between the buffer and the secretion of amniotic fluid by the breakage of the bag. The time it takes for a cat to give birth once the bag is broken should not exceed 2-3 hours, that is, before this time we should observe signs of birth. Puppies are usually born half an hour apart, although there are particularly fast births in which a kitten is born every minute. In contrast, births can last up to an hour. Longer than this is a reason for consultation.
Although the period of dilation may last longer than the expulsion period, normal delivery occurs quickly. A cat can’t give birth for several days, so if the birth takes more than 24 hours, you’ll need to go to a specialist to see what happens.
Once we have explained how long a cat’s delivery lasts, we will see some cases where we will need a veterinary intervention:
Each of these signs may indicate a problem with the infants or the mother, and we will need to contact our veterinarian. A C-section may be indicated.
Usually cats stop quickly and don’t need help, but to be sure, here are some tips to make it easier for you:
As we have said in previous sections, the time between the birth of one kitten and the next usually takes more than an hour, so usually, if two hours after the last birth there is still no trace of another, we can deduce that the cat is finished. If we did x-ray checks during pregnancy, we can know the exact number of puppies he was carrying. In this case, we’ll know how many kittens we can consider giving birth.
One sign that can tell us that a cat has finished giving birth is her attitude, because when she has given birth to all her young, she usually dedicates herself to them, licks them and checks if they eat, or if she gets up to drink. watering and recovering. a little strength. If the cat is still lying down or very agitated, it is possible that it still has a kitten inside and may have difficulty expelling it. We stress the importance of calling the veterinarian in these cases.
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