House for giving birth to a cat and other preparations for giving birth to a cat

Basic Rules

When choosing a place where the cat will give birth and the kittens will spend the first weeks of their lives, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

• It should be warm and protected from drafts.
• Definitely safe and comfortable. It is very important to equip the maternity area where no one can accidentally step on the babies.
• Must be quiet and in a dark place.
• It is best to choose natural fabrics and materials.
• The design should be such as to enable the owner to do cleaning without disturbing the animals.

In this case, both the mustachioed mother and the kids will be comfortable. The place for childbirth should be prepared in advance, this will help accustom the animal to its new “house”.

Where can you put a cat's "lair"?

How to arrange everything? Place the box or basket in a room where there are no drafts, but at the same time you do not need to place it close to the central heating radiator. This should be a quiet place, not a walk-through place . If necessary, you should be able to completely isolate the room from other pets and children. Be sure to place a litter tray and bowls of food and water near the basket. Of course, food and drink need to be regularly replaced with fresh ones.

Please note that the tray needs to be placed away from the “dining room”, and the filler in it will have to be changed twice as often as usual.

This is due to the fact that in nature, all cats carefully camouflage their lair, and therefore cats are extremely sensitive to “toilet” odors near the place where their kittens are.

Let us repeat once again that the basket must be prepared in advance, immediately accustoming the cat to it. Place your pet in it, pet it, talk to the animal in a calm, confident voice. At the same time, we give one simple but important piece of advice: if you don’t want problems in the near future, be sure to isolate all dark corners, the space under the bathroom, etc. from the “ubiquitous” cat. Otherwise, you will almost certainly have to scoop out newborn kittens from there, or wait until they grow up. Follow your pet with a “tail”: if you see that she is looking for a place to give birth, persistently transfer her to the basket.

Suitable options

In order for the animal to feel good and not worry too much, the birthing area should be properly prepared in a timely manner. Especially if the cat is pregnant for the first time, an inexperienced owner has to deliver the baby .

• A box for giving birth to a cat is the simplest and most convenient option. At the bottom you need to put something warm and soft, for example, an old sweater, and on it - disposable diapers that are easy to remove and change. Before giving birth, it is advisable to lay a fresh one.
• A cage is also a good option for the birth of kittens. When the kids grow up, it is very easy to wash.
• Box. You can place in it not only soft bedding, but also a feeder, a bowl of water, and if the size allows, even a tray. This way the cat can avoid being away from the babies for a long time.
• Baskets. They are equipped with special mattresses, which can later be washed without any problems. However, this is an open option, so the cat will not feel completely safe.
• Tents. For childbirth, you can also use tents - both exhibition and arched. They are easy to close, so the cat will not be able to constantly carry the kittens from place to place. However, an animal can spill water from a bowl or scatter food, and it is quite difficult to tidy up such a “house” while the kittens are in it.
• Breeders often use playpens as a place for childbirth.

The owner must first of all think about the pet, so it is better to refuse a fashionable and beautiful tent in advance if the animal previously felt uncomfortable in it.

Possible complications during lambing

Complications during lambing can occur at any stage of birth in both mother and kittens.

Complications from the parturient side may be the following:

• ruptures of the birth canal due to hypertension;
• bleeding;
• refusal of kittens - the cat is not interested in newborns and growls if they are placed near her;
• sepsis;
• uterine prolapse;
• retention of placenta;
• acute mastitis – inflammation of the mammary glands;
• cannibalism.

We suggest you read Why does a cat vomit yellow or white liquid after eating?

Newborn problems:

• congenital malformations - cleft palate, development of internal organs outside the body;
• intrauterine infections, due to which kittens are stillborn or die in the first few days;
• abnormal position of the fetus - in such cases the cat will not be able to give birth on its own;
• aspiration (inhalation) of amniotic fluid, pneumonia.

Cleft palate in a kitten

How you can help:

• Before mating a cat, it is necessary to thoroughly examine her and the future father of the kittens for the presence of infections and pathologies that are transmitted genetically.
• During pregnancy, transfer the cat to specialized food for pregnant and lactating cats.
• Take an x-ray a week before the expected birth - this way you can accurately find out the number of kittens in order to understand when the birth should end. It is impossible to determine their number by ultrasound.
• Create the most sterile conditions for childbirth.
• Find “your” veterinarian and enlist his support.

A breed such as the Scottish has two variants of the phenotype - fold-eared and straight-eared. And it requires a special approach when breeding.

It is very important that only one of the parents has lop ears. If you cross two fold cats, then 100% of the kittens will be born with articular pathologies and will hardly live to be three years old. These will be disabled animals. This disease is called osteochondroplasia of Scottish fold cats and is associated with a mutation of cartilage tissue.

How to create a place for childbirth

Having noticed that the cat is looking for a place to give birth, the owner must immediately take action and help her. It's best to start preparing early. To do this, take a cardboard box, cut a hole so that the animal can come out of it, and lay a mattress or something soft on the bottom. A disposable clean diaper is placed on top. To make cleaning easier, you need to choose a box that opens from the top.

In order for the animal to feel confident, it is necessary to introduce it to the “house” in advance, and even better, place it in a secluded place where the cat liked to rest.

What does it mean to prepare a place for a cat during birth? First of all, this is the creation of suitable conditions, so if the room is cold, you should place a heating pad in the box or turn on a special lamp. When the cat gives birth, the diaper should be changed.

By preparing the place in advance, before the animal begins to show the first signs of imminent labor, the owner will get rid of many problems. The cat, first of all, will not give birth to babies in the closet, spoiling the things there, and will not experience stress or show anxiety. And the process itself will be easy.

Hygiene

For 10 days after birth, the pet experiences discharge. This is a normal process of self-cleaning of the uterus, which, when contracting, pushes organic matter (lochia) out. At first, the lochia is brownish or red with green streaks. Gradually, the discharge becomes lighter, then completely colorless. Clean by nature, the cat grooms itself, and the litter remains clean. But a weakened or primiparous animal must be helped by removing discharge from the inner thighs and vulva area with a moistened towel. It is also necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the litter. It is best to change it when the cat has left the bed for a while.

Attempts by a cat to go outside should be resolutely stopped, as “gulena” will carry microorganisms on its paws that can harm the babies.

Tools and medications needed for cat birth:

• Scissors with rounded ends (medical, disinfect)

• Hand sanitizer

• Natural fiber threads

• Zelenka or iodine

• Sterile petroleum jelly or petroleum jelly

• Disposable syringes with needles (preferably insulin or the smallest in volume)

• A pipette or syringe without a needle or a small enema with a small tip

• Number of a veterinarian ready to come to help at any time

Scissors, thread and brilliant green will be needed to cut, tie and cauterize the umbilical cord.

Disposable syringes and oxytocin are needed to stimulate labor when it is weak, so before giving birth it is worth practicing with injections on tangerines.

A pipette or enema can be used to remove mucus from the respiratory tract of a kitten born in a bladder.

A flannel cloth and ammonia will help out when resuscitating a kitten.

Prepare for your cat's birth in advance so as not to be distracted during the process. All the necessary items for the cat's birth can be folded into one bag and placed in an easily accessible place.

What you should always remember

Your task is to maintain “Nordic” calm. Even if you have never seen a cat’s pain before, there is no need to panic. Believe me, our pets perfectly sense the emotional mood of their owners. If you are nervous and panicky, your cat will also be under a lot of stress. This will not help the birth in any way.

Let us immediately warn the “cleanies” that the birth of kittens is a dirty process.

There will be blood, mucus, birth waters. Remember that the birth of a kitten wrapped in a kind of “bag” is normal. These are the placental membranes.

• A cat that gives birth must definitely tear this sac for each kitten, since otherwise the baby may well suffocate.
• Each kitten will have an umbilical cord. As with the placenta, the mother cat must chew the umbilical cord.
• The mother will eat the placenta and umbilical cord. This is also completely normal and nothing to worry about. Eating placentas is a physiological mechanism. In the wild, it prevents other predators from discovering a cat's lair.

Always remember that your cat may behave out of character. She will probably meow loudly, scream, and make other sounds that are uncharacteristic for her. If you hear them, there is no need to panic. Try to remain quiet during labor.

The calmer your pet is, the greater the likelihood of a successful birth. From time to time you can talk to your pet. The sounds of its owner's confident voice will calm the cat down.

Difficulties are rare, but we must not forget about them!

More than 99% of cat births are completed successfully and quickly, even without the intervention of a veterinarian or the owner himself directly at home. But still, never forget that childbirth is a complex process, so the possibility can never be ruled out.

We immediately warn owners: trying to help an animal give birth without having the appropriate experience and qualifications is a very bad idea.

If you don’t know a veterinarian who can come to your aid at any time of the day or night, find the number for 24-hour veterinary help in advance. Ideally (especially if the cat is primiparous), it is generally worth agreeing with a specialist so that he can supervise the entire birth process. Most likely, such a service will not be too cheap, but still the health and life of your pet is much more important.

In addition, it doesn’t hurt to take care of the availability of transport in advance so that, if necessary, you can quickly bring the cat to the clinic. If you don’t have your own car, take care of a quick taxi phone number: in severe cases, the time can be calculated in minutes.

Always try to use the services of the most experienced and competent veterinarians, since poor-quality obstetric care may well lead to the development of extremely serious postpartum complications.

Finally, it doesn’t hurt to set aside a certain amount for veterinary care for your pet and her kittens. Please note that if you call at night and supervise the birth, you may need to spend a little more money. Remember that if necessary, you may need formula (cow's milk is absolutely not suitable), so think about where you can buy it in your city.

Box for giving birth to a cat - how to create a birthing box for your pet?

It is necessary to prepare the place for the cat's birth in advance, preferably 2 weeks before the birth. This will provide comfortable conditions for the animal and protect future offspring. The maternity house can be purchased ready-made or made with your own hands. To equip and decorate such a home, you need a small amount of materials and basic skills in working with tools. The main thing is to take into account the size of the cat and leave room for offspring.

Maternity house: what is it?

A birthing box is a small home for a pregnant cat and her future kittens.

A special box that can be disassembled and assembled is installed indoors so that the cat can comfortably raise offspring. It is made from pet-safe material that is resistant to germs, infections, and does not absorb the smell of pet urine. Such a house is designed individually according to the owner’s requests or is sold ready-made. The birthing area has a door through which the animal can exit as needed, and sides to prevent kittens from getting out.

Features of pregnancy

During pregnancy, a cat can change beyond recognition. She stops eating her favorite foods, is prone to mood swings, is drowsy and passive. The owner should not be afraid of such changes: this is quite normal for a pregnant cat.

Cat behavior

In the first half of pregnancy, the cat is active and may show aggression towards other animals. This happens due to hormonal changes in the body, which makes the animal rather unbalanced. For no apparent reason, biting the owner and a minute later fawning over him is a common occurrence for a cat in the first month of pregnancy.

In the second half of pregnancy, the cat's behavior changes. The attitude towards people and animals around you becomes more favorable. Towards the end of pregnancy, cats tend to become lethargic, passive and even indifferent to walks. They spend most of the day in a state of sleep. There are no other changes in the habits of a cat who is about to give birth.

A feature of the last days of pregnancy is “nesting”. During this, the cat begins to quickly select a place to give birth. The owner may find a pet exploring the depths of a closet or the back of a sofa. It is better to prepare a warm, secluded place for the cat to give birth (a basket or box with bedding) in advance.

Video: features of pregnancy in domestic cats

Why is it needed?

It is necessary to prepare a home for the birth of kittens for the following reasons:

The design provides little kittens with protection and comfort.

• offspring safety;
• comfortable life for mother and offspring;
• rest and feeding of animals.

A maternity house is not just a maternity hospital for an animal, but a place where the expectant mother can feed and protect her kittens. It is advisable to prepare such a place for your pet 14-21 days before the onset of labor. The maternity house should be equipped with a heating pad if the birth of small cats occurs during the cold season. It is advisable not only to properly prepare the box for the birth of offspring, but also to prepare brilliant green, round scissors, sterile napkins and flannel cloths, gloves, the necessary medications, a pipette and an enema. These materials may be needed to help your cat give birth. With the right approach, it is better to deliver the baby with a veterinarian, and then move the born kittens and mother into housing.

How to prepare and arrange?

It is advisable to equip the house with a scratching post and a place for feeding. Drapakas are made from rope, rope or sisal. Old carpet will also work. To make the animal comfortable, it is better not to leave the internal walls empty, but to line them with fleece, plush or fur. The glue for construction is chosen to be non-caustic, so as not to poison the pet. The structure is built to be stable, and the platform and benches are installed at different levels. The cloth should be thin and easy to wash, since the house needs to be cleaned regularly. The appearance of the finished maternity hospital is selected to match the overall interior of the room and the tastes of the owner.