How To Help A Pregnant Cat

1. Bring your pregnant cat to your veterinarian for a complete examination and screening for parasites and diseases. Other standard procedures that are important are measuring weight, examining pathology, and immunizing if the cat is in need.

2. Keeping your cat indoors may seem impossible, but it's important to ensure your cat is safe. An outdoor cat is at risk of going into early labor and birthing outdoors where the kittens can't be found. Other dangers like disease and injury are additional risk factors.

3. Prepare a birthing box or create space in a dark closet for your cat. A pregnant cat needs a quiet, comfy spot to give birth. A birthing box can be as simple as a cardboard box filled with old sheets and blankets placed in a quiet place.

4. Continue your cat on her regular diet, but switch to wet kitten food a week before the due date to boost the nutrients she needs before birth and to prepare for nursing.

5. Cats are able to birth without assistance but observe closely during that special moment to ensure the kittens enter the world safely. Have your phone ready in case an emergency arises, keep clean blankets on hand, in case the others become soiled, and encourage the mother cat to remain calm by using soothing tones. Stay out of the way as much as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead. If you don't intend on keeping the kittens, find homes for them in the weeks preceding their arrival. Kittens should not be adopted until they are at least eight weeks old, preferably 12 weeks.