Has my cat had a miscarriage or abandoned her kittens? by: Abby
I have a little stray kitty (I named her Pebbles) that I have been feeding since her mother disappeared a few months ago. She lives outside in my garden because I already have a Persian cat who is not very friendly with other cats so I cannot bring her inside.
Pebbles is only 8 months old but she got pregnant before I could take her to the vets to have her spayed.
A couple of days ago I heard her crying constantly, and I noticed there was a yellowish discharge coming from her vulva. She was starting to squat and was walking around a bit odd so I began to realise that she was probably going into labour. I quickly prepared her outside cat basket (which is actually an old pet carrier) thinking she might want to have them inside that but although she went in a few times, she wasn't sure about it. Then not long after I noticed a yellowish sack starting to emerge but then she disappeared and I couldn't find her.
A bit later she returned minus her fat stomach so I knew she must have had them somewhere. However, since then, she always seems to be in my garden...she is always near the front door whenever I go out and I haven't seen her going anywhere else, so I am wondering if she has abandoned the kittens or whether she had a miscarriage? I noticed there was some bleeding from her vulva but it didn't look anything to worry about as I assumed that was natural after having given birth anyway. As she is so young I am thinking that she had a miscarriage but really don't know for sure. I live in a compound which is very rural with lots of wasteland around so she could have had them anywhere.
Could anyone else enlighten me with their thoughts on the situation? I'd hate to think the kittens were dying somewhere because she'd neglected them.
Thanks
Oct 16, 2009
not taking care of litter by: Anonymous
can a cat get pregnant with one litter and still get pregnant with another. she had 2 kittens one day then 2 more 2 days later she never looked after them and they all died within hours of being born. that is not so shocking as the fact that she seems to be pregnant and soon ready to give birth within the next couple of weeks she is quit large and it has been nearly a week since she lost the first 4 kittens.
Dec 16, 2008
My cat is confused by: Becki
My cat just gave birth last night.She tried having them on me where she was sleeping when her contractions woke me up. I put her at my feet and twoo minutes later her water broke. I then rushed her to a box we had prepared. 30 minutes after delivery was over, she came and got me from my bed, I was sleeping, and she made me stay by her. If i tried to leave she would leave with me. I am now confined to the room where she is nesting. If I leave for to long she seeks me out and needs to be reassured that I am close by. SHe will jump up near me and lay down and listen to her babies meow for a short while. then go back. Seems like she is scared and doesnt know what to do. And needs reassurance of some kind. I am pointing her back in the general direction and taking her back to tell her it is ok. I have been petting her while she is nursing. I will continue to do so...But I am worried she will want to bring them up on the bed by me and nurse them on me. LOL. Help...
Feb 26, 2008
Clarify Please by: Anonymous
I think that Corinne wasn't asking whether the father's presence affects the success or failure of birthing, as to me it seemed was the question that was addressed.
Rather, I thought M. Cade was wondering, as I am now, whether the father cat's presence might help the mother cat to take back an abandoned litter. The Answer Person recommended reassurance and encouragement to help with abandonment problems, and I think that the tom, if inclined to do so, would be in a unique emotional position to provide effective help, or at least moral support- we all know she's gotta do all the hard work anyway ;)
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Admittedly I'm not very experienced with cat birthing, though mine is actually heavily pregnant right now, but it's an interesting theory. I also wonder how often trying to offer emotional support to a cat is effective in helping it take back a litter... I guess it'd be kind of a difficult thing to test very scientifically...
Here 's the ultimate resource for anyone who has a pregnant cat, full of insider tips from professional breeders and veterinarians. You can be reading it in minutes.
Find out more here.
