At the end of her pregnancy, your expectant cat should be permitted to have her room or space. Isolate the queen and avoid exposing her to children during her final two weeks of pregnancy, when they are more aggressive than the rest of the females. To keep your feline cat warm and prevent hypothermia, the room should be at least 72 ºF and have a humidity level of 65 to 70 percent.
Nesting boxes for your queen can be made from cardboard boxes that are big enough for her to lay down in and tall enough so that the kittens don’t tumble out. Cover it with a blanket and then line it with plastic and newspaper, which can be easily removed if it gets dirty.
Because there are no visible cramps in the early stages of labor, you can miss your cat’s earliest signs of giving birth. Instead, the opposite is more likely to occur; she will appear restless and display weird behavior, such as following or avoiding you at all costs.
Avoid worrying over her; checking on her every 15 minutes is fine. However, if she is under any stress, her labor will be halted, and she will not be able to give birth for hours or perhaps days.
What Do Cats Do During Nesting?
When your cat goes into labor, she will look for a quiet, safe area to give birth. She could choose a hiding place you provide for her, or she may seek refuge in a closet or behind a bed.
Pregnancy in cats lasts about 65 days, with a margin of error of about five days. Check your cat’s telltale indications if unsure how far along she is.
You will also see your cat pacing, sweating, over-grooming, and praising himself excessively. Additionally, your female cat will stop consuming any new calories.
Your cat’s temperature may fall to less than 99 degrees Fahrenheit, which will cause her to vomit. In addition, you may notice that the cat’s nipples become bigger, darker, or pinker a few days before the cat goes into labor.
Your cat may yowl because of contractions, the uterine contractions that transport the kitten through the birth canal. Additionally, you may notice a bloody or other liquid discharge.
Even if your pregnant cat appears ready to give birth, you probably don’t need to do anything other than giving her some encouragement. This can happen anytime, but it’s prevalent in the spring and summer.
What Should I Put in My Cats Nesting Box?
- Use a plastic carrier that your cat uses as a place with her to give birth. However, please ensure you do things ahead so she doesn’t have to do it.
- For a birthing box, plastic totes are an excellent choice. Make a little hole in the side to make it easier for her to get in. In addition, make small air openings so mothers and kittens can circulate freely.
- Your cat may not be able to see well enough in the laundry baskets if they aren’t dark enough. It’s possible to work around this by covering part of the door with a piece of cardboard. Make sure you use a basket with no holes on the sides for the kittens to fit their heads through it and damage themselves if you decide to go this route.
- When it comes to making things, cardboard is a great resource. With a large enough box, you only need to create a hole for her to enter and escape and a few air holes.
- Building a box out of wood is no easy task, but if you do it correctly, it could pay off. Ensure that the nursing box has no sharp edges and is stable.
How Big Should a Nesting Box Be for a Cat?
Since a big cardboard box would suffice, you don’t have to overspend on a birthing box. However, if you have a large-breed cat, you’ll want to go with something more significant than the standard 15″ by 24″ size.
Cut a 5-inch-wide hole in the center of one of the sides for the cat to crawl through. To prevent newborn kittens from falling out of the box, keep the bottom 4 or 5 inches intact.
The newspaper should be used to cover the bottom of the container. Put a lid on the container or secure it with a thick towel.
In addition to the “cat birthing box,” other names for this container include “queening box,” “delivery box,” and “kittening box.” It’s just a place where the cat may relax and give birth in peace.
You’ll want to find a spot that isn’t affected by wind or frigid air. This area should not be wholly illuminated. A nightgown or T-shirt from your closet that she wears to bed may be an excellent addition to the box.
Begin by showing your pregnant friend her birthing box. Then, try transferring it to a quieter location if she’s unhappy with it.
Where Do You Put a Cat Nesting Box?
To avoid drafts and chilly air, pick a peaceful spot. It’s best to dim the lights rather than leave the room blindingly bright. A nightie or a T-shirt she likes to sleep in may also be included in the package with the rest of the wardrobe items.
You should advise your pregnant buddy to sleep in her birthing box. Try shifting it to a quieter area if she isn’t happy with its location.
The cat’s litter box and drinking bowl should be placed near the birthing box. You should only feed her inside the box if she’s already there. Discard everything but the newspaper from the box when she starts having contractions.
This will be the official onset of labor.
Discard the birth-soiled newspapers and replace them with fresh newspaper after the birthing procedure is complete and the kittens have been cleaned. The kittens will want warm blankets or clothing to keep themselves warm while their mother is away.
If you don’t provide a birthing box for your cat, she may choose to give birth in your closet or under your bed if you don’t intervene. Because of this, it’s possible, but not sure that she’ll use the box if you build and place it correctly.
