What to Expect During Labor in Cats

Introducing new kittens to the world is an exciting event, but it can also be overwhelming if you’re not sure what to expect. That’s why Lots of Love Pet Products is here to help! We can help you recognize the signs of impending labor, know what to expect during a cat’s labor, and know what warning signs to watch for during labor.



What You’ll Need

You can help prepare your cat for the big day by making a comfortable place for your cat to give birth (although she may choose to give birth elsewhere). A few things you’ll need include a nesting box (cardboard box) in a quiet, relaxing area and newspapers, clean towels, or blankets. 

Signs of Impending Labor

Once a female cat starts showing signs of early labor, it’s important for owners to observe the birthing process closely but try to leave her undisturbed. In most cases, you shouldn’t interfere more than necessary.

Here are signs that your cat will give birth soon:

Nesting: As your cat gets closer to her due date, she will enter nesting mode. This involves finding a quiet and warm place to have her kittens. She may start arranging blankets or whatever else she can find to create a birthing area. Some cats may start nesting as early as 2 weeks before giving birth, while others will begin during the final week.

Restless & Nervous: A day or two before labor begins, your cat may start exhibiting restless and nervous behavior. This may include panting excessively, acting anxious, and pacing around the nesting area.

Affection:Your cat may start to become more affectionate and friendly than normal before she goes into labor.

Lowered Body Temperature:Your cat’s normal body temperature is typically between 100.5 and 102.5°F. About 12 to 36 hours before labor, your cat’s body temperature will drop below 100°F.

Vocalization:Another sign of impending labor in cats is increased vocalization. This often involves howling, meowing, and crying. The pregnant queen may also begin panting and breathing rapidly.

Loss of Appetite: One of the signs of pregnancy in cats is an increased appetite, which is important for supplying her with the nutrients she needs for a healthy pregnancy and litter. As pregnant cats are near labor, they will often experience a decrease in appetite. This often occurs during the last 24 hours before labor.

Increased Licking:With labor quickly approaching, you may notice that your cat starts licking her genital region to clean a mild vaginal discharge. She will want to keep this area clean, so you likely won’t even see this discharge. If your cat starts licking herself, this is a sign that it’s almost time for the kittens to be born.

Read more on stages of cat labor, warning signs of a problem and What You Should Do, and a lot more from the blog post published on our website.

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