How To Tell When A Cat Is Going Into Labor

Introduction

Cats are excellent mothers, but they can also be very secretive about when they’re going into labor, and you want to be prepared! Plus, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between a cat who’s feeling sick and a cat who’s about to go into labor. Luckily, there are a few things you can look for to determine whether your cat is about to have kittens. They include:

Watch behaviors

• Watch behaviors.
• A cat who’s going into labor will begin to act differently than she normally does. As her due date approaches, she may become restless and vocal, more affectionate than usual, or more protective of her kittens and/or food. She may also become more protective of her litter box as the birthing process nears completion and she prepares for motherhood.

Observe the mother cat’s stomach

• Observe the mother cat’s stomach.
• Be on the lookout for a swollen belly and an increased amount of meowing, as this will indicate that labor is progressing.
• The mother cat may become restless and uncomfortable during contractions. She’ll be restless at night, and if you hear her crying or moaning, it means she’s in pain from a contraction coming on.
• Vomiting can also be another sign that labor pains are beginning to set in—the mother cat will want to vomit because of nausea caused by contractions.
• Eating less food than usual is another sign your furry friend might be going into labor: animals don’t eat much when they’re pregnant or giving birth because they’re busy taking care of their babies!

Notice nesting

As your cat gets ready for the big day, she may start to clean her nest. She will probably be very methodical about it, cleaning every part of her den before laying down to rest. She might also gather items from around the house that she wants in her nest and carry them there herself.

As cats get closer to giving birth, they’re also likely to begin spending more time in their dens; this is when you’ll notice them sleeping there as well. They may even start eating more than usual—and not just because they’re hungry! It’s common for pregnant cats on the cusp of labor to eat more food than usual because their bodies are using those extra calories for energy while preparing themselves for labor and delivery.

Watch for pacing

If a cat is going into labor, she may pace. Pacing has many purposes in the wild. Pacing helps cats to keep track of their space and territory, since they use scent and pheromones to mark their environment. Cats also pace when they’re nervous or anxious; this behavior is called “stereotypic pacing.” If your cat is pacing in circles or back and forth, it could be because of labor pains!

If you see your pregnant cat pacing around the house for hours on end with no other symptoms (purring loudly, vomiting), then there’s a chance she’s going into labor soon!

Another sign that a cat is about to give birth is excessive grooming: grooming herself excessively will help remove loose fur so her babies don’t get stuck in it when they’re born.

Check the temperature

Another way of determining if your cat is going into labor is by checking her temperature. If a cat’s temperature is high, it can be a sign that she may be in labor. If the temperature is low, it may also indicate that the cat might be going into labor soon. When a cat’s normal body temperature of between 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit begins to rise due to fever or infection, this can cause contractions within the uterus and lead up to birth.

If your kitty cat is going into labor, she will act differently and you’ll be able to tell!

There are a number of signs to look for that can tell you your cat is going into labor.

• If your kitty cat is going into labor, she will act differently and you’ll be able to tell!

She’ll be more affectionate and cuddly than usual. She may even curl up on your lap or purr when touched. She might also meow loudly or cry out in pain.

If you notice any of these signs, take her to the vet immediately because when cats go into labor they usually do so within a few hours (though this varies from one cat to another).

Conclusion

So, what can you do to prepare for the birth? The first thing is to make sure you’ve got a clean, quiet space prepared in which your cat can have her babies, with few distractions and no young children around. Human babies tend to be quite loud, and even if they’re not crying or screaming directly at their feline counterparts, they still make plenty of noise while sleeping. Cats are sensitive creatures who may not want noises like that distracting them during labor so having a private area away from other pets (and people) will be important. If possible try laying down old towels around where your kittening mommy might give birth too so that she doesn’t leave any paw prints on surfaces or furniture nearby — this way when she comes out after delivery there won’t be any footprints left behind!