How to Deliver Kittens
A cat's pregnancy is quite similar to that of a woman in that the delivery varies from feline to feline. There are signs to recognize when the cat is in labor as well as ways to guide her through the delivery process.
Items Needed:
- Pair of hemostats
- Pair of dull scissors
- Dental floss or thread
- Alcohol or iodine
- Towels
- Be prepared. In addition to having the above mentioned items on hand, it is a good idea to have the phone number of the vet on-hand in case there are any birthing complication.
- Know when to call the vet. Reasons to call the vet for assistance are if the cat has pushed hard for at least an hour and no kitten has been delivered, if labor stops but kittens can be seen inside the cat, or if there is the presence of fresh red blood during labor.
- Watch for the fluid bubble. Once the cat begins pushing, there should be a bubble of fluid present. If 10 minutes have passed of the cat pushing, but the first kitten has not been delivered, lightly pinch the sac so that the kitten can be released.
- Do not pull the kittens. If a kitten is out of the sac but still halfway inside the mother, hold it gently until the mother has the next contraction and then tug gently until the kitten is all the way out. Pulling too hard can cause harm to both the baby and the mother.
- Check the kitten. Make sure that the kitten is breathing. If not, check to see if the placenta has passed. If it is still connected, use the hemostat to clamp it and then cut it with the dull scissors. Take the kitten and hold it in a warm towel and rub it gently until it starts to breathe. Once it starts breathing, give it to the mother so it can nurse.