Your cat has given birth, and you are probably very excited. But why does the mother cat seem to still have a kitten in her belly? What is happening? How to know if there are kittens that haven’t been born yet?
How to Tell if Cat Still Has Kittens Inside
There are a few ways to tell if a mother cat that has just given birth still has kittens inside her. The first way to tell is by looking at the fur around her stomach and pelvic area.
If you see clumps of fur that are unusually long, this is a sign that the mother cat may still have kittens.
Another way is by looking at mother cat behavior. When a cat gives birth, she may let you know by purring, pacing, or even cuddling with her kittens.
However, some signs that a cat still has kittens inside her may be more subtle, including:
- licking her abdomen excessively
- biting her abdomen excessively
- rubbing against objects repeatedly
- become extremely active and playful
- starts walking around with an unusual gait
- excessively grooming herself
- continues to defecate and urinate in the same place
- eating more than usual
- groom more frequently around the kittens
- startle easily than usual
- spend more time hiding
- become clingy to people
- starts to scratch or hiss at people
If you see any of these signs, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about the steps needed to protect the kittens’ safety.
Licking Her Abdomen Excessively
If you notice your mother cat licking her abdomen excessively, it may be a sign she still has kittens inside her.
Kittens will typically emerge between seven and ten days after giving birth, so if the mother cat is diligently licking herself daily or hourly, there may be at least one or two kittens still remaining.
If you can’t find any kittens and the licking has ceased, then your mom probably gave birth, and the kittens have either fled or perished.
Biting Her Abdomen Excessively
If you are caring for a mother cat that just gave birth, be sure to watch for any signs that her kittens may still be inside her. If the mother cat starts biting her abdomen excessively, there is a good chance that the kittens are still inside her.
Rubbing Against Objects Repeatedly
If you have just seen a mother cat with kittens and she seems to be rubbing against objects repeatedly, there is a good chance that the kittens are still inside her.
Kittens will usually rub their heads against things in an attempt to get out, so if the mother cat is doing this, then it is likely that her kittens are still with her.
Become Extremely Active and Playful
If you are the owner of a mother cat that has just given birth, you may notice that she is extremely active and playful.
This behavior shows that the mother cat still has her kittens inside her and is doing everything she can to care for them. Mother cats usually spend a lot of time playing, purring, and climbing around.
Starts Walking Around With an Unusual Gait
If you see an unusual gait in a mother cat that just gave birth, it may be a sign that she still has kittens inside her.
The mother cat will likely walk around with an odd stance as if she’s trying to balance something heavy on her front legs. This behavior is common and harmless and will disappear once the kittens are born.
Excessively Grooming Herself
When a mother cat gives birth, she is likely very exhausted. This may lead her to excessive groom herself, which can signify that she still has kittens inside her with excess hair.
Her behavior may change drastically once the kittens are born, and she begins to nurse them.
Continues to Defecate and Urinate in the Same Place
If you see your mother cat continuing to defecate and urinate in the same place as she did when she gave birth, there is a good chance that she still has kittens inside her.
While most of the time, this will not be a problem, if your cat does not have her kittens removed within a few days of giving birth, they may become infected with illnesses and die.
Eating More Than Usual
If you are noticing that your mother cat is eating more than usual after she has just given birth, there may be a good chance that she still has her kittens inside her.
This is because the mother cat will likely eat to keep herself nourished and provide her new kittens with the resources they need to survive.
Groom More Frequently Around the Kittens
As a mother cat that has just given birth, it is natural for her to groom herself more frequently around her kittens as a sign of affection.
But suppose the mother cat starts grooming them more often and stops being as playful as they usually are. In that case, this could be a sign that there are still kittens inside the mother cat and may need help.
If you notice this happening and can identify any other changes in the mother cat’s behavior that might suggest her kittens are still alive and well, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian
Startle Easily Than Usual
When a cat gives birth, it is usually a moment of joy for both mother and kittens. However, if you notice that your cat starts to “startle easily,” this could be a sign that she still has kittens inside her.
This means that the birthing process did not go as smoothly as planned. It may have resulted in some of the kittens being born prematurely or with difficulty.
Spend More Time Hiding
There are many things to look for when determining if a mother cat that has just given birth still has kittens inside her. One of the most common signs is that she will spend more time hiding than usual.
This doesn’t mean that she is lying in wait for prey or waiting to defend her young, but rather that she may feel unsafe and want to stay hidden.
Become Clingy to People
When a mother cat gives birth, she is likely to be clingy to her young. This may seem like a sign that the kittens are still inside her, but it’s not always the case.
Suppose a mother cat is clingy to people or other animals and shows no signs of aggression towards them. In that case, it’s safe to assume that all her kittens have been safely delivered.
Starts to Scratch or Hiss at People
When a mother cat gives birth, she will start to scratch or hiss at people as a sign that her kittens are still inside her.
If you see this behavior, it is important to be patient and wait until the kittens are born before trying to handle them. If you try to take the kittens out before they are born, the mother may attack you.
What to Do When Your Cat Who Gives Birth Still Has Kittens
If you’ve just watched your mother cat give birth to a litter of kittens, and you find one or more kittens still inside her after she’s done birthing them, there are a few things you can do.
First, make sure the kittens are getting enough milk and food. You can give them a small milk bottle four times a day or feed them kitten milk replacement formula every two hours.
If the kittens are old enough, you can also start giving them solid food. Start by offering them small amounts several times daily and gradually increasing their portion size.
If possible, try to keep the mother cat nearby so she can help feed the kittens.
You can also help to keep the kittens calm and comfortable by:
- Make sure that the area around the mother is clean and tidy.
- Make sure the area where the cats are staying is warm and comfortable. This can be done by providing a warm bed or setting a heating pad on low heat in their enclosure.
- Try to keep the cats as quiet as possible, so they don’t become stressed out. This means no loud noises, constant movement, or human interaction.
Conclusion
A few ways to tell if a mother cat that has just given birth still has kittens inside her is by looking at her behavior. These include her licking her abdomen excessively and biting her abdomen.
Also, she starts walking around with an unusual gait and grooms more frequently around the kittens.
So, be sure to watch for mother cat signs and be ready to take action if necessary to protect your new family!