After your cat gives birth, it’s important to monitor mum and her kittens to ensure no complications follow and kittens grow healthy. Take your cat and her kittens to be checked by a vet within 3 days of birth, sooner if you are worried. 

The time after giving birth is called postnatal or postpartum. Your cat will have increased nutritional needs and be more likely to develop metabolic problems or infections in her womb or mammary glands. Keep a close eye on the kitten’s growth and ensure that your cat recovers from the strain of giving birth so that she can nurse her kittens and stay healthy. Book a routine postnatal checkup for all and contact your vet if you have any concerns about mum or kittens.

Why

Why does my cat have specific needs after giving birth?

In the days and weeks after birth, your cat will undergo several hormonal changes. Suddenly she has kittens to feed who depend on her for everything. Cats may also go into season shortly after giving birth.

Lactation will lead to higher nutritional needs and potentially cause weight loss and metabolic issues if adequate nutrition is not provided. Infections and inflammation may affect mum’s behaviour and how well she is able to look after the kittens. The size of the litter and how experienced she is at looking after the kittens will also affect the way your cat responds to this period.

Postpartum care tips:

• If your cat has a long coat, trim the hair around her tail and hind legs and her mammary area. A groomer or vet nurse can do this if you need help.
• Check her teats daily.
• For the first week, monitor vaginal discharge.
• Check the kittens daily to ensure they are nursing well and feel warm.
• Monitor and record the kittens’ weight daily for the first week and then weigh them weekly.

Things to lookout for

Things to look out for in cats after giving birth

Mastitis:

• Pain or discomfort around the teat
• Swelling and redness of the teat
• Change in the milk colour and consistency
• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Lethargy

Metritis:

• Smelly vaginal discharge mixed with blood or of a dark green colour
• Swollen abdomen
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Decreased maternal instincts
• Decreased or absent milk production

Eclampsia or milk fever:

• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Muscle tremors
• Rigid limbs
• Convulsions or seizures

What to do

What to do with your cat after they give birth

First days after birth

• Allow the mum to bond with her kittens and provide a quiet, warm, and safe environment.
• Keep the birthing area clean and comfortable, and avoid unnecessary disturbances.
• A few days after birth, start regular and gentle handling to help kittens cope with stress and human contact more effectively later in life.
• Monitor the kittens’ weight gain weekly, ensuring they are nursing well.

Vet checks

• Schedule a postnatal vet check-up for your cat and her kittens.
• This should be done in the first 3 days after birth.
• The vet will check for birth defects and general well-being.
• Take mum or kittens to your vet sooner if there are any concerns.

Nutrition after birth

• When your cat becomes pregnant, it’s important to consult with a vet for specific dietary recommendations based on her individual needs.
• Vets usually recommend high-quality kitten food.
• Continue this highly nutritious diet while she is nursing her kittens.
• Feed your cat 3-4 meals throughout the day.
• You should not give your cat calcium supplements or any other type of supplement unless advised by your vet.

Deworming

Always speak to your vet for advice before choosing a wormer because not all treatments are licensed for pregnant or lactating cats.

• Your cat should be dewormed while pregnant with adequate medication suitable for pregnant cats.
• Kittens should be dewormed monthly for the first six months of life, starting around 4 weeks old.
• Talk to a vet for more information.

What not to do

What not to do with your cat and kittens after birth

Stressful environment

• Avoiding stress is particularly important during the first few weeks post-partum
• Create a clean, comfortable and stress-free environment for the mum and kittens to minimise disruptions
• Avoid loud noises, excessive people, other pets, and a cold environment in the area where the kittens are kept
• Be aware that separation from mum and litter-mates during the neonatal stage can lead to poor physical and mental development and problems with aggression

Medication

• Don’t give any medication or apply flea and worm treatment to your lactating cat without seeking medical advice first.

When is it normal

Normal behaviours in cats after giving birth

After a cat gives birth, it’s essential to closely monitor their health and well-being.

Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Energy levels
  • Mum may be tired immediately after giving birth. This is normal, and she may spend a lot of time resting with her kittens.
  • Energy levels should gradually improve over the following days and weeks.
• Appetite: may increase, especially as the demands of nursing kittens require additional calories.
• Vomiting and diarrhoea: after ingesting the afterbirth (placenta), there may be an episode of vomiting or soft stools. If symptoms persist, consult a vet immediately.
• Discharge from vagina:
  • It’s normal for the mum to have small amounts of reddish-brown discharge for a few weeks after giving birth. You may miss this as your cat will be cleaning herself more than usual.
  • If you notice a persistent or smelly discharge, contact a vet immediately.

Normal behaviours in newborn kittens

• Kittens will spend most of their time sleeping and feeding. Care should be taken to avoid disturbing the litter or the mother.
• Initially, they can’t poo without mum’s help. Mum needs to lick their genital and bottom area and massage their tummy to promote defecation.
• Between 7 and 14 days old, kittens will start opening their eyes.
• Their umbilical cord will drop off around one week after birth.
• A week after birth they start to gain between 10g to 30g each day.
• As they grow older, they may start to show interest in their mother’s food, this may happen at around 4 weeks old, when the weaning process begins.

When to worry

When should you be concerned about your cat after giving birth?

Take your cat to the nearest vet practice if:

• She is lethargic
• She is not interested in food
• She has vomiting and diarrhoea
• One or more of her teats look red and swollen
• There is a bad smell coming from her vagina
• She is rigid or having tremors

Joii can help:

• Planning for emergency situations.
• Monitoring normal postpartum signs and normal mum and kitten behaviour.
• Creating a suitable area for mum and kittens.
• With flea and worm treatment advice.
• With nutrition and care advice.