Cats give birth through a process involving labor, contractions, and the expulsion of kittens, typically encased in a thin sac.
When a cat (known as a queen) is ready to give birth, she enters labor. This stage is characterized by strong physical changes leading up to the active birth.
The actual birth process begins with noticeable contractions and straining.
- Contractions: These are powerful muscle spasms of the uterus that help push the kittens towards the birth canal.
- Straining: This is the visible effort the cat makes to expel the kitten.
Based on typical experience, the first kitten is usually born within 30 minutes of the straining starting. Following the birth of the first kitten, subsequent kittens generally arrive at intervals ranging from 10 to 60 minutes.
The Birth of Each Kitten
Each kitten is normally born within a thin sac. This membrane is part of the amniotic sac that protected the kitten during gestation. Once the kitten is born, the mother cat instinctively tears off this sac. Removing the sac is crucial as it enables the kitten to breathe. The mother cat will also typically lick the kitten to stimulate breathing and circulation and chew through the umbilical cord connecting the kitten to the placenta.
The delivery continues until all kittens have been born, followed by the expulsion of the placentas (afterbirth), usually one for each kitten.
