How Long Can a Cat Be in Labor? Vet-Approved Feline Birth Facts

Most veterinary professionals recommend getting your cat spayed or neutered to help control the feral cat population, reduce disease transmission between cats, and reduce the risk of health complications later in life. It can also help make it much easier to deal with your pet, as they can get pretty unsettled when in heat. However, for any number of reasons, you might find yourself with a pregnant cat that's about to give birth.

Luckily, cats have been doing this for a long time and in most cases should be fine, unless they have pre-existing health issues, but we're sure you still have plenty of questions, like how long your cat will be in labor. Your cat will typically be in labor for 6–12 hours once the cat begins giving birth, but it may be as long as 16 hours in some cases, or it could be shorter than 6 hours, depending on many factors. A prolonged or complicated birth can put an enormous strain on the mother, leaving her weak, dehydrated, or anemic, or it could cause one or more kittens to die if they are stuck in the birth canal.

Keep reading while we explain several other things you can expect while your cat is giving birth so you both can feel comfortable and confident about the litter of kittens about to arrive.

How Large Is a Litter of Kittens?

Most cats will have between three and five kittens, but some litters can be as large as 12. If it's your cat's first time giving birth, there may be fewer kittens.

How Long Is Normal Between Kittens?

Your cat should produce one new kitten every 10–60 minutes. Any longer and it may indicate a problem. With this timeline, your cat should have enough time to complete the delivery in fewer than 6 hours, depending on the size of the litter.

How Can I Help My Cat?

Most cats know what they are doing, and in the majority of cases, there is little you will need to do besides keeping an eye on things to make sure labor doesn't last too long, that there are no complications, or that there isn’t an issue with one or more kittens.

You will want to prepare by having a transporter box or a carrier ready to go should your cat require it. It would be wise as well to contact your vet and discuss all the signs of labor and labor complications with them before the actual event, so you can familiarize yourself with the process and are able to recognize early signs of a problem. Your vet will also be on standby in that case, for the off chance that your cat and her kittens need veterinary assistance.

You should also take steps to ensure the area is quiet and won't be disturbed by other family members. If possible, you should increase the room's temperature to make the cat and the new kittens more comfortable.

What Happens During Birth?

Birth occurs over three stages, with the second and third stages repeating until all kittens have arrived.

What Should I Watch for While My Cat Is Giving Birth?

When to See the Vet

We have already mentioned some instances when your cat and her kittens need to see the vet. Here, we have outlined it again and expanded upon it. However, this list is not exhaustive. Please consult with your vet if you have any concerns with your cat giving birth or with her kittens.

Summary

Cats usually stay in labor for roughly 6-12 hours and will produce several kittens, most often unseen in the middle of the night. However, you should prepare for every outcome to minimize the risk to your cat and the kittens. Having a carrier ready can help make sure you get to the vet in time if you need to, and we recommend contacting your vet a week or two early, so you have a number to contact after hours if there is an emergency.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this guide, and it has helped you learn more about your pet. If we have helped you prepare for your cat to deliver kittens in your home, please share this look into how long a cat can be in labor on Facebook and Twitter.

• See Also: Do Cats’ Waters Break? Our Vet Explains Feline Pregnancy Facts

Featured Image Credit: ivona02, Shutterstock