Cats about to give birth show nesting, restlessness, a temperature drop near 100°F, and visible contractions followed by kitten delivery.
When kittening nears, body signals and behavior shifts stack up in a clear pattern. Spotting those cues early helps you prep a safe, quiet space and know when hands-off watching is fine vs. when to phone the clinic. This guide breaks down the stages, plain-English signs you’ll see, timing that’s normal, and red flags that call for urgent care.
How To Spot Labor In Cats: Clear Signs
Most queens show a set of telltale changes in the 6–24 hours before the first kitten appears. You may notice a drop in appetite, more visits to a cozy nest, and bursts of pacing or meowing. Many cats lick the vulva to clean a small amount of fluid. As labor moves from the “quiet build-up” to active birth, you’ll see straining, stronger abdominal waves, and finally a kitten in the sac or already freed by mom.
Stages And What You’ll See
Birth unfolds in repeating waves. First comes cervical relaxation with mild, often hidden contractions. Next is active delivery of a kitten. Then the placenta passes. That active-delivery/placenta pair repeats for each kitten until the litter is finished.
| Stage | What You’ll See | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I (Preparation) | Nesting, restlessness, panting, vulvar licking; temperature can dip near or below 100°F (37.8°C) | ~6–12 hours; up to ~24–36 hours in some first-time queens |
| Stage II (Kitten Delivery) | Visible abdominal straining; kitten appears in amniotic sac; mom breaks sac and cleans | First kitten often after a longer build-up; then ~10–60 minutes between kittens |
| Stage III (Placenta) | Passage of membranes for each kitten; membranes can look dark greenish-black | Usually soon after each kitten; may alternate with Stage II |
Early Cues That Birth Is Close
Nesting And Restlessness
Cats near term pick a quiet, dim spot and “dig in” bedding. You may see the queen shuttle between her person and the nest, as if checking that the den is safe and then returning for reassurance. Short naps, pacing, and more vocalizing are common.
Drop In Appetite
Many queens skip meals the day before the first kitten. Keep fresh water near the den. Offer small, energy-dense meals nearby, but don’t crowd her. If she wants space, back off and watch from a distance.
Temperature Near Or Below 100°F
Some cats show a measurable dip in rectal temperature within the day before delivery. If your cat calmly accepts handling and your vet has shown you how, you can log a reading with a digital pet thermometer. If she resists, skip it; the behavior signs are plenty.
Milk And Mammary Changes
Enlarged mammary glands, a waxy bead of milk at a nipple tip, and more grooming around the belly are common late-term cues. These alone don’t pinpoint the hour, but paired with nesting and restlessness they add confidence that the window is opening.
Active Labor: What’s Normal To Watch
Contractions And First Kitten
As Stage II starts, you’ll see the abdomen tighten in waves. The queen may lie on her side, crouch, or stand and push. A fluid “water break” can precede the first kitten. The first arrival often takes the longest. Once the rhythm sets, kittens usually follow at steady intervals.
Kitten, Then Placenta
Each kitten should have a matching placenta. The sac and placenta can look dark greenish-black. Many moms eat them. That’s normal. Counting placentas helps you spot any that could be retained.
Normal Pauses
Short rests between kittens let the queen regroup, nurse early arrivals, and groom. Brief breaks are common. Long stalls paired with straining or distress are not. The section below lists clear “call now” triggers.
Set Up The Nest And Step Back
Choose a quiet room with a door, soft washable bedding, and a shallow box that keeps newborns from rolling out. Place a litter tray and fresh water nearby, but not inside the nest. Keep the space warm and draft-free. Dim light and low noise help the queen feel secure.
Hands-Off Help That Matters
- Keep towels, a bulb syringe, clean scissors, and dental floss within reach.
- Wash hands before any touch. No strong scents.
- If a kitten is born in an intact sac and mom doesn’t tear it, you can gently open the sac near the face and wipe the nose and mouth. Then place the kitten by a nipple.
- If an umbilical cord won’t stop bleeding, tie a snug floss knot ~2–3 cm from the belly and trim the excess.
Timing Benchmarks So You Know What’s Okay
Common Ranges
Stage I can run most of the day. The first kitten may follow a long build-up. After that, many litters arrive over the next several hours with short breaks. Total time can vary with litter size, parity, and the queen’s fitness.
Feeding And Water During Labor
Offer small bites of a well-balanced growth or all-life-stages diet near the den. Some queens ignore food while pushing, then snack between kittens. Fresh water within reach is helpful.
When Labor Isn’t Normal: Call The Vet
Most births need no human help. That said, certain patterns point to trouble and deserve immediate care. Use this checklist to reduce guesswork.
| Situation | What It Looks Like | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Strong pushing with no kitten | Visible straining for ~20–30 minutes without a newborn | Phone the clinic immediately |
| Long stall between kittens | No progress for ~2 hours during active labor | Call for guidance right away |
| Abnormal discharge before the first kitten | Dark green, foul-smelling, or profuse blood before any newborn appears | Seek urgent care |
| Kitten stuck at the vulva | Head or tail visible, not advancing with gentle contractions | Urgent veterinary help needed |
| Clear illness in mom | Collapse, high fever, severe pain, or labored breathing | Emergency visit |
| Placenta count doesn’t match | Fewer placentas than kittens after the litter seems complete | Call for advice; retained tissue needs treatment |
| No labor far past due | Pregnancy length beyond normal range with no birth | Vet exam and imaging |
Practical Prep Checklist
Supplies
- Nesting box with washable bedding and a spare set
- Digital thermometer (only if your cat tolerates handling)
- Clean towels and a small heating pad set on low under half the box
- Bulb syringe for clearing a kitten’s mouth and nose
- Alcohol-wiped scissors and dental floss for cord care if needed
- Scale that reads in grams to log kitten weights after they’re dry and nursing
Room Setup
- Quiet, low-traffic space with a door
- Dim light and steady warmth; avoid drafts
- Litter tray and water nearby, not inside the nest
- No crowd of spectators; one calm helper is plenty
Normal Fluids And What They Mean
A small amount of clear fluid, a water-break puddle, or dark membranes with each kitten fits the usual pattern. The queen may clean quickly, so you might only catch glimpses. Strong, foul odor or pooled bright blood is different; that’s a prompt call.
Care Right After The Litter Arrives
Warmth And Nursing
Dry each newborn with a soft towel if mom is busy with the next arrival. Place kittens near the belly so they latch and nurse colostrum. Keep half the box warm and half cooler so babies can move to a comfy spot.
Counting Placentas And Note-Taking
Tally kittens and placentas. Jot the time each arrived. That simple log helps your vet if questions pop up later. If a placenta seems missing and discharge turns smelly, call the clinic.
Feeding Mom
Offer fresh water and a small meal once the last kitten is out. A growth or nursing diet supports milk production. Keep the nest clean and dry; swap damp bedding for a spare set without fuss.
Helpful Reference Windows
Typical Intervals
- First visible push to first kitten: variable; often longer than later intervals
- Between kittens: ~10–60 minutes for many litters
- Total litter time: several hours; large litters can take longer
Short, calm breaks can stretch to an hour when the queen rests and nurses. Long gaps with straining or visible distress point to trouble and deserve a call.
When You’ll See A Temperature Dip
Not every queen shows a clear temperature drop, and you don’t need to chase it. If you do track temps once or twice a day near term, a reading near or below 100°F paired with nesting and restlessness often means delivery is within the day. Stop if she fusses; stress works against smooth labor.
Two Authoritative Reads If You Want More Detail
You can scan a veterinary overview of queening and normal timing in the Merck Veterinary Manual section on labor and delivery. For a cat-specific explainer on birth signs and what’s normal, see International Cat Care’s guide to cat birth.
Simple Decision Tree You Can Save
Birth Is Starting
- Nesting, restlessness, temperature near 100°F, small amounts of fluid → Set up the den and watch quietly.
- Visible pushing, then a kitten in a sac → Let mom tear it and clean; help only if she doesn’t.
Call Right Away
- Hard pushing ~20–30 minutes with no kitten
- Long stall ~2 hours during active labor
- Dark green, smelly, or heavy blood before the first kitten
- Kitten stuck at the vulva
- Clear illness in mom or a placenta tally that doesn’t match
Aftercare In The First 24 Hours
Healthy newborns sleep, squeak, and nurse. Each should gain weight by the next day. If a kitten is cold, warm slowly before feeding; chilled kittens can’t digest milk well. Keep the nest dry, offer fresh water and a rich diet to the queen, and keep the room calm.
Why Staying Calm Helps Everything
Cats read the room. Quiet, predictable steps from you help keep hormones aligned for steady contractions and let the queen focus on the job. Set up, dim the lights, sit nearby, and let nature move through its sequence. Step in only for the clear red flags above or if your clinic gives direct instructions.