The excitement grows as the queen’s belly expands. You’re counting down the days. Normal pregnancy in cats averages 65 days. Larger litters tend to have slightly shorter gestations, while extremes can range from 54 to 74 days.
Meanwhile, the kittens are growing inside the uterus. As they increase in size, fetal cortisol—also known as “the stress hormone”— rises to a threshold which triggers a cascade of events, including a decrease in progesterone. The decrease in progesterone to a median of 3.18 ng/ml, leads to the stimulation of myometrial contractions, and prompts the beginning of labor.
The Stages of Labor
Stage one of labor is generally the longest stage. The cervix gradually dilates and contractions begin. At this time, the contractions are generally not visible to an observer. A queen in this stage of parturition may display panting, nesting behavior and restlessness. She may also be anorexic and/or nauseous. The first stage may be as short as a few hours or as long as a day.
Stage two begins when active contractions are noticeable. Once these contractions begin, the first kitten should be expected to arrive within four hours. but it is usually closer to one hour. Stage two and stage three—delivery of the placenta—occur at practically the same time since kittens and placenta are usually expelled at the same time or relatively close together.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Cat Talk.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Cat Talk.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
No Kitten! Cats Are Part of the Military!
Felines have graced the decks of boats and ships back nearly to the beginning of time, roaming freely on passenger ships, war vessels, and merchant schooners, keeping vermin at bay.
Feline Summer Movie Fun!
School is almost OUT! Huzzah! But raindrops are plunking against the window, the amusement and water parks haven’t opened yet, camping is out, and roasted hot dogs and S’mores are another month away.
Kittens Are Special...
...and so are some of the show rules for them:
Genetic Pleiotropy and the Risks in Breeding Recessive Mutations
Nearly everyone loves what’s rare and unique. A slight defect in the minting process of a coin can create a demand and a value well beyond the face value of the coin. The coin is functionally no different than its perfectly minted counterpart, but its scarcity and uniqueness alone make it more desirable than the rest.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
Most new pet owners can hardly wait to get their new kitten home. How to explain why most breeders wait until the kitten is older? | Let's take a look at WHY breeders delay, and why new owners will be happier in the long run that they did.
Who's That Kitten?
Your queen has successfully delivered her litter!
Kittens & Worms
You have settled in for the evening with your soft, sleepy kitten. As you rub her, you notice that her belly is large, round, and squishy.
GESTATION What Is Normal & What Influences Gestation.?
About 46.5 million households in the United States report owning cats in 2024.
Preparing Kittens For the Show Hall
Socializing kittens and making sure they are confident for their new family is only a part of the job description for a show breeder.
Library Cats felis cattus bibliotheca
Introduction - The Middle Ages, sometimes referred to as “The Dark Ages,” spanned approximately one thousand years, between 479 AD and 1450 AD. This time period is not generally considered to have been friendly to anyone, human nor animal, but it was especially hostile toward felines. Ignorance of knowledge and science was rampant among the majority of the population, with the ability to read limited to clerics and the wealthy. Myths, legends, and galliard songs spread widely throughout Europe as people migrated from place to place, searching for food and a safe habitat. Fear of the unknown and the unexplainable, particularly of witches and their cat familiars, was spread not only by the stories and songs, but by the Popes themselves. Without touching on the atrocities of medieval times, let us just say it was not the best time to be a cat.