The Important Steps To Take If You Find A Pregnant Stray Cat

If you find what looks to be a stray, pregnant cat in your neighborhood, there are a few steps you can take to ensure mom and her future babies are OK. First, make sure the cat is actually a stray by contacting nearby residents and looking for any signs of ownership. The charity Cats Protection recommends putting up found posters or bringing the cat to your local vet to check for a microchip.

Feral cats, compared to strays, are often avoidant of people. A stray cat may not approach at first, but could warm up quickly or seek out humans for food and care. A lost pet, by comparison, may appear in good health or have a collar or microchip indicating ownership.

It's also a good idea to determine if the cat is actually pregnant. Signs of pregnancy in felines include a round belly, easy-to-spot nipples, or waxing (oozing) of the nipples if she's close to giving birth. If her belly looks empty with loose skin but her nipples are prominent, it can indicate she's had her kittens recently and that they are nearby.

It can be difficult transporting a nervous or skittish cat to the vet to check for a microchip. If the feline appears feral or won't approach humans at all, you may need to use a humane trap to get them to your vet. These traps can often be rented from your local animal shelter. According to Best Friends Animal Society, they can be placed under supervision in the areas feral cats frequent, and baited with food. When the kitty enters to eat, the trap gently closes behind them. It's best to place a towel over the top of the trap when transporting the cat to your vet to help reduce stress and make them more comfortable.

Once at the vet, they can check for a microchip or other signs of ownership. Stray cats that have been vaccinated or previously trapped and spayed or neutered may also have an ear notch or tattoo on their belly to indicate this. Your vet can also determine if the cat is actually pregnant, as well as provide any vaccinations, deworming, or other treatments to make sure they are healthy.

Feral or stray moms-to-be may get stressed if kept indoors. It's best to provide a heated nesting box or cold weather shelter for a feral cat outdoors where they can safely have the kittens, advises Revival Animal Health. If you do have to bring the cat indoors, keep them in a safe, quiet room with few disturbances from other pets or people.

You'll also want to make sure mom has the best nutrition. Feeding kitten food can give her enough nutrients to help developing kittens. After birth, it's important to provide veterinary care for both mom and her babies. It also is crucial to socialize the little ones to get them comfortable with other pets and people before they are adopted. This can help ensure that any feral kittens become good pets.

For a truly feral cat, you may not be able to do much beyond feeding them. Once they've had their kittens, you can look into trapping them to bring indoors for socialization. In addition, a TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, release) program can help catch the mom cat so she can be spayed and set free.