How To Induce Cat Labor

By Andrea Di Salvo Jun 18, 2009 7:57 am EST

Things Needed

Cat toys to encourage activity
Dimly lit closet or other secluded space
Sturdy cardboard box, enclosed but low enough for your cat to see out
Clean rags or newspaper to line the box for easy cleanup after delivery
Rectal cat thermometer (or ear thermometer, if preferred)
Red raspberry capsules
Vet's phone number and a list of any medications you cat is taking

Warning

Only a vet should use oxytocin, as its use before the cat is ready for delivery can cause the uterus to rupture. It can also interact with other medications or cause allergic reactions in some animals. Your vet may suggest a c-section if the mother needs to deliver but her cervix is not dilated. It may also be the only option if the kittens are in the wrong position or are too large to pass through the birth canal. Your vet should always oversee all attempts to induce labor in your queen.

Tip

Normal cat gestation is about 63 days, but you need not worry or induce labor until around day 70. Keep in mind that first time mothers often deliver later than established queens. Oxytocin works in about an hour, and most vets will keep the mother in their clinics until after delivery.

A cat is usually low-maintenance throughout her pregnancy. Most mother cats, called queens, remain that way when it's time to deliver their kittens. Birth happens without any need for human intervention, with normal human involvement limited to staying out of the way and giving the mother space. That's not always the case, though. If your cat is past her due date or if you think her health may be in danger, it may be time to induce labor.

Step 1

Play with your cat and encourage her to run around the house. Exercise is an excellent way to induce labor in any species and won't harm the mother cat if she's not ready for labor.

Step 2

Set up a sturdy box lined with soft bedding in a secluded, quiet and dim corner. Once this is available, your cat may begin the delivery process without any need to induce labor.

Step 3

Sprinkle one capsule of red raspberry over your cat's canned food once every day. Many cat breeders use red raspberry to induce labor.

Step 4

Take the queen cat's temperature. Find someone to hold the cat for you while you use a rectal thermometer. Your cat's normal rectal temperature is 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit but will drop to 98 to 99 degrees when she's ready to give birth. Take note and call your vet if her temperature is higher than 102, as this may signal a problem.

Step 5

Watch for movement from the kittens and nipples that secrete milk. These are both signs that her due date may be near.

Step 6

Look at your cat to see if she is panting, pacing, shivering or acting anxious. These are normal behaviors in a queen six to 24 hours before she gives birth.

Step 7

If still uncertain whether your cat is ready for labor, take her to your vet. An ultrasound or x-ray will help determine how advanced the kittens are in their development and if it is time to induce labor.

Step 8

Know your options before you approach your vet. If the kittens are ready to be born, your vet will suggest either oxytocin to induce labor, which will take effect in about an hour, or a c-section.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet's opinion.