My Cat Gave Birth to a New Life
You know that feeling of anticipating for a new pair of shoes, or holiday, or a weekend getaway? Sometimes you have that feeling of being enormously excited because you know something good is coming your way? I have been in that kind of euphoria for quite sometime now and it is because my cat, Jupiter, is carrying with her babies. She is pregnant! I am more than excited with her pregnancy this time since she already had given birth before. Unfortunately, that time she gave birth to a still child. I saw my cat cry that time. She was asking for my affection and I can really feel her loss - it was my loss too. Now is another chance for her to become the mother that she will be. And I am more than excited.
I first started noticing that my cat was pregnant when her attitude changed. She was normally an i-dont-care type of cat. But lately, she became more affectionate towards us. She became more needy for attention and cuddling, and on top of that, she goes wherever I go. She sleeps by my side everytime. However, with that, also comes the frequent mood swings. She became more irritable and easily annoyed. She was the boss. I have read about it somewhere that when cats get pregnant, their motherly instincts are heightened that's in preparation for the coming baby. I guess that's why she became more affectionate.
this is Jupiter on her random mood swings. just look at that annoyed face
So according to care.com, there are actually tell-tale signs that a cat is preganant. link
1. Darkened Nipples
At around three weeks, a pregnant cat's nipples will become darker in color and enlarged. Veterinarians call this sign "pinking up," which you can see on the cat in the picture below. You may also notice some milky discharge, although cats don't start producing milk until after birth.
2. Morning Sickness
Just like humans, a pregnant cat may also go through a period of being sick occasionally. Not all cats have morning sickness (just like pregnant women!), but if she does, keep an eye on her and contact your veterinarian if the vomiting becomes frequent or if your cat appears unwell.
3. Swollen Belly
Around the 30-day mark, pregnant cats start to develop a rounded, swollen abdomen -- a sign that isn't always so easy to spot. "If your cat is overweight to begin with, her belly distension may be less noticeable but she will still gain weight due to pregnancy," says Dr. Barrack. A pregnant cat will gain a total of two to four pounds overall depending on the number of kittens. Below is a picture of cat with a swollen stomach.
4. Nesting
With around two weeks to go in her pregnancy, a pregnant cat will often start "nesting." "She may choose a quiet place and start arranging blankets for a birthing area," says Dr. Barrack. Your cat may also start acting more maternal, being more affectionate towards you and purring more frequently. At the same time, she might become less tolerant of other pets or animals.
5. Positive Ultrasound
The best way to tell if your cat is pregnant is to visit your veterinarian and get an X-ray or ultrasound. X-rays don't show the kittens until 40 to 45 days when the skeletons of the kittens are visible. Ultrasounds can be done as early as 21 days, but it is often difficult to count the number of kittens present with an ultrasound, compared with X-rays. Don't worry about using an X-ray on a pregnant cat. "The amount of radiation is pretty small, so one X-ray is generally considered safe for developing kittens," says Dr. Bright.
this is Jupiter on her afternoon nap. I find her really adorable
These are some of the pictures while she was in labor:
That was my Jupiter giving birth to a cute little kitten. :) I hope this kitten grows into a very cute cat. :)
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