A Mother Cat’s Postnatal Care And Her Newborn Kittens

After a mother cat has given birth, postnatal care for her and her newborn kittens is critical, and your observational skills are essential during this delicate time. Look for signs of health problems and kitten developmental milestones, such as physical activity, in the first few weeks.
Postpartum may occur in the mother cat, so keep her and her kittens in a comfortable, warm space away from the busier areas of the house. Thoroughly inspecting for any abnormalities in behaviors or physical appearances will also help you identify issues quickly, allowing you to seek veterinarian assistance.

Veterinarian Examination

If you haven’t already, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a checkup after one week. If the mother cat hasn’t been vaccinated, now is a good time. She may also receive roundworm treatment to protect both herself and her kittens.

Mother Cat and New Kitten Care

For a mother cat and her newborn kittens, the first two to three weeks are critical. The kittens should be growing quickly, and if the mother experiences any postpartum problems, it will be during this time.
Allow the mother cat to direct your attention. If she has been your pet for some time, she may look forward to your visits. A stray or foster cat might prefer that you stay away. The kittens will be fine as long as they are nursing frequently and appear to be thriving.
Keep the mother cat and her kittens in a quiet area of the house, preferably a separate room. Make sure the room is warm enough because kittens can’t regulate their body temperature until they’re a few days old. The mother cat can keep the kittens warm, but if she goes outside to eat or use the litter box, the kittens may become cold. One of the most serious dangers to newborn kittens is chilling. 1 To keep the kittens warm, provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad.
Make sure the box is large enough to accommodate the mother cat and her kittens. Line it with clean towels. As the kittens defecate, the towels will quickly become soiled. The top towel should be removed first to reveal a clean layer.
Keep the litter box, food, and water bowls of the mother cat nearby. Make sure she’s eating high-quality canned kitten food that’s been supplemented with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). These specially formulated foods provide the nutrients that a nursing, postpartum mother cat requires.

Milestones in Kitten Development

Three days after birth, a kitten’s eyes open, and the umbilical cord falls off. Their nervous systems are still developing, so you may notice them twitching while sleeping. This twitching is completely normal and indicates that their nervous system and muscles are developing.
By two weeks, the kittens will be crawling around and trying to stand. During this time, their teeth will begin to emerge. You can feel tiny tooth nubs if you put your finger in their mouth.

The mother cat will lick each kitten around the abdomen and anal area after nursing for the first three weeks to encourage waste elimination. In her absence, you must perform this task with a warm, damp washcloth.
The kittens should be walking around and playing by three weeks. You can start them on wet food and supplement with KMR. They should still be nursing actively. You can also get them used to using the litter box. Avoid clumping clay litter at this age. Any premium non-clay litter or the World’s Best Cat Litter is ideal for young kittens.

Newborn Kitten Health Concerns

Kittens are the most susceptible to intestinal parasites.
Infectious diseases, such as respiratory infections, and congenital diseases are also common in young kittens.
When a kitten fails to thrive, this is referred to as fading kitten syndrome.
If you notice that one of the kittens is more lethargic and sleeps a lot more than its siblings, this could be a sign of the syndrome. A veterinarian who specializes in kitten care should see that kitten right away.

Postpartum Health Concerns

Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period are all stressful times for a new mother’s body. A new mother experiences a surge of hormones, milk production begins, and the recovery process from childbirth is in full swing. There are a few serious conditions to look out for in your mother cat.

Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the milk ducts that occurs when the mother cat’s milk production is obstructed by inflamed mammary glands. The teats swell and become hot, with visible “bruising,” and the mother cat may refuse to let the kittens nurse. Mastitis is considered a veterinary emergency. Antibiotics are usually required to treat the infection in cats. 4 Until the mother cat recovers, the kittens may need to be hand-fed.

Hypocalcemia

Although hypocalcemia, also known as “milk fever,” is uncommon in cats, it is a veterinary emergency.
This condition can be caused by a calcium deficiency during pregnancy and nursing. Seizures, staggering, muscle tremors, restlessness, and excessive panting are among the symptoms. The kittens will have to be fed by hand while their mother recovers.

Metritis of the Uterus

Metritis is a severe uterine infection that is also a veterinary emergency.
After giving birth to her kittens, the mother cat will usually have normal vaginal drainage. A foul-smelling discharge, on the other hand, is a red flag. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, and a decrease in milk production.
The mother cat may need to be hospitalized and may require emergency spaying. As the mother cat recovers, you will be responsible for feeding and caring for the kittens.

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