“I
have a pregnant stray cat hanging around my house. How long until she has her
babies? When can I get her fixed?”
According
to the Wild Discovery Guide to Your Cat, a cat’s pregnancy will typically
last between nine and ten weeks. They don’t start to look bigger until around
four or five weeks, so if your cat’s very visibly pregnant, she’s probably
quite well along. You can prepare a birthing box for her by cutting a hole in a
clean, covered, cardboard box (low enough that she can use it as a door, but
high enough that the kittens won’t be able to crawl out of the box right away –
about five inches) and lining the bottom of the box with shredded newspaper and
clean cloth. However, there’s no guarantee she’ll use it – strays tend to try
to hide their kittens from people.
You
can bring the mother cat in to be spayed once her babies are weaned – usually
about five to six weeks after they’re born. It’s possible for her to get
pregnant again while she’s nursing, though, so keep her separated from tomcats.
The kittens can be spayed or neutered once they weigh at least two pounds.
Sources vary on how old they need to be, anywhere from eight weeks to twelve,
so it’s best to check with your veterinarian and see what they recommend.
Because
spaying and neutering cats and dogs is vital in reducing the overpopulation
problem that leads to so many homeless animals being euthanized, animal welfare
programs provide a lot of resources to make it as easy and cost-effective as
possible. The ASPCA provides a searchable database of low-cost spay/neuter
programs across the country so you
can find the one that’s most convenient for you.
Anyone
considering taking in a cat or kitten is welcome to come check out Eric
Swanson’s We’re Having a Kitten!: From the Big Decision Through the Crucial First Year and Wendy Christensen’s Complete Guide to Cat Care, both
available here at the Newton Falls Public Library.
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