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Cat just had kittens. Mom didn't eat placenta or cut umbilical cords. What do I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 9 months and 2 days old

I have a cat that just had 2 kittens. She has not eaten the placenta, and the kittens' umbilical cords are still attached to their mother. What do I do?

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2016

Ensure the mother has cleaned their noses and nothing is obstructing their breathing. If the mother has not broken the cords you can tie off the cord with some cotton or dental floss sterilized with boiling water. Tie two very tight knots at least one inch from the kittens belly and half inch apart and cut between the two knots with sterilized scissors. She may eat the placentas when she is completely done with the [queening](https://www.petcoach.co/article/queening-giving-birth-in-cats) (delivery). If she doesn't, you can dispose of them after a few hours.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 3rd, 2018

    Do nothing, Leave her be and let her do her thing. Just check once in a while that the navel cord does not wrap around the baby or its leg(s). If she has not chewed it with in the next hour or so, you can take some sewing thread, dip it in iodine or alcohol, and tie it off, leaving about 1/2 inch of navel cord hanging. The important thing is to watch that the cords of the babies do not start to form a mess tying up the babies legs or heads and cutting off blood supply.

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 24th, 2019

    Hello. You can go ahead & help Arya with her kittens. Take some string or even dental floss & tie a good knot on the umbilical cord 1/2 between the body wall & the placental sac. Cut the umbilical cord a small distance from the knot on the side WITH the placenta. The knot tied on the umbilical cord should remain with the kitten. When the cord dries, it will fall off naturally. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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