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How to tell if my pregnant cat is in labor & ensure a safe delivery?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

How can i tell when my cat is going into labor and make sure she is doing ok

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 23rd, 2018

Hello. There are 3 stages of labor in the cat. First stage: The cervix dilates & uterine contractions begin. The queen may become restless, exhibit excessive grooming, purr, scratch the nesting box/area, & pace during this stage. At the end of the first stage, the queen will settle into her nesting box/area. The first stage can last from a few hours up to 24 hours. Stage two: Delivery of the kittens. Strong abdominal contractions are visible & the first litten is usually delivered within 60 minutes of seeing the contractions. Kittens are usually delivered every 30-60 minutes, but delivery can last 16-18 hours. Third stage: Delivery of the fetal membranes although this may happen concurrently with second stage labor. Delivery of the kittens is interspersed with the delivery of the placentas, too. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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