Is Your Cat Treading on Her Bedding? Get Ready For Kittens!
So your barrel-shaped cat has been lounging around your home now for the past week or two, eating enough food to fuel an army and generally looking extremely pregnant.
For some time now, you’ve been able to see her kittens moving about in her belly quite clearly and you think that you have a fairly good idea of when she is due to give birth.
Then, in a moment, your gorgeous cat heaves herself out of her usual sunny spot and starts to move about, seeming to be nervous or excited about something.
She’ll start calling to you and, although your first reaction will probably be that she asking for more food, you’ll find that she has no interest in the tasty morsels that you put down for her.
Don’t be fooled by her seemingly unusual behavior. Wait just a while longer and you’ll find that your cat will be drawn to her chosen birthing place - her nesting box.
As as well-prepared owner, you will have sorted out a suitable nesting box by this time, won’t you? If you leave the choice up to your cat, you may find that she chooses your lovely, comfortable bed as her birthing place! A roomy and strong cardboard box is all you need. Cut the top and one side away, leaving a lip at the bottom to stop any tiny kittens from tumbling out accidentally. Old newspapers make excellent lining material and you may like to shred some for her. Use an old towel to cover the top for warmth and privacy and you’re all set.
But whatever the choice of nesting place, your cat will feel compelled to head straight there when she feels that her labor is starting. Here, she will begin to ‘tread’ on her bedding and once you see her doing this, you can be 100% sure that her kittens are on their way.
You’ll certainly recognise this unmistakable behavior as looks like a cross between digging in her litter box and the kneading action you see when she is relaxed and purring.
Even cat experts don’t really know why cats tread their bedding immediately prior to the onset of their labor. It is probably no more than a desire to arrange their immediate environment to their liking.
After all, giving birth is hard work and your cat will probably want to make herself as comfortable as she can!
Whatever the reason, treading on her bedding is a major sign that your cat’s labor is about to begin. She’s ready - are you?
Last 5 posts by Jane Tompsett
- Do You Make This Mistake With Your Cat's Carrier? - April 30th, 2008
- Cat Vaccination - Are You Dicing With Your Pet's Life? - April 24th, 2008
- How Long are Cats Pregnant For? - March 13th, 2008
- Your Pregnant Cat - Building A Nesting Box - February 26th, 2008
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