Summary
This article outlines the specific, additional supplies you will need on hand to care for a pregnant cat or a nursing cat and her kittens.
Special Supplies to Have on Hand
In addition to the basic supplies detailed in Basic Supplies Needed for Caring for Kittens there are some specific considerations for queens and their kittens:
- Litter and litter boxes. Provide an adult-sized litter box with unscented, NON-clumping litter. It is essential to use non-clumping litter because some queens will give birth in the litter box, and it would be dangerous for newborns to be covered in clumping litter or have it obstruct their airways. If kittens are three to four weeks or older, also provide a low-sided litter box with NON-clumping litter. Cardboard boxes from cases of food or beverages can be found at no cost at grocery stores or pet supply stores.
- Food and water. Feed queens as often and as much high-quality kitten food (both wet and dry) as they want to eat and always have fresh water available. Queens need lots of calories to nourish themselves and kittens in utero. After kittens are born, queens need high-quality food to produce sufficient milk for nursing kittens. Monitor the queen’s stool. If it becomes soft or runny, it may be that the kitten food is too rich for her. As with any food transition, gradually mix in some adult formula food with the kitten formula. Be aware soft stool can also be a sign of parasites or illness, so if food is not the cause, seek medical assistance.
- Nesting box options (cardboard or plastic box or large top-loading carrier). The sides of the boxes shouldn’t be so high that the queen cannot jump out, but they should be high enough to prevent the kittens from escaping. A large box with half a lid will help keep the space draft-free and also allow you to observe the mother and kittens.
- A wireless camera. Wireless security cameras are great for monitoring activity, especially during the first few hours after arrival and with timid or less social queens.
- Extra supplies for pre-birth. Have on hand these supplies to assist with the birth if necessary:
- Sterilized scissors (soaked in 70% rubbing alcohol for five minutes)
- Sterile gauze
- Disposable gloves
- Povidone iodine
- Thread or unwaxed, unflavored floss
- Neonatal bulb syringe
- Extras supplies for post-birth. You will need to have available the supplies we suggest in the Bottle Kitten topic [Bottle Kittens: Supplies Needed for Bottle Kittens] LINK if the kittens require supplemental feeding. At a minimum, these supplies include:
- Bottles
- Nipples
- Kitten Milk Replacement Formula
- Heating source
