kittening

Question 1

signs

Answer 1

-hormornal changes causes: thinning of belly hair, pinking up of nipples
-weight gain (rounded figure depending on number of kittens
-restlessness
-milk production
-vaginal discharge
-refusal of food
-breathing
-temp may drop 1 degree 1-2 days before

Question 2

preperation

Answer 2

-provides “nest boxes” with shredded paper or blanket material
-most cats will hide and give birth alone, unassisted

Question 3

kitten placenta attachment

Answer 3

although cats and dogs have zonary placentas, they are passed after kitten or pups

Question 4

breached kittens

Answer 4

can be breached but not usually and issue

Question 5

cat gestation

Answer 5

mean: 65.3 days
range: 56-72

Question 6

cat litter size

Answer 6

mean: 4.5
range: 1-9

Question 7

cat birth weight

Answer 7

mean: 98g
range: 35g-167g

Question 8

cat breeched and stillborn births

Answer 8

31% bb
5% sb

Question 9

moving kittens

Answer 9

-cats often move their litter to a different place
-presumed to be a natural instinct for safety

Question 10

kitten development

Answer 10

-ears are down at first
-eyes open day 8-13
-begin crawling by 18 days and ears straighten
-teeth begin to emerge, complete first set by 8 weeks
-eye colour changes about 8-12 weeks in most breeds (siamese cats remain blue, as do some others)

Question 11

kitten feeding

Answer 11

-introduce soft meat-based foods at 3-4 weeks
-weaning 8-12 weeks
-socialization 5 weeks