Causes of Stillbirth in Cats

The main causes of stillbirth in cats include: pregnancy at a young age, immature physical development, inadequate or excessive nutrition during pregnancy, and miscarriage caused by external forces. If a cat shows symptoms such as leaking dark brown fluid from the vulva, decreased appetite and mental state, shrinking or excessive abdominal circumference during pregnancy, etc., it is necessary to consider whether there is a stillbirth and take the cat to a pet hospital for timely treatment. Otherwise, the dissolved stillbirth in the cat's body can easily cause uterine pyelonephritis.

1. Pregnancy at a young age, physical immaturity

Most female cats will experience their first heat at 8-9 months old. Although these cats have the ability to breed, their bodies have not fully developed, especially the uterus. This is one of the reasons why stillbirth occurs more frequently in cats.

1. Inadequate or excessive nutrition during pregnancy

Insufficient nutrition during pregnancy can lead to incomplete embryonic development, resulting in symptoms of stillbirth. Additionally, many first-time cat owners worry that their cats won't get enough nutrition and allow them to overeat, eventually causing fetal obesity and increasing the difficulty of childbirth. In this case, the cat is prone to difficulties during labor, either resulting in death from complications or requiring a cesarean section.

1. Miscarriage caused by external forces

During pregnancy, if cats engage in intense physical activities such as jumping and running, it can trigger preterm labor because the developing kittens are not yet stable in the early stages of pregnancy. Moreover, abdominal compression, impact, and other factors can affect fetal development, leading to stillbirth in cats.