How to Help a Cat in Difficult Labor

When a cat experiences difficult labor, the first thing the owner should do is determine the cause, and then choose an appropriate solution. First, if the cat is experiencing difficulty giving birth due to insufficient labor force, such as weak uterine contractions, the owner can adopt methods such as massaging the cat's abdomen, using oxytocin, performing traction, or supplementing nutrition. However, if the difficulty is caused by factors such as large fetus, narrow pelvis or birth canal of the mother cat, it is recommended to send the cat to a pet hospital in time for assisted delivery or cesarean section.

Massage the cat's abdomen

If the cat is experiencing weak labor due to obesity or lack of exercise, and has normal uterine contractions, you can gently stroke the cat's abdomen to promote stronger contractions and facilitate the smooth delivery of the fetus. If oxytocin is available at home, you can also inject it into the cat to enhance uterine contractions and aid in delivery.

Perform traction

If the fetus can be seen during the cat's labor but the cat is unable to deliver the kitten, the owner can perform traction by gently pulling the fetus out. Be sure not to apply too much force. It is recommended to wear disposable sterile rubber gloves if possible, and if not, thoroughly disinfect your hands before pulling out the kitten.

Supplement nutrition

Usually, within half an hour after the mother cat's amniotic fluid breaks, the kitten will be born. During this time, the mother cat will experience contractions and straining due to labor pain, which will consume a lot of her energy. Therefore, the owner can feed the mother cat energy-providing foods such as goat's milk or cat food during labor, which can replenish the cat's energy and help her continue delivering.

Send the cat to a pet hospital for assisted delivery

If the difficulty in labor is caused by a large fetus, narrow pelvis, or narrow birth canal of the mother cat, it is necessary to send the cat to a pet hospital in time for assisted delivery or cesarean section. Of course, if the owner is inexperienced in assisted delivery, it is better to seek professional help.

Note: During the cat's labor, the owner needs to ensure a quiet environment. It is best to provide the cat with a separate room to avoid noise and other strangers from affecting the cat's normal delivery.