The stages of labour in a cat

🐾 Labour in Cats: What to Expect & How Long Between Kittens

When your queen goes into labour, it usually happens in three stages. Here’s what to watch for:

🐱 Stage 1: Early Labour

• Lasts anywhere from 6 to 24 hours

• Queen may be restless, nesting, vocalising, licking her vulva, or refusing food

• You may notice mild contractions, but no visible pushing yet

• She’s preparing—hormones are shifting, and the kittens are moving into position

🐾 Stage 2: Active Labour (Kitten Delivery)

• Strong abdominal contractions begin

• She’ll start pushing, and the first kitten is usually born within 30–60 minutes of strong contractions starting

• The kitten may be born head or tail first — both are normal

• Queen will clean the kitten, chew the cord, and allow it to nurse

⏱️ How Long Between Kittens Is Normal?

• Typically, 10 to 60 minutes between kittens is considered normal

• Occasionally, it can be up to 2 hours if the queen is calm and relaxed

• If she’s straining hard for over 30 minutes with no kitten, or more than 2 hours pass between kittens, it’s time to contact a vet

Some queens take a break mid-labour — resting, feeding kittens, even sleeping — before continuing. This is called a pause in labour and is often perfectly normal.

🐾 Stage 3: Afterbirth

• The placenta is usually delivered shortly after each kitten

• She may eat them (normal!)

• Make sure the number of placentas matches the number of kittens

🔍 When to Seek Help:

• Straining for more than 30 minutes with no kitten

• Green/black discharge with no kitten delivered

• Lethargy, excessive bleeding, or signs of distress