How do we know when labour is approaching in a cat.

🐱 Signs Your Cat Is Going Into Labour: A Quick Guide

If your queen is close to her due date, here are some common signs that labour may be starting and noticed at home

1. Nesting Behavior
   She may begin looking for a quiet, hidden space to give birth—often scratching, circling, or rearranging bedding. Sansa will usually start to sleep and hang out inside the box instead of on top when shes approaching her time.

2. Restlessness or Vocalising
   Cats often become more vocal or restless in the hours before labour begins. She may pace, meow, or seek more attention. This varies hughly cat by cat. So far my girls have been quiet during labour but I do know of others who report their queens are quite vocal.

3. Loss of Appetite
   A noticeable drop in appetite (within 24 hours of birth) can be a sign labour is near. I personally do not temperature check my cats. They are sweet easy going girls but rectal temperature taking isnt something they are fond of, and thankfully as we have someone at home during their due dates it hasnt been nessecary in our cases to do this.

4. Temperature Drop
   Her body temperature may drop to around 37.2°C about 12–24 hours before labour.

5. Licking and Grooming
   Increased grooming, especially around the vulva and belly, is common as she gets ready. We see a lot of coat loss over the mammary are as their due date gets closer.

6. Visible Contractions
   You might notice her sides tightening with contractions, and she may begin panting or vocalising more intensely.

7. Discharge
   A clear or slightly bloody discharge from the vulva often signals that birth is imminent.

8. Labour

   Once active labour starts and contractions start happen we usually see the wa arrival of the kittens quite quickly.