A pregnant Scottish cat is the cutest clumsy creature. The animal needs the care of its owner more than ever. In order for the offspring to be born healthy, and for the cat to endure pregnancy and childbirth easily, you should familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the periods of fetal development and follow the rules of caring for your pet.
In order to understand that your cat is pregnant, you need to carefully monitor her behavior and notice changes.
Pregnant Scottish Fold
The first signs of pregnancy in a Scottish cat are:
- a change in movements to less abrupt ones, the animal looks drowsy, a little apathetic;
- possible manifestation of toxicosis: nausea and vomiting;
- the cat's chest swells, the nipples become rich pink;
- the amount of food eaten increases.
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The first heat in Scottish cats, like in other cats, should be expected at 8 months. However, the body has not yet finished growing, and early pregnancy can undermine the health of the pet. And the offspring of a precocious mother will not be in good health.
Scots are considered large pets, so they are ready for the first mating later than cats of smaller breeds. The optimal age for the first pregnancy is one and a half years.
A partner for the Scottish female should be looked for several months before the intended mating, preferably not far from home, in order to have time to connect the couple on the 2nd or 3rd day of estrus.
Nuances and possible complications
Scottish Fold cats that bear kittens require special supervision from the owner. To avoid complications and maintain the health of the furry beauty and her offspring, the owner of the animal should invite a veterinarian if he notices the following symptoms:
- complete lack of appetite in the cat for more than 2 days at the beginning or middle of pregnancy;
- the appearance of discharge long before birth;
- fever, lethargy;
- the gestational age exceeded 68 days.
Attention! If labor begins in a cat 2-5 days earlier, you need to call a doctor at home.
False pregnancy
Each Scottish Fold has its own type of nervous organization and individual hormonal background. Under the influence of unfavorable factors, symptoms of a so-called false pregnancy may develop:
- the appearance of discharge from the vulva;
- frequent licking;
- enlargement of the abdomen and nipples;
- onset of lactation;
- increased and then decreased appetite;
- bowel disorders.
Treatment in this case is prescribed only by a doctor. Before contacting a specialist, you should limit your cat's intake of milk and reduce food portions.
Frozen pregnancy
The viability of the cubs is determined by the doctor after 2 weeks after fertilization. If there is a suspicion that the embryos have died, the animal is given an ultrasound.
The causes of missed abortion are usually infectious diseases, hormonal disorders, and pathological processes. Not all embryos may die, and then they do not interfere during pregnancy, and the mother gives birth to non-viable cubs along with the living ones.
If a Scottish Fold cat is diagnosed with a frozen pregnancy with complete death of kittens, the animal is induced to give birth and all pregnant cubs are removed. This must be done to save the mother from infection with decomposition products. If postoperative complications develop, the animal is sterilized.
Superfetation
Scottish Fold cats can go into heat even if they are already pregnant. Repeated sexual contact with the same partner (superfetation) in such animals leads to the beginning of a parallel process - a second pregnancy. It occurs simultaneously with the first. Another male can also fertilize a cat for the second time - this is called superfecundation.
In most cases, this situation ends badly - with a miscarriage or the death of one of the litters. Even if a cat carries and manages to give birth to all the cubs, it will be very difficult for her to feed the offspring. Therefore, it is very important to isolate the expectant mother from adult cats.
What are the dangers of early pregnancy?
Despite the fact that teenage cats are physiologically capable of giving birth as early as 7–8 months, experts recommend against mating such young animals. Scottish Fold cats that are under one year of age often give birth to weak or dead kittens, no matter how much care they take.
After such stress, the animal takes a long time to recover, rarely recovering earlier than after 6 months. If a cat develops complications due to an unsuccessful birth, she will need long-term therapy, and possibly sterilization.
Signs of pregnancy in Scottish cats
After mating, the cat calms down and becomes imposing. If the pet does not have contact with other animals at this time and eats according to its needs, the onset of pregnancy proceeds without problems. The first signs of pregnancy are observed 2-3 weeks after conception. The cat, as well as the woman, experiences attacks of morning sickness, characteristic of toxicosis of pregnancy.
The pet's nipples begin to turn pink, and the hair around them gradually falls out. However, such changes are individual and ultrasound is a reliable test for pregnancy. The first examination is usually carried out 3 weeks after mating.
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Even an inexperienced owner can determine that a cat is pregnant in the sixth week of gestation. By this time, her belly is rounded, her nipples swell, and her mammary glands enlarge.
Behavior of a pregnant fold cat
A pregnant cat changes its behavior. Hormonal surges change behavior. The cat alternately pets and looks irritated. Fetal development increases food requirements during the fourth week of pregnancy. At that time, the feed portion can be increased by 10-15%. In subsequent weeks, the animal is no longer restricted in food, but in order to avoid overeating, it is fed in small portions, but often.
The best option is to switch to ad libitum feeding with dry granules. The fifth week of pregnancy has only just begun, and the Scotswoman is already beginning to nest: she is looking for a secluded place. If the owners are planning to purchase a cat house, then this time is most suitable for the implementation of the intention.
During the seventh week, the cat may lose its appetite for a while. The embryos begin to grow fur and the cat hibernates at this time. The body is rebuilt, some of the nutrients are redirected into the formation of fruits to prepare the mammary glands for lactation. This process requires calmness, so the cat becomes drowsy.
In the last weeks before lambing, the Scotch cow becomes active again, once again walking around the property in search of a more convenient nest. It's time to satisfy your curiosity and repeat the ultrasound. You can determine the number of fruits and observe their movements. However, someone may be undetected and the actual number of kittens turns out to be greater than expected.
Recommended Products
The diet largely depends on age and personal eating preferences. But regardless of this, a Scottish woman should consume the following types of foods.
Squirrels. They should be an essential component of nutrition, as they ensure the development of all types of tissues and muscles. Proteins of plant and animal origin must be present in the diet. It is necessary to give your favorite lop dog lean turkey, beef or chicken every day.
Fermented milk products such as kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk and yogurt improve digestion and provide the body with calcium. It is an important component in the formation and strengthening of the skeletal system, teeth and claws.
Such products can be given in small quantities, and preferably low-fat or with a small percentage of fat.
Vegetables. Almost all types of vegetables will be well digested and absorbed in the pet’s body. The exception is white cabbage, which causes fermentation and stagnation in the stomach.
Vegetables should only be served boiled. They can also be grated and added to meat.
Cereals. Oatmeal is best. It improves digestion and stimulates intestinal function. Rice can cause constipation. Therefore, it is better to focus on the preferences of the cat itself.
Fish. During pregnancy, it is better to exclude it from the diet. But you can give small amounts of salmon, trout, mackerel or sardine meat, which contains fat-soluble vitamins.
If a Scottish woman prefers to eat ready-made food, then the best of them will be premium or super-premium class, created specifically for pregnant women.
Cheap food will not do any good. Due to the insufficient content of vitamins and minerals in it, her health may deteriorate.
What to feed a pregnant Scottish Fold cat
No special food has been developed for pregnant and lactating cats. Manufacturers of ready-made food believe that the nutritional needs of a mother cat are the same as those of kittens. Therefore, it is recommended to switch a pregnant pet to baby food from the moment pregnancy is considered established.
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That is, if on the 25th day after mating an ultrasound showed the presence of embryos, the pet begins to gradually replace the previous food with a new one. This should be done gradually over a week to prevent feeding stress, which will negatively affect the fruit.
If an ultrasound was not performed for some reason, the transition to a new food begins when pregnancy is established based on other signs.
Malyshovsky food is as close as possible to milk in terms of energy and protein concentration, therefore it contains a lot of fat. For this reason, it should not be given immediately after mating, since Scottish females are prone to obesity.
The best option is universal holistic food such as Acana or Orijen, or specialized food Royal Canin Mother & Babycat. Adherents of natural food should create a diet that is not inferior in nutritional value to the indicated ready-made food.
Helping a newborn kitten
When talking about how a Scottish cat gives birth, one cannot lose sight of the moment of providing assistance to a newly born kitten. Babies are born in a bubble, and if the cat does not immediately begin to care for them, the owner must do everything.
The sequence of actions will be as follows:
- rupture of the bladder at the level of the kitten’s nose;
- removing mucus from the nasal passages using a syringe (the nozzle of the syringe is carefully placed against the nostril and the mucus is sucked out, the procedure is carried out for both nostrils);
- dispersing blood from the umbilical cord with your fingers towards the kitten’s stomach;
- cutting the umbilical cord at a height of 2 cm from the baby’s tummy (you can rub the umbilical cord with your nails);
- Drying the newborn with a clean soft cloth.
Special veterinary training is not required for these manipulations. A healthy kitten begins to squeak and move actively as soon as it is dried.
After giving birth, the cat’s behavior returns to normal, and she begins to take care of the babies, which she was not interested in at the first moment after their appearance, due to a stressful state.
How to help a Scottish woman during childbirth
The first aid before lambing is preparing the den. The simplest option is a cardboard box with holes cut for ventilation, lined with paper and covered with a soft cloth. The future house for kittens is placed in a secluded place. The nesting cat is picked up and placed in a prepared place. If the cat shows willfulness and lambs in another place. She, along with her offspring, is placed in a prepared den, from which she will never leave.
It is good if a veterinarian is present during the birth, but most owners can provide assistance on their own. Most often, the cat copes on its own.
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Labor begins with the release of amniotic fluid. The kitten is born in the amniotic sac, which bursts and the cat gnaws the umbilical cord. If she did not do this, you need to cut the cord with sterile scissors and treat the stump with tincture of iodine. The mother usually eats the placenta. This is normal, but you should not allow more than two placentas to be eaten. When the cat has the intention of eating another afterbirth, food is added to it.
If the bubble does not open on its own, it is broken with your fingers. The kitten is shaken, the liquid is removed from the mouth with a baby syringe and placed on the mother.
The normal interval between the births of kittens is considered to be a quarter of an hour. All afterbirths come out within half a day after the birth of the last kitten. If labor is difficult, call a veterinarian.
Nutrition
The food that you will consume should be as healthy and of high quality as possible. Contain proteins, vitamins, proteins and microelements. Her diet during this period can be divided into 3 stages:
- From 1 to 3 weeks. These days, her appetite becomes significantly higher; accordingly, the amount of food should increase by 10-20% of the norm. The cat needs to be fed approximately 4-5 times a day;
- From 3 to 7 weeks. The amount of food consumed increases by 2 times due to an increase in the number of feedings. The portion should remain the same, since the small stomach of a Scottish woman may not digest a large amount of food.;
- Presumably, appetite decreases from 2 months. This is explained by the fact that babies, together with the uterus and amniotic fluid, significantly compress the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the amount of food needs to be reduced, but fed as before, 4 to 5 times.
Important: Do not overfeed your Scottish Fold during pregnancy. Eating food in large quantities can overload the body. As a result, childbirth may have complications.
