In the final week of your cat's pregnancy, you will be able to see her displaying an important behavior - nesting behavior. Although she may be the most pampered cat ever, she will still think that she is living in the wild and will feel compelled to search out a birthing place that is safe,warm and secure.

Under - or even on - your bed is often a prime choice!

Giving birth to kittens is a messy business and you may also be called on to give help if needed. Because of this, it is a good idea to prepare a nesting box so that you can have easy access to your new mother cat and her kittens. This way, your cat thinks that she has made her choice of birthing place but you also can remain in control.

To provide an acceptible nesting place, find a roomy cardboard box that is large enough to allow your pregnant cat to move around in during birth and to have her kittens close to her whilst she delivers subsequent ones.

When your cat has finished giving birth, there will need to be enough room for all her kittens to suckle comfortably and for their mother to take care of them.

The sides of the box should be high enough to give privacy and security and the top should be partially covered for the same reason. One side should be cut away to allow access to feeding and toileting facilities and for you to be able to monitor what is going on. However, leave a lip of around 3 inches at the bottom to prevent a kitten or two from rolling out accidentally or venturing forth before they are quite ready.

Line the bottom of the box with a good amount of old newspaper, shredding some to provide cushioning. Put more, individual sheets on top. These can easily be removed as they become soiled after each kitten is delivered and disposed of appropriately.

Have the box ready two weeks before you think that the kittens are due and allow your pregnant cat to become familiar with it. Place it in a position that is warm, free from draughts and away from the hustle and bustle of family life. Your cat needs to feel secure and unthreatened so that she can get on with the business of delivering her kittens without added stress.

Almost certainly, she will not feel that you have chosen an appropriate place for her nest, so keep an eye on her for signs that she is sorting out her own nest elsewhere. If this is the case, simply move the box close to that position.

You must be certain not to let your cat out of the house for two or even three weeks before you think that her kittens are due. If she is allowed to make her nest outside you may find that she disappears into it unexpectedly and you will not then be able to find her. Should this happen, the consequences may not be at all good.

Once you have constructed your lovely cat a nesting box, you are all ready to welcome your new kittens!

About the Author

Are you fully prepared for the start of your pregnant cat 's labor? Learn what you need to know about building a nesting box and subscribe to Jane Tompsett's free Cat Owners Confidential newsletter by following these links.