Have you noticed your furbaby giving birth at night and wondered if that’s normal?
If your cat is pregnant, it is a good idea to plan for her birth at any time of the day in order to avoid any surprises.
Although your cat shouldn’t have any problems giving birth, it’s a good idea to have someone nearby to keep her calm in case anything goes wrong.
Prior to your cat giving birth, get their after-hours phone number because deliveries frequently happen at night and they might need an urgent helping hand.
In this article, we will talk about the time when cats generally prefer giving birth and which place is best for them to do so.
Let’s get into it.
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Do Cats Give Birth At Night Or Day?
Cat delivery often happens at night.
It can be challenging to anticipate labor. The queen will get quite restless, pace as if hunting for something and become very noisy during the early stages of labor.
When you suspect that labor has begun, you should keep a close check on them. Cat births typically go fairly smoothly, but you should monitor her delivery to catch any issues as soon as they arise.
Limiting yourself to routine inspections and avoiding intervening until absolutely necessary can help you avoid slowing down feline labor and upsetting your cat.
Also, restrict the number of spectators. Even though the entire family will undoubtedly be delighted by the arrivals, mum can become disturbed by this.
But DO NOT worry, a cat is generally strong enough to handle this situation herself!
When your cat is in her final weeks and days of labor, keep a close check on her to make sure you know when and where she will give birth to her kittens. If you are unsure whether labor has begun, call your veterinarian.
Interesting Read: Should I Stay With My Cat While She Gives Birth?
Are Cats More Likely To Give Birth At Night?
There is no specific time for a cat to give birth, but it is commonly seen that the process takes place in the late evening and sometimes at night too.
Felines are more comfortable when there is less light. This invokes their hunter instincts, and they are ready to take up possible challenges during this time.
Cats are crepuscular creatures rather than true nocturnal ones. This indicates that they are most active in the early morning and late evening, just before dawn.
Because of their natural hunting instincts, cats are more likely to come across prey species at those times of the day. Most domestic cats no longer hunt for their morning meal, but they still have the urge to scavenge at night.
Cats like to give birth at night since that is when they are most at ease, even though it is a difficult task.
Although cats undoubtedly enjoy the gloomy nighttime ambiance, the risks to their health and the health of other animals aren’t worth it.
You may encourage at-home enrichment in a number of ways, such as by providing your pet with a window perch in front of a bird feeder or letting them go outside on a covered patio.
This will make things better, which might encourage them to continue their labor process in the open.
Do Cats Prefer To Give Birth In The Dark?
Yes, cats prefer giving birth in the dark.
More dependent cats choose a place where they can gain emotional support from their owners, such as their owner’s bed, whereas independent cats may prefer a dark, gloomy, confined space.
Unless there is no other option, she will not give birth in a brightly illuminated open area, and even then, she will be quite anxious and uncomfortable the entire time.
The majority of cats like a soft, cozy, enclosed place that is poorly lit.
Many domestic cats enjoy having a sizable cardboard box lined with pillows and blankets, with a hole just wide enough for them to squeeze through while being heavily pregnant, in the most peaceful and private area in the home. Some cats will settle down in a closet, under a bed, or even in a basket of dirty laundry.
Most pregnant cats will choose a location a few weeks before giving birth, and they’ll check on it frequently to make sure it’s still in good shape. They’ll also bring soft items they can carry, like clean washcloths, to pad the nest with.
Make sure your pregnant queen has access to a modest, somewhat cave-like room in an off-the-beaten-path location. If not, you might find that she gave birth in one of your drawers, ruining all of your socks- and I guess you wouldn’t want that either.
Where Do Cats Prefer To Give Birth?
Cats prefer giving birth in places where they feel it would be safe enough for their kittens.
Indoor cats have the comfort and safety of a shelter, so a particular time of the day isn’t really a concern for them.
Outdoor cats are usually seen giving birth in the evening when the light is not strong enough to make it easier for anyone to spot them.
However, your feline will possibly choose a drawer or cupboard as her safe spot for giving herself away.
Cats that are expecting are well known for being picky about where they have their litter. You might see her hanging out in some really weird places throughout the house, such as the interior of cabinets and dresser drawers or the top shelf of the closet since she will prefer a location that is somewhat covered and hidden.
This habit may start a few hours or a few weeks before the commencement of labor.
Your cat’s due date will be approaching if you spot her looking for a place to give birth. By giving your cat a lovely box that is mostly closed off, you may assist it. If you build her a nest and she rejects it because it doesn’t meet her standards, don’t be shocked.
Is NightTime Safe For Cats To Give Birth?
Yes, nighttime (or any time of the day) is perfectly safe for a queen to give birth to as long as she feels comfortable doing so.
When Kitty is scurrying around when you’re trying to sleep, it could look that way.
Most cat owners will attest to the fact that their pregnant cat wakes them up in the middle of the night often, which leads many people to believe that cats are nocturnal.
This is a result of the cats’ ancestors being desert hunters. The desert experiences its coldest temperatures during these times, which makes it more bearable for the majority of crucial things.
Cats who give birth at dusk and dawn have some cover from the dark and have just enough light to be aware of any dangers (which their eyes and senses are specifically designed for).
Interesting Read: What To Expect While Cat Giving Birth For The First Time?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do feral cats go to give birth?
If you capture the mother and a vet clinic confirms that she is about to give birth, work with the clinic to set up a warm, safe place for the mother to give birth to her kittens.
If the kittens are born indoors, they have a better chance of surviving, but the mother might become less capable of raising the kittens due to stress from being confined. Give her a warm, calm, isolated place to give birth and care for her young in order to lessen her stress.
Provide a warm outdoor cat shelter so she can choose to give birth there if you are unable to trap her or if she appears to be about to give birth outside. It is preferable to avoid interfering with her while she is giving birth to kittens. Any additional stress during pregnancy could be harmful.
Why do cats hide their kittens in the dark?
Don’t be offended by an overly protective cat if they refuse to let you near their litter box or cover their infants’ eyes whenever there is a loud noise. Instead, try to understand what may be occurring and avoid making any unexpected movements in their vicinity if at all possible.
Cats are incredibly protective creatures. They will usually tend to hide the kittens from anything that can pose a hazard since they want to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. For this reason, cats typically act in this way.
Do kittens hide in dimly lit places?
Yes, kittens hide in dark places to avoid danger.
On the outside, cats appear to be fearless creatures. But unfortunately, this is only a bluff. The majority of cats are nervous wrecks who practically live in fear. For a startled kitten, hiding is intuitive, and many kittens will seek out dark areas when this happens.
A cat cannot be seen if it is in the dark. It can respond swiftly to any threat because of its exceptional vision in low light. Cats may seek refuge in shadowy areas when other animals (or even guests) arrive at the house. In addition, the cat can be recovering from overstimulation or any other traumatic event.
Final Words
That’s all you had to know about the queens and their intriguing birth-giving instances.
They are fearless and clever creatures who get things done the way they want. Hence this behavior.
Let us know in the comments section if your queen showcased this when she was pregnant. How did you take care of her situation?
