Normal Kitten Birthing: The Art of Patience and Trusting Mother Nature

Welcoming a litter of kittens into the world is one of the most exciting and heartwarming moments in breeding. But when it comes to birth, less is often more. Normal kitten birthing rarely needs our hands – just our calm presence and a little quiet support.

Let Mama Do Her Thing

When labour begins, the most important job you have is to wait. Don’t hover, don’t panic – just wait. Mamma cat knows what to do. She’ll usually:

• Tear open the sac herself

• Cut the umbilical cord

• Lick her babies clean

All of this is instinctive and helps her bond with the kittens. It also triggers contractions through the release of oxytocin – a hormone critical to labour progression. One of the best sources of oxytocin? Eating the placenta. It might seem a bit graphic, but it’s important, natural, and helps keep things moving.

Supporting the Process Gently

Sometimes, a little help is needed – but keep it minimal. I keep a box of tissues nearby as they’re soft, clean, and wonderfully absorbent for gently drying off new kittens if needed.

After about four kittens, I’ll quietly change out the bedding to keep things clean and dry – and again at the end.

If things are slowing down, I offer mamma a homemade calcium and sugary drink:

• 1 crushed calcium gluconate tablet

• 1 teaspoon of sugar

• Dissolved in 50mls of warm water

Give 2–3mls with a syringe between kittens to boost uterine strength. Alternatively, a small amount (5mls) of sugary water – either half-and-half apple juice and water, or sugar water – can help with hydration and energy.

Oxytocin: Nature’s Labour Assistant

Oxytocin is naturally released when kittens suckle or when placentas are eaten. But sometimes, especially towards the end of a long labour, a gentle nudge is needed.

I’ll consider giving an intramuscular (IM) injection of oxytocin (under vet supervision) only if:

• One kitten is left (not multiple)

• There’s been a 30+ minute delay

• I can feel one kitten still inside

Never give oxytocin if more than one kitten remains – it can cause the placentas to detach prematurely, risking stillbirths.

If you’ve never used oxytocin before, I strongly recommend only doing so under veterinary guidance. That said, a timely dose can sometimes save a stressful after-hours vet visit or unnecessary C-section.

Stay Calm – Even When It’s Slow

The beginning of labour – especially for first-time mums – can take hours. Breach deliveries, large litters, and stillbirths can add to the time and tension, but the key is: don’t panic. Be patient and gentle. Many problems come from too much interference, not too little.

Breed for Birth Ease, Not Just Beauty

I have a good friend - Kerry Dwyer, who breeds Southdown sheep. In the early days, he was out in all weather helping ewes deliver, hand-rearing lambs in the kitchen. Now? He drinks coffee on the deck while lambs are born easily on their own. The difference? He culled the ewes that struggled and kept only the ones that birthed well naturally.

I reflect on that often. When I was a teenager, my sister bred Siamese. We’d wake up in the morning to find healthy kittens already delivered with no intervention – and no losses. These experiences shaped how I view breeding today.

If your queen gives birth smoothly every time, she’s worth her weight in gold – even if she’s not your biggest show winner. Repeated difficult births are not just stressful – they can pass on the same trait. So breed for resilience, not just ribbons.

Final Thoughts

Birthing is a natural process – one we’ve come to mistrust a little too much. As breeders, our role is to observe, to support when needed, and to let nature do the rest. The most valuable tool in your birthing kit isn’t scissors or towels – it’s patience.

And remember: sometimes the best intervention is none at all.