What's in My Kitten Birthing Kit?

One of the questions I get asked is what equipment I use when one of my queens is due to deliver.

The answer usually surprises people.

Over the years I've actually used less and less equipment. Many new breeders start with an enormous collection of gadgets and emergency supplies. After more than a decade breeding Burmese and Mandalay cats, my kit has become progressively simpler.

My goal is not to run a neonatal intensive care unit in the cattery (that's way too much work!).

My goal is to provide a warm, safe environment, carefully observe what is happening, and intervene only when necessary.

NOTE: If you're having birthing issues then the most important thing is prevention, not having multiple strategies and heaps of equipment to deal with it all.

The Birthing Box

My queens deliver in a 90-litre plastic storage box. They're inexpensive, easy to clean and large enough for the queen to stretch out comfortably while still helping contain newborn kittens. The best ones have a side opening. This allows the queen to move in and out comfortably while reducing the risk of kittens wandering off once they become mobile. I can easily set up a camera to view into the side of the box.

An electric heat pad sits underneath the blanket and I keep the room temperature around 22°C. Newborn kittens lose heat rapidly and warmth is one of the most important factors in survival.

Juliette with her kittens viewed via the eufy webcam, note the 90L plastic container with the removable side which I purchased from the hardware store.

Tissues

If I could only have one item in my birthing kit, it would probably be a box of tissues.

I often use most of a box during a litter.

Tissues are incredibly absorbent and are perfect for drying kittens as they are born. The rubbing action also provides stimulation which encourages kittens to begin breathing and transition successfully.

Most kittens that appear slow at birth simply need drying, warmth and a little stimulation.

Surgical Scissors

I keep a pair of sharp surgical scissors in the kit for cutting umbilical cords if required.

Most queens do an excellent job themselves, but occasionally intervention is needed.

I sterilise the scissors between deliveries. Good quality scissors can be purchased very inexpensively online and are one of the most useful tools to have available.

Elastic Collars

Every kitten receives an identification collar shortly after birth.

I've written previously about the elastic collars I use and why I prefer them.

Being able to identify individual kittens is essential once you start weighing and monitoring growth. In a litter of chocolate and brown Burmese kittens, they can quickly become difficult to tell apart.

Elastic collars - perfect for tiny kittens but become a hazard after about 5 weeks. Purchase online from Temu or Amazon.

Digital Scales

Every kitten is weighed at birth.

I then weigh kittens twice daily during the neonatal period.

Birth weight and weight gain are among the most useful indicators of neonatal health. A kitten that is steadily gaining weight is usually doing well. A kitten that is plateauing or losing weight often needs attention before more obvious signs of illness develop.

The Exercise Book

This is probably the most important item in my kit.

Every litter has its own page.

I record:

• Name of Cat and the stud, date

• Time of birth for each kitten

• Birth weight

• Sex

• Colour

• Weight twice daily for the first few days, daily for a couple of weeks.

Breeders often focus on equipment, but good records teach you far more than any gadget ever will.

Patterns emerge over time. You learn what works, what doesn't, and which kittens need extra support.

My exercise book with birthing records - I still struggle with genders and colours!

Calcium Solution

I keep a calcium solution available during deliveries.

My homemade version is simple: a crushed calcium gluconate tablet mixed into approximately 50 mL of sugary water.

Most queens never need it, but occasionally it can be useful for a tired queen during a prolonged labour.

As with any intervention, it should be used thoughtfully and with veterinary advice where appropriate.

Gloves and a Rubbish Bag

Nothing glamorous here.

A box of disposable gloves and a plastic rubbish bag are always within reach.

Birth is a messy process. Having somewhere to place used tissues, placentas and soiled bedding makes life much easier.

Spare Blankets

I keep multiple spare blankets ready.

With larger litters I often change the bedding partway through delivery and again once the queen has finished.

Dry kittens stay warmer than wet kittens, and warmth is critical during the first few hours of life.

The Webcam

One of the most useful pieces of equipment isn't in the birthing box at all.

It's a webcam.

A simple camera allows me to monitor queens overnight without constantly disturbing them. Most queens prefer privacy during labour, and the ability to quietly check on progress from bed is invaluable.

Many deliveries happen perfectly well without an audience.

Oxytocin

My vet has allowed me to have some oxytocin at home to use if the labour falters or there's a large gap between kittens towards the end as these issues often happen out of hours and time is of the essence. I must add that I haven't used it much recently since addressing possible Strep G problems (see my previous blogs on Strep G).

What's Not in My Kit?

People are often surprised by what isn't there.

I don't use suction devices.

I don't use heating lamps.

I don't use elaborate monitoring equipment.

And I certainly don't swing kittens.

Most kittens simply need time to transition, warmth, drying and observation.

Modern neonatal care has moved away from many of the more dramatic interventions that were once considered normal.

Final Thoughts

The longer I breed cats, the more I appreciate simplicity.

A warm birthing box, tissues, scales, good records and a breeder who understands normal labour will prevent far more problems than a cupboard full of gadgets.

The most valuable thing in my birthing kit isn't the scissors or the scales.

It's experience.

The ability to recognise when everything is progressing normally—and equally importantly, when it isn't—is what ultimately keeps queens and kittens safe.

And prevention is better than cure. If you're having a lot of birthing issues, talk to your vet or other breeders.