How do kittens come out of a cat? - briefly
Kittens are born through the cat’s birth canal during labor, typically emerging headfirst after the mother experiences contractions and pushes them out.
How do kittens come out of a cat? - in detail
The process of kittens being born from a cat is a natural biological event known as parturition or feline birth. It begins when a pregnant cat, also called a queen, reaches the end of her gestation period, which typically lasts between 63 to 67 days. As the time for birth approaches, the queen may exhibit signs of nesting behavior, such as seeking out a quiet, warm, and secluded area to prepare for the arrival of her kittens.
When labor starts, the queen experiences contractions in her uterus, which help push the kittens through the birth canal. The first stage of labor involves the cervix dilating and the queen appearing restless, often pacing, panting, or vocalizing. This stage can last several hours. The second stage is the active delivery of the kittens. Each kitten is enclosed in a thin, transparent sac called the amniotic membrane, which the queen usually breaks open with her teeth and licks away to stimulate the kitten’s breathing.
The kittens are typically born headfirst, though some may emerge tail-first, which is also normal. After each kitten is born, the queen will expel the placenta, which she often consumes to regain nutrients and to keep the nesting area clean. The entire process can take several hours, with intervals between the birth of each kitten ranging from a few minutes to over an hour.
Once all the kittens are born, the queen continues to clean them and encourages them to nurse, which helps establish bonding and provides them with essential colostrum rich in antibodies. The queen’s maternal instincts ensure she cares for her newborns, keeping them warm and safe. This entire process is a remarkable example of nature’s precision and the queen’s innate ability to nurture her offspring.