Cat Birth Check List

Check List

The following is a pretty comprehensive list of all the things you are likely to need during or shortly following the kittens’ birth:

Kittening box; there are a number of choices available here from the disposable type, to the deluxe commercially available one (such as those available from Snowsilk). Although one you have made yourself, or a cat carrier with both front and top opening that is at least 24”x20” and 20” high is perfectly ok as long as it is easy to clean. The top opener is vital, so that the queen can get in and out, while the kittens remain secure. We have found that a large Guinea Pig cage works wonderfully!
Disposable absorbent liner for during the kittens’ birth
Several pairs of sterile surgical gloves
Rubbish bag for disposing of used gloves, box liner, afterbirth etc.
Pet safe Antibacterial/Antiseptic surface wipes
Pet safe Antibacterial/Antiseptic hand wash or cleansing gel
Eyedropper or pediatric bulb syringe to aspirate the mouth & nose secretions
Dental floss or cotton thread to tie the umbilical cords off, if needed
Blunt ended scissors or hemostates just in case you need to cut the cords
Surgical spirit to sterilize the scissors prior to and/or between usage
Stethoscope – to check the kittens’ hearts and lungs
Dopram V – for kittens in repertory difficulty
Clean towels
Heating Pad with good thick cover to keep the kittens warm once they’re born
Your regular vet's phone number
An emergency vet's phone number
Kitten safe ID bands for the kittens so you can identify birth order and tell them apart, nail varnish can also be uses applying it to different claws to ID them
Clean, dry, warm bedding for the kittening box after the birth
Watch or clock so you can record delivery times
Kitten milk formula – Emergency kitten feed/formula in case any of the kittens fail to thrive. (Don’t get this in too early as it has a limited shelf life)
Kitten feeding bottles and/or syringe
Accurate gram scales so you can weigh each kitten at birth and twice daily for the next few weeks
A separate warm, dry box for the kittens in case the queen rejects them
A bottle or flask of drink for yourself as you could be very thirsty if you’re alone with the queen as she gives birth to the whole litter. It is not a good idea to get up and leave a queen in the middle of labour for any reason!
Friends or family on standby in case you need kids picking up etc. during your cat’s labour and delivery time.
Pen and note pad to record data for each kitten, time, weight, sex, ID band colour etc.
Camera with sufficient film or memory space and a fully charged battery or a set of spares, so you can record the event if you have the time and chance
Fresh water and food on hand for the queen if she wants it before, during or after the birth – let her guide you as to what she wants and when.
A litter box relatively close by so she doesn’t have to leave her new born kittens for long to make herself comfortable
An area for your queen and her litter to keep to themselves if you have a multi-cat household, it is vital that this area be kept at about 22C and/or a heating pad is uses or radiant heat bulb or similar is located near by to keep the temperature correct for them. Have a household thermometer in the area so you can double check this





	Check List The following is a pretty comprehensive list of all the things you are likely to need during or shortly following the kittens’ birth: Kittening box; there are a number of choices available here from the disposable type, to the deluxe commercially available one (such as those available from Snowsilk). Although one you have made yourself, or a cat carrier with both front and top opening that is at least 24”x20” and 20” high is perfectly ok as long as it is easy to clean. The top opener is vital, so that the queen can get in and out, while the kittens remain secure. We have found that a large Guinea Pig cage works wonderfully! Disposable absorbent liner for during the kittens’ birth Several pairs of sterile surgical gloves Rubbish bag for disposing of used gloves, box liner, afterbirth etc. Pet safe Antibacterial/Antiseptic surface wipes Pet safe Antibacterial/Antiseptic hand wash or cleansing gel Eyedropper or pediatric bulb syringe to aspirate the mouth & nose secretions Dental floss or cotton thread to tie the umbilical cords off, if needed Blunt ended scissors or hemostates just in case you need to cut the cords Surgical spirit to sterilize the scissors prior to and/or between usage Stethoscope – to check the kittens’ hearts and lungs Dopram V – for kittens in repertory difficulty Clean towels Heating Pad with good thick cover to keep the kittens warm once they’re born Your regular vet's phone number An emergency vet's phone number Kitten safe ID bands for the kittens so you can identify birth order and tell them apart, nail varnish can also be uses applying it to different claws to ID them Clean, dry, warm bedding for the kittening box after the birth Watch or clock so you can record delivery times Kitten milk formula – Emergency kitten feed/formula in case any of the kittens fail to thrive. (Don’t get this in too early as it has a limited shelf life) Kitten feeding bottles and/or syringe Accurate gram scales so you can weigh each kitten at birth and twice daily for the next few weeks A separate warm, dry box for the kittens in case the queen rejects them A bottle or flask of drink for yourself as you could be very thirsty if you’re alone with the queen as she gives birth to the whole litter. It is not a good idea to get up and leave a queen in the middle of labour for any reason! Friends or family on standby in case you need kids picking up etc. during your cat’s labour and delivery time. Pen and note pad to record data for each kitten, time, weight, sex, ID band colour etc. Camera with sufficient film or memory space and a fully charged battery or a set of spares, so you can record the event if you have the time and chance Fresh water and food on hand for the queen if she wants it before, during or after the birth – let her guide you as to what she wants and when. A litter box relatively close by so she doesn’t have to leave her new born kittens for long to make herself comfortable An area for your queen and her litter to keep to themselves if you have a multi-cat household, it is vital that this area be kept at about 22C and/or a heating pad is uses or radiant heat bulb or similar is located near by to keep the temperature correct for them. Have a household thermometer in the area so you can double check this

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