My cat, Ellie, was meowing rather loudly outside by bedroom door at 5 am this morning. I knew something was up and followed her. She led me to the kitchen airing cupboard where I had set up a few blankets and old towels in the hopes of enticing her to give birth there. When I tried to leave and get a jumper, she followed me and brought me back to the airing cupboard and settled down. We sat companionably for a five or ten minutes when she started convulsing a bit. This went on for a bit and I was not sure that anything would really happen. When I finally saw a shiny black thing coming out I could hardly believe it. This first birth took the longest and she spent so much time licking the creature within an inch of its life, I thought maybe she only had the one. They settled in together and I eventually decided to make some breakfast. I took my tea to the sofa for a rest and checked on her one last time to find another kitten coming out. The next one came quickly after that. My son woke up at about 7 am and we watched them for a bit and left them to rest. After I took a nap we went back to find a fourth kitten.
The first three have colouring and markings just like their mum. The last one is a bit ginger or grey---it is too soon to tell I think. More like their aunt.
I had always thought that cats like to give birth in private. So I feel especially honoured that Ellie actually wanted me there. She doesn't want me touching them I think. But it was a very special morning. They are tucked away and Ellie is getting a bit of sleep as they suckle non stop. (And I thought newborn babies nursed a lot!). She has been fed and seems content.
It is difficult to get a good photo in a dark cupboard when they are all tucked up. But this one got away for a minute so I could get a shot. He or she welcomed the opportunity to get back to Mum to suckle when I put her back!
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