Labour Pains: Helping Your Queen or Bitch through a Safe Birth

Whelping and Queening 101

If you’ve ever watched your beloved cat or dog go into labour, you’ve likely experienced a mix of awe, anxiety, and an intense desire to Google every symptom. Labour in queens (female cats) and bitches (female dogs) is a hormonal rollercoaster orchestrated by nature with military precision - most of the time. But when things go south, it’s crucial for owners to step in with knowledge, not panic.

Understanding the signs of labor, the stages of whelping or queening, and when to intervene is crucial for pet owners.

Understanding Pregnancy Duration

The average length of pregnancy before birth varies between queens (female cats) and bitches (female dogs):

• Cats (Queens): 63–65 days
• Dogs (Bitches): 58–68 days

While these are typical ranges, individual pregnancies may differ due to factors such as breed, litter size, health status, and environmental conditions. Smaller breeds of dogs may have slightly shorter pregnancies, while larger breeds might carry their litters longer.

Knowing the approximate due date helps you monitor for signs of labor and prepare a safe, stress-free birthing environment. In the final weeks of pregnancy, both cats and dogs exhibit behavioral and physical changes indicating that labor is approaching.

Signs That Labor Is Near

1.     Nesting: The First Sign of Impending Labor

Nesting behavior is one of the earliest indicators that birth is approaching. This instinctual preparation ensures a safe, quiet, and warm place for delivery.

How Queens Nest: Cats instinctively seek secluded, soft, and warm areas, such as closets, under furniture, or in cardboard boxes lined with towels. They may become more affectionate or conversely more withdrawn.

 How Bitches Nest: As labor approaches, pregnant dogs instinctively prepare a safe space for whelping. They may scratch or dig at their bedding, attempt to create a burrow or den-like area, and gather soft materials to form a comfortable nest. Restlessness, pacing, excessive panting, and signs of anxiety are also common as they prepare for birth.

These behavior is driven by their natural nesting instincts, ensuring a secure environment for their puppies and kittens from predators and harsh weather conditions, to provide a cool, insulated environment that helps regulate the temperature for the newborn, who are unable to maintain their own body heat initially, to provide a quiet, enclosed space can help ease their stress and support their nesting process (Privacy and Comfort).

2.     Temperature Drop - A bitch’s rectal temperature typically drops below 99°F (37.2°C) within 24 hours of labor. This is less noticeable and consistent in queens.

3.     Enlarged Mammary Glands & Milk Production - The nipples become swollen, and milk may start leaking, signaling the body’s preparation for nursing.

4.     Loss of Appetite & Vomiting - Some queens and bitches may refuse food 12-24 hours before labor begins.

5.     Visible Abdominal Contractions - As active labor approaches, you may notice rhythmic tightening of the abdomen as active labor begins.

6.     Restlessness & Panting - The mother may appear uncomfortable, restless, or pace around. Dogs often pant excessively.

The Why and How Labour Happens: A Hormonal Symphony

Labour doesn’t just ‘happen’; it’s a meticulously timed hormonal cascade, where every player knows its role (except when they don’t - hence, complications!). A biological ballet where progesterone takes a bow and oxytocin steals the spotlight.

1. Progesterone Decline: Pregnancy-maintaining progesterone nosedives in the final days before birth, signaling the uterus to get ready.
2. Relaxin Kicks In: This hormone relaxes the pelvic ligaments, making it easier for the passage of tiny, squirming miracles soon to arrive.
3. Oxytocin Surge: Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin triggers powerful contractions, cervical dilation and fosters maternal bonding.
4. Prostaglandins: These help with uterine contractions and the expulsion of afterbirth.

The Stages of Labour: The Drama Unfolds

Labour in both species occurs in three acts, much like a well-written play (minus the standing ovation at the end - unless you’re the enthusiastic type).

Stage One: The Prelude to Pushing (6-24 Hours)

This is when things start warming up. The cervix dilates, uterine contractions begin, and your pet may seem restless, anxious, or even refuse food. Signs include:

• Restlessness: Excessive licking of the genital area, pacing, nesting, and generally acting like a stressed-out interior designer rearranging her whelping area. She may also seek isolation.
• Loss of appetite: If she suddenly turns her nose up at food, don’t take it personally.
• Panting and shivering: Hormones are fluctuating wildly, causing temperature drops and mild tremors. Dogs may pant and shiver; cats may purr loudly or act unusually affectionate.
• Mucus plug discharge: A clear or slightly blood-tinged mucus may appear—this is a sign the cervix is getting ready for business.

Your role? Stay calm and offer a quiet, safe space - preferably one your pet has already chosen as her birthing suite.

Stage Two: Showtime! The Birth of New Life

Now the real action begins. This stage is where contractions intensify, and the first puppy or kitten makes its grand entrance. Here’s what to expect:

• Visible contractions: The abdomen will visibly tighten as the uterus works hard to push the babies out.
• First delivery within 30–60 minutes of active pushing: If she strains for over an hour without producing a baby, this is your cue to call the vet.
• Intervals between births: Puppies and kittens don’t always arrive like clockwork. Expect 15–60 minutes between deliveries, though some queens may take a break of a few hours mid-labour.

What’s normal:

• Puppies or kittens born in amniotic sacs (mom should break these).
• Brief pauses between births (especially in larger litters)
• Mild grunting and pushing

What’s NOT normal:

• Strong straining for over an hour with no baby
• A foul-smelling, greenish discharge before the first birth
• A long delay (over 2-3 hours) between babies with no contractions
• A distressed mother (e.g., excessive panting, whining, or collapse)

Your role? Allow the mother to handle the birth naturally but assist if needed (e.g., if a newborn remains inside the sac for more than 1-2 minutes after birth). Be gentle and patient—rushing or interfering too much can stress the mother.

If you notice anything worrying - call the vet immediately!

Stage Three: The Afterbirth Business

Each newborn comes with an accessory: the placenta. Normally, the mother will expel one after every baby and may eat it instinctively (gross but natural - don’t judge). If you suspect retained placentas, veterinary intervention is necessary to prevent infection (metritis).

When to Call the Vet

While most births occur without complications, some warning signs require urgent veterinary assistance:

• Labour lasts over 24 hours without completion
• Prolonged straining (>1 hour) without delivery
• Newborns Stuck in the Birth Canal for over 15–20 minutes.
• Green or Foul-Smelling Discharge (persisting for days).
• The mother is weak (lethargic), collapsed or shows signs of distress
• There are still unborn babies hours after contractions stop
• Rejection of Newborns.

Post-Birth Care: Nursing & Recovery

Once labor is complete, both queens and bitches focus on nursing and caring for their young.

• Immediate Nursing: Newborns should instinctively find their mother's nipples and begin suckling within the first hour. This provides colostrum, rich in antibodies.
• Cleaning & Bonding: The mother licks her babies to stimulate breathing and urination.
• Provide a warm, quiet space free from disturbances.
• Ensure hydration and nutrition—offer high-calorie food and fresh water to the mother.

From Nurturer to Predator: A Rare but Real Concern

While rare, some mothers may exhibit cannibalistic behavior shortly after giving birth, often due to stress, hormonal imbalances, environmental disturbances, inexperience, difficult labor, or underlying health issues. Pet owners should be especially vigilant during the immediate postpartum period, as this is when the risk is highest. To prevent this, ensure the mother is in a calm, quiet environment with minimal disturbances. Avoid excessive handling of the newborns initially, as strong foreign scents can confuse or distress the mother. Providing proper nutrition, reducing stress, and ensuring she is not in pain or experiencing complications can also help. If signs of aggression or rejection appear, owners should intervene immediately by separating the mother from the litter and consulting a veterinarian for guidance.  

Signing Off with a Wag and a Meow

Labour in queens and bitches is an awe-inspiring process, but it’s also one that requires vigilance. Knowing what’s normal (and what’s not) will ensure that you’re prepared to support your furry momma while she brings new life into the world. So, stock up on towels, stay calm, and remember - you’re the midwife she never asked for, but the one she definitely needs!

Have you experienced whelping or queening with your pet? Share your stories in the comments below!

Check out previous post - Is It Getting Hot in Here? Understanding Heat Cycles in Pets.