Cat Water Broke But No Kittens (What to Do)

As a cat parent, there are few things more exciting than the anticipation of new kittens. So, when you do notice that your cat’s water has broken, it is natural to assume that you will soon be greeted by a litter of adorable furballs.

But what happens when your cat’s water breaks and no kittens appear? It can be a confusing and worrying situation, but fear not as there are steps you can take to help your feline friend and ensure that everything turns out to be okay.

It is of essence to remember that because your cat’s water broke doesn’t mean that she’s immediately going into labor. In truth, it is not uncommon for a cat’s water to break hours before labor actually kickstart.

Nonetheless, if you have been waiting for more than 3 hours with no sign of a kitten or kittens, guess it is high time to take action.

In this article, we will walk you through on all the details you need to know about situations like this and give you hints on when to take it up with a vet. Now don’t panic, relax and let’s get started!

Understanding The Signs Of Cat Labor

Understanding the signs of labor is crucial to providing the cat with the care she needs during this very important time. Some of the things to look out for are as follows;

1. Nesting Behavior

Your cat will start looking for a safe place to birth her kittens. This could include digging around in a closet, under the bed, or in a very quiet and serene corner of the house as cats are well known to love their privacy.

2. Decreased Appetite

As labor approaches, your expectant cat’s appetite may decrease or she may even stop eating altogether. This may get you worried as her calorie intake are most likely to drop but rest assured that this is perfectly normal as it is almost labor time.

3. Changes In Behavior

Your cat may become more affectionate and will seek attention like never before as she nears labor. In some cases, she may even become restless and somewhat irritable and annoying, just be sure to understand the sign.

4. Vaginal Discharge

As labor progresses, you may also notice a clear or slightly bloody discharge from your cat’s vulva.

5. Contractions And Water Breaking

Your cat’s muscles will begin to contract as she prepares to give birth. This can be observed by watching her stomach for visible contractions. Water breaking also happens when the amniotic sac around the kitten ruptures and releases fluid.

It is important to keep a close eye on your cat and seek veterinary advice if you are unsure about any of these signs. And with proper care and attention, your cat can safely give birth to her bundle of joy without any complications.

What Stage Of Cat Labor Do Kittens Come Out

The delivery of a litter of kittens typically occurs in three stages. Below is the breakdown of each stage and when to expect the actual birthing of each kitten;

1. Stage One

During this stage, your cat will start showing the first three signs of cat labor mentioned above such as nesting, change in behavior, and lack of appetite. Be aware that this stage can last for 12 – 24 hours before the onset of uterine contractions as the cervix starts to dilate.

2. Stage Two

At this stage, your cat is expected to start giving birth and you will begin to see visible signs of contractions. The kittens will start to move through the birth canal and should be born within an hour of the onset of active pushing. During this stage, each kitten will be delivered one at a time and the queen will take care of cleaning and nursing each kitten.

3. Stage Three

After the birth of each kitten, the mother cat will continue to have intermittent contractions which will help deliver the placenta. It can take up to 30 minutes for each kitten that has been born.

It is important to note that the delivery time may vary from cat to cat, as every cat’s labor is usually unique.

Possible Reasons Why Cat Water Broke And No Kittens

When your cat’s water breaks and there are still no signs of kittens, this could be an indication of a few different things ad they include the following;

1. False Alarm

Sometimes, a cat’s water may break prematurely, and it can take a while before the contractions will start. If your cat’s water breaks, but you don’t see any kittens within the next few hours, this could be a false alarm. However, if several hours have passed and there are still no signs of labor, it is better to call the vet.

2. Early Labor

If your cat is in early labor, she will have more time between the rupture of the amniotic sac and the delivery of her first kitten. This is usually the case among first-time mothers.

3. Delayed Delivery

For cases where your cat has been in active labor for a while, and a few hours have passed without any new kittens being born, she may be experiencing a delayed delivery. This is bound to happen if there are complications, such as a kitten getting stuck in the birth canal.

How To Help Your Cat Out In This Situation

When your cat’s water breaks, but there is no sign of kittens, it is important to stay calm and take the following steps;

1. Take your cat’s temperature to see if she’s in labor. A drop in temperature is a sign that labor may start soon.
2. Prepare a quiet warm space for your cat. Place comfortable bedding in this area and provide fresh water and food.
3. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cat for any potential complications such as signs of distress difficulty in breathing or excessive bleeding.
4. If several hours have passed without any sign of a kitten and you also notice a few complications with the kitten bearing, it is best to contact your vet for the best course of action to take.

Wrapping Up

If your cat’s water breaks, but there’s no sign of kittens, remain calm and monitor your cat closely. Also, contact your veterinarian if it is more than two hours since the water broke and there is still no sign of labor and ultimately kittens or if your cat is showing signs of complications.