Answer: When, about two weeks before the birth is due, the queen being to wander around looking for somewhere to have the kittens, provide her with a ‘nesting’ or ‘kittening’ box. This need only be large cardboard box approximately 2 square feet(60 cm^2) with plenty of newspaper in it as breeding, and preferably a lid or cover so as to provide some privacy. This lid can be removed when kittening actually beings. Blankets may appear to give greater comfort but it is possible for a kitten to crawl into a fold and then be unable to feed until found some hours latter.
The box should be placed somewhere warm, about 72F (22C) and quit, and other pets and children should be kept well away from it. To simplify the queen’s entry and exit, it helps to cut a hole about 7 to 8 inches in diameter in one side, 5 or 6 inches above the floor. She should be persuaded to use the box by being regularly placed in it, and will usually soon tear up the paper to make a comfortable nest. However, many cats have a natural instinct to establish to more the one nest for the security of the litter, so that it is prudent to exclude her from rooms in which you wouldn’t relish her nest-making, and if necessary to provide her with more the one box at different sites. It may set your mind at rest if at this stage you take the cat to your local vet for a check-up.
During the last week of pregnancy the queen is generally less active, though often appearing uncomfortable while resting. Check that her motions during this time are not hard because they can provide an obstruction in the pelvic canal; if this appears to be the case, give a teaspoonful of liquid paraffin. Also at this time it is good idea, especially with long-haired cats, to carefully clip away the hair from around the mammary glands and the vulva (the opening the birth canal). Make sure the cat is confined (give her a litter tray) and doesn’t go outside to have her kittens, particularly in the winter because it is possible that cold weather may kill them.
Usually anything from twelve to twenty-four hours before giving birth (parturition) the queen enters the first stage of labour and is very restless, spending more time in the nest re-arranging it. She pays frequent visits to the litter tray, straining but without effect. Some females may show signs of a clear discharge at this time. In this stage some (though no all) cats go off their food and/or show a fall in body temperature of 2F (1C), i.e. down to 99.5F (37.5C). The presence of milk in the teats shows that birth is imminent.
