When a cat gives birth, it’s essential to diagnose the reason.
If she’s shaking, it may be because she’s stressed. This might be the result of her being a newborn or because she’s simply adjusting to her new home.
You can help her by giving her lots of attention and feeding her accordingly. So, why is your cat shaking after giving birth?
When cats give birth, it’s quite common for them to experience tremors afterwards. These tremors aren’t harmful and are caused by hormonal changes.
However, they can be somewhat alarming for new cat owners who aren’t used to them. If your cat has tremors after giving birth, don’t worry too much.
These tremors should go away after a few days. If they don’t go away or your cat seems sick, contact your vet immediately.
Why Is My Cat Shaking After Giving Birth?
Having a new litter of kittens is an exciting time for any cat owner.
However, after giving birth, some cats may start to shake or tremble.
This can be concerning for owners, and it’s important to understand why this is happening and what can be done about it.
Hormonal Changes
One of the primary reasons why cats may shake after giving birth is due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, female cats experience a surge in hormones such as progesterone and oxytocin, which can cause them to become more sensitive to their environment and their own emotions.
This can lead to shaking or trembling after the kittens are born due to the sudden drop in these hormones.
Stress and Anxiety
Another reason why cats may shake after giving birth is due to the stress and anxiety associated with labor and delivery.
The process of giving birth can be very stressful for cats, as they are unfamiliar with the process and may not know how to handle the situation.
This can cause them to become overwhelmed with fear or anxiety, which can lead to shaking or trembling afterwards.
Pain
In some cases, cats may shake after giving birth due to the pain or discomfort associated with labor and delivery.
Cats are known for hiding signs of pain. So, it’s important for owners to pay close attention when their cat is in labor. Because any signs of distress should be addressed immediately by a veterinarian.
If your cat appears distressed during labor, then she may be more likely to shake afterwards due to lingering pain or discomfort from the delivery process.
Fatigue
In addition, fatigue from labor and delivery can also cause cats to shake after giving birth.
Giving birth is an exhausting experience for any animal.
So, it’s important that owners provide plenty of rest time for their cat afterwards in order for her body to recover properly from the ordeal.
If she does not get enough rest, then she may start shaking due to exhaustion or fatigue from the delivery process.
Overstimulation
Finally, overstimulation from the environment or other animals can also lead to shaking in cats after giving birth.
Cats are very sensitive creatures. If they are overstimulated, they can feel overwhelmed, which can result in shaking afterwards as a sign of distress or anxiety.
It’s best if owners keep noise levels low during this time period in order to help reduce stress levels for their cat while she gives birth.
Separation Anxiety
Furthermore, separation anxiety from being separated from her kittens after they are born can also contribute to a cat shaking after giving birth.
Cats form strong bonds with their kittens.
So, being separated from them immediately following delivery could cause her stress levels to rise, which could manifest itself through trembling or shaking afterwards.
How To Treat Cat Shaking After Giving Birth
After giving birth, your cat needs to take it easy for a few weeks.
It is normal for cats to show signs of restlessness or irritability after giving birth. However, if they get extremely restless or agitated, it could be a symptom of a thyroid problem or postpartum illness.
These behaviors should be dealt with immediately. Your cat might scratch the furniture or tear up their bedding. They might bite or kick you or show aggression toward other pets or even children.
To treat your cat’s restlessness after giving birth, keep these in mind:
Give your cat a comfortable place to rest
Your cat needs to rest after giving birth, which makes them feel calmer and more secure. Your cat wants to regain her strength after giving birth, so make her feel comfortable by placing her somewhere comfortable and warm where she can sleep or hang out.
Create a calming environment
When your cat is agitated or restless, she might also spook easily.
So, you should avoid noisy places and put her in a quiet room where she feels safe and can rest.
Add some blankets or pillows to make her feel more comfortable. You can also play music that is calming and soothing for her.
Feeding
If your cat is hungry after giving birth, feeding her will help her feel more at ease. However, don’t feed her too much.
If she eats too much, she might develop digestive problems. Feed her small meals and limit her intake to 3 or 4 of her favorite treats a day.
Exercise
If your cat is restless, it might be because she’s bored. To help her feel better, give her some exercise by putting her on a short leash and taking her outside for some fresh air.
Medication
If your cat is still restless after trying the above steps, visit your vet to find the appropriate medication for her. The vet might recommend a sedative to calm her down and a pain reliever to reduce her pain if she is in pain.
How to Prevent Cat Shaking After Giving Birth
Cat shaking after giving birth is a common occurrence, especially for first-time mothers.
This can be dangerous for the kittens and the mother if it is not treated properly.
To prevent this from happening, you should ensure that your cat gets enough exercise, has a healthy diet and is well-rested. Also, avoid handling her while she is pregnant, during birth, and after birth.
Exercise
Your cat needs a lot of exercise after giving birth. This stimulates the release of endorphins, which stimulate better sleep and appetite.
Your cat will get some much-needed exercise by playing with her favorite toy or chasing after her favorite mouse.
Diet
Your cat’s diet should be balanced and rich in nutrients because her body is working overtime to produce milk. Feed her a diet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
You can also give your cat milk supplements to help her produce more milk.
However, you should only give her supplements if she is not producing enough milk to feed her kittens.
Rest
Your cat needs a lot of rest after giving birth to her kittens. You should provide her with a comfortable place to rest.
A quiet, dark corner with a blanket or a pillow wrapped around her should do the trick.
You may also give her some peace and quiet by shutting her outside or in another room.
Avoid handling
Avoid touching your cat when she is pregnant and during birth because you may accidentally cause her pain.
Also, avoid handling her kittens while they are still wet—this can cause eye infections.
Also Read: Why Do Cats Shake Their Heads When They Eat?
Conclusion
First, I explained how a cat’s milk is sterile and safe for kittens to drink, so the mother cat shakes to “clean up” her milk before giving it to the kittens. Second, I explained how kittens clean themselves by licking their fur.
Third, I explained why the mother cat shakes the kittens after feeding them, and what this shaking does for the kittens.
In conclusion, I learned that cats shake to clean their milk before giving it to their kittens, and this shaking also helps the kittens clean themselves.
