Too small?

[polgara]

Hi there, I have 7 cats in all and my smallest one Gaia is 4 weeks into her pregnancy.
I am a little worried because of how tiny she seems- not a very big kitty at all!

She is almost 11 months old- same age as one of my other cats was when she gave birth to her first litter.

Do you think she will have any problem delivering due to her small size?

[Cleo]

The normal gestation period in cats is 63 to 66 days. How much does she weigh and are your cats currently under vet care? Your post indicates that this is a second litter of kittens you're having. May I ask why the cats are not spayed/neutered?

Love your pets, spay & neuter

[polgara]

Roughly she weighs 4lb (weighing myself on scales then holding gaia and seeing what the difference is)

It is Gaias first litter- and last.

Yes of course , all of my cats ore under vetinery care and insured.

All of my other kittys are spayed and neutered.

I always allow my females one litter, never have a problem rehoming . In fact i still regularly see all of poppys litter- even though they are now all 3 years old almost.

Im not silly- Always had cats - always will. I love being around them, and they return that love.

[Traci]

Roughly she weighs 4lb (weighing myself on scales then holding gaia and seeing what the difference is)

She is only 11 months old...cats *beep* mature at 6 months of age, so she has not even matured into adulthood. At her weight, she and her unborn are at risk for complications, either prior to delivery or during delivery. It is a known fact that small, underage cats who are pregnant are at increased risk for various problems, including risks to their unborn.

Yes of course , all of my cats ore under vetinery care and insured.

Vets don't advocate planned pregnancies in cats, and if your vet is advocating this, then you need a new vet. I know of no pet insurance policy that covers planned pregnancies in cats, they cover spay and neuters in newly adopted kittens/cats, shelter cats, etc. under the assumed premise the new owner is a responsible pet owner Unless you are a responsible breeder, you are adding to the pet over-population. What Cleo means, is, is your pregnant cat under your vet's care? When was she last evaluated, examined? What is your vet's plan of action should your kitty develop complications during delivery? Has he made himself available in the event of an emergency? What are your preparation plans in the event of an emergency?

I always allow my females one litter, never have a problem rehoming .

For what purpose? Do you realize and understand the health consequences and risks you are placing on the females and their unborn kittens? Do you understand the complications that can occur when you allow several heat cycles? Pyometra, uterine infections, the potential for mammary cancer when not spayed at the appropriate age?

There is no physical, medical, psychological reason on the cat's part to ever endure repeated heat cycles or a pregnance or delivery. I suspect this is for your satisfaction only, but by allowing this to happen with all of your females, you are not being responsible. It doesn't matter that you might care enough to get kittens rehomed. What matters is that you cannot ever gaurantee the safety and extended health of any of the females or the kittens. You cannot ever gaurantee that the people who adopt your kittens will be responsible. (will they too allow the females to breed and create more kittens? will they ensure proper medical care for the lifetime of those kittens? the variables are endless.

Im not silly- Always had cats - always will. I love being around them, and they return that love.

But you are irresponsible. Read the link Cleo provided, in it's entirety. Then look up on pet-overpopulation, visit an animal shelter sometime. Talk to a competent vet who can also outline the dangers and risks and ethics to you, and start being responsible. Get your cats spayed and neutered at appropriate ages at or before they experience their first heat cycle.

[polgara]

who is irresponsible??? ALL my cats are looked after with the upmost care and attention.
I also adopt cats from shelters that would get no love what so ever- How dare you call me irresponsible! And how dare you imply that i let my cats go to anyone that i dont deem fit! My cats kittens are all with family members, whom i trust 100%.
People like you are so high and mighty- what gives you the right to bring me down?? After all i was only asking a simple question !
You seem to think that i dont care for my cats- problem is i do care- i care about them more than i care for humans.
I was assuming to get an answer and to be treated with at least some respect on this forum- but obviously it seems you have taken an instant dislike tome for some reason- thats your choice!

[Traci]

This forum advocates spaying and neutering. If you bothered to read the link provided you, you would understand why.

But, don't take my word for it, it's common sense, and it's only ethical. Feel free to do a search on the net for more information. If you can't do that and act responsibly, then it is you who are at fault and will have to live with those consequences. Your cats also have to live with the consequences, please explain to me your rationale on how that is fair to your cats and their kittens, both born and unborn.

We all love our cats, every single one of us. However, we also love them enough to be responsible in getting them spayed and neutered at appropriate ages to prevent unwanted kittens, to do our part to prevent over-population, and to ensure the future health of our cats. You are planning pregnancies and putting your cats and kittens at increased risks, don't expect us to believe you have an extraordinary love for them.

There is no need for you to post further on this issue, unless you care enough to see a new vet and educate yourself on the ethics of spaying and neutering. We've already answered your original question:

The answer is, YES, she is too small to deliver without the potential for complications, both to HER and her UNBORN kittens. The complications are various, and your vet should have explained that to you at the very moment the two of you determined she was pregnant. He should also have educated you and suggested spaying her right then and there (if she was in early term to be safetly spayed).