Basic reproduction of the cat

Lecture Notes

The queen will also gradually gain weight over the course of gestation and her abdomen will swell. The cat you see here is within just a few days of parturition, or giving birth. Her mammary glands will further enlarge during these last few days in preparation for feeding the newborn kittens.

When delivery time is near, the queen's body temperature will start to drop slightly. She will start to exhibit nesting behaviors and will become increasingly restless as parturition approaches.