Be certain the nose and mouth are free from fluid and tissue. Rub the kitten with a towel along the shoulders and back to stimulate breathing. A healthy meow indicates an unobstructed airway. Gently pull the afterbirth from the birth canal. Expect kittens to be delivered 15 to 45 minutes apart, but call your veterinarian if strong labor continues for 30 minutes without producing a kit-ten.
Average litters contain three to six kittens.
Make sure that nursing begins in a few minutes. It is essential for the kittens to nurse from the mother to provide protection against disease. Supplement with commercially prepared milk replacer, available wherever pet supplies are sold, following your veterinarian s advice. Watch closely when the mother is cleaning the newborn kitten. Once in a while a kitten will be born dead prepare yourself and your children ahead of time.