It can be worrying if the cat you have bred gives birth to a single one kitten litter. After all, cats are known as usually producing multiple kittens at a time. Does this concern you?
In this AnimalWised article we will go over the different reasons as to why has your cat only had one kitten. The truth is that this is more common than you might think. Read on and discover the reasons for this occurrence, as well as some factors that may prevent this from happening.
Can a cat only have one kitten?
As is the case with other mammals, there are many factors that can influence pregnancy: age, status of physical health, quantity of sperm, sperm motility, and the success rate of mating are some examples. However, the amount of kittens in a litter is also down to genetics. Outcomes of fertilization cannot be easily estimated. While it is rare, it is possible for a cat to give birth to only one kitten.
Another possible reason is that one or more kittens were also fertilized, but did not develop properly. If a fetus does not develop within a certain amount of time, the mother cat will absorb them into their body. If they do not come to term, but do develop further, they will likely be stillborn. Mother cats will often eat their stillborn young. If you did not witness the birth of the litter, it is possible the mother cat ate the stillborn kitten, making it appear there was only one cat in the litter.
Whatever the reason for having a single kitten, do not worry, it doesn't in itself imply there is a health risk. Although not as common as a multi-kitten litter it is possible. You should be aware that pregnancy is a very delicate state for any animal. It is very important that you set a minimum age before getting your female cat to procreate. Moreover, you must do your best to ensure her well-being, putting her at ease and always feeding her well.
Take your cat and kittens to the veterinarian
Obviously, there is nobody better to advise you on this than your veterinarian. They can dismiss any symptoms of illness in your cat, run any tests if necessary, and give you some tips on feline pregnancy. However, if there are no symptoms and mother and kitten appear to be healthy, it may no be necessary. Regardless, if your cat has just given birth, paying attention to the health and well-being of mother and kittens should be closely monitored.
While a cat may have other kittens which have been absorbed, it is possible the other kittens are otherwise healthy but unable to be born. Complications during a cat's labor may mean the kittens have become stuck or there are other birth difficulties. This is a serious situation which threatens the life of both the unborn kittens and the mother cat. It will be considered a veterinary medical emergency and they should be taken to a specialist immediately.
You will be able to tell if there are any birth difficulties due to the behavior and symptomatology of the mother cat. The time between the births of each kitten is usually between 15 minutes and 1 hour. If the cat has not given birth to another kitten after an hour and begins to show symptoms of distress, you will need to take them to a veterinarian.
It is also possible for the mother to experience something called interrupted labor in cats. This is when the cat stops straining and starts to lick, suckle and care for any kittens which have been born. While it won't happen in the majority of cases, it is frequent enough to be considered relatively common. The interrupted labor may last up to 36 hours, although after this time it is unlikely another kitten will be born. If the mother cat had one kitten and stopped, but is fine after 24 hours or more, it is likely only one kitten is in the litter.
Alternatives to breeding
You probably know that there are shelters for cats in your city or country. If you are passionate about having kittens or are looking to expand the family, why not go to one of these places?
You should know that breeding a cat is neither easy nor advisable. While your cat may suffer from discomfort during pregnancy, there are millions of small kittens wanting someone to care for them as you would for yours.
It's beautiful for your cat to give birth and bring new life into the world. You will see there is a little piece of the parentage in the newborn kitten. However, there are so many cats in the world stuck in shelter systems who do not have a home. By breeding your cat, you are unintentionally putting more strain on this system and negatively affecting the welfare of all cats.
Additionally, sterilizing your cat will benefit the cat themselves by improving their health. We share the ‘adopt don't shop’ policy when possible.
If you want to read similar articles to Why Has My Cat Only Had One Kitten?, we recommend you visit our Gestation category.