Most of the time, pregnancy is normal and goes off without a hitch. But if your cat is pregnant or about to give birth, it's important to pay close attention. A number of warning signs could indicate potential complications, so making sure you know what to look out for could be priceless.

Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is not normal and suggests that your cat is aborting the litter. Or if it occurs late on in the pregnancy - around the 8th week - she may be delivering the litter prematurely. In that case, a caesarean section could be necessary. Either way, have the vet check your cat as soon as possible to assess the blood loss and decide what to do.

Contractions but no kitten
If your cat has been having strong contractions for more than 60 minutes without producing a kitten, your cat needs help and should see the vet right away. Take along any delivered kittens as well.

Retained placenta
A placenta should be passed for every kitten, so it's important to keep count. If the mother retains a placenta, she can develop an infection, fever, or appetite loss. So if you think a placenta has been retained, she will need to see the vet right away.

Discharge
This is normal for up to 3 weeks after the birth. This discharge is usually black or reddish and consists mostly of old blood. If the discharge seems particularly bloody, however, have the vet assess her blood loss. And if the discharge looks like pus, she may have a uterine infection. Again, see your vet as she may need to be spayed right away.

In doubt?
When it comes to your pet, the golden rule is always 'if in doubt, contact your vet'. So if at any point during the delivery you feel that something is wrong - such as straining too hard without delivering any kittens, bleeding, or producing a discharge that is foul-smelling or discoloured  - don't hesitate to call your local surgery immediately.