During your cat's final stages of pregnancy, you will need to monitor her closely for any complications. Listed below are some of the warning signs you should look out for.

Most of the time, pregnancy is normal and goes off without a hitch. But if your cat is pregnant or about to give birth, pay close attention. There are a number signs which could indicate potential complications.

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is not normal and suggests that your cat is suffering a miscarriage. Alternatively, if it occurs late in the pregnancy, your cat may be delivering the litter prematurely. In this case, a caesarean section may be necessary. To determine the reason, have the vet check your pet as soon as possible to assess the blood loss and decide what to do.

If your cat has been having strong contractions for more than 60 minutes without producing a kitten, she needs help and should see the vet immediately. Take along any delivered kittens as well.

For every kitten, there should be a placenta, so it's important to keep count. If the mother retains a placenta, she may develop an infection, fever or appetite loss. If you think a placenta has been retained, take your cat to see the vet immediately.

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, ask your vet to assess her blood loss. If the discharge looks like pus, she may have a uterine infection. See your vet right away as she may need to be spayed.

When it comes to your pet, the golden rule is always 'if in doubt, contact your vet'. If at any point during the delivery you feel that something is wrong, for example, your cat is 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.