What Does A Cat’s Mucus Plug Look Like

If you have a pregnant kitty, you will have to quickly become well versed in the changes her body is about to undergo. As her owner, you are responsible for monitoring her so you can identify when something is wrong and help her as soon as possible. One thing you will need to know about is her mucus plug. What exactly is a mucus plug? A mucus plug protects her cervical opening to keep her babies safe from bacteria while they grow and develop. What does a cat’s mucus plug look like?

A cat’s mucus plug looks like a small build-up of greenish mucus at the vaginal opening.

This mucus starts developing in the early stages of pregnancy, so you may see it gradually build up over time. However, it is more likely that you will see it the closer she is to giving birth because it will start to protrude more as her body grows.

5 Key Characteristics Of A Mucus Plug

During your cat’s pregnancy, there will be plenty of healthy mucus and discharge as her body changes. Identifying when mucus is good or bad will help you know when she may need treatment. The mucus plug is safe and essential to her pregnancy.

1. It Is Very Small

The mucus plug is pretty tiny. It can only grow to the size of your cat’s vaginal canal, so it is possible you won’t see it when it falls out. Cats are also pretty good at keeping themselves groomed, so most cats clean away the mucus plug right after it falls out.

2. It’ll Be a Green or Pinkish Color

For the most part, the mucus will be relatively clear, but it is common for it to be a little green as it builds up in her body. Sometimes it’ll have a pink tone, too; make sure it’s not bright red. Bright red could indicate that your cat is bleeding and something is wrong. If this is the case, seek medical attention immediately. 

3. The Mucus Will Be Gooey

Like mucus anywhere else, it will be soft, wet, and a little gooey. This is healthy and how the mucus plug should look. It should stay this way until it falls out, so it is easy for your cat to push out.

4. The Mucus Plug Will Always Be Located In The Same Place

Mucus plugs will always be seen at your cat’s vaginal opening. The area is small, so it may not be noticeable until they are closer to giving her. This gives the plug more time to build up mucus, and it will start to protrude as she grows more and more.

5. The Mucus Plug Does Not Cause Pain

As the mucus builds up in the vaginal canal to create the mucus plug, it should not cause any pain to your cat. It also should not hurt when it falls out. They should be able to clean the area themselves pain-free. Consult your veterinarian if they seem to be experiencing unusual pain in that area.

How To Determine A Mucus Plug Is Normal

To determine whether a mucus plug is normal, you will want to examine your cat gently. Have her lie down while you look at it. This will help keep her more comfortable and give you the most accurate view of it since it might look different as she walks.

You don’t need to touch it; she may be sensitive and will jump if you try to touch it anyway. Look at it with some light and analyze the color. If it’s clear, greenish, or pinkish, then it is normal.

While you are looking, make sure it doesn’t seem large. It really should only be the size of her vaginal opening and not any larger. It should also look shiny and almost wet. If it looks different than this, then the best course of action is to consult your veterinarian.

How Long Does It Take For A Cat To Lose Her Mucus Plug

Your cat will start to develop her mucus plug from the moment she becomes pregnant. The mucus gradually builds over weeks of her pregnancy until it forms the final plug we will eventually see fall out. The mucus plug should stay there until she starts to go into labor.

Cats will be pregnant anywhere from 58-67 days, and they will have their mucus plug virtually this entire time. So it takes roughly 60 days for a cat to lose her mucus plug.

How Long After Seeing The Mucus Plug Will Your Cat Give Birth

A cat will give birth roughly 3 to 7 days after its mucus plug falls out. Depending on how your cat develops, you may see her mucus plug before it falls out, or you may not. It builds up throughout her pregnancy, so seeing the mucus plug is not an indicator of when your cat will give birth. The moment it falls out is when the countdown to kittens can begin.

What Does It Mean When The Mucus Plug Falls Out

When the mucus plug falls out, your cat is getting ready to go into labor. The purpose of the mucus plug is to block the cervical opening so that bacteria do not get to their developing litter. Once their babies are developed enough, their bodies will start adjusting to prepare for birth.

This process includes pushing the mucus plug out so that their cervix can start to open up for the babies to come out. The mucus plug can fall out 3-7 days before a cat gives birth, so once it falls out, you should monitor your cat for signs of active labor, but it still may be a couple of days until the real process begins. When you see that their water has broken, then you have about 2-3 hours until the kittens should start arriving.

Should I Be Concerned If My Cat Loses Her Mucus Plug And Doesn’t Give Birth

You should be concerned if your cat loses her mucus plug and doesn’t give birth. If more than seven days go by since the mucus plug has been pushed out and there still aren’t any kittens, you should consult a veterinarian. Something has caused a disturbance in the pregnancy and labor process, and medical attention might be necessary to keep your cat and her kittens safe.

Things To Consider

Even if you have helped a pregnant cat deliver kittens, it is still important to consult your veterinarian constantly. All cats are different, and some may require special attention. Especially if they are prone to complications, keeping a veterinarian in the loop will keep them strong and healthy.

Plus, technology is constantly improving. There may be new tools and medicines you can use at home to help your cat, and your veterinarian will be able to keep you up to date with that.