In the final week of your cat's pregnancy, you will be able to see her displaying an important behavior - nesting behavior. Although she may be the most pampered cat ever, she will still think that she is living in the wild and will feel compelled to search out a birthing place that is safe,warm and secure.

Under - or on - your bed is often top of her list of preferred places!

Giving birth to kittens is a messy business and you may also be called on to give help if needed. Because of this, it is a good idea to prepare a nesting box so that you can have easy access to your new mother cat and her kittens. This way, your cat thinks that she has made her choice of birthing place but you also can remain in control.

To build a suitable nesting box, locate a cardboard box that is spacious enough for your cat to move around in comfortably and to have her newborn kittens close by whilst she finishes delivering their siblings.

When your cat has finished giving birth, there will need to be enough room for all her kittens to suckle comfortably and for their mother to take care of them.

The sides of the box should be high enough to give privacy and security and the top should be partially covered for the same reason. One side should be cut away to allow access to feeding and toileting facilities and for you to be able to monitor what is going on. However, leave a lip of around 3 inches at the bottom to prevent a kitten or two from rolling out accidentally or venturing forth before they are quite ready.

Old newspapers make excellent bedding as these can be easily removed and disposed of as they become soiled following the delivery of each kitten. Shred some of the newspaper to provide cushioning and then top with individual sheets that can be simply removed as necessary.

The nesting box should be made ready at least two weeks before your cat's expected delivery date. Give her free access to it so that she becomes familiar and comfortable with it. Find a quite, warm and draught-free position where your cat can feel secure and unthreatened so that she is able to get on with the business of giving birth without stress or anxiety.

It is likely that she will not approve of your chosen position for her nest so look out for signs that she is constructing her own nest somewhere else. If she does this, just move the box to that place.

You must be certain not to let your cat out of the house for two or even three weeks before you think that her kittens are due. If she is allowed to make her nest outside you may find that she disappears into it unexpectedly and you will not then be able to find her. Should this happen, the consequences may not be at all good.

Once you have constructed your lovely cat a nesting box, you are all ready to welcome your new kittens!