For a while now, you've been able to detect her kittens moving around inside her and you've worked out their expected delivery date as best you can.

Then, without warning, your beautiful cat heaves herself up from her favorite resting place and starts to move around, appearing to be nervous or excitable.

Your first thought will probably be that she's asking for more food as she'll start calling plaintively to you. But food will hold no interest for her - not even the tastiest morsels.

Don't be fooled by her seemingly unusual behavior. Wait just a while longer and you'll find that your cat will be drawn to her chosen birthing place - her nesting box.

Of course, as a well-prepared owner, you have already constructed a suitable nesting box, haven't you? If not, you may have to give up your bed for awhile, if your cat has decided that this is where she will be giving birth..... A large and sturdy cardboard box, with the top and one side cut away will do the job nicely. Just leave a lip at the bottom of the cut-away side to stop small kittens from falling out. Line it with lots of old newspaper - maybe some of it shredded - and find an old towel to cover the top for warmth and privacy.

But no matter where your cat has chosen to give birth, as she feels her labor begin, she will make straight for her nesting place. Once there, she will begin to 'tread' on her bedding. Once you see this happening, you will know without a shadow of a doubt that her kittens are on their way.

You will have no difficulty in recognising this treading action as it is a cross between digging in her litter box and kneading with her paws when she is sitting relaxed and happy on your lap.

Even cat experts don't really know why cats tread their bedding immediately prior to the onset of their labor. It is probably no more than a desire to arrange their immediate environment to their liking.

After all, the coming hours will be hard work for your cat and it is quite reasonable to assume that she will want to be content with her surroundings!

But for whatever reason, treading on her bedding is the one sign that can tell you that your cat's labor is about to begin. She's ready - are you?