New mom cat has a hard lump on her belly after birth. Is it serious?

It is not likely to be a retained kitten if she had [a normal delivery](https://www.petcoach.co/article/queening-giving-birth-in-cats) and is behaving normally otherwise (no [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/vomiting/), [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/diarrhea/), [loss of appetite](https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-isnt-my-cat-eating), discharge, etc.). It may be a hernia, but your veterinarian will need to make the diagnosis after a physical exam. If it is a hernia, a repair may be done if you decide to have her spayed. [Spaying](https://www.petcoach.co/article/spaying-ovariohysterectomy-the-benefits-in-cats) would strongly be recommended if she is not breeding stock or a show cat. This would prevent accidental or unwanted litters in the future. Spaying also decreases the risk of mammary gland tumors (breast cancer) and eliminates the risk of a pyometra (uterine infection) later in life.

Congratulations on the kittens. If Fluffu did not have an xray to determine the amount of kittens prior to labor (which I assume based on your question that she did not) then it is hard to say for certain about what you are feeling. The "hard lump" could be her uterus not yet contracted down to a small size, her mammary glands (those are outside the abdomen but you may still be feeling them as the "hard lump"), another kitten, or simply a full stomach. Hopefully there is not another kitten in there at this point since she is finished with labor. You can monitor and watch her closely and continue to feel the "hard lump", but if you are pretty suspicious about the possibility of another kitten the safest thing to do is to have a veterinarian examine her. The doctor may be able to tell just on physical exam what the hard lump is or can take an xray for definitive diagnosis of knowing if there is another kitten in there. This would be the best and safest thing to do for Fluffu. Thank you for reaching out and best of luck to the momma and her new babies!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Akina. The lumpy left side could be due to enlarged mammary glands to support feeding her kittens. I don't think it's due to a kitten that hasn't been born, but I can't say for certain without seeing her in person. Because her health is so important during this time, I'd take her and her kittens into the vet in the morning for a health check. I hope this helps!

Your baby may be suffering from mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland). This is very painful and you really need to take her to the vet for an exam. and pain medicine and antibiotics if called for. In the meantime you can put warm moist compresses on the teat. This should relieve some of the pain temporarily.

This bump on Mino could be a mammary tumor. Those can be common in intact female cats. It could also be that she may have mastitis from nursing. This needs to be checked out by a vet, and I would take her into one today. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is likely from her mammary gland. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Dahlia evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

Hello. I would not be too concerned. You are probably feeling the uterus as it is shrinking down, a process we call involution. As long as mom & the kittens are happy & content, then you can relax as well. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.