New mom cat's side is lumpy after giving birth. Is this normal?

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.

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.

This could be a swollen mammary gland that got very inflamed, it's quite common in lactating cats, you should get it checked by your vet as she may need to take anti inflammatories if it is bothering her.

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!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Yes this looks serious, it could be a wound, but it could also be a severe mastitis. I recommend trying to get a large dog kennel, and putting food inside, and coaxing her inside with the food, and then closing the door in order to get her to the vet. You can also try getting a thick blanket and throwing it over her and then wrapping her up and putting that in a large box, and slowly pulling the blanket out (so she isn't sitting in the hot box wrapped in a hot blanket). Do your best to get her to a vet. Best of luck with Deb, I hope she feels better soon!

Mommy may have been a little rough cleaning the baby, or may have held it a little to hard with her teeth moving it. If the lump does not go away or if the kitten fails to thrive you should have it examined by a vet. Observe it for a few weeks.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! No, lumps are not normal. In a young kitten, these may represent small abscess or focal infection sites. I recommend that you have Luna evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Therapy would be based on findings. Good luck!