If you have a pregnant cat or are looking to breed your cat, there's a lot to consider as a cat owner. So if you want to know how to tell if a cat is pregnant, how long cats are pregnant, signs a cat is pregnant, and, most importantly, how to care for a pregnant cat, this article is for you.

A female cat (queen) can produce several litters of kittens every year throughout her life. If you don't want to take on a litter of kittens or the responsibility of finding good homes for them, you should have your female cat neutered.

To avoid further pregnancy in your cats, you should also neuter any male cats that you own. If you do decide to breed from your cat, or you discover that your cat is pregnant unexpectedly, there are various things to consider.

How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant

Experienced breeders are very tuned in to the signs a cat is pregnant, but if this is your first cat pregnancy, then it's advisable to monitor your kitty for the following symptoms:

• Pinking up: One of the early signs a cat is pregnant is that her nipples may enlarge slightly and become pinker. This usually happens around week 3 of the pregnancy. This is sometimes referred to as 'pinking up'.
• Weight gain: Your cat's abdomen will enlarge. Their pregnant belly may show signs after about the 4th week.
• Behaviour changes: During your cat's pregnancy, you may notice a change in her behaviour. Some queens demand more attention or become more independent.
• Calling: "Calling" (when your queen is in season and "calls" for a mate) may stop during your cat's pregnancy period, but not always.
• Loss of appetite: Your cat's appetite may reduce near the time of the birth. Some cats also seem to have reduced appetite during pregnancy, and this "morning sickness" may be similar to that experienced by some pregnant women.

Your vet will be able to confirm pregnancy about 3 - 4 weeks in, usually via an ultrasound scan.

How to Care for a Pregnant Cat?

To properly monitor your cat, your pregnant queen should be kept indoors so you know they're safe and not exposed to physical harm or infectious diseases.

If keeping your cat indoors is very stressful for her, then you'll need to balance the risks vs the benefits of letting her outside. Ideally, she should be kept indoors for the last 2-3 weeks of the pregnancy.

What to Feed a Pregnant Cat?

Your cat will need extra food during pregnancy, but perhaps not as much as you may expect! Always check with your vet what to feed your pregnant cat. Some cats require special diets for ongoing medical conditions, and your vet can advise on this.

For an otherwise healthy queen, no extra food is required in the first 5 weeks, and you may notice that she eats a little less than usual on some days.

How Much to Feed a Pregnant Cat?

After 5 weeks, you should very gradually increase the amount of food that you offer. By the time she gives birth, she should be eating approximately 25-50% more calories than usual. At this point, she will need several small feeds a day, rather than two larger meals, as her kittens are taking up space in her tummy.

Heavily pregnant queens may struggle to consume enough of their usual food, so it may be necessary to switch to a higher-calorie food towards the end of the pregnancy. Any changes to the diet should be made slowly, to avoid diarrhoea.

Underfeeding your pregnant cat may result in her becoming underweight, kittens being of low birth weight, and your cat not producing enough milk. Overfeeding may result in larger kittens and an overweight mother, risking complications at birth.

Can Cats Have Medication While Pregnant?

If your cat is on any medication, speak to your vet to find out whether this is safe to continue during pregnancy. Your vet can also advise you as to appropriate worming and flea treatments during pregnancy.

What Age Can Cats Get Pregnant?

Some female cats reach sexual maturity from around 4 months of age. It's not advisable to let your cat get pregnant so young, as she should be fully grown before breeding from her. Your vet can advise you on whether your cat is the right age and in good health for breeding.

How Long Are Cats Pregnant?

A cat's gestation period is around 63 - 68 days or roughly 9 weeks, but it can range from 60 - 70 days. If your cat's pregnancy is longer than 10 weeks, contact your vet immediately.

The number of kittens a cat will deliver varies from pregnancy to pregnancy. Expect anywhere from 1 to 9 new arrivals, but most litters average 4 to 6.

What Are the Stages of Cat Pregnancy?

During the first few weeks, the fertilised eggs are implanted in your cat's womb. You're unlikely to notice any signs of pregnancy at this early stage.

Between weeks 3 and 6 of the cat pregnancy period, the developing embryos are growing and turning into kittens. From week 6 to week 9 or 10, the kittens continue to grow, and your cat's body prepares for giving birth.

How Can I Prepare for Cat Labour?

In the last weeks of a cat's pregnancy, it's important to prepare a kittening area or nesting box. The area should be quiet, private, warm, and clean so your cat feels safe and relaxed there.

A cardboard box lined with clean sheets or blankets can make a good "nest". Your queen will also need water, but make sure it's raised off the ground, so that the kittens cannot fall into it.

When Should I Call a Vet About My Cat’s Pregnancy?

Call your vet if you have any worries at all, even if your cat just doesn’t seem quite themselves. Your vet can advise you as to whether something is a normal sign of pregnancy or whether your cat needs a check-up at the veterinary surgery.

Particular warning signs to look out for your pregnant cat are:

• Vaginal discharge
• Being off their food
• Weight loss
• Straining
• Aborted kittens or parts of the placenta
• Painful nipples
• Your cat has reached week 10 of pregnancy and there is no sign of kittens

If you notice any of the signs listed or have any other concerns, contact your vet immediately.

Planning for the arrival of kittens is exciting and forward planning can ensure that their safe arrival comes with minimal stress for your queen, and for you. Your vet should always be your first port of call for advice and support. 

Everypaw Cat Insurance

Everypaw's Cat Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your kitty will be well looked after.

Please be aware, treatment related to pregnancy, giving birth or breeding and any complications caused by them is not covered.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis 

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