Has your female feline friend begun to put on weight, leading you to believe she may be pregnant? Below, our Harrisburg vets share a few more clues that your cat may be pregnant, how long it will be pregnant, and what to do.
Is my cat old enough to be pregnant?
If you have a female cat who hasn't been spayed and has managed to escape the safety of your home, she could be pregnant. Your female cat is likely to go through her first heat cycle between the ages of 4 and 7 months, indicating that she is physically mature and ready to have her first litter of kittens.
Depending on where you live, your undoctored female cat may go into heat as often as every 3 weeks until she either becomes pregnant or is spayed. An unspayed female cat could have as many as 4 litters of kittens a year, with between 4-12 kittens in each litter. This means that if your cat is an unspayed adult female that has had access to the outdoor world, there is a good chance that she is expecting kittens.
Is my cat pregnant?
Pregnancy in domesticated cats lasts about 2 months, so the first question to ask yourself is whether your cat has been outside over the past 8 weeks. If so, below are some other signs of pregnancy in cats that you may want to look for. Note that your cat may not display all of the signs below, depending on how far along the pregnancy is.
- Notable weight gain
- Pink, swollen nipples
- Distended abdomen
- Increased appetite
- Becoming more affectionate
- Hiding more often
- May sleep more than usual
If your kitty is exhibiting the signs above and has not been spayed, it's time to head to the vet for an examination to confirm pregnancy and/or check for signs of any underlying health concerns that could be causing these symptoms.
How long are cats pregnant?
A cat's pregnancy lasts between 63 and 67 days, but it can last up to 72 days. In months, this translates to about two. In weeks, this translates to about eight to ten. Typically, a cat will not show signs of pregnancy until two or three weeks into the term. That gives a pet owner about a month to plan and prepare.
How will my vet know if my cat is pregnant?
There are a few different tests that vets can do to confirm whether your kitty is pregnant:
- The first thing your vet will probably do is palpate your cat's abdomen. This means that the vet will gently feel your cat's belly to see if they can detect the presence of fetuses. Your vet may be able to confirm pregnancy in this manner if your cat is more than 17 days pregnant.
- Your vet may recommend a quick and easy ultrasound test to look for fetuses if your vet suspects that your cat is 14 days pregnant or more. Heartbeats can be spotted using ultrasound sometime after 21 days of pregnancy.
- If your vet believes your cat is fairly far along in her pregnancy (further than 42 days) they may recommend an X-ray. Digital X-rays or radiographs are considered very safe and can help to determine a due date for the kittens and how many there are.
How do I care for my pregnant cat?
Once your vet has confirmed that your feline friend is pregnant they will provide you with specific recommendations on how to care for your pregnant kitty. That said, several things are generally recommended to help a cat have a healthy and safe pregnancy and birth.
- Do not squeeze or press on her belly, since this can cause pain and in some cases may lead to miscarriage.
- Clean her litter box once or twice daily, and make sure that her litter box is easy for her to access as her tummy continues to expand and drop.
- Provide your pregnant kitty with plenty of high-quality food. Your cat may eat as much as 25% more than normal while she is pregnant and nursing. Ask your vet to recommend the best food for your pregnant cat.
- Ensure that your cat has a cozy, clean area that she can use to give birth and care for her kittens. This spot should be in a warm and quiet spot in your home, well away from kids, other human traffic, and other pets.