Ensuring the arrival of healthy kittens begins with understanding the feline pregnancy journey. If you suspect your feline friend is expecting, knowing what to expect is crucial for providing the best care. While mother cats are remarkably independent during pregnancy and birth, your role in creating a safe and supportive environment is vital.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cat pregnancy, covering essential aspects from nutrition and care to the different stages of pregnancy and how to prepare a comfortable nesting space for your cat.
Key Points to Remember
- The average cat pregnancy length is approximately two months, or more precisely, 63–65 days.
- Proper care for pregnant cats includes pre-pregnancy vaccinations, regular worm checks, and a specialized, high-calorie diet.
- Typically, a mother cat will deliver her entire litter of kittens within a six-hour timeframe.
Decoding the Cat Gestation Period
The gestation period in cats typically spans around two months, averaging between 63 to 65 days. This duration can be further categorized into three trimesters, each lasting about 20 days. However, distinguishing between the first two trimesters can be challenging for pet owners at home.
Cat pregnancy: How long are cats pregnant?
Alt text: Timeline illustration depicting the three trimesters of cat pregnancy, each approximately 20 days long, totaling a 63-65 day gestation period.
Recognizing the Signs of Cat Pregnancy
Identifying pregnancy in cats, particularly in the initial trimesters, can be tricky. As a cat owner, you might be curious about the telltale signs of a pregnant cat.
Early indicators of cat pregnancy may involve changes in the nipples. Around 16–20 days into gestation, a phenomenon known as “pinking up” occurs. This refers to the nipples of the queen becoming more prominent and taking on a pinker hue. During the first two trimesters, pregnant cats often exhibit increased affection and a more docile demeanor than usual.
In the final 20 days or so of the pregnancy, noticeable physical changes become apparent. The cat’s abdomen will become visibly distended, and her nipples and breast tissue will exhibit significant swelling. This signifies the continued growth of the kittens and the mother’s body preparing for birth.
Pregnant queens may also start grooming their belly and the area under their tail more frequently. Additionally, they will often begin searching for suitable, secluded locations to nest and give birth.
Navigating the Stages of Cat Pregnancy
The complete pregnancy cycle in cats generally lasts between 63–65 days. This cat pregnancy timeline is conveniently divided into three trimesters, each spanning roughly 20 days.
First Trimester: Weeks 1-3 (Days 1-21)
During the first trimester, from day one to 21, most cat owners observe minimal to no noticeable changes in their feline companion.
Occasionally, a slight increase in appetite may be observed, and subtle changes in the nipples might begin to occur.
Second Trimester: Weeks 4-6 (Days 21-42)
In the second trimester, spanning from day 21 to 42, more pronounced physical signs start to emerge. This includes the development of a more rounded belly and noticeable shifts in behavior, such as your cat becoming calmer and more affectionate.
Third Trimester: Weeks 7-9 (Days 42-63/65)
The final trimester, from day 42 to 63 or 65, brings more significant pregnancy changes. Your cat’s belly will swell considerably, and nipple and breast changes will become more pronounced.
Her appetite may become noticeably increased, and you might observe her frequently licking her belly and vulva. In preparation for the arrival of her kittens, your cat will begin nesting, seeking out quiet, undisturbed spots, often hidden away from potential disruptions.
Determining How Far Along Your Cat Is in Pregnancy
Unless a cat has been intentionally bred, pinpointing her exact due date can be challenging. However, several methods can help estimate the progression of her pregnancy:
- Palpation: A veterinarian may be able to physically feel the developing fetuses through abdominal palpation around two and a half weeks into the pregnancy.
- Ultrasound: Kitten heartbeats can be detected via ultrasound technology as early as three to four weeks into the pregnancy.
- X-ray: Once the kittens’ skeletons begin to calcify, typically around six weeks of gestation, they become visible on X-ray imaging.
By combining these developmental milestones with observations of physical changes and behavioral shifts in your pregnant cat, you can gain a clearer understanding of how far along she is in her pregnancy.
It’s important to remember that cat pregnancies are relatively short. Therefore, some degree of estimation error is possible.
A veterinary consultation can also rule out a rare condition known as pseudopregnancy, or false pregnancy. Cats experiencing pseudopregnancy may exhibit mammary gland development and even lactation without actually carrying kittens.
Essential Care for a Pregnant Cat
Pregnant cats have specific needs when it comes to general health and well-being. Providing a calm and comfortable environment at home is crucial for a smooth pregnancy and delivery.
This includes creating a nesting area, ideally a cardboard box or covered bed lined with soft materials like blankets, towels, or old sheets. The nesting space should be in a secluded location but still within observation distance to ensure the birthing process progresses safely.
Nutritional Needs of a Pregnant Cat
Pregnant cats require a high-calorie diet to adequately support the healthy development of their kittens. To ensure they receive optimal nutrition, it is recommended to feed them a commercial cat food specifically formulated for pregnancy and lactation or labeled for kittens (growth). Royal Canin® Mother & Baby Cat dry food and wet food are excellent choices for pregnant cats.
Transition your cat to this high-calorie diet no later than the end of the first month of pregnancy, and continue feeding it until weaning, when the kittens are no longer nursing.
Pregnant queens should be fed frequent meals throughout the day. You may notice that their meal sizes decrease as the kittens grow and occupy more space in the abdomen. Offering smaller, more frequent meals ensures they get enough calories despite physical limitations.
Vaccinations for Pregnant Cats
Ideally, cats should receive all necessary vaccinations prior to becoming pregnant. This proactive approach helps prevent illnesses, birth defects, and pregnancy loss caused by infectious diseases.
Vaccinated mother cats also transfer protective antibodies against these diseases to their kittens through their milk, providing crucial early immunity.
If your cat becomes pregnant without prior vaccination, it’s generally recommended to postpone vaccination until after she has given birth. Live vaccines should never be administered to pregnant animals due to potential risks to the developing fetuses. However, killed vaccines, such as most rabies vaccines, may be considered appropriate by your veterinarian if deemed necessary.
Parasite Prevention for Pregnant Cats
Parasite prevention is still important during pregnancy; however, it’s crucial to use products that are safe for pregnant cats. For example, Frontline Gold® is FDA-approved for use in pregnant cats to protect against fleas and ticks. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the safest and most effective parasite prevention products for your pregnant cat.
Regular fecal checks for worms are also vital. Some intestinal worms can be easily transmitted from the mother cat to her kittens during pregnancy and nursing. Worm infestations can severely hinder kitten growth and development. Fortunately, various deworming medications are safe for pregnant cats. Your veterinarian can help you select the most appropriate dewormer based on fecal sample analysis and parasite identification.
Recognizing Illness in Pregnant Cats
Cats are adept at concealing illness, making it crucial to closely monitor your pregnant queen for any subtle signs of discomfort or sickness.
If your cat exhibits symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting, prompt veterinary attention is necessary.
Vaginal discharge, particularly if it contains blood, is never normal during any stage of pregnancy. Seek immediate veterinary care if you observe this symptom.
Preparing for Cat Labor and Delivery
As your cat enters her final trimester, it’s essential to provide her with a designated nesting area. Cats naturally seek quiet, secluded spaces to give birth. If a suitable and easily accessible nesting spot isn’t provided, they may choose a less convenient location for you.
An ideal birthing nest allows you to monitor the mother cat and kittens for any complications while still providing them with ample privacy. A cardboard box lined with old pillowcases or towels works well. A soft blanket can also be used, but ensure there are no loose strings or fabrics that could pose a risk of intestinal obstruction to the kittens.
The nesting location should be draft-free, as kittens are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and are susceptible to cold.
Recognizing the Signs of Cat Labor
Changes in your pregnant cat’s behavior may precede the onset of labor.
Most queens will stop eating approximately a day before labor begins. They will often exhibit nesting behaviors, such as scratching and rearranging materials in their chosen birthing spot, and may appear restless or agitated.
If you are monitoring her rectal temperature, a drop below 100°F (37.8°C) typically indicates that labor will commence within the next 24 hours. The first stage of labor involves uterine contractions, which are usually not visibly apparent.
The second stage of labor is characterized by active straining as the cat begins to expel the kittens through the pelvic canal. Delivery of a single kitten typically takes between five and 30 minutes. Kittens are born encased in fetal membranes and usually present headfirst.
The third stage of labor is more passive, involving the expulsion of the remaining fetal membranes and placenta for each kitten. These membranes normally have a greenish-black appearance. One placenta should be expelled for each kitten born.
The second and third stages of labor often alternate for each kitten, but it’s not uncommon for a subsequent kitten to be born before the third stage is completed for the previous one. It is normal for mother cats to consume these membranes.
Close monitoring of your cat during labor is essential. However, unless signs of a complicated birth arise, it’s best to avoid interfering and allow the process to unfold naturally.
Changes in behavior may signal the start of labor. Queens often stop eating a day prior and exhibit nesting and agitated behaviors.
Cats can experience pauses in labor between kittens, which can last for 24–36 hours. This is thought to be more likely if they feel insecure or unsafe in their environment.
Most cats will deliver their entire litter within six hours, unless labor is interrupted as described above.
While a longer interval between kittens without contractions can be normal, prolonged and intense contractions without kitten delivery are not. If your cat experiences visible contractions for more than 20 minutes without producing a kitten, or if a kitten is visible in the birth canal for longer than 10 minutes without being delivered, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Postpartum Care for Cats
Once all kittens have arrived, ensure they are dry and that their noses and mouths are clear of any obstructions.
If possible without disturbing the new family, gently remove any soiled bedding from the nesting box to keep the kittens dry and warm. Ideally, maintain the nesting box temperature between 85–90°F (29-32°C) for the first week.
Healthy kittens typically require minimal assistance in finding their first meal. Monitor the mother cat to ensure she is allowing normal nursing behavior.
If you have any concerns that the mother cat may be rejecting her kittens, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Cat Pregnancy FAQs
At what age can a cat become pregnant?
Cats can reach sexual maturity and become pregnant as early as four months old, although 5–6 months is more typical. To prevent unwanted pregnancies, female kittens should be kept separate from unneutered male cats until they are spayed.
How long does cat labor last?
While cats are pregnant for 63–65 days, the active labor and delivery process is usually completed relatively quickly. Typically, the entire birthing process, from the onset of labor to the delivery of all kittens, is over within six hours.
What does a pregnant cat look like?
In the early stages of pregnancy, a cat may not exhibit many noticeable physical changes. However, as pregnancy progresses, their abdomen will become visibly enlarged, and their nipples may darken. Just before giving birth, the nipples and breast tissue will enlarge further as they begin to produce milk.
Can a cat get pregnant while nursing?
Yes, cats are capable of becoming pregnant while they are still nursing a litter. Cats are seasonally polyestrous, meaning they experience multiple heat cycles throughout the breeding season. Nursing does not prevent them from going into heat or becoming pregnant again.
WRITTEN BY Jamie Lovejoy, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Jamie Lovejoy graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 after completing her undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. …
