A cat's gestation period usually lasts about 9 weeks, and a pregnant cat will begin to show physical signs and behavioral changes soon after. If you know how to spot these changes, it can help you determine if your cat is really pregnant. The best way to know for sure, of course, is to take your cat to the vet. Unless you are a professional cat breeder, your cat should be spayed--cat overpopulation is a serious problem that results in many stray cats having to be euthanized.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Signs of Fertility
Step 1. Determine if your cat is fertile
If your cat is fertile and has recently been in heat, chances are she is pregnant.
- Domestic female cats are usually more sexually active between spring and fall, with longer days and warmer weather.
- A female cat can start her estrus cycle (estrus) when the air is warmer and her body has reached 80% of the adult cat's body weight. This means that in general, female cats can begin to be in heat as early as four months of age.
Step 2. Watch for mating behavior
When a cat is in heat, it will show a clear change in behavior to attract a male cat for about four to six days.
- Cats that are in heat will initially exhibit agitated behavior, appear more pampered, begin to make low sounds, and have more appetite.
- When a cat is in heat, it will start to "call"--meow more often and continuously--and lose its appetite for food.
- A cat in heat will appear more pampered to those around him, will roll over, and lift his bottom up in the air while pointing his tail to the side with his hind paws.
Step 3. Understand the impact of a cat in heat
If your cat is in heat, the effects can outweigh the odd behavior -- your cat could be pregnant.
- If you find out that your cat has recently been in heat, pregnancy is one possible outcome.
- After being in heat, the cat will enter into a "quiet period" which lasts about 8 - 10 days, during which time her behavior will be more calm. After a period of calm, your cat may return to a period of heat that continues from April to September.
- To prevent your cat from being in heat and/or having an unwanted pregnancy, neuter your cat as soon as it is safe.
Part 2 of 3: Looking for Pregnancy Signs
Step 1. Check for enlarged nipples
Around 15 - 18 days of gestation, the female cat's nipples will turn red and enlarge.
- Her breasts may be enlarged, and milk may come out of them.
- Enlarged nipples are also a sign of heat, so remember that enlarged nipples are not just a sign of pregnancy.
Step 2. Notice the "little donkey" shape
When observed from head to tail, a pregnant cat's back will appear curved, with a slightly rounded and bulging belly.
- Many female cats change their body shape like this "little donkey" at the end of their pregnancy.
- If your cat is simply overweight, it will expand all over, including the neck and legs, not just the belly.
Step 3. Watch for nesting behavior
A few days before giving birth, your cat will begin to exhibit nesting behavior as she prepares for the birth of her baby.
- Your cat will probably move away to a quiet place like a closet and start arranging towels, blankets, or other fabrics for the litter to give birth to.
- If you notice this nesting behavior, but did not previously notice that your cat was pregnant, take her to the vet immediately for a prenatal check-up.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for a Pregnant Cat
Step 1. Take your cat to the vet if you suspect she is pregnant
Your vet can confirm pregnancy and provide you with advice on cat care. Ask your vet about how to care for a pregnant cat and prepare for the birth of a kitten.
- Ask the vet to examine your cat's stomach; after about 17 - 25 days, an experienced veterinarian is usually able to feel the presence of an embryo.
- Don't try to feel the cat embryo yourself, let the vet do it, as your pressure can cause a miscarriage in the cat.
Step 2. Request an ultrasound examination
If your vet is still unsure after feeling your cat's embryo, he or she can use an ultrasound to determine if your cat is pregnant or not, and if so, how many kittens she is carrying.
Veterinarians can also detect a cat's fetal heart rate after 20 days of gestation with an ultrasound device
Step 3. Ask your vet to do an X-ray
At about 45 days of gestation, the skeleton of a cat's fetus can be seen on X-rays, which will confirm the pregnancy and determine how many fetuses it contains.
- The vet will usually take two X-rays to be able to see the cat's belly and count the fetus, as well as check for other possible problems.
- This X-ray examination will not harm the mother cat or the fetus.
- X-ray examination is better used in determining the number of fetuses than ultrasound, although it is still not 100% accurate.
Step 4. Avoid giving your cat any vaccinations, deworming or medication while your cat is pregnant
Moreover, vaccines may be harmful to the mother and cat fetus during pregnancy.
Consult your veterinarian before giving any medication, including deworming, to the mother cat after she gives birth to kittens
Step 5. Increase the mother cat's caloric intake in the last few weeks of her pregnancy
You may notice that your cat is eating more food and is gaining weight as she is about to give birth.
Since kittens develop rapidly in the last third of pregnancy, you will need to provide a growth (kitten) diet to meet the mother cat's caloric needs
Step 6. Keep the mother cat indoors for the last few weeks of pregnancy
As the time of delivery approaches, keep the mother cat indoors so she won't have to find a place outside the house to give birth to kittens.
- The best option is to prepare a nest or box for giving birth at home. Place this box in a warm, dry, quiet place in the house, and line it with a sheet of newspaper, or a towel, or an old blanket.
- Have cat food, water, and a litter box nearby, and invite her to sleep in the box for a few days before giving birth.
Warning
- Thousands of feral cats have to be euthanized every year due to overpopulation. Spay your cat so as not to add to this problem. Spay your cat before they reach 5 to 6 months so she is unlikely to get pregnant.
- Some vets offer to "extend the pregnancy" or spay the cat while pregnant. Some veterinarians do not recommend this step after a certain gestational age, although other veterinarians are willing to perform this operation at any gestational age.
- Cats don't usually experience "morning sickness," or morning sickness, so if your cat is vomiting frequently or showing other symptoms of illness, check with your vet.
