Knowing if our cat is pregnant can, at first, be slightly complicated. But there are several signs and symptoms which can tell you about cat pregnancy. It is important to remember that if your cat is pregnant, we recommend consulting a veterinarian in order to make sure your cat experiences a healthy pregnancy with no added pregnancy complications.
Is your cat pregnant or just fat? In addition to answering whether your cat is pregnant, here at AnimalWised we want to uncover more about pregnancy in cats. Are you wondering how long cats are pregnant? Keep reading this article to know how to tell if your cat is pregnant.
Is my cat pregnant? - symptoms
It is first of all important to note that cats are animals with a high reproductive rate. Generally, cats reach sexual maturity between 6 and 9 months. In addition, cat pregnancy length in relatively short. When it comes to distinguishing the length of a cat’s heat, it varies. Heat in cats can differ from one individual to another, depending on age, environmental conditions or their state of health.
Can a pregnant cat be in heat?
Many people, at first, rule out the idea that a pregnant cat can be in heat. However, female cats can be pregnant and be in heat up to two weeks after fertilization. Furthermore, a female cat may have been with more than one male cat during her heat, which would result in a litter from two different fathers.
How to tell if your cat is pregnant?
As with all mammals, a pregnant cat will experience a series of important physical changes that will shape its body and prepare it for the arrival of its kitten litter. The first symptoms of pregnancy in cats are:
- Swollen nipples
- Pink nipples
- Swollen vagina
After a month of becoming pregnant, you will begin to observe a bulging belly in your cat that will become increasingly more apparent. From this moment, once noted the above symptoms that your cat may be pregnant, we recommend you go to your nearest vet for confirmation that your cat is pregnant. In addition, a professionally will make sure that your pregnant cat experiences a healthy pregnancy.
How long are cats pregnant?
A cat’s pregnancy length usually lasts between 58 and 67 days. This, as we mentioned before, will depend on the age, breed, size and health status of your cat. It is also important to know that there are 5 stages within a cat’s pregnancy, these include; early stage of cat pregnancy, middle stage of cat pregnancy, pre-labor and labor/delivery.
For more, take a look at; How Long Does It Take For A Cat To Give Birth?
Is my cat pregnant? - behavior
Besides the physical symptoms mentioned before, pregnant cats will also suffer from behavioral changes during their pregnancy. It is very important to know that you must respect the nature of this period and act accordingly.
During the first few weeks of your cat’s pregnancy, your cat will eat a lot, seek rest and tranquillity, be more affectionate towards you and may even appear somewhat disorientated. At this time it is very important that you provide your pregnant cat with quality food (specifically for kittens), a comfortable space to rest and all the love in the world. For more, take a look at our article on; What Is The Best Diet For A Pregnant Cat.
After a month of cat pregnancy,once your cat’s belly begins to develop, you may notice that your cat will gradually begin to eat less. This happens because its belly will begin to press against its stomach. You can help your pregnant cat in this situation by offering it super nutritious food and creating a safe space for it to feel more comfortable. Your cat’s pregnancy space should be comfortable, warm, have blankets and be in a secluded place. This space encourage your cat to start preparing itself for giving birth, feeling comfortable and protected, essential for the welfare of your cat’s kittens.
During the later stages of your cat’s pregnancy, your cat may start becoming more unfriendly and grumpy, especially with other household pets or people. Respect your cat’s space and understand that this is a difficult and uncomfortable time for your cat.
Dangerous cat pregnancy - Blood, diarrhoea and other symptoms
As previously mentioned, it is of utmost importance to go to the vet as soon as you suspect your cat is pregnant. In addition to confirming the pregnancy, a specialist will perform a checkup on the mother to ensure she is healthy and does not require any additional vitamins or medication.
There are some problems that can arise during a cat’s pregnancy. If you notice any dangerous symptoms in your pregnant cat, we suggest going to the vet as soon as possible to ensure the health of the kittens or the mother is alright. The most common symptoms of a dangerous cat pregnancy include:
- Abnormal bleeding
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Discomfort
- Weight loss
- Fainting
- Inactivity
Pregnancy in cats - what to consider
Once your cat’s pregnancy is confirmed and you are sure that the mother is in good health, it's time to get to work and ensure a good pregnancy. Learning all about pregnancy in cats is important if you want your cat to have healthy and beautiful kittens.
Remember that the kittens will need to go to responsible homes in order to live a happy adult life, so you should spare no time in finding them a suitable home and family. It is also important to remember the advantages of sterilisation, specifically if your cat's pregnancy was not planned.
If you want to know more about pregnancy in cats, we suggest taking a look at some of our related articles;
- False Pregnancy In Cats.
- Why Is My Cat’s Belly Swollen And Hard?
If you want to read similar articles to How To Tell If A Cat Is Pregnant - Symptoms, we recommend you visit our Gestation category.