Is my cat old enough to be pregnant?
If you have a female cat who hasn't been spayed and managed to escape the safety of your home, there is a good chance that she may be pregnant. Around 4 - 7 months of age your female cat is likely to experience her first heat cycle, meaning that she is physically mature and able to produce her first litter of kittens.
Depending on where you live, your unvaccinated female cat may go into heat as frequently as once every three weeks until she becomes pregnant or is spayed. An unspayed female cat may have up to four litters of kittens per year, with each litter containing between four and twelve kittens. This means that if your cat is an unspayed adult female who has had access to the outside world, she is most likely pregnant.
Is my cat pregnant?
Domesticated cat pregnancy lasts about 2 months, so the first question to ask is whether your cat has been outside in the last 8 weeks. If that's the case, here are some other signs of pregnancy in cats to look out for. Please keep in mind that depending on how far along your cat is in her pregnancy, she may not exhibit all of the symptoms listed below.
- 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 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 veterinarian will most likely 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 kitty is pregnant, they will give you specific instructions on how to care for your pregnant kitty. Having said that, there are a few things that are generally advised 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.