Unspayed female cats can quickly become pregnant if given the opportunity. Because these pregnancies are relatively short, they can become pregnant more than once a year. In today's article, our Perry vets discuss how to tell if your cat is pregnant and explain what to expect.
Is my cat pregnant?
Has your unspayed female cat managed to escape the safety of your home? If so, there is a good chance she may be pregnant. A female cat is likely to experience her first heat cycle when she is around four to seven months old, meaning that she will be physically mature and able to produce her first litter of kittens.
Depending on where you live, your undoctored female cat may go into heat as often as every three weeks until she either becomes pregnant or is spayed. An unspayed female cat could have has many as four litters of kittens every year, with between 4 and 12 kittens in each litter. This means that an unspayed female cat who has access to the outdoors may birth many litters of kittens in her lifetime.
How to Tell If Your Cat is Pregnant
A domesticated cat's pregnancy typically lasts about two months, so the first question to ask yourself is whether your cat has been outside over the past eight weeks. If so, here are some other signs of pregnancy in cats to watch for. Your cat may not display all of these, depending on how far along the pregnancy is.
- Significant weight gain
- Becoming more affectionate
- Hiding more often
- Pink, swollen nipples
- Distended abdomen
- Increased appetite
- May sleep more than usual
Contact your vet if you notice any of the signs above. Your veterinarian can examine your cat, diagnose the pregnancy, and offer care recommendations and advice to ensure your cat stays healthy during the pregnancy. This will also increase her chances of producing a healthy litter.
How is pregnancy in cats diagnosed?
Your vet can take a few different approaches to confirm whether your feline friend is pregnant:
- During the exam, your vet will likely palpate your cat's abdomen. The vet will very gently feel your cat's belly to determine whether fetuses may be present. If your cat is more than 17 days pregnant, your vet may be able to confirm pregnancy this way.
- Your vet may recommend a quick and easy ultrasound test to check for fetuses if your veterinarian suspects that your cat may be 14 days pregnant or more. Fetal heartbeats can be detected using ultrasound sometime after 21 days of pregnancy.
- If your vet. believes your cat may 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 determine a due date for the kittens, as well as how many kittens may be in the litter.
How can I care for my pregnant cat?
Once your cat's pregnancy has been confirmed, your vet will provide you with specific recommendations on how to care for your pregnant kitty. Below are a few dos and don'ts to help your kitty have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
- 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 it is easy for her to access as her tummy continues to expand and drop.
- Feed your pregnant kitty healthy portions 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.
- Provide a cozy, clean area for her to give birth and care for her kittens. This spot should be in a warm and quiet area of your home, well away from kids, other human traffic, and other pets.
Signs That My Pregnant Cat Will Give Birth Soon
You will notice some obvious signs if your pregnant cat is going into labor. These include:
- Nesting behavior and appetite loss
- Restlessness and increased vocalization
- Rapid breathing and temperature changes
- Visible contractions and straining
Possible Complications During Delivery
If your cat is showing any signs of complications during labor or delivery of their kittens, please contact our vets right away to arrange emergency care. Some of the signs of complications include:
- No kitten after an hour of straining
- Fresh bleeding 10 or more minutes after delivering a kitten
- Abrupt lethargy and fatigue
- Labor ends and your cat is agitated
- More than two or three hours between kittens
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.