How Long are Cats Pregnant

If you have a pet cat, it is essential for you to have complete knowledge about cat health and its life cycle. In case, it is a female cat, you should also have additional knowledge of its pregnancy cycle. You may be aware that a female cat is also known as the 'queen'. The pregnancy cycle of a cat is similar to that of other mammals. Let us have a look at it in detail.

A cat can go into a period of heat (a period of heightened sexual arousal and activity) for more than two times in a single year. If the female cat is not sprayed, she is sure to get pregnant during the state of heat. Cats also tend to carry two litters at the same time. Therefore, if the pregnancy of the cat is confirmed, it is better to prevent her from going out for safety reasons and also to avoid multiple pregnancies.

Pregnant Cat Signs

There are no obvious external signs of pregnant cats, until the pregnancy is in the advanced stage. The first major signs of pregnancy in cats are enlarged nipples. By the third week of pregnancy, the nipples of a cat become large, bright and pinker. After completion of four weeks of pregnancy, the cat will gain weight and the pregnancy will be very obvious. As the pregnancy progresses, the abdomen of the cat will start bulging. At this stage, you should take the cat to the vet and confirm the pregnancy. Sometimes, the enlarging of the stomach can also be a symptom of some underlying illness. If the cat is pregnant, she will experience morning sickness like humans. She may not eat and even vomit. Sometimes, pregnant cats also display overly affectionate behavior. She can also show restlessness and may not get along with other cats. So, you have to keep a tab on the changed cat behavior and try to understand the reason behind it.

How Long are Cats Pregnant?

The gestation period, i.e. the time period between conception to the birth of the young ones for a cat is, 62-65 days (9 weeks). It can vary, but gestation period between 60-70 days is normal. Within 20-30 days, the vet will be able to confirm the pregnancy of the cat.

Pregnant Cat Care

Once you find out that your cat is pregnant, you will have to decide whether to let her have kittens or not. It is possible to spray a pregnant cat, but that depends on numerous factors. You will have to enquire about it to your vet. It is recommended for only registered breeders to breed cats. Once you decide to let the cat have kittens, it is extremely essential to take care of the pregnant cats. Regular health check-ups are also important for pregnant cats. Once the pregnancy of the cat is confirmed, it is necessary to provide nutritious and balanced diet to the cat. Pregnant cats eat more but, you must avoid over feeding the cat. If you are planning to breed the cat, you can build a kittening box for her.

Labor in Cats

When the cat goes into labor, her mammary glands increase in size and she starts producing milk. Her appetite decreases and she may also become reclusive. But you will have to immediately take the cat to the vet if she stops eating for more than one day or has an increased temperature.

Before deciding whether to let the cat deliver her litter or not, you should be aware of the delivery procedure and the problems related to pregnancy in cats. If you think you can, you need to know how to breed cats and understand that once the procedure is done, you should also be able to take care of the kittens for a few weeks, after their birth. If you are well prepared for it, you will have fun in raising the kittens as well.