Mary Allen
Is your cat expecting animal offspring? Then congratulations and have fun during this exciting time! Find out everything you need to know about pregnant cats and how you can support your expectant cat mom until the day of birth.
First Signs of Pregnancy
If you have made a conscious decision to have your cat mated, you are sure to wait a few days for the first visible changes after mating. But be patient, because this will take some time. Only after about 15 to 18 days will your cat’s teats begin to swell and turn pink.
After a total of five weeks, your female’s belly is finally looking bigger. Since she now has to supply not only herself but also the kittens in the uterus with important nutrients, she eats more. In general, it is possible that your cat will gain up to two kilograms in weight during the course of pregnancy.
Similar to humans, cats can experience nausea during pregnancy (pregnancy sickness). That’s why she may vomit more often.
In the course of pregnancy (pregnancy), cat owners often notice that the behavior of the expectant cat mom has changed. She wants to be caressed more and follows you every step of the way. Other pregnant cats, on the other hand, tend to look far away and just don’t want to be touched.
Evidence: How is Pregnancy Determined in Cats?
Mood swings and a big belly are indications that your cat may be pregnant, but that’s not really evidence. In order for you to be sure that the pairing worked, the vet needs to examine your cat more closely.
Reliable detection by means of an ultrasound examination is possible from around the third week of pregnancy. The ultrasound machine shows the heartbeat of the fetuses on a separate screen.
After about 40 days, the vet can estimate the number of kittens on the x-ray. He can only do this, however, if no large fetus obscures the view of the fetuses below.
The x-ray also helps to better assess the health of the fetuses and the cat mom. In this way, the vet can rule out air build-up (emphysema) or deformities.
How Long is the Gestation Period in Cats?
Cats are sexually mature from four to twelve months of age, depending on their breed. Since they are in heat about every two to three weeks, unlike dogs, they can even have up to three litters per year.
If your cat is pregnant, it will usually give birth in around 64 to 69 days. On average, the cat is born after 66 days.
What to Look For in Your Pregnant Cat
Pregnancy robs your cat of a lot of energy. That is why it needs a lot of attention and care in this phase of life. To ensure that your pregnant cat experiences as little stress as possible and that the unborn kittens are well, you should keep the following tips in mind:
- If your cat is looking for contact with you, you should offer it to her.
- If possible, do not hold large parties or make major changes (e.g. moving) while your cat is pregnant.
- Exercise is good, but don’t impose too much on the mother-to-be.
- Give your cat enough space to withdraw.
- Make sure that your pregnant cat can meet its energy requirements, which have increased by almost half, and that they can take in enough high-quality proteins for the best care of their offspring.
- Visit your vet regularly and get informed about worming and possible vaccinations in good time (ideally before mating).
Complications: When Do I Need to See a Vet?
As a rule, pregnancy in cats proceeds without major complications. Nevertheless, it can happen that something does not go according to plan. It sometimes happens that pregnant cats no longer want to eat or that slimy to bloody discharge flows from their vaginal openings. In these cases, you should consult your veterinarian as a precaution.
In any case, you must always inform your veterinarian that your cat is pregnant prior to any therapy. The administration of certain medications can negatively affect the pregnancy of your cat and harm the unborn offspring.
Should a Pregnant Cat be Separated from the Male Cat?
If your cat is pregnant, it can still get pregnant with another male at the same time. This is because the act of mating triggers ovulation spontaneously. Often the boys of the second heat age are less developed or already dead in the uterus of your queen. It is therefore important that you keep your pregnant cat away from intact males for the first three weeks after fertilization.