Here a few signs your cat is pregnant that you should watch out for: 1. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. Do kittens kick in their mother's stomach? Please have your cat spayed to avoid contributing to this problem. If your cat is truly pregnant, you should see more than one sign. ", do. Looking for a cat sitter? The noticeable signs of cat pregnancy are as follows. Her breasts may enlarge, and she may express a milky fluid. Following the quiet phase, however, your cat will go into heat again and continue to go into heat through the period between April and September. Approved. Some cat breeds, particularly oriental cats such as the Siamese, generally make it a few days into their tenth week of pregnancy before delivering. Around the 30-day mark, pregnant cats start to develop a rounded, swollen abdomen - … This article has been viewed 3,468,407 times. This is one of the most significant symptoms of a pregnant cat, because if she isn’t gaining any weight and continues to remain the same size all of the other signs are out the door. They become a great deal quieter, less interested in other cats-especially male ones. If your resident or rescued cat is indeed confirmed pregnant, some serious decision-making time is at hand. ", cat. How Many Litters Can a Cat Birth in One Year? It is most likely that she will find a quiet and sheltered place for her birthing. A cat's pregnancy lasts nine weeks or around 63 days. On their own, most of the individual of cat pregnancy can point to other health issues, so it’s important to take the big picture into account when trying to determine if your cat is pregnant. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. This is often a sign that you cat is preparing for birth, and you should too! If your cat is merely overweight, she’ll be heavier all over, including her neck and legs, and not just in her abdomen. To prevent your cat from going into heat and/or inadvertently getting pregnant, have her spayed as soon as it’s safe to do so. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Your cat may go to a quiet place like a closet and start arranging blankets, towels, or other fabric to create a place to give birth to her kittens. For example, she may become more loving and affectionate, or to the contrary – more aggressive. If that keeps happening, take them to the vet. Week 3: Your kitty's nipples will start to become enlarged and pinkish in color. % of people told us that this article helped them. Elsevier, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-0660-4.00040-5. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This article answered our questions. The part that I liked was not to push on her belly, and to feed her kitten food the, "About 2 weeks ago a beautiful, maybe 6-month-old kitten moved into one of our sheds. She Has a Ravenous Appetite Your article is a great help. Mother – There are no visible signs of pregnancy in your cat. This article has been viewed 3,468,407 times. They said he was a, "I am rural, and suddenly a beautifully long black cat was living near the house. The Cat, 2012, pp. If you notice that you are having a hard time locating your cat, it's probably because she's on her search for the perfect spot. Definitely think she's pregnant now, so I'm going to take her to a, "I was worried that my cousin's cat was pregnant, so this article talking about the signs of pregnancy really, "It was helpful because my mom said she was going to give her some medicine, but then I read this and she was, "Thank you so much! Spay your cat before she's 5 to 6 months old so that she doesn't become pregnant. I'm relieved that it's rare for a 4 month old kitten, "There are good tips on what to look for if a cat's pregnant or in heat. My cat has been eating a lot, going into her own little area, and her behavior has gotten a little odd. Your, "We have a little extra cat that came to our house. Franny is an award-winning freelance writer who has been writing about cats since 1997. Unless you’re a professional cat breeder, you should have your cat spayed--overpopulation among cats is a significant problem that results in many cats having to be euthanized when they can’t find a home. Part of the series: Cat Behavior & Care. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. ", pregnancy. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Our tomcat, "All of the info was very good. Current Advances In Gestation And Parturition In Cats And Dogs. If your cat is truly pregnant, you should see more than one sign. However, it's a good idea for your vet to examine your cat and make sure she is in good condition. On their own, most of the individual of cat pregnancy can point to other health issues, so it’s important to take the big picture into account when trying to determine if your cat is pregnant. "My outdoor cat gets pregnant every time she's in heat. ", think our queen is having kittens. Signs of pregnancy It is not possible to determine a pregnancy via a blood or urine test in cats. These signs indicates kittens are on the way: Lamm, Catherine G., and Chelsea L. Makloski. The best way to know for certain, though, is of course to take your cat to the vet. This anxious late-pregnancy behavior is a sign that she's about to begin nesting -- essentially looking for a calm, warm, quiet and safe place to give birth to her litter peacefully. This article tells me she is in, "I'm unsure when or by whom our female barn cat became pregnant, but at least now I have some idea of what to look. I'll definitely have this cat spayed as soon as possible. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Week 3 … Thanks again. Change in nipple color: At approximately 3 weeks into your cat’s pregnancy, your cat’s nipples will darken in color and become enlarged in appearance. If you decide to spay her and prevent the pregnancy from coming to term, it should be done as early as possible. Cat pregnancy may be planned or it can occur without you being aware. Look for a characteristic ‘burro’ shape. This article helped me a lot because I wasn't sure what to, "Our sweet pea seems to be in heat from Sept - April, and we try to keep her in the house, but she got out. Physical Symptoms: Drooling, stiffness in gait, loss of coordination, and pain when walking, muscle spasms and seizure-like activity. This behavior is known as “quickening”, and it is a critical stage of a cat’s pregnancy in which the fetus begins to move. Pinking Up. She may not look pregnant at first, but if your cat is becoming a little chunky that is one of the surefire signs of pregnancy. This information was very helpful. ", than expected and we are 90% sure she is pregnant. 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. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Week 2 (8 – 14 days) Kittens – Implantation occurs 12-13 days after ovulation. Heat Cycles Stop. ", her 3rd trimester of pregnancy: mammary glands, naps on her side and stays near water sources. ", for and what to do as the end of her pregnancy nears. A female cat can get pregnant is she is in heat, otherwise known as the oestrus cycle. If a cat is showing these signs before the 61st day of pregnancy, it is likely that the cat is going into premature labor: Research source Cats enter their "heat" once a month, or on a cycle of about once every three weeks. This is the best info that I have come across. Cat Vital Signs: What Is Considered Normal? Signs of Eclampsia in Pregnant Cats Behavioral Symptoms: Restlessness, pacing, panting, and irritability. Sleeping more than usual set off alarm bells, and she did leave the area of my home recently and came back. Thank you. This is sometimes called "pinking up." We love our baby very much. Pregnancy in cats, last for around 60-65 days which is approximately nine weeks. How can I be sure? Watch from a safe distance to make sure she does not go into distress. Millions of homeless cats are euthanized each year due to overpopulation. Also good as guidance to know what to ask the vet. Cat pregnancy signs range from physical changes to behavioral changes. ", "We were on vacation and were unsure of the date of birth. By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, Learn What to Expect When Your Cat Is in Heat. Many female cats assume this burro shape later in pregnancy. Pregnancy can always be confirmed using ultrasound procedures. Whilst enlarged nipples can be a sign of pregnancy then can also simply mean that your cat is in heat. 445-456. Whilst enlarged nipples can be a sign of pregnancy then can also simply mean that your cat is in heat. https://www.meeyaw.com/health/cat-pregnancy-timeline-with-pictures How to Succeed at Your First Relationship! The vet will be able to detect fetal heartbeats by 20 days into the pregnancy with an ultrasound. Enlarged nipples are also signs of being in heat, so bear in mind that growing nipples are not exclusively indicative of pregnancy. What a shocker! You can tell a cat is pregnant once her nipples become darker and enlarged. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. You can tell a cat is pregnant once her nipples become darker and enlarged. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Thank you for the advice. If there is still no sign of the kittens by the end of the tenth week, however, you should consult your vet for advice and to check that nothing is wrong. Veterinary Clinics Of North America: Small Animal Practice, vol 42, no. Similar to morning sickness in humans, your pregnant queen may go through a stage of vomiting. The most definitive ways to confirm pregnancy include a blood test, ultrasound, x-rays or abdominal palpation. Helped me in many ways. Can red nipples be a symptom of a cat being in heat? When Does a Cat Go Into Heat After Birth? To tell if a cat is pregnant, check her for enlarged nipples. Around 35 days a pregnant cat’s nipples will often turn bright pink and may express milky fluid. Consult your vet before giving the any medications, including dewormer, to the queen or, after she gives birth, to the kittens. After being in heat, a cat will enter into a “quiet phase” lasting about 8-10 days, during which her behavior will calm down. This article received 44 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. 1c) Weight gain or weight distribution changes seen during cat pregnancy. Pregnant cats are a great deal more loving than they would normally be. Full term pregnancy in cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal. "Very helpful and explains my cat's behavior. Look for a characteristic ‘burro’ shape. Some don’t recommend doing this beyond a certain point in the progression of the pregnancy, while others perform this surgery at any point during the pregnancy. "I was concerned with my cat's behavior and some signs of her activity that she doesn't do like she used to. Signs a cat is pregnant includes loss of appetite, weight gain, and possibly little lumps you can feel which are the kittens developing in her stomach. Mother – Palpitation of the uterus is possible as early as an experienced veterinarian may feel day 15, round 1cm swellings within the uterus. Luckily, how to tell if a cat is pregnant usually comes down to a few common signs, such as: Noticeable weight gain in a few weeks (she'll gain about 2 to 4 pounds in all) Swollen and pink nipples (called "pinking up," this occurs around week three of pregnancy) … ", appreciate the tip about not deworming, because I currrently do it every month. Here's a pregnant cat symptoms calendar you can use to watch for cat pregnancy signs during gestation. The nipple test assured me that she is. Do cats get aggressive when they're pregnant? This usually happens around the third week of pregnancy. 1) The Feline Pregnancy Signs: 1a) Signs of heat, tom cat attraction and mating immediately preceded the appearance of the feline pregnancy signs. ", researching and providing helpful information to the public. If you have a female cat who isn't fixed, you're probably already well aware of … There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Referred to as “pinking up” by veterinarians, this is a normal symptom of pregnancy. I suspect she is in her early, "Wow, this article was extremely helpful. In fact, many pet owners don't even realize their cat was pregnant until they wake up one morning to the sound of kittens mewling. A cat about to go into heat will initially display signs of restlessness, become more affectionate, begin making low calls, and have increased appetite. Keep reading for tips from our medical reviewer on how to care for a pregnant cat! This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Another symptom that appears as the pregnancy continues, 2 to 3 weeks after they conceive, is their nipples enlarge and redden (also called "pinking up"). She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Her back may start to look swayed, while her abdomen will begin to bulge. References My cat looks like she is having babies. Can a cat be in heat and be pregnant at the same time? Swollen vagina. A cat’s pregnancy length usually lasts between 58 and 67 days. If you know what to look for, you won’t miss the many signs of pregnancy present in a gestating cat. She Gains Weight. 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. Set your cat’s food, water, and litter box nearby and encourage her to sleep in the box in the days leading up to the birth. Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian with over 25 years of experience in the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I want to be a responsible pet owner. We will have her spayed as soon as she can be after the birth. I, "Our adopted stray came to us pregnant. This info was very helpful, because now I know the signs I need to look for. So unlike humans, the signs of pregnancy begin manifesting themselves almost immediately after impregnation. thanks for saving the kittens. 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