Is your female cat, who used to be rather slim, suddenly becoming overweight? If that’s the case, then it’s reasonable to speculate that she’s pregnant. But how to tell if cat is pregnant? What are the signs to confirm if she is pregnant or just gaining weight?
Your cat may be pregnant if you notice changes in its appearance or behavior, such as weight gain or more napping than usual. Other signs of pregnancy include swollen and pink nipples, an increase in appetite, and a desire for love.
Apart from these changes & signs, some other changes can tell if your cat is pregnant. Let’s get to know about these changes in detail & more about the cat’s pregnancy!
How to tell if cat is pregnant?
You may notice changes in your cat’s behavior or appearance, such as weight gain or more napping, if you observe these changes. Apart from this, there are other changes that you should look at:
Physical Changes:
- Heat Cycle Stop: This may be the first indication of a pregnant cat. If a cat has been experiencing heat cycles every 10 to 14 days and suddenly stops, she is probably pregnant.
- Nipples’ color changes: Breeders refer to this as “pinking-up,” and it may be the first visible symptom of pregnancy in a cat.
- Change in appetite: Early in her pregnancy, a pregnant cat may experience decreased appetite. She will develop a greater appetite in the second half of her pregnancy.
- Weight gain: The majority of pregnant queens will gain between 2 and 4 pounds of body weight during their pregnancies.
- Enlarged abdomen: Around the fifth week of pregnancy, the abdomen of a pregnant cat will begin to bulge considerably.
Personality Changes:
- More Sleeping: Many pregnant queens will sleep more hours per day than they did before pregnancy.
- Need for More Affection: Sometimes, a cat will act more affectionate than usual, coming to you more often for attention. Give it to her if you must!
- Nesting behavior: In preparation for the birth of her litter, your cat will seek out peaceful, secluded areas. You may also observe her getting more aggressive if other animals threaten to invade her territory.
How to tell if cat is pregnant For Certain?
If you take your cat to a reliable local vet, he or she can use one of these methods to determine with absolute certainty whether or not your cat is pregnant:
- Palpation: Beginning around the 20th day of pregnancy, a skilled veterinarian should be able to feel the fetuses moving around inside the pregnant cat’s abdomen.
- X-Rays: About forty days into the pregnancy, X-rays will only reveal the skeletons of kittens. It is the finest technique to demonstrate the number of kittens.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds can detect kittens as early as 21 days into a pregnant mother’s pregnancy, although it might be challenging to calculate the number of kittens.
How long are cats pregnant for?
A cat’s gestation time is normally around 65 days, though this might range between 61 and 72 days for some cats. Before you start counting the days, check with your vet to see how far along she is.
How to tell if pregnant cat is in active labor?
Here are the signs that your cat is in active labor:
- She may be in labor if she suddenly stops eating, gets restless, and seeks out a quiet, secluded spot to relax.
- In the 12 to 24 hours before she goes into labor, your cat’s internal temperature will decrease to roughly 37.8 degrees.
- During the final stages of pregnancy, the mother may become more talkative, appear irritated, and wish to wash frequently.
- Delivery should begin with intense abdominal contractions, followed by vaginal discharge. Consult your veterinarian if the discharge is thick, black, or blood-colored.
How many kittens can a cat have in one period?
A litter might have anywhere from one kitten to ten. Feline litter sizes are often smaller with first-time moms. A similar trend can be observed with the litter sizes of older queens. In addition, the breed might play a role; Siamese and Persian cats typically have larger and smaller litter sizes, respectively.
Bottom Line
So now you definitely know how to tell if cat is pregnant. If you have never witnessed a cat’s pregnancy, you should consult a veterinarian for confirmation of pregnancy. In addition, the vet may assess your cat’s health and tell you how many babies she is carrying. Also, don’t forget to take good care of your pregnant cat.
We hope this article was helpful & informative. Please leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!