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Symptoms of Pregnant Cat
Cat Pregnancy Signs
During the first weeks of gestation, it is almost impossible to tell that
a cat is pregnant. In general, she will behave normally. After about
three weeks, her nipples will become pink. This is most visible if it’s
her first pregnancy. From that moment, it will be about six weeks
before the kittens arrive.
Your vet will be able to confirm if she’s pregnant.
She will sleep more and will not be interested in male cats. Her
heat cycles will stop, and she will become more loving.
Weight gain won’t be really visible until about the fifth week of the
pregnancy.
If your cat is used to going outside, she will voluntarily spend more
time at home during gestation.
After six weeks, her nipples will also grow considerably. From then
on they are filled with milk.
Her appetite will increase, and she will want to eat more than
normal. This is good. Give her plenty of food (her regular food
mixed with kitten food), but don’t overfeed her. A few days before
birth, her appetite will decrease again.
One last thing: On a RARE occasion, a female cat will show
pregnancy signs without actually being pregnant. This is called
false pregnancy. However, it is quite rare.
10 Tips To Help Pregnant Cats
1. Pregnant cats should stay indoors.
Don’t expose an expecting kitty to danger. Some females go into
heat even during pregnancy. Cats can be pregnant with two
different litters at the same time. And of course, you should make
sure that she gives birth inside in a safe comfortable place.
2. Give your kitty the right food.
It should be high on calcium and protein. Kitten food is specially
designed to meet the need of pregnant and nursing felines.
Vitamin supplements are recommended, too.
3. Do not give any medication during pregnancy.
Pregnant cats should get medication only in emergency and only if
prescribed by your vet. The same goes for deworming products
and anti-flea products. If she has worms or fleas, first consult your
vet.
4. Make your cat a comfortable delivery bed.
Prepare a large box lined with old towels in a warm, out-of the-way
place in the house. A couple of weeks before she gives birth,
begin feeding her there, so that she knows that it's her special
place.
5. Find a home for your kittens - before they are born.
Finding a home for several kittens can be time consuming. You’ll
have more time for that before they are born. It will give you peace
of mind to know where the kittens will go, once they are old enough
to be weaned.
6. Use non-clumping litter for her box.
Sometimes cats give birth in the litter box. If a kitten is delivered in
clumping litter, the mother kitty might refuse to clean her newborn
off, as the clump is all over the sac, and the baby drowns in its own
fluid. Shredded newspaper is a good, inexpensive alternative.
7. Keep other cats away from her.
Pregnant cats want privacy. She doesn’t like the company of other
cats during this period, even if she knows these cats very well.
8. Stay close to home as much as possible right before
and right after the birth. You need to be close by just in
case something unexpected happens.
9. Know which vet is available.
Have the phone number of the closest emergency veterinary clinic
handy. If there’s no such clinic in your area, find out ahead of time
which vet is available for emergency care.
Cat Pregnancy Signs
During the first weeks of gestation, it is almost impossible to tell that
a cat is pregnant. In general, she will behave normally. After about
three weeks, her nipples will become pink. This is most visible if it’s
her first pregnancy. From that moment, it will be about six weeks
before the kittens arrive.
Your vet will be able to confirm if she’s pregnant.
She will sleep more and will not be interested in male cats. Her
heat cycles will stop, and she will become more loving.
Weight gain won’t be really visible until about the fifth week of the
pregnancy.
If your cat is used to going outside, she will voluntarily spend more
time at home during gestation.
After six weeks, her nipples will also grow considerably. From then
on they are filled with milk.
Her appetite will increase, and she will want to eat more than
normal. This is good. Give her plenty of food (her regular food
mixed with kitten food), but don’t overfeed her. A few days before
birth, her appetite will decrease again.
One last thing: On a RARE occasion, a female cat will show
pregnancy signs without actually being pregnant. This is called
false pregnancy. However, it is quite rare.
10 Tips To Help Pregnant Cats
1. Pregnant cats should stay indoors.
Don’t expose an expecting kitty to danger. Some females go into
heat even during pregnancy. Cats can be pregnant with two
different litters at the same time. And of course, you should make
sure that she gives birth inside in a safe comfortable place.
2. Give your kitty the right food.
It should be high on calcium and protein. Kitten food is specially
designed to meet the need of pregnant and nursing felines.
Vitamin supplements are recommended, too.
3. Do not give any medication during pregnancy.
Pregnant cats should get medication only in emergency and only if
prescribed by your vet. The same goes for deworming products
and anti-flea products. If she has worms or fleas, first consult your
vet.
4. Make your cat a comfortable delivery bed.
Prepare a large box lined with old towels in a warm, out-of the-way
place in the house. A couple of weeks before she gives birth,
begin feeding her there, so that she knows that it's her special
place.
5. Find a home for your kittens - before they are born.
Finding a home for several kittens can be time consuming. You’ll
have more time for that before they are born. It will give you peace
of mind to know where the kittens will go, once they are old enough
to be weaned.
6. Use non-clumping litter for her box.
Sometimes cats give birth in the litter box. If a kitten is delivered in
clumping litter, the mother kitty might refuse to clean her newborn
off, as the clump is all over the sac, and the baby drowns in its own
fluid. Shredded newspaper is a good, inexpensive alternative.
7. Keep other cats away from her.
Pregnant cats want privacy. She doesn’t like the company of other
cats during this period, even if she knows these cats very well.
8. Stay close to home as much as possible right before
and right after the birth. You need to be close by just in
case something unexpected happens.
9. Know which vet is available.
Have the phone number of the closest emergency veterinary clinic
handy. If there’s no such clinic in your area, find out ahead of time
which vet is available for emergency care.
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