Cat Pregnancy: Basic Info You Need to Know!

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Nov 25 2023

Having kittens is a very exciting and emotional time for you and your cat. You need to know how to detect whether your cat is pregnant and what you can do to make her pregnancy as happy as possible before you can welcome bundles of fur into your home. When thinking about having kittens, keep in mind that your cat and her litter will have needs that you must be prepared to meet. We’ve covered everything you need to know about pregnant cats to help you support your pet during her pregnancy and labour.

Cat Pregnancy

Cats, like humans, have periods of peak fertility when they can become pregnant, which is referred to as “season” or “heat.” Cats come into season roughly once every three weeks, so your pet has plenty of chances to become pregnant! Pregnancy in cats usually lasts 63 to 67 days, but it is not rare for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer period. We recommend neutering your cat before her first season if you want to avoid an unexpected litter of kittens, as she can become pregnant very easily after that. Because raising litter can be unpleasant for your cat and costly for you, we urge that you leave breeding to the professionals if at all possible.

How Long Is a Cat Pregnant?

Cat pregnancy usually lasts between 63 and 67 days, but determining how long a cat is pregnant can be difficult. The gestation period of a cat can last anywhere between 61 and 72 days. Your cat may not show visible signs of pregnancy until she is a few weeks along in her pregnancy. If you suspect your cat is pregnant, take her to the veterinarian to be sure. There are various physical symptoms that you should be able to see after two or three weeks if you want to know how to tell if a cat is pregnant yourself. See also: Comfortable Cat Bad for your pregnant Cat

How To Tell If Your Cat Is Pregnant?

You may notice that your cat’s nipples get swollen and red after around 15-18 days of pregnancy – this is known as ‘pinking-up.’
Your pregnant Siamese may have vomiting, the same as how people experience morning sickness. Contact your veterinarian if her sickness becomes more regular or if she appears to be unwell in any other manner.
The tummy of your Siamese will begin to swell, but don’t touch it to avoid injuring mum or her unborn kittens. There can be other causes behind abdominal swelling, so monitor your cat closely for any signs of illness and consult your vet if you are worried.
A pregnant Siamese will gain between 1-2 kilograms (depending on the number of kittens she is carrying) throughout her pregnancy.
Siamese has a higher appetite later in pregnancy, which contributes to her weight gain. An increased hunger could be an indication of worms or disease, so check with your veterinarian to be sure.
Your pregnant cat may purr louder and seek out more fuss and attention from you.
Some veterinarians can detect a cat’s pregnancy with an ultrasound as early as 15 days into her pregnancy. By day 40 of her pregnancy, your veterinarian may be able to tell you how many kittens your cat is expecting. Keep in mind that a larger kitten in the womb can obscure other smaller kittens, so you can end up with more kittens than you planned!

Although your cat should be able to handle labour on her own, make sure you’re ready as she approaches the end of her period. It’s a good idea to be ready to give comforting words and to jump in to help if she gets into trouble.

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Personality Changes in a Pregnant Cat

These character and mood changes are also indicative of pregnancy:

Affection increases:

Your cat may become more affectionate than usual and seek out your attention more frequently.

Increase in sleeping:

Many pregnant Siamese will sleep for longer periods than they did before they became pregnant.

Clinical Diagnosis of Pregnancy in Cats:

It may not be essential to seek an official diagnosis from a veterinarian if your Siamese has received regular medical care and prior indicators of pregnancy are visible. However, it’s a good idea to have your veterinarian inspect your cat to ensure she’s in good health.

Palpation of the Cat’s Abdomen:

By palpating and gently pressing on your pregnant cat’s tummy, your veterinarian may be able to feel the babies. This usually occurs between the 17th and 25th days of pregnancy.

Ultrasound of Your Cat’s Abdomen:

Fetuses can be detected using ultrasound as early as the second week of pregnancy, and heartbeats can be found after the third week.

Radiographs (X-rays):

When your cat is further along in her pregnancy, your veterinarian can take a radiograph of her abdomen to identify the number of babies she is carrying. This is a very little amount of radiation that will not affect the kittens or the mother. After roughly 42 days of pregnancy, the spines and skulls of kittens can be seen on x-rays. See also: Pet Water Fountain

How Many Kittens Can a Siamese Cat Have in One Litter?

Siamese cats usually have 4-6 kittens per litter, however, they have been known to have more than other breeds. This is crucial information to have as you prepare to welcome new kittens into your home. Knowing how many kittens they’ll have will help you plan for food, doctor visits, and other necessities. The mother can provide most newborn cats with nutrients and other necessities. However, there are special feeds for the mother cat and the kittens if you wish to help them along. Nutrition is particularly crucial during the first several weeks after birth.

What Age Can a Cat Get Pregnant?

A cat can get pregnant as early as four months old, which is why it’s critical to have her spayed as soon as possible. Around that time, a female cat may experience “heat.” A cat, unlike a human, does not go through menopause and can continue to become pregnant until its final years. As a result, a cat that hasn’t been spayed or spayed can get pregnant at any age.

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