How to tell if a cat is pregnant?

A female cat (or kitten) will first come into season (heat) as early as four month old. She can become pregnant with the first mating. A cat’s gestation normally takes 58–65 days, we can say around nine weeks (you can remember it by comparing months pregnancy for humans). Siamese cats may carry their kittens for 71 days.

There are some signs to tell if a cat is pregnant (bear in mind: not all signs apply to all cats):

1. Enlarged and reddened nipples

Lotto is pregnant 07
Enlarged and reddened nipples are signs of pregnancy, but are also signs of being in heat, so bear in mind that growing nipples are not exclusively indicative of pregnancy.

About 15-18 days into the pregnancy, a queen’s nipples will “pink up,” or become red and enlarged. Her breasts may enlarge, and she may express a milky fluid.

2. Increased Affection

Lotto is pregnant, sleeping on my arm
Your cat may become more affectionate than normal and frequently seek out your attention.

She may become more affectionate than normal and frequently seek out your attention. By all means, give it to her! My dear Lotto was always seeking for petting during her pregnancy. She was extra warm-hearted and full of love. She usually slept on my desk while I am working on the computer, and was using my arm as a pillow.

3. Increase in appetite

A pregnant cat starts eating more (I mean MORE). Even before the start of weight gain, her appetite increases significantly.

4. Weight gain in “burro” shape

Lotto - three days before giving birth
Look for a characteristic “burro” shape. Like every pregnant cats, Lotto gained weight in her abdomen while other parts including her neck and legs remained unchanged. Here she was sleeping in my arm three days before giving birth. It was the first day she didn’t play with her rubber ball.

She starts gaining weight, but not on every parts of her body. Because this weight gain has nothing to do with her increased appetite. Just the babies are getting bigger every day. From the side, pregnant cats frequently look somewhat swaybacked, with a slightly round and bulging abdomen. Many female cats assume this burro shape later in pregnancy. If she is gaining weight including her neck and legs, and not just in her abdomen, she may be just eating too much.

5. You can feel the babies kicking

Feeling the babies
Feeling the babies of my dear Lotto. They are moving, turning around, and kicking! An amazing experience.

During the advanced stages of pregnancy, you can feel the babies with your hand! If your cat is OK with it, you can touch her tummy and feel the babies moving, kicking, etc! My dear Lotto was allowing me to put my hand on her tummy. Feeling the babies was an amazing and unforgettable experience.

6. “Nesting” Activities

A few days before she’ll give birth, your cat will begin showing nesting behaviors as she prepares for the arrival of her litter. She especially looks for calm, a bit dark and isolated places like a closet, under the bed, etc. The place which she chose may not suit you, so give her a few suitable alternatives. I’ll mention about this more in upcoming posts later.

Avoid getting vaccinations, deworming, or giving medications to your cat if she’s pregnant. Consult your vet if any urgent medical care is necessary.

Sources

Özgür Nevres
M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer and also Veterinary Technician student at the Anadolu University. I take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon so I can help more animals!

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