Wondering how long are cats pregnant? This article is going to give the answer. Read on!
The process by which a mama cat prepares to bear kittens is referred to as “queening.” Female cats can become pregnant as young as four months old, unless they have been spayed.
From spring through early fall, queens might continue to go into heat every two to three weeks, making them more than ready to spawn.
How Long are Cats Pregnant?
Feline pregnancy lasts approximately two months. A cat’s pregnancy lasts between 63 and 67 days, though it can last up to 72 days. Often, a cat will not exhibit pregnant symptoms until two or three weeks into the period. This provides a little more than a month for pet owners to plan and prepare.
Symptoms of a Pregnant Cat
The traditional method for determining if your cat is pregnant is as follows:
Change in Heat Cycle: Your cat will typically undergo a heat cycle every ten to twenty days to two weeks. This is frequently followed by yowling and rolling on the floor. This will cease once she becomes pregnant.
Increased Appetite: Your pregnant “queen” will likely crave extra food (approximately 1.5 times her typical diet) during this period, as she is no longer feeding herself.
Darkened Nipples: The nipples of the cat will expand and “pink up.” They may appear darker and fully engorged, particularly if she has had multiple litters. However, it may be difficult to tell beneath a coat of dark fur.
Vomiting: Both humans and cats experience morning sickness. Vomiting on a regular basis may be an early indicator of pregnancy. On the other hand, if your cat does this with all of its meals and there are no other signs of pregnancy, it could be a symptom of more serious problems.
Weight Gain: Owners frequently notice a two- to four-pound weight gain, particularly later in the gestation period.
Increased Sleep Duration: Your cat will desire to sleep for longer durations.
Affection: Many pet owners report an increase in loving behavior. You may notice that your pet is more receptive to your attention. This occurs as a result of hormonal and neuronal changes.
Search for Calm Location: Cats prepare for birth by seeking out remote, calm locations to have their litter. Your cat may even begin arranging blankets or becoming combative with other animals over her territory.
Swollen Abdomen: Around the halfway point of your cat’s gestation period, she will exhibit physical signs of pregnancy. This distortion may be less noticeable in obese cats.
Naturally, it is a result of multiple factors. For example, hunger may be a symptom of other problems, and weight gain is sometimes considered normal. Additionally, it can be difficult to determine whether an obese cat with dark fur is pregnant. An owner may wish to consult a veterinarian to ascertain this.
How to Determine If Your Cat Is Pregnant for Certain
Your friendly, neighborhood veterinarian can tell you for certain if your cat is pregnant by employing one of the following strategies:
Palpation: An expert veterinarian can gently push on the abdomen of a pregnant cat and feel its fetuses as early as the twentieth day of pregnancy.
X-Rays: X-rays will only reveal the bones of kittens who are about 40 days pregnant. It is the most effective method of displaying the number of kittens.
USG: Ultrasounds can detect kittens as early as day 21 of pregnancy, although it might be challenging to count the number of kittens.
What Is the Maximum Number of Kittens a Cat Can Have in a Litter?
A litter normally contains between one and ten kittens. Queens that give birth for the first time typically have litters of two or three kittens. Additionally, older queens have fewer litters. Additionally, it may vary on the breed; Siamese cats produce large litters, whilst Persian cats have smaller litters. It’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian about the expected number of kittens in the litter, as a first-time mother may give birth to some but not all of her kittens, which can result in potentially life-threatening complications. Occasionally, pet owners are astonished by the appearance of further kittens, as the interval between them is normally between 10 minutes and an hour.
When Can a Cat Become Pregnant?
A cat can get pregnant as early as four months of age, which is why it is critical to neuter her early on. Around that time, a female cat may experience “heat.” A cat does not experience menopause in the same way that humans do; it can continue to reproduce until the final few years of its life. As a result, a cat that has not been spayed can get pregnant at any age.