Stages of Cat Pregnancy

You might have not neutered your cat or you are breeding but you know nothing about cat pregnancy.

Do you even know how long the pregnancy of a cat is?

Below are the five pregnancy stages of a cat that you must watch out as you prepare to welcome new healthy kitties.

Fertilisation

If you are anticipating breeding, you should consider the age of your cat. Your cat can be ready to be a mom after being 6 months old. Some oriental breeds can be ready to bear kitties as early as 5 months. Interestingly, your female cat can mate with different male cats and have different kittens from different fathers at the same time.

Yes, it is possible for a cat to deliver different breeds of cats at the same time if it mated with different cats.

Your cat might not have any physical changes during the first week of pregnancy.  Changes can be seen after the third week and you may test your cat to confirm that it is pregnant. Your cat’s pregnancy can last between 61 days and 72 days. 

 Early-stage

During the second week of pregnancy, your cat might develop some changes. She may have low appetite due to nausea. Morning sickness can be severe and can happen any time of the day. If you think the cat is being highly affected by morning sickness, you may take her to the vet for medication.

During the third week, you might see slight changes in weight. Your cat may gain weight and you may start feeling some lumps in its stomach.

Your cat’s nipples will also enlarge and become pinkish in colour. After week three, you can take your cat to the vet for an ultrasound. Embryos and fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Middle stage

During week five your cat’s bell can be swollen and visible that she is pregnant. Your vet can do a headcount and tell you how many litters should you expect from your cat. You may request an X-ray scan to see the kitties. 

Your cat might develop mood swings and be unfriendly to other pets in the house. However, she might be affectionate to human beings.

As you feed your cat, take note that its stomach might fill up faster. Therefore try to give it small portions. During week six, you may increase the food quantities but continue giving small portions. Your cat might have an increased appetite. Make sure that you give her a balanced diet with minerals and irons to boost her kitten’s healthiness.

Pre-labour stage 

Between the 7th and 8th week your cat might be heavily pregnant with a bigger belly. She might lose appetite and spend most of the day resting. She may start nesting; a process where your cat is looking for a comfortable place where she can give birth. You might assist her by putting card boxes in various places where you think that the cat might be safe and private to give birth.

You might notice soiling accidents. The babies will be pressing bladder making your cat soil herself. Milk might also start to leak. Your cat might meow a lot due to discomfort. You might consider the final check-up of your cat by the vet before the delivery of the kittens. 

Labour and delivery

During week 9 and week 10, your cat might be relieved and give birth.

Your cat might have reddish vaginal discharge and you might notice it. The cat will lick its discharge regularly. She might make a lot of noise due to discomfort and might pace up and down. This is a sign that your cat is in labour.

Some cats might not deliver between wee 9 and 10. You must not panic but consult the vet who might give you advice.

Your cat may deliver its kitties after an hour of labour. The kittens will be coming out in every 15 to 20 minutes. After finishing giving birth, the placenta might be expelled. Most cats eat their placenta and it is healthy as it gives her extra minerals. Your cat might also clean its kitties by licking them.

During your cat’s pregnancy make sure that you feed it properly and monitor it for any unhealthy signs and behaviour. 

Have you ever seen a cat giving birth? What were your experiences during your cat’s pregnancy stages?