How to Identify if a Cat is Pregnant

A typical cat pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks. As pregnancy begins, you’ll notice both physical and behavioral changes in your cat. These changes will help you confirm whether or not your cat is expecting. The best way to be certain is by taking your cat to a veterinarian. Unless you are a breeding expert, it’s crucial to spay your cat; otherwise, excessive reproduction could result in many kittens being born without finding proper shelter.

Determine if your cat is capable of reproduction. When your cat reaches its reproductive age and enters heat, it may already be pregnant.

• Female cats often seek mates when the days are longer and the weather is warmer, typically during the spring to fall period.
• Female cats usually start their reproductive cycle once the weather warms up and they have reached about 80% of their body mass. In other words, after four months of age, cats may have the ability to reproduce under abnormal circumstances.

Observe Mating Behavior. During the heat period, female cats undergo distinct behavioral changes to attract male cats, which typically last between four and six days.

• At the start of their reproductive cycle, female cats may display signs of restlessness, become more affectionate, emit small meows, and exhibit increased hunger.
• When in heat, female cats often meow continuously and might even lose their appetite.
• Female cats in estrus are usually more sociable, rolling around, raising their hips, bending their hind legs, and positioning their tail to one side.

Understand the Internal Signs of a Female Cat During Reproductive Period. At this stage, the cat will show more peculiar behaviors, which could indicate pregnancy.

• If you've identified that your cat has entered her breeding period, the likelihood of pregnancy is high.
• After mating, the female will enter a ‘quiet phase’ lasting 8 to 10 days, becoming more relaxed. However, after this period, she will continue to mate from mid-April to September.
• To prevent further mating or unintentional pregnancy, it is recommended to spay the cat as soon as possible for her health and safety.

Examine the Nipples. After 15 to 18 days of pregnancy, a female cat's nipples will become pink or dark red and enlarge.

• The nipples will grow and may start secreting milk.
• This nipple enlargement can also be a sign that the cat is in estrus, so it’s not a definitive indicator of pregnancy.

Look for the 'Donkey' Shape. From the side, a pregnant cat typically has a curved back, with a slightly rounded and protruding belly.

• Most female cats develop a body shape resembling a donkey as their pregnancy advances.
• If your cat is gaining weight but is not pregnant, her body will become heavier overall, with not just the belly, but also the neck and legs gaining size.

Observe Nesting Behavior. A few days before giving birth, the female cat will begin preparing a nest to welcome her kittens.

• Your cat may seek out a quiet, secluded area like a wardrobe and start gathering blankets, towels, or other fabrics to form a nest for the birth process.
• If you notice your cat preparing a nest and haven’t realized she’s pregnant, it’s best to take her to the vet for a prenatal check-up.

Take the Cat to the Vet if You Suspect Pregnancy. The vet will typically confirm whether your cat is pregnant and offer advice on how to care for her. You should consult the vet about how to care for her and prepare for the birth of the kittens.

• Allow the vet to examine your cat's belly; within 17 to 25 days, experienced vets can often feel the developing embryos.
• It’s important to let the vet perform the pregnancy check to avoid the risk of miscarriage from improper handling.

Request an Ultrasound. If the pregnancy isn’t confirmed by feeling the fetus, the vet may perform an ultrasound to determine if she’s pregnant and to check the number of kittens.

• The vet can detect the fetal heartbeat after 20 days using ultrasound technology.

Request X-rays from the Vet. Around 45 days into pregnancy, the kittens' skeletons will become clearly visible on X-rays, helping determine how many kittens are inside.

• The vet will likely take two X-rays to monitor the belly and count the kittens, also looking for any possible complications.
• X-rays are safe for both your cat and her unborn kittens.
• While X-rays provide a more accurate kitten count than ultrasound, they are not always 100% accurate.

Avoid Vaccination, Deworming, and Medication During Pregnancy. Certain vaccines can pose a danger to both the cat and her kittens during pregnancy.

• Consult with a veterinarian before administering any medication, including dewormers or post-birth treatments.

Increase Caloric Intake During the Final Weeks of Pregnancy. You may notice that your cat eats more and gains weight as she approaches labor.

• As the kittens grow rapidly in the later stages of pregnancy, you should adjust your cat's diet to ensure she has enough energy to support her growing kittens.

Keep Your Cat Indoors During the Final Stages of Pregnancy. When your cat is nearing birth, do not let her outside, as she may seek out a place to give birth.

• You can prepare a nest or a cardboard box inside. Place the nest in a warm, dry, and quiet area, lined with newspaper or old towels or blankets.
• Place food, water, and a litter box near the nest and let your cat wait there until the big day.

• Millions of stray cats die each year due to overpopulation. To help reduce this, it is important to spay or neuter your cat to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Spaying should be done before your cat is 5 or 6 months old to ensure she cannot become pregnant.
• Some veterinarians may suggest 'abortion' or spaying a pregnant cat. Others may not recommend it after a certain point in pregnancy, while some vets will perform the surgery at any stage during the pregnancy.
• Female cats typically do not experience 'morning sickness,' but if your cat starts vomiting frequently or shows any abnormal health signs, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.