Everyone knows how cute kittens are, but do you ever think about how kittens get there? Milo Fwancis here, and I’m going to tell you all about the magical stages of kitty pregnancy. Cats, just like humans, have the ability to create life - that’s pretty amazing! I am going to give you all the information you need if your furry family member is pregnant.
Cat pregnancy stages physical changes
When your cat is pregnant, they will go through a variety of physical changes. Each of the changes can be characterized by different physical changes so you will know how far along your furry friend is in her pregnancy.
7-week pregnant cat symptoms
A cat’s pregnancy lasts about nine weeks (it’s okay to be jealous, I know a human pregnancy lasts muuuch longer :-p). At seven weeks, you will start to notice that your cat is starting (or already) showing signs in her belly area. By this point, you should have already been able to see the kittens in an ultrasound or x-ray. It’s important to try not to mess with your kitty’s stomach too much, because this can cause damage to the kittens in her belly.
8-week pregnant cat symptoms
During the eighth week of pregnancy, your cat is going to be trying to find an area to give birth in your home. They will do this by looking for a place that they are comfortable with and can easily get to. This is referred to as nesting behavior. You should allow your kitty to choose whatever area she wishes to give birth. It’s most important that she is comfortable. You should also make sure to provide enough food and water in that area leading up to the ninth week of the pregnancy. The ninth week of pregnancy is when your cat will be getting ready to give birth.
Pregnant cat labor signs
When your cat is getting closer to going into labor, you will start to notice their mammary glands increasing. Like I mentioned in the previous section, your furry friend will start to find somewhere to give birth (prior to going into labor). If you notice that your kitty hasn’t created a nesting area you may want to put a box in a private area with some blankets that you don’t mind getting ruined. You should also have their food and water in this spot, so they do not have to be hunting for it when they start going into labor.
Pregnant cat behavior before birth
There are three major behavior (and physical) changes that you will notice in your cat when they are about to give birth. Your furry friend will reach a temperature of 99ºF. A cat’s normal temperature is between 100º to 102.5ºF. Your cat might also start to be needier than usual and crave your attention. You also might notice them purring more than usual. This is normal and just means they are closer to delivering their kittens! In addition to the temperature change, your kitty will usually stop eating 24 hours before they give birth.
Cat pregnancy timeline
The timeline of your furry friend’s birth depends on when they got pregnant. Cats have specific periods where they are more likely to get pregnant. This comes about every three weeks (or once a month).
Typically, a momma cat will be pregnant for a maximum of 72 days. Your furry friend won’t start to look pregnant until they are a few weeks into the pregnancy, this is completely normal!
The next sign you will see is your kitty’s nipples starting to become pink or seem swollen. It’s important to keep an eye on your furry friend’s stomach to make sure there aren’t any other problems developing with your cat. It’s possible that your cat could show symptoms of pregnancy but actually have a much more serious issue going on. If you are concerned at any step of the way, you should reach out to your vet. They know what is normal and what is not in the pregnancy process.
As the pregnancy continues, your kitty will start eating more than normal. After all, she’s eating for herself and all of her kittens. It’s important to make sure she has access to extra food (if needed) so she can keep herself and the kittens safe and healthy.
As your cat gets closer to giving birth you will start to notice her nesting behaviors. During this time, she will start to get ready for giving birth. When she actually starts delivering the kittens, she will have some discharge present which is normal. But if the discharge has blood in it you should reach out to your vet. It’s always best practice to have your vet aware of what stage of pregnancy your kitty is in, in case any problems arise during the delivery. Usually, your furry friend will be able to get through the delivery without your assistance. But sometimes just being supportive of them (from afar of course) can be comforting to your cat.
When your furry family member becomes pregnant, it can be an extremely exciting time. Cats are independent creatures by nature, and usually will be able to go through pregnancy and delivery without much assistance. Female cats are born with the instincts needed to go through the pregnancy process. If this is the first time you are dealing with a cat giving birth, it can be helpful to reach out to your vet for any additional things to expect. Your vet will be able to help you every step of the way to make sure the symptoms and physical changes are all normal. The pregnancy time period may seem fast, but it can be an extremely rewarding time for both you and your kitty. Having kittens around can be a fun challenge to add to the mix also! After the birth, your furry friend will know how to take care of her babies. She is born with the maternal instincts needed to make sure her babies all grow up to be safe and healthy.
References:
https://emergencyvetsusa.com/cat-pregnancy-calendar/