Our adorable feline friends love to explore, but if they’re yet to be neutered, it’s possible that we might see a few unexpected additions to our family sometime soon. Cats can begin breeding at just four months old, so it’s really important we know what to look for to make sure our furry friends get the best care possible if they’re expecting.
So to help provide some advice about pregnant kitty’s, we have put together a simple guide below:
The most sure-fire way to tell if a cat is pregnant will always be to ask a vet, but there are a few clues to look out for. A cat’s pregnancy period is usually around 63 days, but the first few signs of pregnancy won’t be noticeable until a few weeks into the gestation period.
A few tell-tale signs of pregnancy in your cat
After about three weeks, we may notice some more cat pregnancy symptoms, our cat will start ‘pinking’ – this is when the nipples become darker, and slightly swollen. Just like us, they may suffer from morning sickness, and be less interested in their food. This period of sickness is normal and nothing to worry about – though if the vomiting is prolonged, or particularly severe, we should consult the vet right away.
Is my cat pregnant?
At the end of week four, our vet should be able to confirm if our cat is pregnant by gently feeling around their abdomen (assuming they haven’t already had an ultrasound). At this point, we shouldn’t pick up our cat, so we won’t accidently hurt her or her new kittens.
Having now confirmed if our kitty cat is pregnant, it’s time to watch out for an increased appetite (after all, she’s not just eating for one anymore). There may be other small signs such as increased grooming, and shedding around the stomach, though the latter won’t happen until around week eight of the pregnancy.
We should keep a careful eye on her as she grows, and not put pressure on her abdomen.
The big day is fast-approaching...
When our feline friend enters the final weeks of pregnancy, it’s likely that she’ll start to retreat to find somewhere safe to give birth. As the 64th day approaches, she may start to get anxious or firmly establish herself in her bed or nesting box, which means labour is imminent. But it also means some cute little kitties are on the way! Now we should keep a close eye on her and make sure she feels safe and comfortable, and soon enough, there will be a few new additions to the family.
If our cat still hasn’t given birth by the end of week 10, or if we feel concerned at any time, it’s best to consult the vet. Once the birth has been successful and our brave girl is on the way to recovery, we can begin to enjoy our adorable little kitten friends and cherish them – they won’t stay that small for long!
After our kittens are weaned from Mum, our delicious HiLife it’s only natural kitten food is a great option to feed them. It is a tasty delicate pate made with 100% natural ingredients and carefully balanced for little tummies with 50% chicken or fish to give kittens the best start.
Have you had any experiences with your cat giving birth to kittens? Do you have any advice for those that may have a kitty that’s expecting? Make sure to share these with us over on our Facebook page.
