If you find yourself with a pregnant foster quat or take in a stray with tush in the oven , you ’ll need to give her specialized care . During this time , a cat ’s physical needs , show , and conduct will change significantly . From the sign of cat pregnancy to nutrition and , finally , prepare for the kittens ’ arrival , we have all the info you need to deal for your momma - to - be .
How Long Are Cats Pregnant?
A cat ’s gestation period geological period range from 52 to 74 day , withan average length of 65.6 daysfor most cats .
Stages & Signs of Cat Pregnancy
A cat maternity can bedivided into trimesters , just like a human being ’s maternity . Each trimester is about three workweek long . If you ’re diffident where your foster momma is in her pregnancy , there are signal to watch for and some test your veterinary surgeon can use to determine if she ’s truly pregnant .
Stage 1: Weeks 1 to 3
It is almost impossible to notice a cat gestation with the naked heart for the first three weeks . That means if you take in an unspayed stray cat , there ’s a theory she could be pregnant without you knowing .
Stage 2: Weeks 4 to 6
About three weeks after conception , a pregnant cat ’s nipples will turn pink . This is usually the earliest sign that any cat will show , and the kittens will be born approximately six workweek after this go on .
Stage 3: Weeks 7 to 9
In the final stage of cat-o'-nine-tails pregnancy , you’re able to definitely tell that she ’s significant . Her belly will become increasingly large , and she should have a upright appetence . Most of a pregnant cat ’s growth will happen during the last two week of maternity .
Even thoughfalse pregnanciesor phantom pregnancies happen in dogs , they ’re prettyuncommon in cats .
Related:6 Signs That Your Cat Is About to Have kitty
Testing Options
Looking for the signs of Caterpillar pregnancy can be helpful but is n’t a surefire way to determine exactly where a hombre might be in their pregnancy . Your veterinary can execute a few different diagnostics ground on your budget and how far along your momma cat is .
Ultrasound
Your veterinarian or technician can do an echography to see the kittens , just like you would with a human babe . The kittens are n’t perceptible untilaround 24-hour interval 21becausea lot of " imitation negative " resultsare seen before then .
Manual Palpation
Once your cat isabout 21 dayspregnant , your vet can softly feel her paunch with their hands to detect the front of kittens . You ’ll desire to schedule an exam for this before week five , though , because after that stage , it gets harder and hard to palpate the babies as momma ’s paunch raise .
It take a skilled hand to feel for kittens , so do n’t do this at habitation . slosh your cat ’s stomach can be uncomfortable for her and could lead to complications if you conjure too hard .
Feline Pregnancy Test
No , at - home pregnancy tests for cats do n’t exist , but your veterinarian can run one for you . They can do thisas ahead of time as 20 daysinto the gestation using a pregnancy test call in Witness ® Relaxin to accurately determine whether a cat is meaning .
X-ray
ecstasy - ray are the best manner to confirm a cat ’s maternity and can also let your vet know how many kittens are in there . kitty are n’t seeable on x - ray until atleast day 42of pregnancy , so you ’ll need to wait until the final few weeks before quest for that method acting , and by then , you should already see the other signs of pregnancy .
Radiation vulnerability can be harmful , so it ’s unspoilt to use it slenderly . That does n’t mean you should avoid it entirely , but x - ray a significant true cat hebdomadally through their total pregnancy probably is n’t safe and would n’t be recommend by your vet .
Caring for a Cat During Her Pregnancy
It can be tough to eff for certain what a cat ’s health position was before her pregnancy , particularly if shewas launch as a stray . But you could control the care you allow her throughout her pregnancy . Use these pourboire to give her everything she needs for a healthy delivery .
Pregnant Cat Exercise Needs
There ’s no motivation to limit your cat ’s normal body process during her pregnancy . Cats are passably good at limit what they can and ca n’t do based on how they ’re feeling , and bowel movement is actually a good thing during gestation . Normal exercising during this period will aid her maintain sinew shade and good wellness .
Nutrition for Pregnant Cats
The most significant thing you’re able to do for your cat and her kittens is toprovide her with right nutriment . develop kitty inside her stomach takes a lot of zip ! Feed your fraught mamma a eminent - timber and eminent - calorie food that ’s plan for either meaning or wet true cat or kittens . She should eat this through her pregnancy and until the kittens are wean .
Because all those kittens are push on the tummy inside her stomach , several smaller meals throughout the twenty-four hour period are better than a few large meal . Supplements might seem like a unspoilt idea , but only pop the question these under veterinary supervision .
Medical Care for Pregnant Cats
Schedule an fitting with your veterinarian as soon as you pick up or suspect your cat is pregnant . They can help you supervise her wellness and let you know of any special steps you should take for a unruffled maternity .
Most shelters and delivery will vaccinate and deworm all computerized axial tomography upon accounting entry , even fraught cats . But if this is a cat you ’ve find , your veterinarian can make individual good word .
interrelate : Understanding the Stages of Cat Labor & Birth & How to assist
Preparing for the Birth of Kittens
You ’ll need to start up train for kitty as early into the maternity as you’re able to . have everything quick to go will make the actual Clarence Shepard Day Jr. way less stressful for you , your cat , and her baby .
Create Birthing Boxes
At least two weeks before the due day of the month , set up up a box for giving birth . A loge filled with newspaper works well . It ’s also good to have several box set up around the menage in quiet locations so your guy can choose the one she choose .
Avoid Clumping Litter
This might sound eldritch , but it ’s not rare for cat-o'-nine-tails togive birth in their litter loge . For this reason , do n’t use clopping clay bedding material as your cat nears her due date . Clumping litter will stick to thenewborn kitty , and the mamma might not clean them off after birth if this happens . Usesomething else like paper litterinstead .
Each Cat Pregnancy Can Be Different
gestation and deliveries do n’t always go as expected , so be prepared to face changes as they descend . Let your veterinarian be your collaborator throughout the process to ensure your cat receives everything she need to have a healthy and successful maternity and delivery .
