Pregnant cat? How do you know if a cat is pregnant? Well here are the clues that will help you know if your cat is expecting babies (behavior, physical change, various signs) and thus see what you can and should do.
Pregnant cat? How old is she ?
If your cat is less than 5 months old or more than 10 years old, she is unlikely to be pregnant.
Indeed, a cat can only have her first litter from 1 months old.
On the other hand, a cat can bear babies until the age of 10. Note however that the most fertile period in cats is between the age of 2 and 5 years. They can give birth every year and even 2 to 3 times a year! See How many times a year does a cat have litters?
Pregnant cat? When did she have her heat?
Heat in a cat is the equivalent of menstruation for women. When a cat is in heat, she meows much more often, rubs herself all over your legs, especially against your legs, is more affectionate and has a reaction when touched (See cat in heat what to do?).
It is during this period of heat, which lasts 10 to 15 days, that she will mate.
So if your cat was recently in heat, it is very possible that she got pregnant.
How do you know if a cat is pregnant?
Here are some clues that will allow you (before going to the vet) to know if your cat is pregnant.
- Modification of the physique of your cat: If you look at her from the side and your cat seems to have a hollow back and a more rounded abdomen.
- Your cat's weight gain: If your cat is pregnant, her whole body will grow, including her neck and thighs, not just her belly.
- Her udders will get bigger: After 2 to 3 weeks of gestation, your cat's udders will become more pink and will widen.
- Change of behavior: If your cat isolates herself in a quiet place, that she "arranges" the linen, towels or sheets as if to prepare the sleep of her future babies ...
- If your cat used to go out at night, she won't go out pregnant again.
See at what age can a cat have kittens?
Pregnant cat? Checking at the vet
If you have observed your cat carefully and the above signs make you think that she is pregnant, then take her to the vet because he will be able to confirm the gestation and advise you on the care to be given to her. the birth.
Be aware that you can ask the vet for an ultrasound to be sure your cat is pregnant and to know how many kittens she is expecting.
Pregnant cat - How long?
The pregnancy of a cat lasts more than 2 months, from 63 to 69 days precisely. The cats will give birth on average of 4 kittens per litters but it can happen that they give birth to 7 or 8 kittens or even of 1 only.
Pregnant cat - What to do?
Keep your cat indoors during the last weeks of gestation. If your cat is about to give birth, it is better for her to be in your home so that she does not give birth elsewhere (at a neighbor's, in a ditch, behind a garage, etc.).
Prepare the place where she can give birth inside your house. Place a box, basket, shipping crate or cardboard box in a warm, dry, and quiet place in your home. Put newspaper and old towel inside.
Place her bowl of kibble, water and litter around the box to encourage her to sleep there.
Give him more to eat. Indeed, it is necessary to increase its calorie intake especially during the last weeks of gestation. There are more nourishing kibbles that will better suit your condition and your needs (see below). It will thus have more energy and all the nutrients necessary for the proper development of baby cats and their lactation.
The croquettes below are recommended for kittens from weaning as well as pregnant or lactating cats.
Pregnant cat - How to feed her?
You will need to gradually increase the amount of kibble depending on the progress of your cat's pregnancy. You usually need to increase your serving size by 10% more every week.
It is important not to limit the number of meals because your cat must be able to eat as soon as she needs it. The ideal will be to place a kibble dispenser that you will fill with its daily portion for the day. Do not forget to also provide him with fresh water throughout the day but also for the night.
Pregnant cat - How to prevent it?
If you no longer want your cat to have litters, you should consider having her sterilized. Here are a few tips : Pussy sterilization.
Has your cat given birth?
Here is how to feed a kitten
Ping: How to feed a cat? When, how much and how to feed it?