Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or have had your kitty cat for a few years, you’ll understand how priceless they are. If your cat was in heat recently and had access to an intact male cat, she could be pregnant. It can happen to even the most responsible pet owners.
Your indoor cat wanders outside, and you’re wondering if she’s pregnant. A single encounter can result in pregnancy if she isn’t fixed. Physical and personality changes in a pregnant queen will become more noticeable around three weeks after breeding.
You need to know how to tell if your cat is pregnant before you can welcome bundles of fur into your home. You must also ensure a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy. Today we are going to talk about “How to Tell if your Cat is Pregnant?”. So, with no further ado, let’s begin.
How to Tell if your Cat is Pregnant?
A pregnant cat goes through various changes. These changes can be classified as Physical, Personality, and changes detected in clinical procedures.
Let’s learn all of them one by one.
Physical Changes
- Darkened Nipples: The nipples of a pregnant cat will darken and enlarge after about three weeks. This sign, is known to veterinarians as “pinking up.” Although cats do not begin producing milk until after birth, you may notice some milky discharge from the nipples.
- Morning Sickness: A pregnant cat, like humans, may experience periods of sickness from time to time. It’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t one of the most common signs of illness in tabbies. Morning sickness doesn’t affect all cats, but if she does, keep an eye on her.
- If, on the other hand, your cat does this with all of its food and there are no other signs of pregnancy, it could be a sign of more serious problems.
- Swollen Belly: A pregnant cat’s abdomen will begin to swell noticeably around the fifth week of pregnancy. It will continue to grow until it is time to give birth. If your cat was overweight before she became pregnant, her belly distension may be less noticeable, but she will still gain weight as a result of the pregnancy. Depending on the number of kittens, a pregnant cat will gain two to four pounds in total.
- Increased Appetite: Food will pique the interest of a pregnant cat. After all, a pregnant cat is feeding not only herself but several fetuses as well. If you don’t give them food, they will demand it and will hunt more.
- Ceased Heat Cycle: Heat cycles stop: This could be the first sign that a cat is pregnant. If a cat has been having heat cycles every 10 to 2 weeks and then suddenly stops, she is most likely pregnant.
Personality Changes
- Increased Affection: Many pet owners report that their pets’ affectionate behavior has improved. You might notice that your pet is focusing more on you. Changes in hormones and the nervous system are to blame. Our cat may become more affectionate than usual and seek your attention on a regular basis. Give it to her
- Increased Sleeping: Cats usually sleep for at least 14 hours in a day. They love to sleep. But when she is pregnant expect her to sleep even more than that.’
- Nesting: With around two weeks to go in her pregnancy, a pregnant cat will often start “nesting.” She might find a quiet spot and begin putting together blankets for a birthing area. Your cat may also begin to act more maternally toward you, becoming more affectionate and purring more frequently. She may become less tolerant of other pets or animals at the same time.
Clinical Procedures
- Palpating Abdomen: By palpating and gently pressing on your pregnant cat’s abdomen, your veterinarian may be able to feel the fetuses. This usually occurs between the 17th and 25th day of pregnancy.
- X-Ray: When your cat is further along in her pregnancy, your veterinarian can take a radiograph of her abdomen to determine the number of kittens she is carrying. This is a very small amount of radiation that will have no effect on the kittens or the mother. After about 42 days of pregnancy, the spines and skulls of kittens can be seen on x-rays.
- Ultrasound: Fetuses can be detected with an ultrasound as early as the second week of pregnancy, and heartbeats can be detected after the third week. Go see your vet and get the ultrasound done.
Signs of Active Cat Labor
It’s possible that your cat is refusing food, acting fidgety, and looking for a quiet place to rest because she’s about to give birth.
Your cat’s body temperature will drop to around 37.8°C in the 12-24 hours before her labor starts.
Right before giving birth, mum may become more vocal, appear agitated, and want to wash herself constantly.
Delivery should start with strong abdominal contractions, followed by some discharge from her vagina. Contact your veterinarian if the discharge is thick, black, or blood colored.
The kittens should arrive shortly after this discharge.
Is your Cat showing Pregnancy Signs?
What to do?
Make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible after your cat becomes pregnant.
Examine her for fleas, ticks, and lice, as these can harm her kittens’ health.
Feed kitten food to your cat until she finishes nursing.
Increase your cat’s feedings while she’s pregnant; she’ll likely need to eat 1.5 times more than usual.
2 weeks before your cat is due to give birth, set up a comfortable birthing box in a warm room.
What not to do?
Touching your pregnant cat’s belly could result in an abortion or damage. Consult a veterinarian.
After two weeks of pregnancy, avoid worming.
If there are no complications, don’t interrupt the birthing process.
Conclusion
In the above article, we discussed the signs which tell you that your cat is pregnant. If you notice these signs in your cat, do follow the instructions about what and what not to do carefully. Don’t forget to contact your nearest vet for the same.
