Pregnant cat: First signs and important information

Does your feline friend suddenly feel rounder than usual, even though you haven't changed anything about her food? Perhaps she seeks your company more often, sleeps more, or seems unusually calm? These could be signs that she's pregnant and you can expect kittens. A possible pregnancy evokes a range of emotions in many cat owners: anticipation, curiosity, but also uncertainty. In this article, together with veterinarian Dr. Julia Vietmeier, we'll explain how you can tell if your cat is pregnant and what precautions you might need to take.

Summary

Pregnancy can only be confirmed by a veterinarian, for example, via ultrasound from the third week onward or through blood/urine tests.
Pregnant cats need more energy and several small meals; towards the end of the pregnancy, high-energy food becomes important.
As the due date approaches, you should prepare a birthing box and carefully observe for signs of labor.

Early Signs of Pregnancy in Cats

When a cat is in her sexually active phase, she is called being in heat. During this time, she often exhibits typical behaviors that may initially seem unusual to you. These include, for example:

rubbing her head on the ground
rolling on her back
a serpentine, undulating movementwhining vocalizations

In addition, cats in heat release special scents in their urine that signal to male cats that they are ready to mate. Their posture also changes: Many cats lie flat on their stomachs, slightly arch their spines, raise their hindquarters, and move their tails to the side. This allows the male cat to easily recognize that mating season has arrived. However, some cats experience heat cycles without any noticeable symptoms. In these cases, the cat does not exhibit any "typical" behavior.

If you notice such signs in your cat, you should be cautious – especially with cats that go outdoors. Pregnancy can occur quickly here if a mating tomcat is nearby.

Confirming Pregnancy in Cats with Tests

There are no home pregnancy tests for cats. Whether your cat is actually pregnant can only be determined by a veterinarian. Depending on the stage of the possible pregnancy, different examination methods are available:

From the 3rd week: Ultrasound examination – usually the preferred method
3rd–5th week: Palpation of the abdomen
4th week: Blood or urine test
From the 6th–7th week: X-ray examination – due to radiation exposure, this is only recommended from around day 50 onwards.

Veterinarian Dr. Julia Vietmeier:

"There are different methods for detecting pregnancy in cats. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Your veterinarian can decide which method is best for your individual situation."

Your cat is pregnant: Here's what to do

Even in the early stages of pregnancy, your cat has a significantly increased need for energy and nutrients. Proper nutrition therefore plays a crucial role in a successful pregnancy:

In the early stages, a pregnant cat consumes increased amounts of food, so the nutrient content doesn't need to be adjusted much initially.
Towards the end of the pregnancy, the mother cat usually has a reduced appetite, so you'll need to adjust her food accordingly.

Our tip: From about halfway through the pregnancy, you can gradually switch to a food that is also designed for nursing mother cats. This has the advantage that the energy density is already adjusted, and you don't have to change the food again during the stressful phase of birth.

Optimal Feeding for a Pregnant Cat

To ensure your cat is well-nourished, a balanced diet and the correct amount of food are essential. These points are particularly important:

Maintaining a healthy weight: Both being overweight and underweight can complicate birth and impair lactation.
Balanced diet: A one-sided diet can lead to deficiencies. Complete commercial cat foods are a good choice because they cover all essential nutrients. If you prepare your cat's diet yourself, you should have it professionally calculated to avoid errors.
Vitamins and minerals: There are recommended daily allowances for vitamins, energy, and minerals for pregnant cats. You should research these and adjust your cat's diet accordingly.

Feeding schedule for a pregnant cat

Pregnant cats benefit from several smaller meals throughout the day. Here's what optimal feeding looks like:

Pregnant cats should be fed 2-3 times a day.
Fresh water must always be available.
Initially, you should increase the amount of food by about 20%, and then by approximately 70% by the due date.
About three weeks before birth, food should be available at all times, as larger portions are often no longer well tolerated.

Pregnant Cat: First Signs of Labor

The gestation period for cats typically lasts 63–66 days. As the birth approaches, your cat's body and behavior will change. Some signs can be observed about a week beforehand:

One week before birth, you may notice an enlargement of the mammary glands. The vulva may also appear slightly swollen.
24–48 hours before birth, the milk will come in. It is crucial not to express any secretions from the mammary glands, as this poses a risk of infection and can also result in the loss of valuable colostrum—the first milk, which is very important for the kittens.
From day 60 onward, the mother cat will begin searching for a suitable place to give birth. Once she has found one, she will prepare a nest for her kittens. During labor, a quiet, dark birthing area is important, where your cat feels safe. If the cat is disturbed or stressed, she may interrupt the birthing process, and the contractions will subside. Once the situation is safe again, labor will resume.

Our tip: Prepare a cozy, easily accessible birthing box for your cat a few days in advance. If she can get used to it early on, the chances increase that she will later use this place to give birth to her kittens.

Pregnant Cat: Warning Signs of Complications

While most cats manage their pregnancy and birth without problems, there are some signs you should be aware of. These can indicate that something isn't going as expected and veterinary care is needed.

Typical warning signs of complications include:

Heavy, unusual discharge from the vulva (greenish, bloody, or foul-smelling)
Painful, hard, or distended abdomen
Apathy, weakness, or fever
Persistent restlessness, heavy panting, or obvious pain
Labor without progress: Strong contractions lasting over two hours, but no kitten is born
Milk production lasting more than 24 hours without labor starting

If any of these symptoms occur, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. A prompt examination can be crucial to protecting the mother and kittens.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Cat Pregnancy

Cat owners often ask these questions:

When can you tell if a cat is pregnant?

A pregnant cat gains weight relatively quickly. The shape and size of her abdomen change accordingly, depending on the number of embryos.

From the fourth week of pregnancy onward, the cat's mammary glands begin to enlarge and the nipples become redder. However, significant swelling is only observed a few days before birth.

How long is a cat pregnant?

A cat's gestation period lasts 63–66 days and ends with the birth of the kittens. The subsequent nursing period lasts approximately 6–8 weeks. Litter size likely influences the duration of pregnancy; the larger the litter, the shorter the gestation period.

At what age can a cat become pregnant?

A cat reaches sexual maturity at 7–9 months of age. However, variations above or below this age are possible. Sexual maturity begins with the first heat cycle.

How often can a cat get pregnant?

A cat is seasonally polyestrous: This means she can become pregnant multiple times a year. The timeframe in which this occurs depends on the geographical region. In our region, it's roughly from January to July.

Our native wildcats usually become pregnant in February/March, so the kittens are born in early summer. This is the best time of year because food is most plentiful then.

With domestic cats, this isn't as strict, but the main mating season is also in the first few months of the year. A cat typically goes into heat 1–3 times a year. For the rest of the year, she is usually not sexually active.

Can you deworm a pregnant cat?

Yes, deworming is possible during pregnancy and in many cases even advisable. Certain types of worms can be transmitted to kittens in the womb or later through the mother's milk. Controlled deworming reduces this risk.

However, pregnant cats should only be treated with medications specifically approved for this purpose. Some common dewormers are not safe for unborn kittens.

Conclusion: If your cat suddenly experiences physical changes or her behavior seems unusual, this could be a sign of pregnancy. Only a veterinary examination will provide certainty – it will reliably reveal the cause of the changes. A potential pregnancy is a special phase during which you can best support your cat with appropriate preparation, a safe environment, and care tailored to her needs. Has your cat ever been pregnant? How did you notice the first signs? We'd love to hear about your experiences!