The joy of owning a pet goes beyond mere ownership, it also requires a clear understanding of well-being, maturing and reproductive health. A female cat, often referred to, as a "queen", easily gets pregnant whenever she is in a fertile period (heat). This usually happens several times throughout the year, especially during spring and autumn, and the pregnancy lasts from 60 to 65 days (two months).
Surprisingly, cats can attain sexual maturity and can get pregnant even at just four months (just at the kitten stage). This calls for spying on your cats if you’re not planning on breeding. This also prevents cat overpopulation and responsible ownership. In this blog, let’s learn about the journey of feline pregnancy, from the early signs to preparing for the arrival of those adorable kittens.
Pregnancy Signs
It's always very important to recognise your queen's signs of pregnancy to give optimal care throughout her pregnancy. Below are the symptoms you should look out for:
Pinking Up
The initial and most visible cat pregnancy sign is “pinking up” of nipples. Generally, around two weeks into gestation, you will notice a more prominent and puffed-up pink nipple.
Morning Sickness
Just like humans, it’s normal for some cats to throw up at times due to bouts of nausea, which can be alarming for pet owners. However, it’s a usual sign of pregnancy and also implies pregnancy progression.
Weight Gain
You will also slowly notice weight gain in your cat, and it is often referred to as the best cat pregnancy signs. The weight gain ranges between one and two kilograms, depending on the number of kittens she is carrying.
Changes in the Abdomen
During the pregnancy cycle, you will also notice her belly starts to bulge. It’s important to give gentle belly rubs to avoid excessive pressure or damage to the unborn kittens.
Maternal Behaviour
The mother cat also begins to show various maternal behaviours around her term time of pregnancy. This includes heightened purring and yearning to find quiet areas to prepare for the arrival of kittens.
Changes in Appetite
Your pregnant cat may start to lose her appetite and act restless as she looks for a safe place to give birth. It’s necessary to monitor her well-being during this time to make sure she is healthy.
Fall in Body Temperature
You will also notice a change or drop in her body temperature to around 37.8°C, which is a clear sign that her delivery is almost near.
Labor Signs
Abdominal contraction with vaginal discharge are the initial signs of labour. In case of heavy, dark, or blood-tinted discharge, you must consult your vet immediately to make sure the mother and kittens are in good health.
Pregnancy Care
Giving good care to your queen while pregnant is crucial. Here's a guide of do’s and don’ts to ensure a smooth and healthy pregnancy for your cat.
Do’s:
- Schedule a visit to the vet once you suspect your cat is pregnant and ensure the well-being, pregnancy risks, etc. for both mother and kittens.
- Check her for fleas, ticks, and lice since they are major threats to her kitten's health. Maintain a regular preventive measure throughout the pregnancy.
- Your queen requires nutritional needs. Feed your cat high-quality kitten food during the pregnancy and nursing phases to ensure all her nutritional needs are met.
- A pregnant cat will eat about 1.5 times more than normal days. This should be taken into consideration while feeding her, thus increasing her intake to help meet her energy demands.
- Just two weeks before her due, create a cosy and comfortable “Whelping box” in a warm room filled with soft bedding materials.
Don’ts
- Do not touch or press your pregnant cat’s belly, as this may cause discomfort, premature labour or damage to the developing kittens.
- Avoid deworming your cat after two weeks of confirmed pregnancy. Consult with your veterinarian if you want to deworm as it may cause damage to both the mother and kittens.
- Avoid interfering with your cat's labour, just watch her from a distance and let her have a quiet ambience. If you feel she is facing any complications during labour, contact your vet immediately.
Cat Pregnancy Stages
The cat’s pregnancy is divided into distinct stages. Each pregnancy stage shows different characteristics and development. Let’s look at your cat’s pregnancy stages one by one.
Stage 1: Pre-Implantation (Days 0-12)
In this pre-implantation stage, fertilization occurs in the uterine tube. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus and implants itself into the uterine wall about six days later. The developing embryo will cluster in one area while the remaining cells will form the placenta, which acts as the life-giving connection between the mother and her kittens.
Stage 2: Embryogenesis (Days 12-24)
Embryogenesis is a crucial stage of development where all the embryonic systems will be properly formed, such as the nervous system, heart and spinal column. Around 15 days, blood vessels start to develop, connecting the embryo to the placenta, thus paving the way for nutrients and oxygen to reach the embryos. At this time, the kittens are small and measures to ⅛ of an inch and will reach ⅝ th of an inch by the day 24. During this stage, you will also notice various changes in mother cats' appearances like “pinking up” of nipples and the fur around her belly starts to become thinner.
Stage 3: Foetal Growth (Day 24 to Birth)
During this final and rapid growth phase, the tiny kitten's organs start to take full shape and begin to function. Their nervous systems and hormonal glands begin to function like after birth. The kittens grow to reach the full development that they attain in their lives after birth. They are nearly just above an inch in size at four weeks. You will also notice changes in your cat like enlarged mammary glands, which begins to secret a milky fluid for feeding the kittens after birth. After this, in 12 to 24 hours, you may notice the presence of clear or blood-tinged discharge before whelping.
Pregnant Diagnosis
If you’re feeling that your cat is pregnant, do take her for the examination to get to know about the pregnancy confirmation, check-ups, due date, and others. Below are the methods your vet uses to diagnose the pregnancy of your queen.
- Teat Changes: The early indication of pregnancy in your cat is physical changes. As early as day 18, there can be an enlarged and “pinking-up” of nipples.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound also diagnoses pregnancy from day 18, which helps to understand the developing stage of the kittens. This also enables you to hear kittens' heartbeats.
- Abdominal Palpation: Through abdominal palpation, between 20 to 30 days, your vet may be able to feel the individual foetuses and their membrane.
- X-Ray: Around day 40, the abdominal X-ray of your queen gives you the number of kittens present in the mother cat. Through this, your vet can also provide information like due date, their development, etc.
To ensure your mother cat's pregnancy & kitten’s development, it’s always necessary to consult the vet often and keep yourselves informed about the development stages.
Behavioural Changes of Pregnant Cats
When your mother cat's delivery is due, you will notice that your queen spends more time indoors and looks more lethargic. Feline pregnancies naturally cause a decrease in the energy levels of the cats. She will also probably exhibit nesting behaviour as she prepares for the arrival of kittens.
Medications and Healthcare
Timely health care checkups for your mother cat should be done timely. Once you’ve confirmed that your cat is pregnant, you should consult a vet, and identification of fleas, lice or ticks should be done to avoid damage to the developing kittens. Her stool should also be sampled for the presence of worms and other internal parasites. Medication for your mother cat should be given based on your vet’s confirmation and any other medication that’s been given before pregnancy should also be confirmed again with the vet for good foetal development.
Deworming
If you’re planning to breed your cat, ensure that your cat is parasite-free. If necessary, your vet may deworm your cat at least two times with pyrantel pamoate. This helps your cat to eliminate worms and also stop its transmission to kittens. If you want to deworm your cat during pregnancy, it should be done after fourteen days (or) two weeks, only using Fenbendazole. Deworming your cat before breeding is essential because some worms can be transferred to kittens through breast milk. This, in turn, hinders kittens’ growth and development and also causes various health issues.
Recommended Products for Worming:
Liquid Suspension & Granules:
Panacur:
- Panacur is a dewormer commonly used to treat intestinal worms in both cats and dogs. This formulation is available as a 10% oral suspension, easy for pet owners to administer.
- Panacur is safe for all cats and dogs of all ages, even for two-week-old kittens, pregnant cats and feeding cats.
- Panacur can be directly given to their pets or can be given with food.
- Before giving Panacur, it’s always important to consult the vet for proper dosage and administration protocols.
Nutrition for Your Pregnant Queen
Providing nutritious and healthy food for your cat is a crucial factor for healthy kittens. The calorie ratio should be met for the mother cat based on the vet's recommendation.
Pregnant cats generally consume 1.5 times more than usual, and nursing mother cats usually consume more than double their normal intake.
To meet your pregnant and nursing mother cat’s energy demands, food should be given in a smaller and frequent manner. This ensures she is well-fed without overloading and helps kittens to get their nutrition properly and regularly.
If you have any queries regarding your queen’s nutrition, contact your vet to get a detailed recommendation of the food to be administered to your cat.
Sample Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Cats:
Royal Canin Mother and Baby Cat Dry Food
- Probiotics enhance effective nutrient absorption
- Antioxidants strengthen the immune system of both mother and kittens
- Provides an additional blend of vitamins and minerals
- Kibble size and texture facilitate easy weaning
- DHA stimulates healthy brain development
- Suitable for both mother and kittens (up to 4 months)
Providing a Comfortable Birthing Environment
Taking care of a pregnant cat is both rewarding and challenging. Making sure your queen is well fed during pregnancy is very important so as providing a calm and comfortable environment for birthing.
About two weeks before delivery for your queen, create a birthing box with sufficient space for her and her kitten to stay. Always place a blanket in the box for her to feel comfortable. Also, give a small space for her to move, keep the light dim and avoid excessive noise.
Watch her giving birth while staying in distance so that you can know where there are any complications or discomfort she is facing. If there are any complications, do call your vet immediately. Rest assured that it is easy to navigate through the stages of a cat's pregnancy, understanding the signs, and ensuring proper care and nutrition for your queen and kittens. However, it is wise to seek a veterinarian’s advice first before giving her any treatment or change in care. This ensures the best possible outcome for both the mother and new additions.
For more information about the pregnancy of cats, click on related articles discussing challenges during feline pregnancy, nutritional needs for pregnant and lactating queens, and an owner's checklist to anticipate kittens. Understanding a cat's pregnancy timeline, combined with attentiveness to her needs, can make all the difference.
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