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Pregnant Cat Symptoms

by Patty

photo by freeparking

photo by freeparking



I have a cat that is going to give birth. How can I tell when she is ready?

Thank you,
Patty



Dear Patty,

Pregnant cat symptoms of approaching delivery are subtle, but obvious if you know what to look for.

A few days before your cat goes into labor, you will be able to express a bit of milk from her teats. Cat teats are generally very small and uniform in size. Throughout her pregnancy, they have been enlarging in preparation for her kittens. However, only during the last days will they have a bit of milk, colostrum, in them.

Also, she may have a slight vaginal discharge. You may also find your cat not eating as much as usual.

The most obvious sign is behavioral and may not occur until the last few hours or hour. She will generally try to make a "nest" where she will deliver her babies. That could be under a bed or in a closet or in a basket or anywhere that is private and where there are soft clothes or bedding or anything comfortable.

If there is not such a place in your home, you need to prepare one for her. It can be as simple as placing a few layers of soft towels in a quiet, dark, but warm and dry place.

Closets, unused bedrooms, a large box or basket filled with towels in a quiet room...these are all possibilities. She will spend more and more time there as her labor approaches.

When she goes into labor, the best thing you can do is leave her alone. Noise and activity and people watching can actually stop labor.

Thank you for writing. Enjoy the kittens!

Dr. Neely


Comments for
Pregnant Cat Symptoms

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Feb 18, 2010
 My preggo Cat....
by: Linda

Hello,
My cat is pregnant, not sure how far along, but for a few days she has been sleeping with me and all in my face at night. Yesterday she jumped on my bed and I noticed some red around her vag area. She cleaned it up before i could get a good look. I put some food and water in there with her and closed the door as this is her 1st litter and don't want her to drop babies all over the house. I thought she would have them last night due to the blood on her bottom, but she still has like a big stomach seems to be high up, more by her ribs than down low. Also her nipples are showing, she still has hair around them. No evidence of kittens or birth have taken place. Is the blood normal? What do I do? This is my 1st cat. Thanks in Advance


A bloody discharge may appear a day or two or more between the actual birth. I would imagine by this time, she has had her kittens. I hope everything turned out well.
Nov 15, 2009
 Pregnant Cat
by: louise

My cat is pregnant and over 2 weeks ago, I saw and felt the kittens move. She has been cleaning herself a lot and won't leave me alone. I checked her temp this morning by lifting her tail and just resting it on her behind while holding her tail down. It's the only way I could get the temp and it came back as 36.9*c. I haven't seen any milk or discharge from her, but as I mentioned, she cleans quite a lot. She has also had a bit of diarrhea this morning. Her bum looks like it's going to explode. In other words, has that got anything to do with anything? Any information would be great as this is her 1st litter and my 1st experience in expecting kittens.

Thanks, Louise.

A protruding rectum is not usually associated with pregnancy. Diarrhea and a protruding rectum could indicate parasites. A fecal sample should be looked at by a vet. Pregnant cats do not have discharge or milk until very late in pregnancy, just a few days before delivery. Your method of taking her temperature is very inaccurate in cats, but if she is eating and acting ok, you probably do not need to know her temperature. Almost all cats do everything for themselves when it comes to carrying and delivering kittens. They rarely need any intervention by people.

There are several other posts about cat pregnancy here on the website that may help you. Good luck and have fun.
Best,
Dr. Neely
Sep 01, 2009
 Pregnant or not?
by: Karin

Someone dropped off a kitten last week near my daughter's house. She had engorged breasts but was obviously malnourished. I brought her to my house on Friday and made her a quiet place in my den. I have been feeding her kitten chow and providing fresh water. She is eating a lot. Now it is Tuesday and I can no longer feel her engorged breasts. She just feels like she has a full belly. Her teats are skin colored and elongated (but not hanging down). She appears to be about 5 to 6 months old. I am now wondering if she had already given birth when I got her last week. Or, was all of her nourishment going to her breasts and now that she's nourished, well fed, hydrated and cool her breasts don't need to be full yet? A couple of days ago her breasts felt like little walnuts - now they don't but her belly is the size of a grapefruit.



It sounds most like a cat that has just delivered and was malnourished, but is now thriving.

Best, Dr. Neely
Jun 13, 2009
 worms or pregnant
by: Anonymous

hi my cats about 1 years old and has not been fixed but iv notice she doesnt really drink much but eats loads.and become lazy and very loving and where her ribs are at the bottom she looks wider.i dont know weather its worms or shes pregnant !!!

Take a fecal sample to the vet to find out if she has worms. If she is pregnant, she has either delivered already or will soon.

Dr. Neely
Jun 05, 2009
 My Pregnant Cat
by: Anonymous

My cat is pregnant I'm not sure how many weeks but she is real touchy on her belly and is trying to find a nesting place, I made her one today and put her in it to show her. Can you tell me how much longer she might have? I know she was pregnant the whole month of May.

It's not possible for me to be sure without examining her and sometimes not even that will be definitive. Ultrsound is the only really accurate method. However, if she seems to be trying to find a nesting place, she will possibly deliver in the next few days. Also, if she was obviously pregnant the whole month of May, she would have to have become pregnant mid-April or earlier. The normal length of gestation in cats is around 62 days. If your observations are correct, she would deliver within the next 1 to 2 weeks.
Jun 01, 2009
 Some similar Symptoms
by: Angie P.

I have read many of the pregnant cat blogs...

My cat has similar symptoms, eats & drinks a lot more the past month, has vomited a small amount a few times recently, much more affectionate, sleeping more than usual, she is more quiet, seems to have a rounder belly, etc.

She is an inside cat & got out almost 2 months ago & was gone for the night. The next day, I came home to find what I believe to be a male cat had somehow gotten into my house.

I have been checking her nipples for about a month now, but there seems to be no change in them, although most info. I have read suggests that there should be.

I am guessing, if she is pregnant, she would be due in the next 1-2 weeks. Aside from an ultrasound, do you know of any other way to know before she actually gives birth? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Angie P.

There is no way I can tell without examining her. I have never seen a cat in middle to advanced pregnancy that didn't have prominent nipples. If she mated almost 2 months ago, you certainly should know very soon.

Best,
Dr. Neely
May 09, 2009
 stray cat appears to be pregnant
by: Angie

She just showed up out of no where. She appears to be very young. I can tell she once wore a collar. I would say she probably got pregnant her first heat cycle. She is very gentle. Also, I inherited a tom cat about a year ago. He came with the house is what I tell everyone. He is to be nutured on Monday. What I am trying to say is they both stay outside. How can I tell how many weeks she is pregnant? Is it true the male cat will kill the kittens? I am afraid she is to young to know what to do.


Most often, cats know what to do regardless of age. By all means, get him neutered. Male cats in general do not kill kittens, but it is in everyone's best interests to keep mom and kittens separate for a few weeks. You won't be able to know if she is pregnant until you see her weight gain around her middle and also more prominent nipples. The pregnancy generally lasts 62 days. Best, Dr. Neely
May 06, 2009
 Is she pregnant?
by: nicola

My outdoor cat is normally shy, but know when I was walking and saw her "mating", she has wanted more attention then usual. Is she pregnant?


Couldn't begin to say based on that little bit of information, but certainly the opportunity was there and yes, pregnant cats may act more affectionate and demanding. Time will tell. Dr. Neely
Feb 10, 2009
 Pregnant Cat Signs
by: Celianna T.

My cats heat cycle stopped,she gained some weight, and is very quiet,and loving and all other signs of a pregnant cat.

Certainly sounds like she could be pregnant. It's not always easy to know. If her nipples are prominent and she has stopped going into heat and is gaining weight and has had the opportunity to mate, then she certainly could be pregnant. Dr. Neely
Feb 08, 2009
 Pregnant Cat Symptoms
by: celianna t.

My cat sleeps alot & eats & drinks can she be pregnant!!!!

No way to tell just from that. Every cat sleeps a lot and all, hopefully, eat and drink. Dr. Neely

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