How long does a cat pregnancy last? An average cat pregnancy timeline lasts 63 to 65 days (around two months) or could be anywhere between 58 to 70 days. (The duration also varies from source to source)
Like any other expecting moms, pregnant cats also experience physical changes and symptoms during the cat pregnancy time which you should be looking out for to facilitate better care and attention for your pet. It is also important to know how long her pregnancy lasts for you to get ready and plan on how to care for “mom-to-be cat.” How will you know if she is pregnant? Honestly, you will not notice her pregnancy unless she displays symptoms which you should be familiar.
How much does a cat pregnancy last?
Main symptoms of cat pregnancy
The main symptoms of cat pregnancy manifest both in physical and environmental aspects​ of cat behavior. The physical aspect involves your cat‘s nipples turning pink while losing appetite as the environment change​. The occurrence of these two common cat pregnancy symptoms must not be ignored, and you should always be concerned with better cat pregnancy health.
Your cat‘s nipples are the first to experience changes among all of her body parts. They will turn pinkish as a sign that the cat’s milk glands are healthily producing milk as a preparation for the coming of her “new baby on board.” This symptom typically occurs three weeks into the pregnancy.
During the same time, you will also notice your cat losing her appetite. (It may seem normal as some cats are finicky eaters) This situation becomes more noticeable with pregnant cats as they become more and more picky with food. Some of them even feel sick after eating, which you may consider as morning sickness if compared to human pregnancy.
There are cases of false pregnancy in cats and is mainly caused by a hormonal imbalance. In this situation, the non-pregnant will share the same symptoms, but this may only happen for a month or two after heat.
It is also essential to become more aware of pregnancy symptoms in cats as you can only fully notice her gestation at around five to six weeks of pregnancy which gives you a limited time to get ready. So, be more vigilant of the early signs of cat pregnancy in all of its aspects.
Stages of cat pregnancy
After finding out about your cat’s pregnancy, you can now get ready to care for her and ensure that she will have a smooth delivery and healthy kittens. A cat pregnancy calendar will enable you to keep track of her pregnancy and facilitate better health care. Check it out below. Use a due date calculator if it helps.
This is the beginning of your cat‘s pregnancy where mating and fertilization occurs. If she is fertile and in contact with a male cat, then she is very likely to conceive. During this period, the sperm fertilizes the egg and makes its way to the uterus to conceive.
In week two, the fertilized egg that traveled to the uterus will start to implant itself and develop into kittens.
This is the third and fourth week of pregnancy where you can start to notice the body changes in your cat. In week three, her nipples will start to look dark and pinkish because of the milk glands producing milk. Around week three and four, she will experience “morning sickness.”
She will also display a lost appetite compared to normal. These are all usual symptoms but if you feel like she is vomiting or getting sick too much, consult your vet. (You can also fully confirm the pregnancy if you see the vet)
Be careful when you pick up your cat during week four as it may hurt her kittens!
At this point, your vet will be able to find how many kittens your cat is having by cupping the stomach wall.
At week six, you will notice your cat eating a lot! She needs it as she is preparing to nurse her new kittens. Feed her nutritious food to ensure that her new kittens will be healthy. Occasionally, you will also see her kittens moving inside her tummy!
Her pregnancy will be more noticeable with her big and rounded belly.
This is the eighth week of her pregnancy where you can easily feel the kittens in her tummy without difficulty and her large nipples are more evident with milk coming out of them. She may also lose her appetite as her belly feels full because of her kittens’ size. At this point, the future queen is focused​ on preparing for her delivery by grooming herself and searching for a place where she can give birth. You will also notice her losing fur, especially on her belly, but you shouldn’t worry as it will grow back soon.
She is getting close to giving birth, and her kittens are growing inside. There will also be liquid discharge from her vulva and it might have a reddish color. She is expected to start with her labor anytime.
This is the very last week of her gestation. You will soon be a “grandparent.” Consult your vet as quickly as possible if there isn’t any sign of the kitten movement.
Final thoughts
A typical cat pregnancy has a gestation period of around 64 days but the time frame may be different for certain cat breeds. There are also symptoms you can watch out for to confirm the status of the pregnancy.
Pseudopregnancy in cats also occurs, and there are similar symptoms to a real cat pregnancy. (It can be tricky to confirm as you won’t know it right away) As a pet owner, it is important to note that your cat‘s health is the most important consideration, especially during pregnancy.
Keeping track of your cat‘s stages of pregnancy will also help ensure the health and welfare of your pet. With the cat pregnancy calendar, you will be more ready and knowledgeable on how to handle your pregnant cat!
If you’d like to check out other cat health articles, maybe you’d like to read our post on eye problems in cats.Â
