Referred to as “pinking up” by veterinarians, this is a normal symptom of pregnancy. Once your cat begins active labor, try to leave her undisturbed. This article helped me a lot because I wasn't sure what to, "Our sweet pea seems to be in heat from Sept - April, and we try to keep her in the house, but she got out. How to Recognize the Signs That a Cat Is Pregnant. Pregnancy in cats, last for around 60-65 days which is approximately nine weeks. References Helped me in many ways. Franny is an award-winning freelance writer who has been writing about cats since 1997. As a cat’s breasts and nipples begin enlarging in anticipation of the arrival of kittens, … unlocking this expert answer. This is sometimes called "pinking up." We love our baby very much. How to Tell If a Cat Is Pregnant It can be very difficult to see the signs that a cat is pregnant. Can red nipples be a symptom of a cat being in heat? In fact, many pet owners don't even realize their cat was pregnant until they wake up one morning to the sound of kittens mewling. Current Advances In Gestation And Parturition In Cats And Dogs. Change in nipple color: At approximately 3 weeks into your cat’s pregnancy, your cat’s nipples will darken in color and become enlarged in appearance. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. If … This helped us narrow the date down. Even kittens as young as four months old can become pregnant. Do kittens kick in their mother's stomach? You'll also be able to tell by her size and weight, since pregnancy tends to cause a noticeable gain in weight. Thank you. Thanks again. Thank you. How Many Litters Can a Cat Birth in One Year? ", "Thanks for all the info. I've always had my cats spayed, "We have a kitten and have always gotten our pets spayed or neutered, however, this kitten came into heat earlier, "What helped the most was how to recognize, a pregnant cat. Look for a characteristic ‘burro’ shape. What a shocker! However, it's a good idea for your vet to examine your cat and make sure she is in good condition. This article has been very helpful in multiple areas. Also this is the first pregnancy my cat is going through. If a cat is showing these signs before the 61st day of pregnancy, it is likely that the cat is going into premature labor: This information was very helpful. I'll definitely have this cat spayed as soon as possible. A female cat can get pregnant is she is in heat, otherwise known as the oestrus cycle. I think she is going to have a litter! If you notice that you are having a hard time locating your cat, it's probably because she's on her search for the perfect spot. Week 2 (8 – 14 days) Kittens – Implantation occurs 12-13 days after ovulation. Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian with over 25 years of experience in the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Increased appetite, especially as the pregnancy progresses. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. It is most likely that she will find a quiet and sheltered place for her birthing. We just bought a very large cat from a pet shelter. Look for a characteristic ‘burro’ shape. This article tells me she is in, "I'm unsure when or by whom our female barn cat became pregnant, but at least now I have some idea of what to look. Here a few signs your cat is pregnant that you should watch out for: 1. In addition, she will begin to show signs of sudden excitement. Keep, "Thank you for the proper spay or neuter age for a cat. She may not look pregnant at first, but if your cat is becoming a little chunky that is one of the surefire signs of pregnancy. If a cat is about to give birth, should the area be dark or well-lit? How to tell if a cat is pregnant isn't always easy and the earliest signs can be mistaken for other conditions. When Does a Cat Go Into Heat After Birth? These signs indicates kittens are on the way: Lamm, Catherine G., and Chelsea L. Makloski. ", her 3rd trimester of pregnancy: mammary glands, naps on her side and stays near water sources. Mother – Palpitation of the uterus is possible as early as an experienced veterinarian may feel day 15, round 1cm swellings within the uterus. Veterinary Clinics Of North America: Small Animal Practice, vol 42, no. Cat pregnancy signs can be difficult to spot since felines can be such secretive creatures. Around 35 days a pregnant cat’s nipples will often turn bright pink and may express milky fluid. She Has a Ravenous Appetite Good job. 1195-1227. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Female domestic cats become sexually active as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, typically between spring and fall. Also good as guidance to know what to ask the vet. They become a great deal quieter, less interested in other cats-especially male ones. Week 3 … Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. After being in heat, a cat will enter into a “quiet phase” lasting about 8-10 days, during which her behavior will calm down. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. Cats enter their "heat" once a month, or on a cycle of about once every three weeks. This typically begins around the third week of pregnancy. My cats are acting a little off, and I now know that pregnancy is possible. Signs of Eclampsia in Pregnant Cats Behavioral Symptoms: Restlessness, pacing, panting, and irritability. Similar to morning sickness in humans, your pregnant queen may go through a stage of vomiting. Read our, The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. "I recently inherited a female cat that has started eating and staying indoors more. Your, "We have a little extra cat that came to our house. It is also important to know that there are 5 stages within a cat’s pregnancy, these include; early stage of cat pregnancy, middle stage of cat pregnancy, pre-labor and labor/delivery. 1b) Abdominal distension seen during feline pregnancy (a "fat" tummy or swollen belly). I want to be a responsible pet owner. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. 1c) Weight gain or weight distribution changes seen during cat pregnancy. This was a big help for me, because I've, "My cat has been acting a little funny lately, and what this article has helped to inform me is that my cat might be. How can I be sure? ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/EG18_Pregnant_cats,_birth_and_care_of_young_kittens.pdf, http://pets.webmd.com/cats/heat-estrus-cycle-cats?page=2, http://pets.webmd.com/cats/heat-estrus-cycle-cats, http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/cat-in-heat.html, http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1738, http://www.cat-world.com.au/pregnancy-in-cats, http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/lhuston/2012/july/caring_for_pregnant_cat-26529, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Swollen vagina. Many female cats assume this burro shape later in pregnancy. These x-rays will not hurt the queen or the kittens. A cat’s pregnancy length usually lasts between 58 and 67 days. You can tell a cat is pregnant once her nipples become darker and enlarged. 445-456. Thanks. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Tell-if-a-Cat-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Cat-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Tell-if-a-Cat-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-7.jpg\/aid27629-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Cat-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"