When planning for a pregnant cat, it's crucial to remember that your female cat and her litter will have specific needs you must be prepared to handle. To support your pregnant queen throughout her week by week cat pregnancy, labor, and birthing process, we've included everything you need to know. From understanding the heat cycle and recognizing the signs of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, to knowing how to tell if your cat is pregnant, we cover it all.

Learn about the different stages of labor, including how long labor usually lasts, and what to expect during the final hours of labor. Discover the importance of veterinary care and how an x ray can confirm your cat’s pregnancy status.

Whether your mother cat is a young month old queen or a more mature feline, our advice will help you get ready for her to give birth. Understand cat behavior changes, such as nesting, and prepare for the arrival of newborn kittens. We also cover essential topics like kitten food for your month old kittens and tips on dealing with an unneutered male in the home.

Female cats, or queens, can become pregnant as soon as they reach sexual maturity and start their heat cycles. This typically begins around 5–6 months of age, though some kittens as young as 3 or 4 months may start their heat cycle, depending on their birth season.

Heat cycles repeat every two weeks, so a pregnant queen can potentially have multiple litters in a single season. To give birth, a pregnant cat goes through various stages of labor, with the final hours being critical. Recognizing the day pregnancy starts and knowing how to tell if your cat is pregnant is essential for proper care.

Fertility usually decreases when a cat is around 8 years old, but the only sure way to prevent pregnancy is to have your cat spayed. For the best outcomes, seek advice from a cat vet, particularly as labor begins. Proper preparation will help ensure a smooth birthing process and healthy newborn kittens. Ensure you have kitten food ready and are aware of the signs of the last day of pregnancy to support your mother cat effectively.

The gestation period for a pregnant cat is approximately two months, averaging 63–65 days. This time can be divided into three "trimesters" of about 20 days each. While it can be challenging to differentiate between the first two trimesters at home, understanding the week by week development of a pregnant female cat is essential for proper care.

Detecting cat pregnancy in a pregnant cat can be quite challenging during the initial weeks of pregnancy. One of the first signs you might notice is “pinking up,” where a pregnant queen's nipples become pinker and more prominent, typically around 16–20 days into the pregnancy. During these early weeks, a mother cat may also become unusually friendly and docile.

As cat pregnancy advances into the later weeks, especially during the final 20 days, signs of pregnancy become more apparent. It's crucial to recognize these indications of a pregnant cat. Symptoms of cat pregnancy include:

Increased Appetite: Pregnant cats require additional nutrients to support the growth of their kittens. For guidance on meeting their nutritional needs, check out our Cat Feeding & Cat Nutrition resources.

What should a cat’s weight be? This can vary based on multiple factors. However, a pregnant cat generally gains weight quickly due to the developing kittens. While weight gain is expected during cat pregnancy, sudden or excessive weight gain could also signal other health issues. If your pregnant cat experiences a rapid increase in weight, consult a vet for a thorough examination.

If your cat’s heat cycle has abruptly stopped, it could be an indication of pregnancy. For those tracking their cat’s cycles, a missed heat period is often an early sign of a pregnant cat. Recognizing this change can be an important part of identifying cat pregnancy.

Swollen nipples in a cat can indicate either that she is in heat or pregnant. In the case of a pregnant cat, enlarged nipples may signal the onset of milk production as part of cat pregnancy.

As a pregnant cat’s pregnancy progresses, her abdomen will enlarge as the litter grows.

During cat pregnancy, a pregnant cat may display more maternal behaviors, including increased affection and reduced playfulness.

During cat pregnancy, a pregnant cat often sleeps more than usual due to hormonal changes and physical adjustments in her body. For more information, you can read the full blog How Long Do Cats Sleep?.

Pregnant cats may experience morning sickness, which can occur at any time of day. If your pregnant cat is vomiting along with other signs of cat pregnancy, you should take her to the vet as soon as possible. Vomiting and weight gain during cat pregnancy could also indicate underlying health issues.

Pregnant cats have specific health care needs that differ from those of non pregnant cats.

Pregnant cats require a high calorie diet to support the development of healthy kittens. To ensure they get the necessary nutrition, provide a commercial cat food specifically formulated for pregnancy and lactation or labeled for kittens (growth).

Transition mother cats to this high calorie diet by the end of the first month of pregnancy and continue feeding it until the kittens are weaned. Pregnant queens should have frequent meals throughout the day. As the kittens grow and take up more space in the abdomen, their food intake may decrease, so it's essential to offer smaller, more frequent meals.

Parasite prevention does not need to be discontinued in a pregnant cat, but it’s important to use products that are safe. Consult your veterinarian about which products are safe for your pregnant cat.

During the week before labor begins, you might be able to tell your cat is nearing the stage of labor. When labor begins, the first stage can last several hours, and monitoring your pregnant cat closely is essential.

Bring a fecal sample to your vet to check for worms. Some intestinal worms can be easily passed from a pregnant cat to her kittens during cat pregnancy and nursing, hindering the kittens' growth. Various dewormers are safe for use in cat pregnancy, and your vet can help select one that will effectively target any parasites found in the fecal sample.

Ideally, a pregnant cat should be vaccinated before pregnancy to prevent illnesses, birth defects, and the risk of pregnancy loss due to infectious diseases. Vaccinated queens can also pass on protection against these diseases to their kittens through nursing via antibodies.

If your pregnant cat wasn't vaccinated and you need to tell if she's in the later stages of cat pregnancy, it's recommended to wait until after she gives birth to vaccinate her. Live vaccines should never be given to a pregnant cat as there is significant risk to developing fetuses. However, killed vaccines, such as most rabies vaccines, can be given if your veterinarian feels it's appropriate.

During the week leading up to labor, you might notice signs that tell you the pregnant cat is approaching the stage of labor. When labor begins, the first stage can last several hours, and you should monitor her closely. If you wonder why we call a pregnant cat a queen, read What is a Female Cat Called?.

Cats are very adept at hiding when they are unwell, so it is crucial to monitor your pregnant queen for any subtle signs of illness. Keep a close eye on her behavior and physical condition. If your cat isn’t eating, has diarrhea, or is vomiting, these can be indicators of a health issue, and she should be taken to the vet promptly. Early intervention can prevent complications and ensure both the mother and her kittens remain healthy.

Additionally, vaginal discharge, especially if it includes blood, is not normal at any stage of gestation. This could signify a serious problem, so if you observe any discharge, take your cat for an urgent veterinary visit immediately. Timely medical attention is essential to address potential issues and to safeguard the health of your pregnant cat and her unborn kittens.

Labor often begins with subtle behavior changes in a pregnant cat. Most queens will stop eating the day before labor begins. You might notice her scratching at her chosen nesting spot and appearing slightly agitated. Monitoring her rectal temperature can help tell you when labor is imminent; a drop below 100°F typically indicates that labor will start within the next day. During the initial stage of labor, contractions begin but may not be visibly noticeable.

In the second stage of labor, your cat will exhibit active signs of straining as the kitten moves through the pelvis. This stage usually lasts between 5 to 30 minutes per kitten. Kittens are born enclosed in a sac of fetal membranes and typically emerge head first.

The third stage of labor is more passive, involving the delivery of the remaining fetal membranes and placenta for each kitten. These membranes often appear greenish black, and one placenta should be passed for each kitten. The second and third stages of labor can alternate for each kitten, though it's possible for a second kitten to be born before this stage is fully completed for the previous one. It is normal for queens to eat these membranes.

Throughout cat pregnancy and labor, it's important to closely monitor your cat. However, unless you see signs of a complicated birth, try not to interfere. Cats can pause labor between kittens, and these breaks can last from 24 to 36 hours. They are more likely to pause labor if they feel unsafe in their environment.

Most pregnant cats will deliver all their kittens within six hours of labor beginning, unless there is an interruption as previously described. A longer gap between kittens with no contractions is normal however, prolonged and intense contractions are not. If you notice that your cat is having visible contractions for more than 20 minutes without delivering a kitten, or if it takes over 10 minutes to pass a kitten that is visible in the birth canal, it’s important to call a veterinarian.

Monitoring your cat closely during each stage of labor will help you tell if there are any issues that need professional attention.

After your pregnant cat has given birth, she will need ample rest and time to bond with her kittens. It’s essential to keep the kittens and their mother together since newborns need to nurse frequently. To support both the mother and her kittens, your cat should be on a high-calorie, nutritious diet. This is important for her recovery and to provide the necessary nutrients during cat pregnancy. After giving birth, your cat will clean her kittens and nuzzle them. She may also become more protective and behave differently towards you initially.

During cat pregnancy and after birth, it’s crucial to give your cat space, as she might reject or harm her offspring due to stress or discomfort. If your cat rejects one of the kittens, consult a veterinarian for guidance on encouraging her to accept the kitten.

While it might be tempting to touch the kittens right away, it’s best to allow your cat to remain protective and keep her space. You can usually begin interacting with the kittens after a few weeks, once your cat feels comfortable and permits it.