If your cat was recently in heat and had access to a whole male cat, the probability that she is pregnant is really strong. A pregnant queen will show both physical and character changes which will become more apparent around 3 weeks after breeding. The gestation period for felines runs between 60 to 67 days. You might decide that using 63 days as a typical gestation period is unforgettable and much easier to relate with human gestation (nine weeks vs nine months).
Physical Changes
- Heat Cycles Cease. This will be the first sign you may notice. If a feline has been suffering heat cycles every 10 days to two weeks, and suddenly stops, it is very likely she is pregnant.
- Nipples Swell and Become Rosier in Color. Breeders call this “pinking,” and it may be the first physical sign you will see in a pregnant cat.
- Cat’s Appetite Increases. A pregnant feline will reveal an increased interest in food. After all, a pregnant cat is not only eating for herself, but for numerous fetuses.
- Possible Vomiting. Pregnant queens might go through a couple of bouts of “morning sickness,” much as human mothers-to-be. This in itself is not necessarily cause for alarm, but if the vomiting continues or is frequent, veterinarian intervention is required.
- Abdominal Enlargement. Sometime around the 5th week of pregnancy, a pregnant cat’s abdomen will start to swell visibly, and it will continue to enlarge up until time for birth.
Personality Changes in a Pregnant Cat
- Increased Affection. Your cat may become more caring than normal and regularly seek out your attention. By all methods, provide it to her!
- “Nesting” Activities by a Pregnant Cat. Nesting activities are not an early sign of pregnancy, but as the time for parturition and birth approaches, your pregnant feline might seek out peaceful, private locations for the birth to occur.
Medical Diagnosis
If your queen has actually had regular veterinary care and the previous signs of pregnancy appear, it may not be necessary to have an “official” medical diagnosis by a veterinarian. Unless you have need to fear something is wrong, you can skip the veterinarian’s office. However, if your intent is to purify her, it is extremely advised that you make an appointment so that your veterinarian knows exactly what to anticipate.
- Palpation of the Cat’s Abdomen. Your veterinarian may have the ability to feel your pregnant feline’s fetuses by palpating and gently continuing her abdomen. This normally happens around the 17th to 20th day of pregnancy.
- Ultrasound of Your Cat’s Abdomen. An ultrasound might discover fetuses as early as the 2nd week of pregnancy, and heartbeats might be found at some point after the 3rd week.
If your local or rescued feline is undoubtedly verified pregnant, some serious decision-making time is at hand. For assist with this decision, consider your kittycat choices prior to birthing time.
How long is a cat’s pregnancy?
63 – 67 days
How do you know how long your cat has been pregnant?
Cat pregnancy normally lasts in between 63 to 67 days, however it can be hard to know exactly the length of time a feline is pregnant for. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days. Your feline (queen) typically won’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy up until she is a few weeks into her term.
