5 Stages Of Cat Pregnancy 

Although most people often recommend cat neutering or spaying, there are chances that you may have to deal with cat pregnancy, due to deliberate breeding or an unexpected liaison at the shelter or clinic. So, how long do cats stay pregnant and what should you do to ensure safe delivery of kittens? Well, here are the 5 stages of cat pregnancy to guide you on what to do:

1. Fertilization

Before we first discuss how long cats are pregnant before they conceive, let’s first have a look at what age they reach peak sexual maturity and go into heat. Generally, cats usually go into heat once they are six months old. 

Recent findings show that a cat is pregnant for around 58 to 70 days before it gives birth. But this is only a rough estimate.

2. What happens during the early stages

Do cats experience morning sickness when pregnant? Yes, cats experience morning sickness when they are pregnant. During the initial two to three weeks of pregnancy, the cat will eat less due to nausea. After the third week, the cat will start gaining weight and by this time, you will start to feel some lumps in the stomach of the developing kittens.

3. The middle stage of pregnancy

Your cat will start gaining weight rapidly. As the kittens get bigger in her stomach, your cat will look as if the belly has a football inside. If you are eager to know the number of kittens the cat is carrying, you can request a vet to perform an X-ray.

4. Pre-labor

Most people are often unable to tell when a cat is just about to give birth. Pre-labor is usually about six days before the cat gives birth. You will notice that her nipples become more pronounced and you might spot milk drops in the litter. 

At this point in time, she will start moving around restlessly looking for a safe and warm place to birth her kittens. The cat will become inactive and stop eating at the last one to two days before she is about to go into labor.

5. Labor

It is easy to tell when your furry friend is about to go into labor. Your cat will lick her genitals aggressively and might even make noises to show discomfort. If your cat is having its first litter, it will pace around anxiously. She will give birth after about an hour when the labor starts. 

Conclusion

After 12 weeks, the kittens should by properly weaned. It is advisable to take your cat to the vet to be spayed to ensure she doesn’t get pregnant in a short period of time.

References: Catster, Medic animal, Purina

Copyright: Local Value