Below are the five pregnancy stages of a cat that you must watch out as you prepare to welcome new healthy kitties. She may begin to shed the fur on her belly, which is a natural process that sometimes accompanies pregnancy and is not cause for concern. Prepare a nesting place. By the second week, the male cat’s sperm will find the female cat’s eggs, fertilise them and make the journey to the uterus where pregnancy will develop. © Copyright - Pets4Homes.co.uk (2005 - 2020) - Pet Media Ltd, Five Questions and Answers Concerning Cat Breeding and Neutering, How to Keep Your Pregnant Cat Safe and Healthy, Five Questions and Answers Concerning Cats and the Family. Stage 1 – Implantation and Fertilisation (Week 1 – 2). Around delivery, her nipples will grow larger and pinker, while beginning a milky discharge. Prepare a labor emergency kit with the following essentials: Stock iodine – help swab kittens’ belly buttons and prevent infection, Heating pad to keep them warm – use this only when necessary especially in a super cold weather, Little suction bulbs – help clean mucus from kittens mouths and noses, Non-waxed dental floss – help tie off the cord if your cat does not do it on her own, Notebook and a pen – write time of birth and the birthing process. Here are more visible signs at this stage: Stage 5 – Labor and Delivery (Week 9 – 10). You may begin to notice that your female cat’s nipples have become darker and possibly more swollen in a process known as ‘pinking.’. Cats can even deliver a litter of kittens sired by two different male cats if they have come into contact with more than one entire male cat at around the time that they conceive! If your cat has not gone into labor after 10 weeks, contact your vet to have her checked. Nipple enlargement with a few drops of milk secretions, Prepare for the start of labor at any time. Allow your cat as much food as she will eat, and ensure that she is fed a good quality and complete food. This is the best time to take your pregnant cat to a veterinarian to perform an ultrasound scan. Her fur will grow back in good time after she has delivered! Read more about cat pregnancy and birth Understanding the signs and stages of pregnancy and advice on caring for your pregnant queen 3 FAQs about feeding a pregnant or lactating queen Understanding De-worming Regimes for Pregnant Queens and Newborn Kittens … 5. Your cat may lack appetite due to nausea; catsmay experience morning sickness and will lose a bit of weight. Caring for Newborn Kittens If your cat was recently in heat and had access to an intact (unneutered) male cat, there's a chance that she is pregnant. Vets can also perform an ultrasound scan which mimics what a … Increase your cat’s food ration but don’t overfeed. It will help answer your questions so you can effectively support your cat throughout her pregnancy. At this stage, the cat shows no physical signs or symptoms of pregnancy. If a cat's yearly age is determined by multiplying seven (a rough estimate, to be sure), then a cat pregnancy is really 14 months long. Cat Pregnancy - A Week by Week Pregnancy Calendar, 10 tips to help make your christmas tree cat proof, GCCF Registered Maine Coon Kittens For Sale. Should pregnant women with cats be wary of toxoplasmosis? This behavior is known as “quickening”, and it is a critical stage of a cat’s pregnancy in which the fetus begins to move. Her abdomen is very round and distended. Your email address will not be published. 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. But let’s say you do a cat business and t those breed kittens are in real demand or you have adopted a stray pregnant cat so you have to understand the pregnancy stages to ensure a healthy and normal birth. By week nine, your cat will gain up to 25% weight and there will be more pressure on her stomach as the kittens continue to grow. That is the scenario when you … In the end, you can welcome a bundle of kittens. Here we talk you through the main stages. Birth, also called kittening or parturition, is divided into three stages, and the second and third stages are repeated for each kitten. Cat pregnancy and stages of cat pregnancy are rather fascinating, unique and above all, short. The early stage of pregnancy is considered the first 4 weeks afterfertilization. Week six is the stage at which you’ll start to notice a large increase in your cat’s appetite as she begins building up the food stores she will need to nurse the new kittens. Cat pregnancy is a nerve-wracking experience for cat owners and you’re likely to have questions especially if you’ve never looked after a pregnant cat. Here is an at a glance guide to your cat’s pregnancy from conception to birth, week by week. During this time, the female cat undergoes a series of significant physical and behavioural changes. If your cat’s pregnancy makes it as far as ten weeks without delivery, you may simply find yourself playing a waiting game! Do you like this article? It’s important to note that the average length of pregnancy in cats is 65 days (or 9 weeks). If you need to take her anywhere, use a small cat carrier. One of the most obvious signs in week 7 of pregnancy is a change in the cat’s behavior wherein the cat may display some signs of excitement. If you know how to spot these changes, it can help you determine if your cat is indeed pregnant. Week eight is when your cat may start looking for a nesting place to have her kittens. Often, owners will notice that their cat is more vocal and tends to roam more, taking more time to come back home. You may be able to see and feel the kittens moving within the stomach at this point too! Your cat will then show the following signs and symptoms: Week five shows an almost complete organ development. Refer to this timeline if your cat is pregnant and expecting kittens. Contact your vet if you are unsure if labour has started, and keep a close eye on your cat in her final weeks and days of labour to make sure you know when and where she will give birth to her kittens. Most obvious sign of an imminent cat labor is often marked by a milky discharge from your cat’s nipples. Fill out a cardboard box or laundry basket with blankets and tuck it away to a safe, quiet area of your home. Fertilization. It is perfectly normal for a mother to eat some or all of the placenta, just make sure you’ve made the count. Like pregnant women, pregnant cats can experience morning sickness. Help us by answering a short survey. But make sure to be on standby in case she is in distress and requires assistance. Very vocal, producing a lot of “meows” and other disturbance, Grooming herself a lot, especially licking her vulva, Temperature often drop 12 hours before delivery. Thinning/receding hair around the nipple. During the first stages of labour, the mum (queen) will become very restless, pace as if she is looking for something, and become very vocal. By week three, the kittens’ bodies slowly develop. At week eight, you will be able to feel the kittens in the stomach without any difficulty. When a kitten remains in the birth canal without being pushed out for more than a minute or two. There are over 600 million cats around the world and having a cat is wonderful. Increase in appetite as your cat is building up food stores she will need to nurse the kittens. Fertilisation If you are anticipating breeding, you should consider the age of your cat. Usually a cat pauses 10 minutes to an hour in between kittens. Your cat will also begin nesting or looking for a suitable place to give birth around now, which may or may not be the spot you would prefer her to use! Cat Pregnancy Stages: Physical Changes. Some cats have been pronounced pregnant when they have in fact only been constipated. When two hours go by without the next kitten. It is important to establish if there is in fact going to be call for the type of kittens that you will produce, in order to be a responsible owner and avoid adding yet another litter of unwanted kittens to the ever-growing cat population simply to give yourself the experience of witnessing the miracle of birth. Increase in sleep – a pregnant cat tends to sleep more and you’ll often find them sleeping in places … During this early stage, your vet can discuss with you the option to terminate the pregnancy and spay your cat, especially if it’s an unexpected pregnancy. Have something to say? If there is still no sign of the kittens by the end of the tenth week, however, you should consult your vet for advice and to check that nothing is wrong. Some cat breeds, particularly oriental cats such as the Siamese, generally make it a few days into their tenth week of pregnancy before delivering. But it can vary from 61 to as long as 75 days when you know exactly when your cat was in heat. Around five days after copulation, the morulae enter the uterine … You should be prepared for the onset of labour at any time now! She is laying on her back and her swollen belly expands outwards around her. Going into Heat. If, on the other hand, a pregnant one-year-old cat is considered to be 15 years old in human years (another unproven estimate), the comparative length of pregnancy … In the second week, you may notice that your cat has pink nipples that are swollen and sensitive to touch. At week five, an experienced breeder or vet will be able to feel the kittens through the stomach wall, and may even be able to give you an idea of how many there are! Cat pregnancy timeline Week 1 (0 – 7 days) Kittens – 20-24 hours after mating, the zygote, consisting of two cells forms. Pregnant cats can become anxious and nervous during the final stage of cat pregnancy. During the first week after mating, the male cat’s sperm will find the female cat’s eggs, fertilise them and make the journey to the uterus, where the rest of the pregnancy will develop. If your cat appears anxious, this indicates imminent labor. A cat’s pregnancy length usually lasts between 58 and 67 days. There are several signs that will help tell if your cat is pregnant without going to the vet. 4 – 6 days after mating, the ball (morulae) consists of approximately 30 cells. Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. When the mating is planned, you have the luxury of getting your … By week seven, your cat’s pregnancy will be quite pronounced and she will have a very rounded appearance! Provide extra nutrition, iron and minerals. Around a week before your cat is ready to give birth, her milk will descend and you may even see milk on the tips of her nipples, as her body prepares for the birth and for feeding her coming kittens. Your email address will not be published. You will also need to ensure that you will be able to take care of your cat properly during the period of gestation and accommodate for her changing needs. Full term pregnancy in cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal. Find out everything you need to know about cat pregnancy and birth, including how long cats are pregnant for, how to tell if a cat is pregnant, nutrition, the stages of cat labor, post-partum care, kitten care, and issues to watch for. Weight gain (1-2kg depending on the number of kittens), Nipple color turning pink (‘pinking process’). And your cat will soon be a mum. How old should kittens be before they leave their mother? During the third to fourth week of pregnancy, your cat’s belly will begin to swell slightly. By week seven, your cat’s pregnancy will be quite pronounced and she will have a very rounded appearance! Some oriental breeds can be ready to bear kitties as early as 5 months. The cat breeding cycle is the same yet different to us humans. When your cat is having obvious contractions for more than 30 minutes without giving birth to a kitten. In this stage, you’ll notice your cat gaining weight at a steady, quick rate. This is the stage in which your cat is able to become pregnant. Required fields are marked *. If your cat is fertile and has been in contact with a male tom cat, however, she is highly likely to have conceived. An unspayed cat's fertility stage occurs every two to three weeks during spring and summer, as the sunlight triggers the release of hormones that activate ovulation. There is fresh blood loss from her vulva for more than ten minutes. Cat Pregnancy Stages Is your cat pregnant? Pregnant Cat Care: What to Expect. Stage 2 – Kittens’ Organ Development (Week 3 – 4). 7. If that keeps happening, take them to the vet. At the very beginning of your cat’s pregnancy, mating and fertilisation occur, although you will not be able to tell definitively that your cat is pregnant for a couple of weeks. In the scan you will see the eyes, limbs and tails are starting to form. Cat breeders generally want to know information about the fetal stages of cat pregnancy so that they can troubleshoot problems associated with infertility, fetal loss (death of kittens in utero), congenital malformations and abortion in their breeding queens. You should not pick your cat up after week four of her pregnancy, in order to avoid inadvertently hurting her kittens. Cat Pregnancy Timeline (With Pictures): Stages, Signs, and Care During Labor, Transition Your Kitten from Wet to Dry Food [Infographic]. Your catwill regain her appetite after the third week of pregnancy, when shewill start gaining weight. Feed her frequent small meals six weeks into your cat’s pregnancy. Her appetite may drop off somewhat at this point, as the growing kittens press on the stomach and shrink its capacity. Time between delivery of kittens is usually 10 to 60 minutes and stages two and three are repeated. Your cat can get pregnant when she’s as young as 4 months of age unless she’s spayed to prevent that. Search for food with the highest quality ingredients for growth and reproduction. Your cat’s nipples will be large and prominent by this stage, and your cat will spend a lot of time grooming herself. The typical gestation period for cats is about 9 weeks, and a pregnant cat will begin to display telling physical and behavioral changes soon after becoming pregnant. Since cats don’t often show any pregnancy symptoms until a few weeks into their term, make sure to take her to the vet for confirmation once you think she’s pregnant. Cat pregnancy signs pictures 3 and 4: These are pictures of a heavily pregnant cat in the later stages of cat pregnancy (she has since gone on to have her litter). A kitten lodged in the birth canal for more than two minutes is in distress. 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. It’s almost time! The best way to know for certain, though, is of course to take your cat to the vet. In the third week of pregnancy, you may feel so… At this point, you should be able to see the kittens moving around beneath the surface and pregnant cats do a lot of grooming in this stage. Looking for free pet advice for your Cat? Most cats need little to no human intervention. Do not overfeed. Monitor her condition with help from your veterinarian. The Middle Stage. Do not pick your cat up to avoid inadvertently hurting her kittens. The 5 best cat breeds for an indoor-only home, Ten things you need to know about the British shorthair cat breed before you buy one, Five important things to know before buying a Bengal cat. Stages of Pregnant cat. It’s rare, but in the earliest stages of pregnancy, your cat may have "morning sickness" that might show up as a lack of appetite or vomiting. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days. Even if you establish that you will easily be able to find owners for your future kittens, breeding from your cat is not something to rush into. But if you have no idea if your cat was in heat, there are a few indicators you can use to help determine if maybe she was in heat. Feed your cat high-quality food formulated for growth. Your cat is depressed, lethargic or has a fever (rectal temperature >39.4°C, >103°F). Week eight : Days 50-56. Prolonged gestation (more than 68 days from mating) A pregnant cat will go through the following stages when giving birth: Stage 1. Your cat will gradually gain between one and two kilograms, depending on the number of kittens. The growing kittens will continue to increase in size, while your cat may have a slight discharge from the vulva which may have a reddish tinge. After week seven, the ultrasound will show the kitten’s skeletons and some fur. This guide covers everything you need to know about cat pregnancy. The period of gestation (how long it takes from conception to birth) in cats is usually around 63 days long, although for some breeds such as the Siamese, this may be a few days longer. This is a strong indication that she is pregnant. When she’s close to delivering her babies, she may show the following: Some breeds don’t deliver until 10 weeks of gestation. The pregnant cat’s appetite will continue to increase all through week 6 of its pregnancy. Other owners are assured the cat shows no evidence of pregnancy, only for their cat to deliver a litter a few weeks later. At week eight, you will be able to feel the kittens in the stomach without any difficulty. At the start of week two, the fertilised eggs that have travelled to the uterus will implant themselves, and begin the process of developing into the growing kittens, During week three, the implanted embryos will begin to develop their organs, which causes a massive hormone surge within the pregnant cat. When it’s time for your cat to give birth, give her space and just observe from a safe distance. roughly 60 days. Just as is the case with human childbirth, cats do not give birth to a firmly fixed schedule, and so you should potentially be prepared for a few days’ difference between the guidelines and the reality of what will happen with your own cat! When answering the question “How long are cats pregnant?” let’s first discuss at what … This is perfectly normal, but if the vomiting is prolonged or particularly severe, you should consult your vet. There should be a placenta for each kitten. If you own a good quality, healthy pedigree cat and are considering breeding from her, you will need to spend a lot of time researching the process before you get started. Your vet should be able to confirm pregnancy by means of an ultrasound scan from around 18 days after conception. Pregnant cats go through many changes within a shorter amount of time than a pregnant woman’s nine-month gestation period. Fun Fact About Expectant Cat Mothers: Cats usually have 4 pairs of mammary glands. It is important to keep track of the time in between each birth and make sure you know how many kittens to expect. The 4th stage is where your cat begins labor, roughly about a week before she is due. She'll be going through a lot of changes, and in a shorter amount of time than a person's nine month gestation period. Give her reassurance as she establishes herself in her nesting box. In the 3rd stage of pregnancy, the kittens begin growing quickly and your cat will continue to gain weight and develop a belly. Before a pregnant cat delivers, there will be changes to her nipple area in the days and weeks leading up to the arrival of her kittens. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your cat’s nipples will be large and prominent by this stage, and your cat will spend a lot of time grooming herself. A pregnant queen will display both physical and personality changes that will become more evident around three weeks after breeding. Nesting behavior – towards the end of the pregnancy, you might notice that your cat is going in secluded places that they normally wouldn’t have been in such as a dark closet, or a laundry basket. Excessive weight gain can cause problems for your cat and her kittens. The … As a cat owner, you will probably be head over hills for the arrival and preparing everything for it. Around week three or four, your cat may begin to suffer from morning sickness, which may make her less interested in food than normal and can also cause vomiting; not necessarily just in the morning! The cervix relaxes (dilates) and uterine contractions begin. Tell us what features and improvements you would like to see on Pets4Homes. Jan 14, 2019 - Explore Michelle's board "Pregnant cat" on Pinterest. Cat pregnancy can be broken down into five basic stages, from going into heat to labor. This, as we mentioned before, will depend on the age, breed, size and health status of your cat. At the end of week four, your vet should be able to feel the abdomen and definitively confirm the pregnancy manually, if you have not already had an ultrasound scan performed. As well as deciding on a suitable sire for your prospective new kittens, you will need to spend a significant amount of time establishing if breeding from your cat is a good idea in terms of your cat’s age, health and future lifestyle. The period of gestation (or pregnancy) in cats is relatively short and lasts only 8 to 9 weeks, i.e. 1. They are the … When vomiting is prolonged or particularly severe, consult your veterinarian. Your cat (queen) often won’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is a few weeks into her term. Here’s a cat pregnancy timeline with pictures, which you can refer to anticipate the stages of your cat’s pregnancy and how you can help. As the kittens continue to grow, you might see visible movement inside your cat’s tummy by week six. [Cats have a special condition called heat, or estrus, which is a period of approximately four to ten days during which they seek a male to mate with.]. When you suspect a placenta did not emerge or has been retained which can cause infection. Then leave your comments. The early stage of feline pregnancy will be signaled bya few subtle symptoms. But if you’re not prepared for an unexpected litter of kittens or be able to care for them, we recommend getting your cat spayed. The birth is usually complete within six hours after the start of the second stage, but can last up to 12 hours. Your cat can be ready to be a mom after being 6 months old. Also her temperature usually drops to below 38.9 degrees C just before delivery. If your cat appears anxious, seeks reassurance a lot or establishes herself in her nesting box or bed, this indicates that labour is probably imminent! 5 stages of cat pregnancy It is suggested to get the neutering done to form a vet and to make sure that you do not get more unwanted cats. See more ideas about Pregnant cat, Cat care, Cats. Pregnant Cats Begin Labor. 1 When your cat is in estrus, she is ready to mate and her eggs will accept fertilization for approximately seven days.
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