Many cat owners find themselves wondering, after their cat has been in heat or has gotten out: is my cat pregnant? It’s a fair question, since there’s no home pregnancy test for cats! Spotting a pregnancy early helps you adjust your cat’s care and diet in time and prepare for the birth.
Cats mature early. A female cat can become pregnant during her very first heat, which can happen as early as four months of age. Such an early pregnancy can be hard on a young cat’s health. If you’re not planning to breed, the best option is to have your cat spayed before her first heat, usually at around four to six months of age, and to keep her indoors and away from unneutered males until then. Responsible breeders usually wait until a queen is fully mature, often at least a year old, before mating her.
Signs That Your Cat Is Pregnant
What signs can help you tell whether your cat is pregnant, before you see the vet?
- She becomes more affectionate and cuddly.
- A short spell of “morning sickness.”
- Less activity and more sleep.
- Her nipples change color and size.
- Her belly gets rounder.
- Her appetite increases, and her food preferences may change.
- She stops going into heat.
- She becomes more careful and starts nesting.
Let’s look at each of these signs in more detail.
A More Affectionate Cat
Pregnancy hormones can change a cat’s behavior dramatically. Many pregnant cats become much more affectionate, constantly wanting to sit on your lap and be petted. Some even become friendlier toward other pets they didn’t like before. If this behavior is unusual for your cat, she may well be about to become a mother. (Some cats, though, become more withdrawn and prefer to be left alone.)
Morning Sickness
Cats can have a mild form of morning sickness in early pregnancy. Your cat may seem a little nauseous, lose interest in her food for a few days or vomit occasionally. This usually happens around the third or fourth week of pregnancy and passes within a few days. However, frequent vomiting, refusing food for more than a day or two, or seeming lethargic and unwell isn’t normal: take her to the vet.
Sleepiness and Lower Activity
A normally active cat that has recently been in heat and had access to a male, and is now sleeping much more and playing less, may be pregnant. She may rest at unusual times and lose interest in her favorite games. These changes are a good reason to take her to the vet to confirm the pregnancy.
“Pinking Up”: Changes in the Nipples
This is one of the most reliable early signs, although it isn’t always obvious and usually appears around the third week of pregnancy. As her body prepares to nurse kittens, your cat’s nipples become swollen and turn a bright pink or coral color. Normally, the nipples are small and pale and blend in with the skin of the belly. The change is most noticeable in cats having their first litter. To judge it accurately, you need to know what your cat’s nipples looked like before.
A Rounder Belly
A pregnant cat’s belly usually starts to grow noticeably around the fifth week of pregnancy. Around this time, a vet can often feel the developing kittens. But never try to feel for kittens yourself: pressing on the belly can harm the kittens and the mother.
A Bigger Appetite
Pay attention to your cat’s appetite too. It may drop slightly at first, but by the third or fourth week, your cat will start eating more to fuel the growing kittens and to prepare for nursing. By late pregnancy, she may eat up to 1.5 times her usual amount. Her food preferences may change as well. Most vets recommend gradually switching a pregnant cat to a complete kitten food in the second half of pregnancy.
A More Careful Cat and Nesting
In the last weeks of pregnancy, your cat may become calmer and more careful, avoiding sudden movements and jumps. About a week before giving birth, she may become restless and start looking for a quiet, hidden spot for her “nest,” often in the darkest and most out-of-the-way corners of the house. Don’t disturb her search, but do offer her a prepared nesting box in a quiet, warm place, so she’s more likely to give birth somewhere safe.
See Your Vet
All these signs can hint that kittens are on the way, but only a vet can confirm a pregnancy. Take your cat to the vet when you first notice the signs. The vet can examine her, confirm the pregnancy with an ultrasound (usually from about three weeks after mating), estimate the due date and, later, count the kittens with an X-ray. They’ll also advise you on diet and on which medications and parasite treatments are safe during pregnancy. Don’t give your cat vitamins or supplements unless your vet recommends them.
It’s especially important not to delay the visit if your cat behaves as though she’s pregnant but her belly isn’t growing. False pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) is less common in cats than in dogs, but it can happen, and some of its signs can also be caused by health problems that need treatment.
