Pictures of A Cat's Pregnancy Timeline [Week by Week] (2024)

For uncomplicated cat pregnancies, most of the care and monitoring happens at home, not in the veterinary hospital. That makes it important that you recognize what’s normal and what’s not. We have prepared this week-by-week guide to help you spot when things are going well or if your cat needs a vet’s help.

The average duration of a cat’s pregnancy is about 9 weeks

This is just over 2 months; approximately 63 to 65 days. Just as with humans, the length of pregnancy can vary between individuals. In cats, it can be as short as 58 days, or as long as 72 days. Factors such as the individual cat’s breed, general health, and environmental factors can influence the length of the pregnancy.

If you happen to know the date of breeding, you’ll be able to determine the approximate birth date. However, if you don’t know the breeding date, speak to your vet and read on to help determine your cat’s stage of pregnancy.

What pregnancy looks like, week-by-week, with pictures

As your cat’s pregnancy progresses, you’ll notice some subtle or distinct changes occurring week by week.

Week 1-2

Most cats won’t start ‘showing’ until they are at least halfway through pregnancy. So, unless you get a veterinary confirmation, you’ll have to rely on other signs to know if your cat is pregnant. Some of those early signs that may indicate a pregnancy in the first few weeks include:

• No more heat cycles
• Behavior changes, mainly becoming or affectionate and sleeping more
• Some vomiting or mild nausea
• Decrease in appetite

However, more often than not, your cat will continue life as normal.

Week 3

You may see mild physical alterations like slight weight gain and enlarged nipples. Some breeders call the nipple changes ‘pinking up’. As cats also lose fur over their nipples, they become quite prominent and visible. This change ensures that the teats will be easy for kittens to find, once they are born.

Many cats also experience morning sickness, due to their hormonal changes. You may notice your kitty is less interested in food, drools from time to time and can even vomit. Despite this, your cat should still be relatively well; able to keep most meals down and happy to be social and to play at times.

Week 4

Your cat’s abdomen might start to become enlarged, modestly, and you may start to notice an increased appetite. Some will gain a little weight, and it is useful to start weighing them weekly, to monitor their weight gain.

For those cats who developed sickness in week 3, mild nausea continues. It can be helpful to offer small and bland meals, to help prevent vomiting.

Week 5-6

Abdomen enlargement is more noticeable, and you may actually feel the growing fetuses when gently feeling her belly (don’t squeeze!) If you wanted to, you could have your vet perform an abdominal scan, in order to check roughly how many kittens to expect.

In order to provide the growing foetuses with the energy they need, your cat’s appetite should pick up dramatically. At this point, you want to be feeding them a kitten food, as it is high in calories and contains extra calcium compared to adult cat food. You should offer meals regularly, encouraging your cat to eat as much as they want.

Week 7

Her appetite increases significantly as the developing kittens place greater nutritional demands on her body. It will be very obvious that she is pregnant as she will have a large abdomen, that may slow her down and make it harder to jump and run as before. You’ll likely notice she is resting more.

As labour approaches, she may become more emotional and needy. You might find that she begins nesting; looking for a safe spot to have her kittens. You can go ahead and introduce her nesting box, so she has plenty of time to get used to it.

Week 8

The pregnancy is evident both visually and through physical movement of fetuses. If you rest your hand on your cat’s abdomen, you’ll feel kicks and punches and wriggles. It is even possible to visually see movement, if you watch your cat’s belly while she is lying down and resting.

From about week 8, the mammary glands grow and the teats become even more prominent. Mum is getting ready to feed her kittens.

You’ll find instincts are really kicking in now and that the mother cat is nesting more than before. They can also spend more time grooming their nipples and back end.

Week 9

Prepare for birth! At this point cats begin to display increased nesting, decreased appetite, restlessness, increased affection or seeking solitude, vulvar swelling or discharge, and a drop in body temperature (once labour is beginning).

Their uterus is now very large and full, and this puts pressure on their other organs. There is limited space within their abdomen, and the chest is less able to expand. All of this can make for an uncomfortable cat who is less able to move about and who breathes a little more heavily.

Remember, each cat is unique, and these timelines may vary. Regular veterinary check-ups are vital to monitor the progression of your cat’s pregnancy and ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and her kittens.

If your cat experiences any vaginal bleeding in this end stage of pregnancy, contact your vet. This could be a sign that something has gone wrong.

Visual characteristics of pregnancy in cats

While the earliest signs of pregnancy may be incredibly subtle, as the weeks progress, you’ll notice distinct physical changes.

Enlarged nipples: the first visible sign of pregnancy in cats is often enlarged nipples that turn more pink than the surrounding skin. This happens at about three weeks gestation.

Enlarged abdomen: the nest visible signs is an enlarged abdomen. This usually becomes noticable around five weeks gestation and continues to grow until she gives birth.

Enlarged vulva: enlarged vulva and vulvar discharge (which tends to be clear or straw colored) may be present in the later stages of pregnancy.

Weight gain.Cats can gain up to 4 pounds during pregnancy.

Slower movements and more of a ‘waddle’. In their later stages, your cat won’t be the lithe panther they once were, and you’ll notice their walk is far less elegant.

There are some medical conditions that may mimic these signs, and these conditions can be serious. However, if you have a young female who has not been spayed and has recently mated, pregnancy is the most likely cause of her new signs.

Dos and Don’ts while your cat is pregnant

To ensure the health and well-being of your pregnant cat, here are some essential do’s and don’ts to consider:

Do #1: Provide a nutritious diet: Feed your cat a high-quality, balanced diet specifically formulated for pregnant or nursing cats. There are some diets specifically formulated for this life stage, otherwise a kitten food is recommended from about week 4-5. Consult your veterinarian for recommended dietary adjustments.

Do #2: Offer a comfortable and quiet nesting area: Create a cozy and secluded space where your cat can relax and give birth comfortably. Provide soft bedding materials like blankets for her to create a nest.

Do #3: Monitor her closely: Observe your cat regularly for any unusual behavior, changes in appetite, or signs of distress. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any concerning symptoms.

Do #4: Ensure regular veterinary check-ups: Regular visits to the veterinarian are crucial during pregnancy. Your vet can monitor the progress, provide necessary worming medicine, and offer guidance throughout the entire pregnancy journey.

Don’t #1: Don’t administer any medications without veterinary approval: Avoid giving any medications to your cat without consulting your veterinarian first. Some medications may be harmful to the developing kittens, even wormers.

Don’t #2: Don’t allow access to harmful substances: Keep your cat away from toxic plants, chemicals, and hazardous substances that could pose a risk to her and her unborn kittens.

Don’t #3: Don’t allow access to dangerous situations: If your cat is normally allowed to go outside, do your best to keep her indoors so she’s at reduced risk for injury or illness that could cause complications for her health or the health of her future litter.

Don’t #4: Don’t stress or handle her excessively: Minimize stress and unnecessary handling during the later stages of pregnancy. Allow your cat to rest and limit physical interactions to avoid potential complications. Make sure she has privacy, don’t allow strange visitors or animals to disturb her, and help children and adults in the household understand that they should leave the cat alone for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cat get pregnant while she is nursing?

Yes, it is possible for a cat to become pregnant while she is nursing. It’s important to take appropriate measures as having repeated litters so close together is not ideal for her health. The best prevention while a cat is nursing is to keep her isolated from any male cats that are not neutered. If not planning on another pregnant, she should be spayed once she has finished nursing.

How can I prepare for my cat’s delivery?

Provide a quiet and comfortable nesting area. A bedding area with soft blankets make a good nesting box and can be placed in a private room. Don’t isolate the cat here, just give her the option to go to it (but keep her indoors). It can be helpful to have some assistive supplies ready. This includes clean towels, a thermometer to check temperature if the cat tolerates it (and a plain lubricant), even cotton balls. Also, familiarize yourself with the signs of labor, and make sure you know where the nearest out of hours vet is, should your cat get into difficulty during the night.

How old does a cat have to be before she can get pregnant?

It is possible for cats to reach sexual maturity (and be impregnated) as early as 4 months of age. It’s crucial to have them spayed as early as your veterinarian will allow it, if they are not part of a quality breeding program.

A breeder should wait until their cat is mature (both physically and mentally), before breeding from them. This also ensures there is time for any medical or behavioural problems to be noticed, as we would not want to breed from cats with genetic issues.

How many litters can a cat have every year?

Worst case scenario, a cat can end up having three to four litters in a year. Responsible breeding programs typically limit them to one or two litters annually to ensure the health and well-being of the mother cat.

Is it safe or beneficial for my cat to have kittens?

A cat doesn’t have to have a litter of kittens before she is spayed. It doesn’t do anything to better her health or wellbeing. Deciding whether to let your cat have kittens should be done responsibly and in consultation with a veterinarian. Responsible breeding practices and ensuring suitable homes for the kittens are crucial for their well-being. It’s important to consider the inherent risks associated with allowing a cat to remain intact and the potential complications that can arise during pregnancy, such as dystocia (difficulty giving birth). Additionally, it’s worth noting that there are no formally documented benefits for the mother cat to become pregnant, especially repeatedly.

What is the best way to prevent pregnancy in a cat?

The best way to prevent pregnancy in a cat is to have her spayed. Spaying is a surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian that removes the reproductive organs, preventing pregnancy. Keeping your cat confined isn’t an effective option as cats in heat get very determined and will try (and often succeed!) to break out of confinement to find a male cat.

What health conditions can look like pregnancy in a cat?

Certain health conditions can cause signs that mimic the pregnancy signs outlined above. These can included hormonal imbalances, pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy), ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen related to heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, FIP, or cancer.) Whether you believe your cat is pregnant or not, if you notice enlargement of your cat’s abdomen, consult with a veterinarian is necessary to determine the underlying cause.