The cat is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from the wild members of the family.
How Long Are Cats Pregnant For? The cat gestation period (cat pregnancy length) is about 63-65 days on average, or about two months.
Cats have an average of four to eight kittens per litter, although it's normal to encounter larger and smaller litters. For example, first-time cat moms often have just two or three kittens.
Most cats would prefer to be left alone, and they definitely don't want to be pet or touched while they are giving birth. It's best to give your pregnant cat as much privacy as possible while also leaving yourself the ability to monitor the birthing process for any signs of issues or distress.
Whilst it's safe to stroke your pregnant cat, make sure that you avoid her tummy. This area will be very sensitive, and any touching there could cause her discomfort or hurt her unborn kittens. If you do have to pick your cat up, make sure to “scoop” her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach.
Restlessness – Around 24-48 hours before the birth, your pregnant cat may appear restless or anxious, pacing around her nesting area. Vocalisation – She might begin to meow and cry out more than usual. Don't worry. She's just letting you know the kittens are coming.
keep the room she and her kittens are in warm. make sure their bedding is kept clean and dry. keep the room they are in quiet and don't allow family members to keep disturbing her. keep an eye on the kittens to make sure they are feeding but try to keep at a distance your cat is comfortable with.
Ultrasound can confirm a pregnancy after day 16. Ultrasound cannot tell you how many kittens your cat is carrying. X-rays can determine the number of kittens to expect, but they are not always accurate, and they shouldn't be done until your cat is at least 42 days pregnant - and generally not recommended until 55 days.
Whether or not you intend to put your kittens up for adoption or keep them, you want to socialize the newborns. The Nest suggests gently handling your kittens one at a time starting once they've reached their first week of age, letting mama kitty sniff you first if she's present.
Your cat's labour should go smoothly, but it's useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Get hold of your vet's out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night, or they might need an emergency helping hand.
Approximately 2 days before your cat gives birth, she'll start to produce milk. You may notice some cream colored thick secretions coming out of her nipples. Your cat might lick it off or she could just let it dry up and you'll notice that her nipples will have small whitish scabs on them.
Active Labor Signs: Contractions—the uterine movements that move the kitten down the birth canal—may make your cat yowl through the pain. You may also see a discharge of blood or other fluids.
If possible, count the placentas as they are passed so you can inform your vet if one has been left behind (an infection risk). Both head first and tail first kittening is normal (tail first may take a little longer). Between each kitten, your cat should seem comfortable, lick and feed her newborn.
In cats the average length of full parturition (delivery) is 16 hours, with a range of 4–42 hours (up to three days in some cases may be normal). It is important to consider this variability before intervening. The third stage is delivery of the fetal membranes.
Time between delivery of kittens is usually 10 to 60 minutes and stages two and three are repeated. The birth is usually complete within six hours after the start of the second stage, but can last up to 12 hours.
Scratching and bed-making may be evident and some cats may begin to pant. "In many cats having their first litter, this first stage of labor can last up to thirty-six hours." The queen usually stops eating during the last twenty-four hours before labor, and her temperature may drop below 100°F (37.8°C).
Once your cat begins labor, you will notice a few behavioral changes. She might begin to yowl or make unusual noises and start pacing around the room. After a while, you will notice that she will go over to the birthing nest or to another quiet location of her choosing.
During her pregnancy, you will want to keep your cat relatively active in order to ensure she is fit for giving birth. Avoid any excessively rowdy activity towards the end of your cat's pregnancy, however. You will need to help her stay calm as she nears her due date, as anything too active could cause her stress.
Between weeks 4 and 6 of a cat's pregnancy, the foetuses of the future kittens will start to grow rapidly. This brings about significant physical changes for the mother to be: her back hollows out, her pelvis becomes wider and her abdomen swells.
During her pregnancy, you will want to keep your cat relatively active in order to ensure she is fit for giving birth. Avoid any excessively rowdy activity towards the end of your cat's pregnancy, however. You will need to help her stay calm as she nears her due date, as anything too active could cause her stress.
Kitten food is usually a good choice. Plan on increasing the amount of food provided as your pregnant cat nears her term. Shortly before her due date, provide your cat with a box or similar shelter where she can give birth to and care for her kittens. Line the box with soft blankets or towels.
Vets recommend not touching kittens unless you have to while their eyes are still closed. You can check on them to make sure they're healthy and gaining weight, but try to limit direct physical contact. The kitten's mother will also let you know how comfortable she is with you handling her babies.
In one study, pedigree cats had an average kitten mortality of 34.5% from birth to one year of age (range of 8-40%), compared to 10-17% in non-pedigree cats.