How to tell if a cat is pregnant

But you have to understand: such cases are rare. Therefore, there is no need for contraception after the onset of pregnancy. The exception is if the woman continues to have sex with different partners. In this case, she needs to use condoms, so that harmful bacteria (STD pathogens) do not get into the body. They can cause complications in the development of the fetus.

The first signs of pregnancy – term of 1 week

Moms-to-be need to remember right away that there are two views of gestational age: obstetric and fetal. We are talking about 1 week of pregnancy after conception, that is, the fetal term. Doctors usually operate with the obstetric term, where the last day of the period is taken as the reference point. To get from the fetal term to the obstetric term, you need to add two weeks. That is, the first week of pregnancy after conception corresponds to the third obstetric week.

At this age, the restructuring of a woman's body has just begun. Very few people notice the first signs of pregnancy during this period.

In the first week of pregnancy (from conception) the figure remains the same. The embryo is still too small for the abdomen to be visible. The zygote, formed by the egg and sperm, divides quickly, but not enough: by 2 cells, by 4, by 8 and so on up to 32 cells. Accordingly, the photo of the abdomen at 1 week of pregnancy is not indicative.

The fetus in the first week of pregnancy is called an embryo, it does not actually become a fetus until the sixth week.

While the embryo is in a small sack of fluid and is not fed by the mother, but by the yolk sac. The size of the future baby at this stage is about 0.1-0.2 mm. Given how small it is, from the photo of the abdomen at 1 week of pregnancy, no one can guess about the interesting position of a woman.

How to check pregnancy at 1 week

It is almost impossible to check for pregnancy at 1 week. Changes in your body are too subtle to be picked up by tests or ultrasound machines. To get conclusive evidence that you are pregnant, you need to wait until at least the 7th or better the 10th day of pregnancy, when particularly sensitive tests can show the coveted two stripes.

Tests

A test in the first week of pregnancy will either show nothing, or show questionable results. Too little time has passed from conception for changes to be noticeable.

– If in the first week of pregnancy to take a regular drugstore test, where you have to pee on the strip, it probably will show a negative result – the term is too short – explains gynecologist Dina Absalyamova. – The same problem will be with the hCG test. Fluctuations in the level of chorionic gonadotropin are so insignificant that the results will be regarded as questionable.

It turns out, the expectant mother only has to wait until she is more than 10 days pregnant and the tests are more reliable.

ULTRASOUND

Do not rush to run to ultrasound diagnosis. In the first week of pregnancy ultrasound is not indicative, even the most advanced equipment is not able to visualize the fetus.

Typically, an ultrasound scan at such an early stage is recommended for those women who have symptoms specific to ectopic pregnancy. It can be dangerous, so to exclude such a diagnosis, the gynecologist may prescribe an ultrasound diagnosis.

Those girls who hope to get the first images of the unborn child, however, will have to wait until 2-3 weeks.

How to determine the delivery date of a cat

There are special pregnancy calculators to determine the most likely date of delivery. But the calculation will not be accurate. And all because its duration is affected by several factors at once.

Breed. Pregnancy in Siamese and Oriental cats can last 66 days. Whereas a burma or kitten has a pregnancy time of only 53 days.

Number of kittens. If you have a multiple birth (more than 5 kittens), the delivery starts earlier, if not so (1-2 kittens) – the cat goes into labor.

Psycho-emotional state. If the cat is undergoing severe stress – for example, moving to a new home – the kittens may be born as postponed or premature.

Age. First-born and mature cats (over 5 years old) can give birth late.

Relying on the age of the previous pregnancy will not work either. Even if a cat does not give birth for the first time, each subsequent pregnancy proceeds differently, and no one can guarantee a repeat of past experience.

Instead, veterinarians recommend looking closely at the first harbingers of labor. As a rule, they are of the same type and begin 2-3 days before the important date, or even a week.

First signs of labor in a cat

There are two kinds of harbingers of kittens: behavioral and physiological. Let's break down both of them in relation to the time at which they can be noticed:

1 week before delivery. The cat is actively looking for a secluded quiet place and spends a lot of time there. Some pets will put rags, wipes, or towels there. But this is not necessary.

When examining the nipples of the expectant mother you can notice that they are enlarged in size, and the skin in their aureole is peeling. These are signs of the imminent production of colostrum, a mammary gland secretion rich in antibodies to form the primary immunity of the cubs.

The cat's general behavior expresses nervousness. The animal may become aggressive and irritable or, conversely, atypically sociable and affectionate.

2 to 3 days before delivery. The cat loses its appetite and drinks little. Eaten food begins to put pressure on the uterus and cause discomfort to the animal. Therefore, the daily portion is not eaten completely, and the pet often screams immediately after feeding.

1-2 days before delivery. The cat follows the owner on his heels and attracts his attention with his voice.

At the same time, you can notice that colostrum begins to emerge from the nipples, and mucus plug begins to emerge from the loop. If the pregnancy proceeds without abnormalities, the mucus will be transparent with small streaks of blood. If something went wrong – cloudy, with an unpleasant smell, yellowish or green. If you find mucus of atypical color and consistency, you should immediately consult a doctor. This may be a sign of kitten death, an infection of the birth canal or uterine inflammation.

1 day before delivery. Body temperature drops 1 degree (to approximately 37-37.5 degrees). To track the temperature drop relative to the usual norm, the owner will need a chart of its fluctuations over the previous week. Measurements are taken rectally or with an ear thermometer. But its readings are less accurate.

How to tell if a cat is pregnant

Observe the cat. The first signs of pregnancy in cats are associated with changes in behavior and appearance and appear as early as 2-3 weeks from the date of the intended mating.

Increased sleepiness. The animal sleeps a lot, is reluctant to play moving games and walks slowly.

Change of behavior. An affectionate and sociable cat may become wary and even aggressive, and independent and aloof, on the contrary, constantly ask to hold hands and demand attention. Changes in her behavior are due to a change in her hormones. After the birth of kittens and the completion of lactation, the character of the pet becomes the same.

Delayed sexual cycle. If the heat was regular, and stopped immediately after the mating, the probability of pregnancy is very high.

Nausea. Usually a pregnant cat vomits only in the morning. If vomiting recurs more often and lasts more than 2-3 days, see your veterinarian.

Change in appetite. During the first half of a domestic cat's pregnancy, the pet's appetite may decrease and, conversely, become atypically good during the second half. The pet may refuse the usual food and show interest in something new. During this period, the cat needs high-energy food that can make up for the deficiencies that occur.

Changes in the color and size of the nipples. Pregnant cats' nipples swell and become bright pink or coral red in color, and the hair around them thins.

Rounded belly. The changes will be noticeable both when viewed from above and in profile. But most likely only with a multiple pregnancy (more than 5 kittens). The main thing is not to try to palpate the fetuses with your fingers yourself. This can traumatize both the fetus and the mother cat.

False pregnancy in cats

The first factor of false pregnancy in domestic cats is physiological. For example, serious hormonal failure due to stress or congenital pathology of the reproductive system. In this case false pregnancy in cats can occur systematically after each mating, and the cat will have to be sterilized immediately.

The second factor of false pregnancy in cats is psychological. For example, an unsuccessful mating at the end of the cycle, "covering" with a sterile or sick cat, or the neighborhood with other pregnant cats. In the wild, animals live in packs, and a false pregnancy is needed to nurse cubs in case the biological mother dies. While domestic cats, false pregnancies are only detrimental.

Diagnosis and false pregnancy

To know for sure that a pregnancy has occurred, it is necessary to see a specialist. The doctor will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe additional methods of examination:

1. Examination by a veterinarian involves palpation to detect fetuses, as well as an external examination of the genital tract, the general condition of the cat.
2. A positive blood test result for Relaxin will tell with high accuracy about the occurrence of fertilization from day 25.
3. Ultrasound can diagnose pregnancy from day 25 with high accuracy.
4. X-rays are performed after day 50.

Cats are characterized by the phenomenon of false pregnancy. The etiology is not fully understood, but experts are inclined to believe that the cause of the formation of the condition is the effect of the hormone prolactin. False pregnancy in cats occurs after ovulation in the absence of fertilization of the egg. In this case, the cat shows signs of conception – it changes its behavior, nests, it stops her heat.

False pregnancy can be diagnosed by a negative Relaxin test, absence of fetuses on palpation, ultrasound and X-rays.

Peculiarities of caring for a pregnant cat

Pregnancy is a test for the cat's body. Since all vital organs are working in an increased mode, the animal requires special care and attention. Favorable conditions play a big role in the course and outcome of the condition.

The cat should be kept in a spacious, well-ventilated room without drafts at a comfortable temperature. High humidity and dark lighting are unacceptable.

Make sure that the cat does not climb on high furniture, since a fall or an awkward landing can have serious consequences.

In the later stages you should help the cat with hygiene, because the large size of the abdomen does not allow the cat to perform the necessary toilet of genitals and hair.

From the author. If the cat is not on a natural diet, then during pregnancy and lactation she should be switched to kitten food, not lower than premium, and preferably super premium or holistic. Read a separate article about the right choice of premium food for kittens.

What to feed

The general principles of feeding a pregnant cat include following some rules:

1. The diet should consist of quality food rich in all the necessary substances.
2. It is recommended to give easily digestible food.
3. A pregnant cat requires more frequent feeding. By the second trimester, the daily rate increases by about 50%.
4. In the late term, you should resort to a fractional feeding of 6 times a day.
5. It is important to regularly check the availability of water in the drinker. Dehydration leads to pregnancy termination, which can cause death of the cat.

False pregnancy in cats

False pregnancy is a pathological condition of an animal in which she thinks she is pregnant, but she is not. It can show all the signs of pregnancy: nipples are swollen, colostrum is secreted, behavior changes, the cat may start to build a nest.

This is due to the production of sex hormones. In neglected cases, an increased amount of colostrum can affect, for example, the formation of mastitis.

Any such condition is stressful for the animal and can eventually lead to many pathologies. And if you did not want to have your cat spayed before, the signs of a false pregnancy should make you think twice and take it to be spayed. After all, you may get the highest percentage of diseases such as pyometra, ovariitis, endometritis, and mammary gland cancer later in life.

Early spaying can prevent all of these pathologies if the cat never gives birth. Remember that every time a cat endures a heat, it is under a lot of stress, which in addition to wasting hormone production, triggers other pathological processes.

If you have a false pregnancy it is important to consult your vet – he will tell you what medication to give to reduce colostrum production, and prescribe additional treatment if necessary. For your part you should limit the cat from stress, reduce fluid intake.

– It will be good to try to distract the cat from her thoughts about pregnancy, for example, play with it more often – advises. veterinarian Marina Mikheenko..

By the way, there is a popular opinion, that the cat should be given to get pregnant once and give birth, and then she should be sterilized. In fact it is not recommended to mate a cat before spaying – it can affect the health and psyche of the animal. The most favorable age for spaying a cat is after puberty, which occurs at 10 months (2).

Popular Questions and Answers

Important questions about cat pregnancy we asked I was a felinologist, the owner of the Meikun cattery, Elena Vishneva, и veterinarian Marina Mikheenko.

How long before the pregnancy should I vaccinate my cat?

If the cat is not vaccinated, then the vaccination should be done at least 1 month before the intended mating. And before vaccination at least 10 days before vaccination it is necessary to treat a cat with preparations against worms.

Is it possible to vaccinate pregnant cats?

Vaccination of pregnant animals is not allowed, as it may lead, for example, to an abortion or a number of abnormalities in the offspring. But if the cat's life is in danger, for example in a shelter where there is a high risk of catching, say, panleukopenia (which can be fatal), the veterinarian may decide to vaccinate it.

Can I pick up a pregnant cat?

You can and should take the cat in your arms to pet and caress it. But any movements should be careful not to harm the fetus. Try not to take her by the belly, not to squeeze, not to throw and not to cause discomfort to the animal.

What categorically should not be done with a pregnant cat?

It is categorically forbidden to give the animal any forbidden food, to change the food abruptly, not to give independently any medicines and drugs forbidden during pregnancy, to restrict it from stress. Cats like every day to be business as usual. Even the arrival of guests can cause a cat to be stressed.

1. Filippova O.V., Sorokin V.I. Ultrasound imaging of genital organs as a method to assess the status of pregnancy in cats and bitches // Proceedings of the Orenburg State Agrarian University, 2008
   https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ultrazvukovaya-vizualizatsiya-polovyh-organov-kak-metod-otsenki-sostoyaniya-beremennosti-u-koshek-i-suk
2. A.A. Soboleva, S.N. Khokhlova, N.G. Simanova Sterilization of cats // Innovative Science, 2016.
   https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sterilizatsiya-koshek

Complications in a cat during pregnancy

The development of new life in the cat's body increases the load on all internal organs and systems. This may be accompanied by the development of the following pathologies:

• Polyhydramnios (develops in the last stages of pregnancy, provoked by the accumulation of fluid in the amniotic tissues).
• Bleeding.
• Uterine inguinal hernia.
• Death of fetuses in utero, their extraction from the body by abortion.
• Torsion of the uterus due to falls, blows, jumping from heights.

The clinical picture, in the development of which it is worth immediately showing the pet to the veterinarian: bloody discharge from the genitals, premature delivery of dead kittens, weakness/apathy/lack of appetite, hunched back and tense abdomen, bulging between the last two nipples.

Preparing a cat to give birth

Finding out how many months a cat is carrying kittens in her belly, you can read about the main features of preparation for the upcoming birth of the pet. This stage is the same for all breeds. First of all, it is necessary to create a "nest". You can make it out of a soft cot with boards or a box with bedding. If the cat prefers to make its own place, you should not insist, it is stressful.

To make the labor easier, it is worth preparing in advance:

1. As many soft, absorbent cloths as possibleAs much as possible to wipe the newborn kittens.
2. A small rubber blower.. This will be needed to suction mucus from the newborn's nasal passages and mouth.
3. Disposable diapersThese will need to be replaced in the "nest" as they become soiled.
4. Bottles and/or a warm water bottle. Newborn kittens have problems with thermoregulation, so keep them warm.
5. Sturdy thread soaked in vodka or alcohol beforehand. These are needed for tying the umbilical cord on kittens. Sharp and pre-treated scissors will also be needed. This is in case the cat doesn't do it herself.

If the owner is not sure he can accompany his pet during delivery, especially if it is the first delivery, it is better to go to a veterinary clinic. It is preferable to call a veterinarian at home rather than taking your pet to a clinic.

Behavioral signs of cat labor

Watch for changes in the cat's behavior. As labor time approaches, the cat may become restless and wander around the apartment frequently. You may also notice that her usual behavior has changed. For example, if your cat is usually indifferent to human company, she may become more affectionate (or vice versa) by the time she gives birth. [4] X Source of Information

Note if the cat doesn't eat. Usually pregnant cats eat more. That said, they may lose their appetite or even stop eating altogether when labor approaches. [5] X Reliable source Cat Fancier's Association Go to Source

Pay attention if the cat has started actively licking under the tail. When labor begins, certain physiological changes are triggered that the cat will begin to feel. In particular, you may notice that she has begun to lick the genital area. This may be accompanied by mucous discharge, which is a sign of impending labor. [6] X Reliable Source Cat Fancier's Association Go to Source

How to examine a cat

Keep an eye on the cat's physical condition. When a pregnant cat's delivery date approaches, her nipples and mammary glands enlarge. The cat may also begin to lick her nipples. Other physical signs of impending labor include a lowered abdomen and an enlarged and soft vulva. All of these signs are easy to spot with a visual inspection. [9] X Source of Information

Pay attention to the way the cat breathes. If you suspect labor is approaching and the cat lets you get close to her, listen carefully to her breathing. The cat's breathing may become rapid, it may even become short of breath. The cat might also begin to purr rhythmically and prolongedly. [10] X

See if the abdomen feels tense to the touch. When labor is imminent, the cat will begin to go into labor. You can tell by gently feeling her belly. Tension in the abdominal area is most likely a sign that labor is starting. You may even see your cat's belly tensing and relaxing. At this time, the cat can lie on its side and you will find it easier to examine it. [11] X Reliable Source Cat Fancier's Association Go to Source [12] X Source of Information [13] X Source of Information

How to tell if your cat is pregnant

This article is co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM, our regular contributor. The regular contributors to wikiHow work closely with our editors to ensure that the articles are as accurate and complete as possible.

Number of sources used in this article: 7. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Typically, a cat's gestation period lasts about nine weeks, with changes in the animal's physical condition and behavior evident soon after gestation begins. [1] X Source of Information Knowing how to identify these changes will help you know if your cat is pregnant. Nevertheless, the best and most correct way is, without a doubt, a visit to the veterinarian. It is advisable to have the cat spayed unless you breed cats professionally, since due to the large number of stray animals many of them are euthanized.

Signs of fertility readiness

• As a rule, the sexual activity of domestic cats increases with the duration of daylight hours and warming, i.e. in spring and summer.
• Periods of heat (fertility readiness) can begin in a cat when it reaches about 80% of its weight at maturity, and begin usually with warming weather. This means that in some, rather rare cases, a cat may start her heat as early as four months of age.

• Before the onset of heat, the cat begins to show signs of anxiety, becomes more affectionate, it makes low noises and exhibits an increased appetite. [3] X Source of information
• With the onset of heat the cat begins to "howl", i.e. to purr and meow frequently and persistently; at the same time the animal often loses its appetite.
• During the heat period the cat becomes much more affectionate to people; it rolls on the floor and also mounts its back up, stomping on it with its hind legs and hanging its tail to its side. [4] X Source of information [5] X Source of information

• If you notice that your cat has recently been in heat, it is possible that she has become pregnant.
• After the heat period, the cat goes through a "quiet phase," lasting about 8-10 days, during which time the animal calms down. However, this phase is followed again by a heat phase, and this can continue from April until September. [6] X Source of Information
• To prevent periods of heat and unwanted pregnancies, the cat should be spayed by choosing the right time for the operation.

Is abortion possible?

Abortion adversely affects the reproductive function and health of the animal. Veterinarians recommend avoiding it. Surgical abortion with sterilization has the least consequences. It is performed in the first 6 weeks after conception, but it is safer to have it in the first 2-3 weeks. During the operation, the animal's uterus and ovaries are removed.

Self-administration of abortifacients is dangerous, so always seek help from a veterinary clinic. In the presence of a serious pathology, a natural abortion occurs, that is, the fetus dies on its own inside the womb. In this case, the veterinarian should make sure that all kittens are out of the uterus.

How to determine the beginning of labor

After figuring out that the cat is pregnant, it remains to understand how to know the early onset of labor. Shortly before labor is observed:

• abrupt loss of appetite;
• Frequent meowing to attract the owner's attention;
• A drop in temperature to 37°C;
• Constant licking of the loop;
• Lowering of the abdomen with assumption of a pear shape;
• arching of the back;
• increased frequency of urination;
• Swelling of the mammary glands and discharge of colostrum.

After these signs appear, make sure you have completed all important tasks. Stay close to your pet and keep an eye on her in case of force majeure.

Knowing how to tell if a cat is pregnant eliminates complications related to pseudo-pregnancy and gives you time to prepare for the birth of kittens. Don't neglect your veterinarian's diagnosis. The earlier you find abnormalities, the easier it is to prevent them.

This article is for informational purposes. Talk to your vet!