Cat Pregnancy
Things You Should Know About Cat Pregnancy
Here are a few cat pregnancy signs to look for, plus several tips on how to care for your pregnant pet. A cat can get pregnant anytime of the year. If your female has not been spayed, spends time out of doors, and there is a Tom lurking in the neighborhood, the chances are pretty good that you'll sooner or later end up with a pregnant cat on your hands.
A pair of unusual facts about cat pregnancy is, one, that some kittens in the litter may have a different father than the others, and two, female cat can conceive a second time while pregnant, and carry two separate litters at the same time. Both of these situations seldom occur but do happen on occasion. We'll focus here on the more common situation, of a single pregnancy resulting from a meeting with a just one tomcat.
The cat's gestation period usually lasts from 61 to 69 days. If you don't know the exact day when the female became pregnant, there are signs you can watch for to get a reasonably good idea as to when the kittens are going to show up. First of all, if your cat is under six months of age, there is not much chance of it getting pregnant. The first heat cycle usually occurs sometime after that age, often not until a cat approaches one year in age. A cat is apt to undergo a mood change starting about three weeks into pregnancy. The most common signs are the cat will begin to sleep more than is usual for a younger cat, will stay indoors more (or in the barn or shed more if an outdoor farm cat), and often become noticeably more affectionate. Sometimes a pregnant cat can become less friendly, but this is not usually the case. However, if there is more than one cat in the house, the pregnant cat may start avoiding the other cat or cats, especially as delivery time approaches.
By about the sixth week of cat pregnancy the nipples begin to grow, and the cat may begin to noticeably gain weight, and at the same time begin to want to eat more. Don't hesitate to give your cat an extra portion of food as her time approaches, she needs it. Cat experts and veterinarians recommend supplementing the cat's regular food with kitten food at this time, the same food you will eventually be feeding the kittens. Both mom, and the unborn kittens, need the extra calcium and protein found in kitten food. As the end of the pregnancy approaches, ask your vet if any other food supplements would be appropriate.
A sign that your cat will deliver her babies within a few days is if she suddenly begins to eat less. This is not a cause for concern, but is normal. Your cat's appetite will kick back in after the kittens have arrived. If your cat has been on any medication prior to her pregnancy it should be stopped. It is never a good idea to give any kind of medication during cat pregnancy. If it seems important to do so by all means consult with your vet. Some medications may be safe, others may not.
You never know quite where a cat is going to have her kittens, except it usually going to be in a place where the cat feels she has some privacy, and it is safe. You can try and prepare a nesting box for her. It's a good idea, though she might not choose it right away, but you can always place the kittens there after they've arrived. Cats have been known to use their litter box as a delivery room at times, so keep it cleaner than perhaps you normally would. It's been recommended that something other than clumping litter be in the box during this time, as it can interfere with a newborn kitten's survival chances.
If, during cat pregnancy, you can keep your cat in a less stressful environment, make certain she eats well, keep her indoors, and prepare a spot for the little ones, you've done all the right things.