Tips You Need To Know About Preparing For Your Cat Pregnancy
Are you still wondering about;how long are cats pregnant for? Let us know in the comments below.
Is My Cat Pregnant
The gestation period for cats is typically between 64 and 66 days, which is about 9 weeks. If you begin noticing changes in your cats appearance or behavior, such as gaining weight or sleeping more often than usual, it could be an indication of cat pregnancy.;
You can always take your cat to the vet as soon as you notice any of these behavioral changes. However, there are even more signs and symptoms that you should look for before bringing your cat in for a vet visit.;;
Should I Breed My Cat
Allowing your cat to have kittens can be a special experience. And, its understandable youd want to have more generations of kitties related to your furry best friend. The decision to breed should not be taken lightly, though.
Make sure youre ready to handle all aspects of keeping your cat and her kittens healthy, including potential pregnancy complications and numerous veterinary visits. Researching the time and monetary commitment may help you decide if its right for you.
Another thing to consider: 3 million pets are euthanized in shelters in the US every year.
So, its very important to find good homes for all of your cats babies. And, even when you do find homes, remember, thats one less home available for a kitty in a local shelter.
For all these reasons, its generally recommended to spay a cat rather than breeding but if youre not sure, our vets can help you make an informed decision.
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Personality Changes In A Pregnant Cat
These character and mood changes are also indicative of pregnancy:
- Affection increases:;Your cat may become more affectionate than normal and frequently seek out your attention. By all means, give it to her!
- Increase in sleeping:;Many pregnant queens will sleep for more hours in a day than before pregnancy.
Signs Your Cat Is Pregnant
It is not always easy to tell if a cat is pregnant. It will depend on how many kittens are developing inside of them, their own health status, and how far along they are. In fact, you may not be able to see visual signs of pregnancy until your cat is almost near the due date.
A good sign your cat is not pregnant is if it has been more than 9 weeks since you thought your cat got pregnant or since you started noticing things that made you think she was pregnant. This is because cats are pregnant for only about 63 days until they go into labor.
You can use our cat pregnancy calculator to help you determine her due date, but only if you have a general idea of when she first mated. Otherwise, you will have to rely on signs of pregnancy and a visit to your veterinarian to confirm your suspicion.
Here are seven things you may notice that could indicate your cat is pregnant:
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How Long Do Cats Stay Pregnant
A female cat will reach puberty, between the age of 4 to 6 months. During this time, she can go into heat, and she can thus get pregnant.
How long are cats pregnant for will depend a lot on their breed and individual genetics. In general, most cat breeds will have a gestation period of about 63 to 65 days.
However, certain breeds, like the Siamese cat, can actually have a gestation period for over 67 days.
What Happens During A Normal Cat Birth
Just before the birth, the female cat may become restless or meow or purr or pant She will clean around the birth passage and the teats. Its thought that she lays a trail of saliva for the kittens to follow to find a teat after theyre born. She will go through several different stages of labour . Each kitten is born in a sac of amniotic fluid that the mother licks and nibbles to free the kitten. She bites through the umbilical cord and eats the kittens placenta, and using her rough tongue she cleans the kitten and stimulates it to breathe. Most cats , will give birth without a problem and will need no human intervention.
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What Happens When A Cat Goes Into Labor
So, weve covered how to spot a pregnancy in your catbut how can you tell when shes ready to go into labor?
The first thing youll notice will probably be changes in behavior. Refusing food, acting fidgety, and looking for a spot to hide can all be signs that your cat will go into labor soon. Immediately before birth, your cat might get especially vocal, agitated, and start compulsively cleaning herself, Dr. Christman says.
There are also physical changes your cat will experience. A cats body temperature will drop to around 99 degrees Fahrenheit in the 12-24 hours before her labor starts, says Dr. Christman. Like humans, cats have strong abdonimanl contractions. They also release a discharge, after which the kittens come quickly.
So, the question becomesdo you let your cat give labor on her own or do you need the vet? Dr. Christman says that most cat labors are seamless, and pet owners wont need to get involved. However, if you notice your cat straining without any kittens being born, it could be a sign of complication and you should contact your cats vet.
Cat pregnancy can be a bit of a mystery. But now that youve got the inside scoop on the feline pregnancy cycle, you have everything you need to support your cat through her pregnancyand as she brings her kittens into the world.
What To Do If Your Cat Is Pregnant
If you confirm that your cat is expecting a litter of kittens, there are some things you can do to help prepare her for the role of Mama Kitty. First of all, your cat will be eating for both her and the babiesabout 25 percent more, according to Cats Protectionso she’ll both need more food and food specific to kittens.;
“They need those extra calories,” Vahernwald says.
As your cat gets closer to their due date, they’ll begin looking for a place to give birth. You can help out by preparing a quiet area away from the busy parts of your home, like a bathroom or closet. You can add a box, blankets, and newspapers to make her more comfortable during the birthing process.
Once the time comes, Vahernwald suggests cat owners keep an eye on their cat giving birth from a distance. Don’t hover too close by, because if your cat feels threatened, she’ll stop labor.;
As always, consult your veterinarian with any questions about your cat’s pregnancy and how you’ll eventually care for the kittens. Many, like Vahernwald, will recommend having your cat spayed to prevent future pregnancy, since spaying your cat can significantly improve her quality of life.
Cats go into heat often and can have up to three litters each year, Vahrenwald says, so spaying your cat can prevent a potential “population explosion.”
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How You Can Estimate Your Cats Due Date
Unlike dogs, cats are hard to keep track. They come and go as they please and might be gone overnight or even a few days at a time. You might not even know when your cat got pregnant but if you start to see the signs that she might be pregnant, mark that on a calendar. If you can remember around the time your cat disappeared for a few days or was acting strange or overly affectionate, that can help you determine her due date.
During that time she probably got pregnant. Put that date into the cat pregnancy calculator above to get an idea when she might be due. This will help you estimate her due date and to help you prepare for delivery.
If you have doubts about the estimated delivery date, we suggest that you consult your local veterinarian. They will be your biggest resource, have the knowledge and expertise to help guide you through this process.
At What Age Can A Cat Get Pregnant
All about the Question like: At What Age Can A Cat Get Pregnant , can be discovered below:.
- Cat lovers were more withdrawn, less vocal, and also extra delicate than the others.
- The people that asserted to be pet cat lovers were a lot more outgoing, vocal, and outbound.
- This At What Age Can A Cat Get Pregnant question suggested that they were additionally extra energetically as well as reactive.These results are from one research.
- While it is feasible that some characters appear in another research study, it is not likely that all pet cat proprietors will certainly be this way.
As a matter of fact, one study about At What Age Can A Cat Get Pregnant , located that feline proprietors and also non-cat owners were really rather alike in terms of psychological knowledge. The same pattern applies for Cats treatment.
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Nesting Behavior Will Begin
Similar to humans, your cat may start nesting behavior You can help your cat at this time by putting the;kittening;or nesting box in a quiet, warm room that is free from drafts. Draft-free is very important since kittens arent able to regulate their body temperature. Make certain that the location of the box is off limits to any other pets you may have, as well as to children. Encourage your cat to sleep inside this box as soon as you notice any nesting behavior going on.
Looking For Signs Of Pregnancy
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Limit Handling Them During The First Weeks
Although you may want to pet and hold the kittens constantly, do not intervene too much in the first week or two of their lives. During this time, kittens are very susceptible to disease,;and it can;be stressful to;the mom and babies.;;
During the first few weeks after birth, the mother cat will stimulate her kittens to eliminate by cleaning their genital areas. She will also clean up after them, so there is no need to add a litter box specifically for the kittens during their early days.
Dont Allow The Kittens To Interact With Other Animals Yet
It’s impossible to predict how another animal will treat a tiny kitten, and neonatal cats are especially vulnerable at this age.;
If you have multiple kittens from the same litter, they can all be kept in the same box. They can assist each other in keeping warm.;
Caring for your cat and her newly delivered kittens requires constant attention, time, and effort. Helping the mother cat provide a safe space for her and her new family assures them to be at peace.;
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How Long Is A Cat Pregnant
Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. The cat gestation period can vary from as short as 61 days to as long as 72 days.
Your cat often wont show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is a few weeks into her term. If you think that your cat is pregnant, take her to the vets for confirmation.
If you would like to know how to tell if a cat is pregnant yourself, there are several physical signs that you should be able to spot after two or three weeks have passed.
Second Stage Of Labor: Birth
The second stage of labor in cats begins with stronger, more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to;the;birth of a kitten.;Do NOT move or distract your cat during;the;birthing process;because she may stop labor and begin again the next day;if she feels stressed.;
Depending;on the individual;queen, kittens are usually born every 30-60 minutes, with the entire litter being delivered in less than six hours.;Pregnant cats can have four to six kittens in a litter. You can use a timer to keep track of the time between kittens to make sure there isnt a problem.
Watch for Complications
Dystocia means difficult birth;and can occur for a variety of reasons.
If the mother;is having strong contractions and hasbeen straining for more than 60 minutes without birthing a kitten, she should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.;
What Should You Do After a Kitten Is Born?
Kittens;are born with a protective fetal membrane;that is usually removed by the mother cat shortly after birth. Fetal membranes are usually reddish-yellow in color and surround the fetus thats floating in amniotic fluid.
If the mother cat fails to remove the fetal membrane within the first minute after birth, you will need to break the sac;and wipe away any fluid from the kittens nose. Then open the mouth with the head facing down and clear any remaining membranes or fluid. You can then stimulate the kitten to breathe by firmly stroking their body with a towel.
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Gestation Period For Cats
Gestation is just a fancy word for the period of pregnancy in cats. If you are a cat owner who has recently discovered that your cat is pregnant, you need to get a clear understanding of the gestation period for cats. This is a sensitive and stressful time for your cat since she lives with you rather than in the wild, you will play a significant role in this pregnancy.
A healthy queen can have up to ten or more kittens at a time, but it is more likely that she will have about five at a time. Some female cats will become pregnant several times in their lifetimes.
It is estimated that baby kittens from birth to age one have a mortality rate of between 10 to 34% lower for non-pedigreed cats and higher for feral or wild cats . But as long as you take good care of the mother and the new kittens you can drastically reduce or eliminate your chance of serious problems with the litter.
How Much Do You Have To Feed A Pregnant Cat
What your pregnant cat eats will gradually increase from Elda to stop and become pregnant. At the end of pregnancy you will eat 50% more than normal in it. Feeding a pregnant cat is easy. They eat and when theyre satiated they just stop because theyve had enough. They dont overfeed, they just eat what they need.
What is important is that the cat always has food at its disposal, so that it does not find that it lacks food when it needs it. You can choose foods that your cat likes, such as wet foods, although they have fewer calories than dry foods. You can combine both types of foods to meet their nutritional needs.
What your cat can never miss is fresh water for hydration, especially if it usually takes dry food. If your house is large, dont put water alone in one area of the house, put it in several places so that it has access whenever you need to hydrate.
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The Significance Of Congenital Defects
Congenital defects that are obvious at the time of birth, and may be involved in dystocia, include:
- Severe hydrocephalus with marked skull enlargement
- Anasarca or generalised oedema
- Spina bifida or incomplete development of the dorsal body wall
- Hernia or incomplete development of the ventral body wall
- Gross deformity or absence of limbs
Many serious inherited abnormalities are not obvious at birth and abnormalities of the eyes, hearing and heart fall into this category. Suspected abnormalities of joints and limbs should be viewed with caution unless utterly self-evident such as severe shortening of a limb. Joints at birth are very incomplete structures and most apparent double-jointedness or rotation of limbs right themselves by the time the kitten is really becoming mobile. The most difficult decision usually concerns the kitten persistently rejected by its mother, despite its apparent normality. The choice, in this case, lies between hand rearing, fostering or destruction, and in this connection, it should be remembered that the completely hand-reared kitten will be at a disadvantage in its behavioural responses to its own species. The decision can only be made by the breeder after full consideration of the circumstances. An additional consideration is that the rejected kitten may well be a defective kitten in which case hand rearing will not be successful.