How Long Can Cats Be Pregnant

Welcome To This World Kitten

The little rascals will learn how to conquer the world while they are growing up.;

The first weeks are the most important ones when they learn everything a cat needs to know through play and interaction with their mum and siblings and their two-legged friends.;

We wish all the kittens a happy, long life,; filled with everything that cats love and desire!

Where Should I Put The Newborn Kittens

Warmth is essential for the newborn. Kittens cannot control their own body temperature for the first couple of weeks of life. In nature, kittens stay warm by direct body contact with their mother and littermates in the enclosed nest bed. A wet newborn kitten loses heat very rapidly, so it is very important to make sure it is dried off quickly. If the queen is ill or uncooperative, gently lay the kitten on a warm, towel-wrapped hot water bottle and conserve its body heat by covering it with a blanket. Great care must be taken not to inflict contact burns by having the bottle too hot.

Ideally the temperature in the box should be maintained at 85-90°F during the first four days of life. The temperature can be gradually reduced to 80°F by seven to ten days and to 72°F by the end of the first month. If you cannot maintain the room temperature this high, an acceptable alternative is a heat lamp suspended over the nest box. Disadvantages to a heat lamp are that many cats dislike the open bed required for its use, which may make both mother and kittens too hot, and lessen their normal close contact. The box should be large enough for the kittens to move away from the heat if they become too hot.

How Long Is A Cat Pregnant

You must be wondering about the exact duration of the cat pregnancy. The stipulated time ranges between 61 to 72 days. The most common time frame of pregnancy has been observed to be 63 to 65 days. Few queens may undergo premature delivery.

The biggest problem of cat pregnancy is to identify it in the early stage of pregnancy. The queen may feel nauseated. This may result in less eating of food. Usually, this phenomenon happens for the first two weeks. Queens may also undergo morning sickness.;

Another symptom is that the heat cycle of the queen breaks down. There would be no more calls to attract the males for mating. In the third week, queens start eating more food than usual. The abdomen starts to swell up. The nipples of the queen swell, enlarge, and turn into reddish-pink color. By the end of the third week, one can easily identify cat pregnancy.;

There are other more common symptoms of pregnancy. These symptoms include weight gain, frequent purring, more affection & love, increase in sleep time, and searching for a safe, secluded & quiet place for giving birth.

Queens demand constant attention and tend to be more affectionate than usual during their pregnancy. If you are a cat parent, then extra care must be taken of your beloved queen.

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From Week 4 To Week 6

This is the phase of major physical changes in the pregnant cat. You will be able to see his back which is hollow, his pelvis which becomes wider and rounded on the sides. You may also notice a reduction in physical activity and an increase in naps.

A second ultrasound is possible from the 28th day, and the vet can then give the exact number of expected kittens, which at this stage are growing rapidly and are between 3 and 4 cm. A consistent and appropriate diet for kittens or pregnant females is therefore required to ensure the proper development of the fetuses.

The Cat Heat Cycle Explained

All female cats will go through the natural heat cycle unless they have been spayed or are pregnant. This is also referred to as the;estrus;cycle and during this time, a cat is capable of breeding that is, mating and having kittens. The stages of the cat in heat cycle are described in detail below:

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How To Tell When Your Cat Is In Heat

You might expect bleeding when a cat goes into heat, but thats not usually the case.

Although a small amount of bleeding and discharge may occur, it is not common. The changes are more behavioral.

Here are some ways a cats behavior may change when she goes into heat:

• More;affectionate

This video shows a cat in heat meowing to a male cat. Grab some ear plugs:

Urinary markings serve a purpose to other cats:

• The pheromones and hormones released in the urine indicate;the female cats reproductive status.
• The scent can be so strong at times that you may notice male cats hanging around outdoors even if your cat is an indoor pet.

What Happens If You Squeeze A Pregnant Cat

Its tempting to cuddle your cats pregnant belly, but this can be hazardous. As Animal Planet points out, pressing on or squeezing her stomach in any way may be uncomfortable for the cat and potentially cause a miscarriage. And if you arent doing so already, clean her litter box at least once a day twice, ideally.

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Signs Your Cat Is Nesting

As with humans, Dr. Nascimento says queens will display nesting behaviors. This generally occurs 12 to 48 hours before giving birth. You might notice some physical changes, such as restlessness, panting, and pacing, or behavioral changes, such as being aloof with strangers or your other pets. Give your queenie privacy and a cozy box lined with blankets in a secluded area to give birth. This is the real reason why your cat meows.;

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.

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How Do I Care For Newborn Kittens

The female encourages the kittens to suck and keeps them warm by lying on her side and encircling them. The kittens are guided by scent and warmth to her nipples where they find colostrum, the first type of milk to be produced which is rich in antibodies to help protect the kittens from disease in their early weeks of life.

The mother cat purrs while the kittens are sucking the kittens are not able to hear when they are first born, but they can follow vibrations to move towards her. They have a built-in rooting or nuzzling behaviour which helps them to find the nipple, latch on and stimulate the milk to flow. The sucking reflex then takes over and they feed. Kittens tend to return to the same nipple to feed, perhaps to stop them squabbling and to ensure that milk continues to be produced there because there is a demand.

So if all goes to plan, then you dont have to do much for the first few weeks except make sure that the mother cat is well fed and has the facilities she needs. As soon as you are aware of the pregnancy it would benefit the kittens and their mother to feed a growth type diet. This can continue to be fed after the birth of the kittens and until they are weaned.

Is Your Cat In Heat Heres What You Need To Know

Cat in heat? Uh oh! Follow our tips to be prepared for your cat’s mating behavior and know what you can do to best help your feline friend.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of raising two adorable baby kittens from infancy we fed them with a bottle and helped them grow into big healthy, teenage cats. But at some point, my young cats started acting funny; and I soon realized it was because they had reached the age of sexual maturity. Hello, cat in heat! But what to do when you are presented with this funny behavior, and the new mating rituals of your feline furry friend? How do you recognize the signs of a cat in heat?And how to best handle a cat in heat ?;Well cover all that and more, in the article below. Plus, discover the best way to keep track of your cat at all times.

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How Long Do Cats Stay In Heat

Cats stay in heat for 410 days.

This cycle can happen;every 3 weeks.

A cats;first heat cycle, called;estrus, happens;at sexual maturity which, depending on the breed, could be when the kitten is anywhere from 5 months old to 10 months old .

As a result, many people spay their cats as soon as possible so their cats;dont experience a;heat cycle. Of course,;spaying;also;helps prevent;pet overpopulation.

When Cats Reject Their Kittens

One of the most heartwarming sights imaginable is that of a cat blissfully kneading the air while her newborn kittens nurse.

Most cats are naturally good mothers, writes Betty Lewis. In most cases Mom will provide pretty intensive care for her babies during the first 3;weeks of their lives, when theyre at their most vulnerable.

So, if you come across kittens without their mother, dont automatically assume that the mom cat has rejected her kittens and abandoned them.

Cat moms are always on the lookout for new hiding places. Also, theyre more inclined to take breaks as their babies get older. This is true of most stray and feral mothers, too.

Do not scoop the kittens up right away.

If you move the kittens, Lewis says, she wont be able to find them when she returns.

So, wait. And check that the kittens are basically clean, alert and nestled close together, Lewis says. This is an indication that Mom is in the middle of important business and that shell be back soon enough.

But if the kittens look scrawny, sickly and not groomed, the odds are good that something has happened to Mama.

Then and only then do you step in.

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Abnormalities Of The Second Stage

Secondary inertia arises after prolonged second-stage labour, and may be associated with obstructive dystocia, muscle fatigue, or excessive pain. Obstructive dystocia may occur for many reasons, but probably the most common causes are maternal pelvic malformation following a pelvic fracture, and foetal malpresentation/malposition/malposture. Interrupted labour, as already described, is definitely not an inertia, as the cat is manifestly normal, labour recommences normally, and kittens are born alive and normal. An important point of difference between the two is that secondary inertia follows previous difficulty or delay and the cat is often restless and exhausted.

Foetal malpresentations, malpositions and malpostures may all lead to dystocia. Presentation indicates which way round the foetus is coming , position indicates which way up it is and posture indicates the placing of the head and limbs . Some people believe that foetal malpresentation in cats rarely causes dystocia, except when combined with other problems such as poor cervical relaxation or relative foetal oversize. However, others have found foetal malpresentation to be the most common cause of dystocia of foetal origin, while relative foetal oversize was very rare.

How Do You Recognise Pregnant Cats

Is your cat expecting or not?

Directly after the mating, the gestation cannot yet safely be identified.;Only after three weeks, the developing offspring can be confirmed by way of palpation.;

But be careful and let the vet do the examination. A wrong or harsh grip can hurt the kittens a lot! After three weeks, your cats nipples will be swollen, turn pink and protrude more than usual. They are also more exposed because the fur around them thins out a little.;

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Late Pregnancy And Premonitory Signs Of Parturition

In the cat pregnancy generally lasts for 63 to 65 days; however, it is not unusual for some cats to carry a normal litter for either a shorter or longer time .

The cats behaviour alters little until the final week of the pregnancy. During that final week, the search for the most suitable kittening bed becomes the dominant factor. Cats should be confined from this time to allow for observation of labour.

Generally, two types of temperament are seen in cats at kittening: the independent type which will go to extreme lengths to discover a dark enclosed space well away from human contact, and the dependent type which will go to equal lengths to seek comfort in the presence of its owner and may well choose the owners bed as the best place for kittening.

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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What Food Does A Pregnant Cat Prefer

Pregnant cat what is the right food?Nutrition;is a major factor during pregnancy as your cats body changes massively and needs a lot more energy than usual. For example, an increased daily calories-intake by 50% is recommended.;

Make sure that the future mum has access to enough high-quality food and fluids with all the necessary minerals and vitamins needed during pregnancy.;

The food required for pregnant and mother cats can be obtained from any specialist shop. If you like to prepare it yourself, please make sure to include all the necessary elements such as protein and vitamins ; that your cat needs now. Best to compose a food plan, so that the nutrition for your pregnant cat is well balanced.;

Give Your Cat The Peace It Needs

Your cat will be extremely exhausted after giving birth. The act that the body performs is immense and will leave your cat stressed out. Obviously, labour is no stroll in the park and the whole struggle and pain leaves its traces.;Allow for some relaxation and peace for your cat now, so she can recover.

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Why Is A Cat Pregnant For So Long

Cat pregnancy can be divided into three major phases. The first two phases are about a month, while the third one is about a week or so. The first week of cat pregnancy involves two phases. In the first two weeks, nearly no symptoms can prove the pregnancy. These subtle changes are mostly behavioral. The next two weeks of this phase give hints about the pregnancy. Physical changes start to occur.;

The second phase involves major physical changes. This phase is quite important as the maximum growth of the kittens happens in this phase. Queen starts eating more food. As a responsible cat parent, one should start feeding more nutritious food in this phase. In the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the kittens are fully grown.

The last phase is the pre-labor & labor phase. It can last up to a week or so. As a cat parent, you can start helping the queen to settle down in a quiet, cat-friendly, and safe place. The queen usually gives birth to the kittens with nearly no human intervention. There are minimal chances of complications in cat pregnancy.

It is found that larger animals have longer pregnancy periods. The reason for this nine-week pregnancy in cats is their relatively small size. Even dogs have more or less the same time frame of pregnancy. The nine-week duration is enough for the growth of 80 to 150 grams weighing newborn kittens.

What To Do When A Cat Refuses To Feed Her Kittens

We think of cats as being excellent mothers.

There are a number of reasons why a cat refuses to nurse her kittens:

• A first-time mother cat might be overwhelmed.
• Or, if the litter is large, she might not have enough milk for all those kittens.
• Sometimes a female cat, just like a human mother, comes down with mastitis .
• Or the problem could be, as breeder Susan Graham points out, a retained placenta. You have to look at everything and not forget mama cat, she says.

Occasionally, it is a behavioral thing. Like Winifred Carrieres Siamese;cat named SuziTu, she might be focused on just 1;or 2;of the kittens.

Carriere writes in her book Cats, 24 Hours a Day that;SuziTu seemed to think that the first baby was the only one, for as each of the 5;was born, she industriously licked the first big bruiser while he eagerly sought and found his first meal. His siblings could, as far as Mama Siamese was concerned, shift for themselves.

Except for Kitten No. 5, whom the mama cat clearly regarded as excess baggage.

Carriere had to come to the rescue with an eyedropper filled with milk.

In time, SuziTu got a handle on being a mom and accepted the little-last-on-the-list.

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