How Long Are Cats Pregnant And What Happens During Pregnancy
Have you ever wondered how long female cats get pregnant for compared to humans? And what really goes on when a cat becomes pregnant?
Well, the short answer is that female cats are pregnant for around nine weeks. During this time period, a cat might also show visible signs of change, including putting on weight, having a swollen abdomen, and even morning sickness.
Heres what you need to know about how long female cats are pregnant for and what exactly happens to a cat during pregnancy.
Potential Cat Pregnancy Problems
Not every pregnancy in a cat goes as planned, and there are some risks involved that you should be prepared to address with a trip to the nearest animal emergency facility.
- Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition with symptoms such as restlessness, pacing, panting, drooling, loss of coordination, muscle spasms or seizure-like movements.
- Secondly, the fetuses can abort naturally. Signs that this may have happened may include fever, bleeding, behavioral changes or other changes.
- Lastly, resorption occurs when the mothers body absorbs the dead fetus.
Any of these situations are serious and need to be addressed by a vet immediately.
Shes Already In The Traphow Can I Help
If you have already trapped the mother cat and your visual examination indicates that she is lactating, do not release her from the trap. Now that she has experienced being trapped, she may become trap-savvy and extremely tricky to re-trap in the future. This may be your only chance to help get her spayed.
Contact the veterinary clinic where you are bringing cats to be spayed or neutered. Let staff know you have a nursing mother cat you want to have spayed, and that you plan to return her outdoors afterwards so she can care for her kittens. Your veterinarian may be able to further adjust their schedule or procedures to prioritize the mother cats spay surgery and get her back to her kittens as soon as possible.
Check for kittens. If you are able to locate the kittens assess whether they need your intervention. Learn how to tell how old a kitten is at alleycat.org/KittenProgression and what to do if you find kittens outdoors at alleycat.org/FoundAKitten.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean A Cat Scratch
Also Check: Why Do Cats Look Out The Window
How Long Are Cats Pregnant
The average cat pregnancy lasts 65 to 69 days. This may not seem very long, until you take into account the human-to-cat aging ratio. If a catâs yearly age is determined by multiplying seven , then a cat pregnancy is really 14 months long. If, on the other hand, a pregnant one-year-old cat is considered to be 15 years old in human years , the comparative length of pregnancy jumps to 30 months. Definitely nothing to sneer ator envy.
How Soon After Having Kittens Can A Cat Get Pregnant Again
- Post comments:
How Soon After Having Kittens Can A Cat Get Pregnant Again?
A pregnant female cat can become pregnant as soon as 48 hours to two weeks after giving birth. However, you should avoid letting your cat become pregnant within such a short period, as it can be harmful to the cats health.
To prevent a pregnancy in your cat, make sure its neutered or spayed. This will help you keep your feline friend healthy and happy for a long time.
com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/F164AYN.jpg style=max-width:32% max-height:307px width:auto margin:0px 10px height:auto > |
To prevent a pregnancy in your cat, make sure its neutered or spayed. This will help you keep your feline friend healthy and happy for a long time.
The process of becoming pregnant in a cat starts with the estrus cycle.
This is the time during which a cat becomes receptive to mating. A female cats estrus cycle begins four weeks after she weans her kittens. She will most likely be in heat and nursing the kittens during this time.
After shes nursing, its recommended that you have your cat spayed to prevent another pregnancy.
A pregnant cats estrus is a period of receptivity to mating. The estrus cycle is not to be confused with the menstrual cycle in a human woman.
A female cats estrus will usually last for only one to three weeks, but your cat could become pregnant again sooner. The average litter size is three to six kittens.
The first sign of pregnancy is a larger abdomen and increased appetite.
Read Also: How To Draw A Tabby Cat
When Can Cats Become Pregnant Again
Female cats are induced ovulators, which means that ovulation does not take place without or manual stimulation. If the female cat does not mate during estrus, hormonal levels will eventually drop off, and the estrus cycle will cease until it repeats itself in another two to three weeks. If she does mate, she can easily become pregnant during her first post-birth estrus cycle.
Ovulation will usually occur within 20 to 50 hours after mating, and the eggs are viable for approximately one day. The eggs are fertilized in the oviduct, and then make their way to the uterus via the uterine horn, implanting in the uterine lining within 10 to 12 days. Cats may mate several times before ovulation is complete and a female cat’s litter may end up having kittens from multiple sires. On the street, a female cat in estrus may mate with two or more male cats over the length of the estrus cycle up to 21 days, with an average of seven days.
Both male and female kittens may reach sexual maturity between four and six months of age, so it is entirely possible a kitten could impregnate his mother. This is potentially dangerous both for female cats and for her kittens. Several repeat pregnancies with only short periods between giving birth can harm a cat’s health. Bearing kittens, giving birth, and nursing them can exhaust a cat’s physical resources, leaving her malnourished and exhausted.
Interesting Facts About Cat Pregnancy
Cats are fascinating creatures with complex menstrual cycles. Here are a few interesting facts about cat pregnancy.
- Cats are less likely to go into heat during the winter. Menstruation is likely triggered by longer days, which signifies better weather for having kittens. Studies show cats in the southern hemisphere go into heat more frequently at opposite times of the year to coincide with seasons.
- A cat pregnancy usually lasts on average between 63 to 67 days but can last as long as 72 days.
- The average number of kittens in a litter is 4, but cats can have up to 8. To learn more, check out our related guide on how many kittens are usually in a first litter.
- Cats will mate with their siblings and parents. You should be careful about accidentally having multiple litters if you keep your kittens until they’re mature.
- During the early stages of pregnancy, cats can get morning sickness, similar to humans.
Also Check: Why Do Cats Arch Their Back And Walk Sideways
What Does A Cat In Heat Act Like
If your cat is in heat, youll know it. They experience some big behavioral changes, such as:
- Vocalization. Your cat will make very loud meowing and yowling noises, in the hopes of attracting a mate.
- Affectionate or clingy behavior.
- Elevating their backside in the air.
- Increased urination and urine odor, and possibly urine marking outside their litter box.
- Attempts to escape home to find a mate.
Heat symptoms can last from a few days to two weeks.
Vaginal discharge or bleeding can also occur, but its unusual to see, especially since kitties are so good at keeping themselves clean.
How Did My Cat Get Pregnant
The fecundity of the cat has been acknowledged throughout its history with man it has in consequence been worshipped by some and persecuted as wanton by others. What it does mean, is that if you fail to neuter your female cat before she becomes sexually mature and you let her outside, an unneutered male cat is likely to find her and before you realise what has happened she will be pregnant! You are probably unlikely to notice this until she starts to get rather plump and wonder what you have to do. Heres how it happens
Recommended Reading: Low Dust Cat Litter Reviews
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.
Read Also: Can You Declaw A Cat In Ny
Shouldnt My Cat Have A Litter Before Getting Spayed
This is an old wives tale. There is absolutely no benefit to your cat to having a litter of kittens. It comes with risks for her, and its a time and financial commitment for you. Thats without even touching on the existing surplus of cats in need of loving homes.
Neutering the female cat prevents reproductive problems such as pyometra , and mammary tumours, both of which can be very serious. In addition to the health benefits and helping to avoid expanding the feline population further, neutering helps to prevent unwanted calling and mating behaviours that can be bothersome to both owners and neighbours.
The neutering procedure in the female cat is called a spay. Spaying your cat isnt without risk, but it is a very routine procedure that is done every day in veterinary clinics. The operation involves a general anaesthetic and it normally only takes around 20 minutes. It is generally performed through a very small incision and your pet will be back home on the same day.
To summarise, by taking the necessary precautions and considering early age neutering, you can prevent the unfortunate event of your kitten becoming pregnant. Discuss this with your vet during any routine visit or when you come to do vaccinations. They will be happy to advise on the best course of action for your pet.
You may also be interested in
Recommended Reading: Cat Friendly Hotels Columbus Ohio
Can Spayed Cats Still Be In Heat
In other words, can spayed cats still be sexually active, and will they still have the urge to mate?
The short answer is no.
After being spayed, female cats will no longer experience heat cycles and they will not feel the urge to mate. They will also cease showing behaviors associated with being in heat.
In some cases, a female cat can continue showing signs associated with being in heat even after a few weeks have passed from her spaying. This usually indicates that there is residual ovarian tissue still present in her body. This is called Ovarian Remnant Syndrome and once diagnosed as such, the cat should undergo the spaying procedure once more to fully eradicate the remaining ovarian tissue.
Being in heat is a hormonal matter, so another reason why a spayed cat may continue showing signs of being in heat can be if she somehow ingested hormones like estrogen or progesterone. This is a possibility if you have medication containing these hormones at home. If you are not sure and cant locate the source of the problem, visit your vet as soon as possible.
Also keep in mind that you may be interpreting some behavior as sexual when in fact, it is not. For instance, spraying urine to mark their territory may have another reason, or rubbing against or humping on something or someone may merely be playful and/or affectionate behavior.
What To Expect In The Early Stages Of Feline Pregnancy
In the early stages of pregnancy, Dr. Richardson says a pregnant cat, also known as a âqueenâ, may experience periods of transient vomiting similar to humans. âEqually, as the pregnancy progresses and their abdomen becomes heavier, they will slow down and need to sleep longer,â she explains. âAs âmorning sicknessâ is usually transient, no treatment is required, however, it is important to note that anything that the queen eats or is medicated with can be passed to her developing kittens so we try to avoid medications unless absolutely necessary for the health of the queen.â
You May Like: Do Cats Twitch In Their Sleep
How Soon Can A Cat Get Pregnant After Having A Litter
- Post comments:
How soon can a cat become pregnant after litter box training? This question is a common one among feline owners. The answer depends on the age of your cat and the health of your household.
A female cat becomes pregnant approximately 63 days after mating. In the first week of pregnancy, there are very few signs of pregnancy. Some cats exhibit pink nipples, increase in body weight, and filling of milk glands.
It can take several weeks for a pregnant cat to give birth, so the sooner you find out the better.
How soon can a cat become pregnant after litter box training? This question is a common one among feline owners.
The answer depends on the age of your cat and the health of your household. A female cat becomes pregnant approximately 63 days after mating. In the first week of pregnancy, there are very few signs of pregnancy.
Some cats exhibit pink nipples, increase in body weight, and filling of milk glands. It can take several weeks for a pregnant cat to give birth, so the sooner you find out the better.
A female cats pregnancy typically lasts approximately 9 weeks, but some females can become pregnant sooner.
The average gestation period is 63 to 65 days. If your cat does not spay, she may get pregnant shortly after giving birth. The next heat cycle can occur a few weeks after kittens are born.
A spayed cat will not have any more litters.
The womans estrus cycle occurs during the same time as the cat is in heat.
How Soon Can A Cat Get Pregnant After Giving Birth
A cat can get pregnant very soon after giving birth because as Ive explained above, cats can go into heat and mate while they are nursing. After mating, ovulation is induced within 1-2 days. If the eggs are successfully fertilized, it takes them about 10-12 days to settle in the uterine lining. This means that we can say cats officially get pregnant about 11-15 days after mating.
So whenever your cat mates after giving birth, she will likely become pregnant about 11-15 days later.
Also Check: Can Hairballs Make A Cat Sick
Animal Centres Are Expecting Biggest Ever Kitten Season
Awareness of cats and their litters is more important than ever this year. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown rules have made it more difficult for cats to be neutered. Therefore we’re expecting to see an increase in unwanted pregnancies and kittens coming into our care.
Kittens add an extra burden to rescue shelters which already have thousands of cats waiting for homes.
Knowing some key facts around the reproductive behaviour of cats can help you, your cat and us!
New To Having A Pet Or Just Need More Knowledge
About heat cycles in cats:fourth or fifth month of a kittenâsYou can see then, how a female cat may almost always seem to be in heat.
- Heat, oestrus, and estrus all refer to heat cycles in cats.
- The breeding season in cats lasts almost year-round.
- Heat cycles can start as early as four or five months in a female kitten.
- Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or more
- Heat cycles in cats repeat every two to three weeks until the cat is spayed or becomes pregnant.
- Heat cycles may cause pain or discomfort in cats.
You May Like: My Cat Has Blood In His Stool
What Are The Complications Of Getting Pregnant After Giving Birth
The complication of a cat getting pregnant after giving birth is that she is unable to provide enough nutrients and support to ensure the proper growth of her developing fetuses.
As you may expect, becoming pregnant so soon after giving birth is not ideal.
When you combine the stress and needs of pregnancy with the stress and demands of nursing a newborn litter of kittens, your cats health can suffer.
She must not only provide enough nourishment and support for her developing fetuses, but she must also produce enough nutritious milk for her kittens to grow properly.
That may be too taxing for her body, which may still be recovering from the last pregnancy and birth.
Do you know how many times can a cat get pregnant in a year
Can Cats Have Kittens By Multiple Partners
Yes, female cats can get pregnant by multiple partners. In fact, the number of fathers isn’t limited to just two males. Queens can have as many partners as there are kittens. For example, if your cat has 3 kittens, each kitten could have a different father. The process by which cats have kittens by multiple partners is called superfecundation.
That said, kittens with the same father can look completely different. Toms carry dominant and recessive genes, changing everything from a kitten’s eye color to the length of their fur.
Female cats are usually sexually mature by around 4 months old and can have kittens as soon as they enter heat. You’ll be pleased to hear that male cats won’t care if a litter has kittens from multiple fathers, as tomcats rarely stick around for parenthood.
Related: Why Are All Calico Cats Girls?
Recommended Reading: Male Calico Cats For Sale