Signs you have a pregnant cat

Continuing on with ‘Cat Month’, this week we’ll be taking a look at some things to consider as your cat grows from a kitten to an adult. If you have a female cat and haven’t had her spayed then there’s a chance that she may become pregnant. Let’s take a look at some of the telltale signs of feline pregnancy.

Recognise the symptoms of being in heat

Cats that are pregnant or in heat will have enlarged nipples and be affectionate towards other living creatures. However, only a pregnant cat will be highly vocal whilst rolling around on the floor. Cats that are in heat tend to walk differently, usually with their backsides pointed up into the air and their tails slightly off to the side.

Check her eating habits

Look out for a drastic change in your cat’s eating habits, if your cat is pregnant then she may start to regularly be sick or refuse to eat as soon she is three or four weeks into the pregnancy. If your cat refuses to eat for longer than three days then take her to your vet immediately. Of course, not all pregnant cats will suffer a loss of appetite and some may actually eat a lot more than they usually do.

Check her nipples

Whilst enlarged nipples can be a sign of pregnancy then can also simply mean that your cat is in heat. In order to determine pregnancy look for a range of range signs. Around 35 days a pregnant cat’s nipples will often turn bright pink and may express milky fluid.

Look for a characteristic ‘burro’ shape

To tell the difference between a fat cat and a pregnant cat you’ll need to look at her in a different way. When looking from above, you’ll see that a pregnant cat’s tummy is distended slightly more than halfway from the neck to the tail. From the side, pregnant cats will look a little swayback with a slightly round and bulging tummy. If a cat is just fat, then she’ll be fat all over including her neck and her legs.

Watch for nesting behaviours

You may notice that your cat starts to go to a quiet place - such as a closet or corner of a barn - and begins to arrange blankets, towels or straw to create a good place to give birth to her kittens. If you do notice this then help her and arrange a soft spot by lining a cardboard box with blankets or towels.

If you notice that your cat is exhibiting any of these signs, take her to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Please note, this article is for advice purposes only and shouldn't be treated as a medical document.