Dr. Smith is a small animal veterinarian with 11 years practicing veterinary medicine. (Image credit: Dragana Gerasimoski Shutterstock) Third trimester (weeks 28-40) changes in the mother's body. During this time she will generally be much more vocal and affectionate. During the early stages of pregnancy, your cat will begin to gain weight. In order for a cat to conceive, she must first be fertile, or "in heat." This is a strong indication that she is pregnant. 5 stages of cat pregnancy 5 Stages Of Cat Pregnancy Although most people often recommend cat neutering or spaying, there are chances that you may have to deal with cat pregnancy, due to deliberate breeding or an unexpected liaison at the shelter or clinic. And did you know that there can be more than one father cat per litter of kittens, and it all just depends on how many Tom cats are successful with mating with the female during heat. It is not at all easy to identify as if your kitty is pregnant or not. A feline goes into heat for approximately four to ten days. Stages of cat pregnancy. 11, 2013, pp. She should also be kept indoors at all times. Usually, the fetuses are simply resorbed by the mother's body and no symptoms occur. During this time, it is natural for her to seek a male cat to mate with. The following are a few conditions to be aware of so that you can spot the symptoms if they should occur, and take proper action. Now your cat starts gaining weight in earnest. A cat’s pregnancy length usually lasts between 58 and 67 days. Tracy Moser September 4, 2017. Kitten Development in the First Six Weeks of Life. A cat has the potential of becoming pregnant at about six months of age, which is the general age in which cats reach their sexual maturity. In the end, you can welcome a bundle of kittens. Just when labor is about to begin, you won’t help but be able to notice the signs. After mating first 1-10 days male cat’s sperm finds the female cat’s eggs and fertilize them. She is also the founder of The Vetitud, a site for veterinary professionals. She is the published author of her memoir, “It’s all in Your Head,” and a children’s book. During pregnancy, switch your pregnant cat to premium-quality kitten food and continue feeding her this way until after the kittens are weaned. If your cat is fertile and has been in contact with a male tom cat, however, she is … Your cat will gradually gain between one and two kilograms, depending on the number of kittens. If, on the other hand, a pregnant one-year-old cat is considered to be 15 years old in human years (another unproven estimate), the comparative length of pregnancy … Cats can go into heat and breed as early as 5 … A cat about to go into heat will initially display signs of restlessness, become more affectionate, begin making low calls, and have increased appetite. At around two weeks, her nipples will become darker in color and begin to enlarge. If fewer kittens than expected were born, a veterinary visit is essential to ensure that there are no remaining fetuses inside the queen. Ultrasound of Your Cat's Abdomen: An ultrasound may detect fetuses as early as the second week of pregnancy, and heartbeats may be detected sometime after the third week. All you need to do is just keep a watchful eye on how everything is going and make sure everything’s progressing as it should. How Many Times Can a Cat Become Pregnant? 1st week of cat’s pregnancy is very beginning. If her nipples are pink, which happens at about 3 weeks, then the … Little, Susan E. Female Reproduction. At this time, your cat's nipples may become swollen and darker in color. She has been writing for over 15 years; writing articles, whitepapers, product write-ups and more for multiple online media sites, blogs, company websites and individuals. Save Saved Removed 5. The 5 Stages of Cat Pregnancy. This is also the time that if she’s palpable enough, you could even begin to feel the first little lumps in here belly that are the kittens developing. This marks the beginning of organ development in the embryos and creates a surge of hormones in your cat. If you want to know how many kittens your cat is going to have, your vet may do an X-ray at this time. Eclampsia is a veterinary emergency, and the cat should be seen immediately by a veterinarian at the first signs of symptoms. “Morning sickness” can occur in stage three and your expectant mother may start to vomit from time to time. Not only does spaying reduce the number of unwanted cats, but it also protects your own cat from contracting various diseases, like cancer, that can occur in the reproductive system. Poor health of the pregnant cat or certain infections may result in malformed fetuses, which will be aborted spontaneously. Cat Pregnancy StagesIn this video, we are going to talk about the stages of cat pregnancy and what to expect. Pregnant cats go through many changes within a shorter amount of time than a pregnant woman’s nine-month gestation period. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Many times, milk droplets form and drip out from them during this time. Gestation is approximately 63 days or 9 weeks. But if so, we answer some questions like, "How long are cats pregnant?" During the third trimester, as a … How to tell if your cat is pregnant. 3. It is natural and it is needed.One thing you can do as your cat’s caretaker and owner, is to not panic when she starts labor and rush her into the vet. Breeding Your Cat. Make sure to provide as much high-quality food as she'll eat during this stage. You should feed a food that is AAFCO approved for growth and development. The affected cat is … At this stage, the cat’s nipples become dark pink and sometimes red. About twenty-four hours before birth, your cat may have milky discharge coming from her nipples. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Once all the kittens are born, healthy and happy, you will want to let them all stay together for a minimum of eight weeks. For cats, there are essentially five stages of pregnancy and the first is easy; fertilization. Pre-labor There are five major stages of cat’s pregnancy that every owner should be aware of it. So let’s go through the stages, starting with the beginning. Eclampsia or Milk Fever. This indicates "go time"—kittens are on their way. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Most newborn cats can get their nutrition and essential needs from the mother. Increased affection is another sign of impending labor. Your cat can be ready to be a mom after being 6 months old. When the kittens are all weaned and old enough to find homes of their own, you will want to get your momma cat spayed as soon as possible because she can go right back into heat pretty quick once the babies are done nursing. This marks the beginning of organ development in the embryos and creates a surge of hormones in your cat. She has a four stage cyclical reproductive period. Stages of pregnancy over nine months. For this reason, it is important to have at hand the phone number and location of the closest emergency veterinary clinic—everyone who has lived with cats for any length of time knows that they never get sick during normal clinic hours. Nutrition is especially important in the early stages of birth. Make sure they test her for FeLV (feline leukemia virus) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and discuss the pros and cons of vaccinating during pregnancy.. Besides, the become more noticeable against her usual pale abdomen colouring. Stage 1: cat will find nesting spot to birth in, may howl, lick vulva, refuse to eat Stage 2: contractions begin and kittens are pushed through birth canal Stage 3: placenta is expelled Initial pregnancy is the four week period following conception. Cats show the first visible sign of pregnancy in this stages of cat pregnancy called pinking up in the third week of the cat gestation period. Nesting Behavior: This occurs during the advanced stages of pregnancy. This is a cat’s fertile period. Learn how your comment data is processed. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, or early stages, your cat will actually suffer what humans suffer with during their first trimester, and that is what we call morning sickness. All symptoms of abortion should be considered a veterinary emergency, and the pregnant cat should be seen immediately. She will need to be examined in case she retains any remaining fetuses, alive or dead. Journal Of Feline Medicine And Surgery, vol 15, no. Below are the stages of feline gestation and what the owner can expect during these times. Although eight is acceptable, 12 is even better and preferred if you can allow it. Erratum: 2013 AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel Report. This article is designed to help you comprehend different stages of feline labor. To remember: people 9 months, cats 9 weeks. Babies need to be with their mom for this long in order to properly wean from their mom an d be strong enough to survive on their own. This is known as ‘nesting behavior’. The middle stage of cat pregnancy. This includes nesting—snooping around in closets and secluded areas for an appropriate place to bear her kittens. The time is ripe for you to prepare an area in a private place, with a box or basket lined with soft towels. The signs that you may think of pregnancy may come out to be because of some other reasons or vice-versa. This is an important part of the care of a pregnant cat.​ Although many pregnant cats go through gestation trouble-free, there are potential problems that can occur. The first stage is when a cat goes into feline estrus (also known as heat). The depletion of calcium in the bloodstream can result in eclampsia, a life-threatening condition, which most often occurs when the kittens are one to five weeks of age and the mother is producing the most milk. A calcium supplement can help prevent this potential problem, particularly when caring for a pregnant stray cat, whose previous diet was undoubtedly minimal. This process occurs roughly two weeks after fertilization. As the embryos continue to develop, the highly-evolved cells of the head (cranium) and body (thoracic region) develop first. 4. Although lots of people often suggest pet cat neutering or spaying, there are opportunities that you may need to handle feline maternity, as a result of calculated breeding or an unexpected intermediary at the shelter or clinic. 1. The Cat, 2012, pp. Elsevier, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-0660-4.00040-5, Scherk, M A et al. London Vet Clinic | 86 York Street, London W1H 1QS, 2020. Michigan Animal Hospital, Miscarriage In Cats. A cat is said to be ‘in heat’ which is the period when its body change and she is able to become pregnant. We hope not. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. And did you know that there can be more than one father cat per litter of kittens, and it all just depends on how many Tom cats are successful with mating with the female during heat. Learn to spot the specific symptoms of trouble and what action to take to ensure the health of a pregnant cat and her fetuses. Or the fetus may be stillborn with no prior symptoms or signs. In general, any unusual symptoms during gestation should be followed through with a call or visit to your veterinarian. Stage 1 – Implantation and Fertilisation (Week 1 – 2) Some oriental breeds can be ready to bear kitties as early as 5 months. Just about a week before deliver, a female cat’s nipples become very visible. At approximately 4 weeks, when most of the organic structures have been formed, the embryos become fetuses and the first trimester is completed. Once active labor starts, she should give birth to her first kitten. In cats, milk fever (also called eclampsia or lactation tetany) may occur three to five weeks after the birth of kittens and is due to a sudden drop in the amount of calcium circulating in the bloodstream, associated with the heavy demands of milk production. So let’s go through the stages, starting with the beginning. However, if you want to help them along, there are special foods specifically for the mother cat and the kittens. Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, 2020, Pregnancy Diagnosis In Dogs And Cats. Read our. Handling Cat Pregnancy. A cat’s pregnancy lasts about 60-65 days. It has even been heard of that a cat can go into heat at about five months old, which is really why it is a good idea to get a cat spayed. When a cat goes into heat, she displays clear behavioral changes meant to attract a mate that will last about four to six days. Here are the 7 stages of cat pregnancy: Fertilization Cats become sexually mature at six months of age; Oriental breeds can reach sexual maturity even earlier. 5 Stages Of Cat Pregnancy . If she has the ability to be around male cats, let out to wonder around the neighborhood, the males will find her and try to mate with her. There are 4 stages that comprise a female cat’s heat cycle: Stage 1 – Proestrus If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. At around three weeks, small … Cat pregnancy can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for pet owners. But let’s say you do a cat business and t those breed kittens are in real demand or you have adopted a stray pregnant cat so you have to understand the pregnancy stages to ensure a healthy and normal birth. Stages of Cat Pregnancy – Feline Labor and Birth. MTA Worker Saves Dozens of Cats from Subways and Railroads, Philosopher Suggests Living the Good Life Can Be Learned from Cats, Missing for 4 months, Beloved Cat Returns Home for the Holidays, Cats May Love Their Pet Parents More Than We Thought, 10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Arabian Mau, 10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Chocolate Point Siamese, Why You Should Always Bathe Your Cat in the Sink, A Few Facts about National Hairball Awareness Day, A Quick Guide on How to “Cat Proof” Your Windows, The 10 Most Serious Cat Diseases to Be Aware Of. This gives her extra nutrition that she needs, so don’t stop her from doing this. The typical feline pregnancy is 63 to 65 days long. This is also the time when a veterinarian or trained professional will be able to feel the baby kittens inside her abdomen; however, this window is fairly small as the production of amniotic fluid as the fetus develop can make them hard to feel. By the third week of gestation, as the embryos start to develop, your cat will gain weight and increase her intake of food. If you are curious to know how many kittens she’s carrying, your vet can perform an X-ray to see. Cat Pregnancy is in Full-Flow When you enter the third of these cat pregnancy stages, your expectant mother will display an even more significant weight gain and a belly or bump in the exact spot where the kittens are developing. Dr. Smith is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. In the second week, you may notice that your cat has pink nipples that are swollen and sensitive to touch. Responsible pet ownership involves spaying and neutering cats. That is the scenario when … The fertilization of a cat's egg (ovum) involves several steps. The prominent cat pregnancy symptoms are typically observed around the first three weeks of pregnancy. Pinking Up and Stages of Cat Pregnancy. Watch for mating behaviors. The kittens are getting bigger, and depending on how many kittens she’s carrying, she may start looking like she swallowed a football. When a female cat is not spayed, she goes into heat many times a year. In the third week of pregnancy, you may feel so… The early stage of feline pregnancy will be signaled bya few subtle symptoms. By the third week of gestation, as the embryos start to develop, your cat will gain weight and increase her intake of food. How Many Litters Can a Cat Birth in One Year? If she happens to encounter multiple males that mate successfully with her during that heat cycle, she can have several male cats who are fathers of her kittens. When Does a Cat Go Into Heat After Birth? Palpation of the Cat's Abdomen: Your veterinarian may be able to feel your pregnant cat's fetuses by palpating and gently pressing on her abdomen.This typically happens around the 17th to 25th day of pregnancy. If a cat's yearly age is determined by multiplying seven (a rough estimate, to be sure), then a cat pregnancy is really 14 months long. A previously affectionate cat may become withdrawn and seek solitude. The early stage of pregnancy is considered the first 4 weeks afterfertilization. She’ll start licking her genitals and she’ll begin making sounds that tell you she is in uncomfortable. Yes, cats get it too, and you may notice her not eating as much, she may experience nausea and some vomiting, which you may think could be illness, or hairball related. If you are fostering a pregnant cat or have welcomed a stray into your home, take her to the vet for a "well-check" immediately. Generally, in this time fertilization occur. For cats, there are essentially five stages of pregnancy and the first is easy; fertilization. If this is her first litter, she may act a little anxious and do a lot of pacing or other nervous-types of actions. However, if you're the owner of a purebred cat whose kittens are in high demand, or you've taken on a pregnant stray, understanding the stages of pregnancy will ensure a healthy gestation period. Once the first kitten is born, the other kittens should follow about every fifteen to twenty minutes all the way until the end of the births. This, as we mentioned before, will depend on the age, breed, size and health status of your cat. 1195-1227. Your kitty will also start to refuse food about two days before she goes into labor, so if you notice this about her, you should know it’s about time for her to go into labor. Below are the five pregnancy stages of a cat that you must watch out as you prepare to welcome new healthy kitties. How Soon Can a Cat Go Into Heat After Giving Birth? Fertilisation If you are anticipating breeding, you should consider the age of your cat. As a cat owner, you will probably be head over hills for the arrival and preparing everything for it. If you own a cat, it’s quite important that you’re aware of the various stages of pregnancy in order to avoid potential complications along the way. Your cat may lack appetite due to nausea; catsmay experience morning sickness and will lose a bit of weight. An unspayed cat's fertility stage occurs every two to three weeks during spring and summer, as the sunlight triggers the release of hormones that activate ovulation. When your cat is in estrus, she is ready to mate and her eggs will accept fertilization for approximately seven days. Either personality change is completely normal. Is your cat pregnant? Here’s a cat pregnancy timeline with pictures, which you can refer to anticipate the stages of your cat’s pregnancy and how you can help. From now until birth, the growth of the fetuses will be your cat's main objective, requiring a great deal of her body's energy. Cat pregnancy and stages of cat pregnancy are rather fascinating, unique and above all, short. and go through the stages of cat pregnancy. If symptoms do occur, they may include fever, bleeding from the vagina, inappetence, and depression. August 28, 2020 August 28, 2020 admin 0 Comments cat breed, cat health, cat pregnancy, cat pregnancy calculator, cat pregnancy calendar, Cat Pregnancy Symptoms, Stages of Cat Pregnancy Cats are extremely fertile animals and if the cat is not spayed then it can deliver up to three times a year. Since there are usually multiple kittens in a litter, you may never know this occurred as the birth of the rest of the kittens will proceed as normal. As your queen nears her due date (approximately nine weeks from fertilization), she will exhibit clues to the arrival of kittens. Erratum: 2013 AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel Report. Your cat will get into her nesting stage and start looking for a nice, warm, safe place for her to birth her kittens, and this is the time you want to prepare a place for her. Typically the momma cat cleans up each kitten, licking them and eating the placentas that come out with the kittens. The cat searches for a suitable place where she can deliver her kittens safely. Days 8-14 : Week two. Franny is an award-winning freelance writer who has been writing about cats since 1997. Resorption is an interesting phenomenon in which a dead fetus is completely absorbed by the queen's system. There are rarely any outward symptoms when resorption occurs. Week one : Days 1-7. Each step results in a new stage in the embryo's development and implantation in the lining of the uterus. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1177/1098612x13511888, Eclampsia In Cats. While she may decide, instead, to give birth on the cold, hard floor of your bathroom, at least you tried to accommodate her needs. 5 stages of cat pregnancy. Your catwill regain her appetite after the third week of pregnancy, when shewill start gaining weight. She may start to lay around more, and you may notice that she lays on her side more since her belly is growing. Postnatal Care of a Mother Cat and Her Newborn Kittens. Similar to morning sickness in humans, your pregnant queen may go through a stage of vomiting. What Cat Toys Should You Buy for Your Cat? The placenta begins to form at the time of implantation and allows for the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and embryo. Just past the early stage, is the middle stage where she is really packing on the pounds, but all seems to be in the belly as opposed to all over. She is also an advocate for brain malformations, including Chiari Malformation, and works closely with the non-profit organization, The Chiari Project, writing for their quarterly newsletters. It is suggested to get the neutering done to form a vet and to make sure that you do not get more unwanted cats. Jumping may be a bit harder for her and she may start to show a lot more affection, wanting attention and to be close to you. A nesting box with a warm towel or blanket for her, should be offered to her. Assuming your cat is healthy, proper care during pregnancy includes a diet high in nutrients, along with fresh, clean water. But it could go the other way, as well (hormones are known to do crazy things). Cat Tip of the Day: How to Deal With a Lazy Cat, How to Choose Cat Litter and a Cat Litter Box. Your cat may want to be around you all the time. Her belly starts to swell and her kittens are really growing. You will not able to tell surely that your cat is pregnant. Problems with pregnancy or parturition are rare, but can be serious if they occur. There are roughly 5 cat stages of pregnancy. After approximately 15-18 days of a cat pregnancy, you may notice that your pet’s nipples become enlarged and red – this is known as ‘pinking-up’. NP2-NP2. The pregnant cat begins to hunt for a proper nesting place. At this time, your cat's nipples may become swollen and darker in color. At the very beginning of your cat’s pregnancy, mating and fertilisation occur, although you will not be able to tell definitively that your cat is pregnant for a couple of weeks. If you don’t spay your cat, she has the potential of becoming pregnant which will mean that you will soon have kittens running around getting into everything. But about three weeks into her pregnancy, her appetite should return and she will probably start to gain her first pregnancy pounds. 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