You can tell if your cat is pregnant by observing several physical and behavioral signs that typically develop over the approximately 63-65 day gestation period:
Early Signs (around 2-3 weeks)
- Nipple Changes ("Pinking Up") : Around 16-21 days into pregnancy, your cat’s nipples will become pinker, enlarged, and more prominent due to increased blood flow. This is often the first visible sign of pregnancy
- Behavioral Changes : Pregnant cats may become more affectionate, calmer, or sometimes more reclusive than usual
Mid Pregnancy (3-5 weeks)
- Increased Appetite : Your cat might start eating more as the pregnancy progresses
- Morning Sickness : Some cats experience vomiting early in pregnancy, similar to morning sickness in humans
- Weight Gain : You may notice your cat gaining 2 to 4 pounds over the course of pregnancy
Late Pregnancy (after 5 weeks)
- Enlarged Abdomen : The belly will start to swell noticeably as the kittens grow, usually around the fifth week and onward
- Nesting Behavior : Your cat may start looking for quiet, hidden places to prepare for giving birth
- Increased Grooming : She might lick her belly and vulva more often
- Cessation of Heat Cycles : If your cat normally goes into heat regularly, pregnancy will stop these cycles
Confirming Pregnancy
- Veterinary Examination : A vet can palpate the abdomen gently to feel for fetuses around 17-21 days into pregnancy
- Ultrasound : Can detect fetal heartbeats from about 21 days
- X-ray : Useful after about 6 weeks when the kittens’ skeletons have calcified
If you suspect your cat is pregnant, a vet visit is recommended to confirm pregnancy and ensure proper care. They can also rule out false pregnancy, where a cat shows signs of pregnancy without actually carrying kittens
. In summary, look for pink, enlarged nipples, weight gain, a swollen belly, changes in appetite and behavior, and nesting activity. For certainty, veterinary tests like palpation, ultrasound, or X-ray are definitive methods
