Cats are excellent mothers. As a rule, they give birth on their own and raise their cubs without any problems. Before they are one year old they have their first heat and can become pregnant if they come into contact with a male. If you have not sterilized your cat, even if she is a domestic cat, it is likely that she will get pregnant on some escape. Likewise, it is possible that you have rescued a pregnant cat from the street and you need information to know the care that she should receive. It is important to point out that, although it is very common to use the term pregnancy, the truth is that in veterinary medicine the correct thing to do is to use the words " gestación" or " pregnancy".
The heat in the cat
In general, female cats come into heat according to the seasons and daylight hours because they are seasonal polyestrousHowever, due to various factors such as weather conditions, domestic cats can be in heat practically all year round. The first heat of a cat usually appears between 6 and 9 months of age , depending on the individual cat.
During heat cats are restless, meow louder than normal and may rub their bellies against the floor by tilting their hips upwards. It is on these days that she will attract males from the area and will try to go out to meet them herself.
If you don't want your cat to get pregnant, you should prevent her from leaving the house during these days or watch her at all times. However, keep in mind that she will still meow day and night until the heat period is over. You must be patient and wait for a few days. Keep informing yourself about it in the following article: "Cats' zeal". If you don't want your cat to have litters consider sterilization During heat the cat suffers, especially if copulation doesn't finally occur.
Symptoms of a pregnant cat
In the early stages of pregnancy it can be difficult to detect. In addition, not all cats are the same, some go through pregnancy normally and others show more obvious changes in behavior.
In general, there are a number of changes in a pregnant cat's behavior and other physical symptoms that can help you identify the gestation. The changes are:
- Loss of appetite: Eats in smaller amounts, may order food from you and then barely touch it, even his favorite. It is normal and in a matter of days you will eat normally.
- Sleep for more hours: is more apathetic, not wanting to play. You will notice it especially if you live with more cats. She will try to be alone and rest.
- She is more affectionate and homely: after the encounter with the male, the cat often does not want to leave the house. It is an indication that she has had intercourse, because as you will remember during her heat, her priority is to go out and meet a male. She will ask for more caresses and will be more cuddly than usual
- She is more surly: the opposite can also happen, that your cat is more sullen and does not want to interact. Non-home cats or cats that come and go freely from home may be less affectionate than before. It totally depends on the cat's personality and her relationship with her owner.
From the fourth week of pregnancy you will be able to notice the physical changes produced by pregnancy. In this case, the symptoms of a pregnant cat are:
- Bulging belly is beginning to show.
- The nipples become swollen, larger and more pink than usual. It is an indication that they are preparing to give milk. As the weeks go by you will notice how the breasts fill with milk and increase in size.
Do cats know they are pregnant?
Of course, animals are aware of the state they are in and, therefore, carry out very specific behaviors during all this process.
How long does a cat's pregnancy last?
The pregnancy time of a cat occupies a total of two months, that is, about 58-67 days However, this time may be reduced or extended for a few days. If it exceeds 70 days, it is always advisable to visit the vet to check that everything is going well.
Pregnancy of a cat week by week
During pregnancy, enormous changes take place in the cat's body in order to accommodate the development of her offspring, as we have already seen. In turn, these undergo a tremendous evolution to go from a cell to a perfect cat. However, all these changes are more internal than external. Below, we list the most important milestones of a cat's pregnancy according to the week in which they occur:
First week (0-7 days)
About 5 or 6 days after fertilization, the embryos that will be the future kittens reach the uterus.
Second week (8-14 days)
On the eighth day of life, the embryos are called blastocysts Before implanting, they circulate between the two uterine horns of the cat and they are distributed equally. Some cats may still be showing signs of heat. Between day 12 and 13 the blastocysts are implanted in the horns.
Third week (15-21 days)
The hearts of the embryos begin to beat.
Fourth week (22-28 days)
Some cats experience nausea due to major hormonal changes. From the 28th day, the gestating kittens can already be called fetuses. It begins to increase the secretion of the hormones prolactin and relaxin. The latter softens pelvic tissues to facilitate its opening at the time of delivery and there is a test that allows it to be measured to detect whether the cat is pregnant or not.
Fifth week (29-35 days)
By day 33 the kittens are about 4-5 centimeters long and weigh about 4-7 grams. In some cats we could detect an increase in the size of the breasts, which can also change their color. This growth, together with the weight gain that pregnancy entails, is related to the secretion of the hormone progesterone.
Sixth week (36-42 days)
By day 42 fetuses already measure around eight centimeters and can weigh as much as 66 grams.
Seventh week (43-49 days)
The abdomen of the pregnant cat clearly shows an increase in size, although in some cats with overweight or a lot of hair it could go unnoticed.
Eighth week (50-56 days)
On the 51st day of pregnancy, the little ones already reach 10 centimeters in length and weigh over 80 grams.
Ninth week (57-63 days)
In this week labor can be triggered, although it is not uncommon for it to be delayed until 64 or 67 days. At the time of birth, kittens come into the world with about 10-15 centimeters in length and between 85 and 105 grams in weight. The cat can announce the birth to us by stopping eating, being restless or hiding in search of tranquility. Your body temperature drops.
How do I know how pregnant my cat is?
It is not always easy to know when the cat is pregnant. First, because we are not always going to know the exact moment in which fertilization has occurred. Although it can guide us to stop the heat, the pregnancy does not have to stop it immediately. Second, because the usual thing is that there are no visible symptoms that alert us almost until the end of pregnancy. Therefore, the safest way to date this condition is go to the vet
It is true that we can detect physical signs of pregnancy such as weight gain, of up to a couple of kg, of the breasts, appetite, etc., but, as they do not all take place on the same day In all cats, it is safest to use tests that can only be performed by a veterinary professional.
With an abdominal ultrasound it is possible to confirm the pregnancy and, depending on the size of the kittens, determine what week it is and, therefore, how long before the estimated date of delivery. Radiography can also be used for this purpose. Other methods include palpation, which should be performed by an experienced veterinarian, and some laboratory tests.
If you also want to learn how to carry out all these procedures to help pregnant cats and their offspring, you can make your passion your profession and train with the course of Veterinary Assistant of VETFORMACIÓN, where you will learn from experts in the sector and carry out internships in professional centers.
Pregnancy of first time cats
The first pregnancy in the catcan be as early as her first heat. This period of fertility does not start at a fixed age, since it is influenced by various factors, but the average is around six months. If the cat comes into contact with males, it is highly likely that fertilization will take place and, at about eight months, she will be able to give birth to her first litter, which could perfectly well be four kittens, that is, there is not much difference in the number with respect to more experienced cats.
Occasionally, we can find complications derived from the inexperience of the mother in terms of the correct care of the kittens. Negligence in this care can precipitate the death of children, who are extremely fragile at this age. For example, insufficient suckling or a lack of stimulation for the kitten to urinate and defecate lead to complications that can quickly lead to death.
Although an early gestation is feasible, it is not recommended, since at six or eight months the cat has not even completed her development physical. We must not allow such a young cat to become a first-time mother and, of course, responsible ownership indicates that the best option is sterilization. Now, if we already have a first-time mother cat because we have already adopted her, we should carefully follow the veterinarian's recommendations and be vigilant against any alteration, although without overwhelming her, since stress would be counterproductive.
Can a pregnant cat be dewormed?
Deworming is very important throughout your cat's life, but especially during pregnancy. You must ensure that your cat is clean of parasites both internally and externally. Otherwise, complications can occur during pregnancy and the puppies can be infected at birth. In a very young cat, internal parasites can be very dangerous for her he alth.
So, when in doubt as to whether it is possible to deworm a pregnant cat the answer is yes, but it must be the specialist who determines which is the best antiparasitic product. If you want to know more about this topic, read the article "How to deworm a cat?" and discover how to protect your cat against parasites.
How to prepare a nest for a pregnant cat?
The moment of giving birth will take place from the 60th day of pregnancy, but since many times it is difficult to determine the moment it is important to be prepared. We recommend you go to the vet to do an ultrasound on the pregnant cat. That will help to know how many puppies are on the way, if there could be complications in the delivery, etc.
Besides, it is important to keep in mind a series of precautions that will help the cat to give birth without stress. The most important of all is the preparation of the nest, since it will be here where the feline will decide to have her puppies and will take care of them during their first months.
Nest preparation
To give birth, cats often look for secluded places, warm, quiet and with little light. If you have an attic or basement in your house, you may choose one of these corners to give birth. As a general rule, they will look for a place that they like, so you should observe it and choose a quiet place, away from human traffic and where the cat spends the first days after giving birth as calm as possible. Some advices:
- Prepare a cardboard box or bed with blankets or clothes. Keep in mind that it will stain her with blood and fluids, so it better not be the bed she sleeps in.
- In the place you must have water and food. If the litter box is very far away, for example if she has given birth in the attic, take her to that area for the first few days. Many cats do not want to be separated from their kittens, especially if there are many people in the house.
- Ideally, you should have a place prepared for the moment of giving birth and for the first few days; then you can move them to another space in the home. Keep in mind that kittens are born with their eyes closed, so you should not expose them to light sources. It is best for them to stay in dimly lit places until they have opened their eyes. In the first moments also avoid taking flash photos from very close; acts like that can damage your eyes in the first days of life.
Symptoms of labor in cats
How does a cat go into labor? There are several signs that may indicate that your cat will give birth in the next few hours:
- Behavior changes: the cat is restless, lying down and getting up continuously. She licks her genitals and changes position as if she is not comfortable
- Fasting: hours before delivery they will not eat food, thus avoiding vomiting during contractions.
- Warnings: when the moment approaches, many cats look for their owner and meow calling her attention. If yours does, she may want you to go with her to her chosen place to give birth. It depends on the relationship you have with your cat, in other cases she will leave on her own, without warning. In any case, you must respect her, especially if it is her first calving
- Contractions: Contractions will repeat every few minutes. Small spasms are observed in the belly.
- Expulsion of the mucous plug: a whitish or yellowish mucosa is expelled from the vulva. It is an indication that labor is imminent.
- Lower Body Temperature: Your body temperature drops below 39°C before delivery.
What is a cat's mucous plug like?
Because this is the sign that the kittens are going to be born, many people wonder what exactly this plug looks like to be sure it is the mucus plug and not a problem during birth. Birth. As we have mentioned, this plug has a mucous texture and can be white or yellowish If your cat expels a mucous plug with these characteristics, she is in labor.
The birth of a cat
Cats usually have their puppies without difficulty. After the expulsion of the mucous plug, it may take minutes or hours before the first puppy comes out. However, it will not hurt to prepare the telephone number of the emergency veterinarian if we have decided that she gives birth at home.
The mother helps the puppies to come out, licks them and removes the remains of blood and placenta. With her teeth she cuts the umbilical cord of each puppy. Normally, several minutes pass between the departure of one puppy and the next, but sometimes they can all come out in a row. In this case, and if you notice that the mother is very tired and cannot take care of all the puppies, you can help her. With a damp towel clean the puppy with gentle caresses. It is best if the mother cuts the cord, but if not, you can do so by tying two cords at two points on the umbilical cord, away from the puppy's belly, and cutting carefully with disinfected scissors.
After all the puppies have come out the cat will expel the placentaIf she doesn't, she may get an infection. As soon as it is expelled, the cat will eat it, it is normal and it also provides many nutrients after giving birth, so do not prevent it from doing so.
Sometimes a female cat can take an entire nightto give birth to all of her puppies, as it can take hours between one and another. It is better that you leave her alone during those hours and from time to time supervise that everything is going well.
If after all night or all day you notice that she still has a puppy inside her but it seems that she has finished giving birth, go to your vet. Cats can give birth to dead puppies and can take time to be expelled. For more details, don't miss this article: "How long does a cat go into labor?"
The newborn kittens
As soon as they are born, kittens will seek out their mother'snipples for their first meal. If you are present, you can bring them closer to suckle, although it is better that in these first hours you do not pick up the puppies, take photos or move them. There will be time to play with them when they are older, he thinks that the cat could reject them. Many female cats can become surly if someone touches their puppies. With you, her human companion, it is normal for her to feel comfortable but it is better that visitors or those who do not know the cat do not touch or enter the cat's space during the first few days.
The first feedings are very important, since in the days after giving birth the female produces colostrum, a special milk loaded with nutrients and antibodies that will protect the little ones. If you reject any of their offspring, you should go to the vet as soon as possible so that the specialist can provide you with infant formula and you can feed the little one.
Puppies at birth cannot see or hear, they are very delicate and will not leave their mother and siblings to maintain the heat. From the first week of life or week and a half they will begin to open their eyes. Their eyesight will gradually improve and after 10 weeks they will see perfectly.
If problems arise with the mother, rejects them or for any other reason you want to know more about caring for puppies during their first months of life, consult the article "Care for one-month-old cats". In any case, the cat will be in charge of taking care of the puppies, so you only have to supervise that everything is going well. In a few weeks you will have your puppies running around the house and they will start weaning around 3 weeks old.
Care for pregnant and lactating cats
During pregnancy, cats should maintain a balanced diet similar to the rest of the year but increasing its quantity by 25-35%, especially from mid-pregnancy. There are specialized feeds for pregnant cats that will provide the necessary nutrients, although you can also offer a homemade diet with the advice of the veterinarian. It is convenient that you always have food, because in certain phases of pregnancy they tend to eat little or vomit. For more details, don't miss the article "Feeding a pregnant cat".
During lactation the contribution of calories, proteins and calcium should be greater Cats store a quantity of fat that will be used after giving birth to suckle their puppies. Therefore, during this period you can give him vitamin supplements Consult your veterinarian about which is the most convenient.
In addition to proper nutrition, it is important to offer the pregnant cat a calm and relaxed environment, since stress and anxiety they do not favor her state. Likewise, you can allow it to continue exercising but paying attention to avoid any damage. Once the kittens are born, the environment must continue to be safe and calm, especially during the first weeks to prevent the cat from becoming stressed and rejecting the little ones. As they grow, you can increase their environmental enrichment by providing puppy toys, small scratching posts, etc.
