Included in this article:
My cat is pregnant – what now?
Did you know that certain cat breeds, such as Siamese cats, can become pregnant from the age of 4 months? Although many owners have their cats neutered early in consultation with their veterinarians, outdoor cats often become pregnant unintentionally. Kittens are cute - but they also come with a lot of responsibility. You should definitely make sure that the kittens find a loving new home.
In this article you will find tips on the subject of pregnancy and learn how you can best support your cat during this time.
When is a cat sexually mature and how does this show?
Depending on the breed, female cats reach sexual maturity at between seven and eight months of age. For long-haired cats such as the Main Coone, it can take up to a year before the first heat occurs. If cats become pregnant immediately after reaching sexual maturity, this is associated with health risks. In addition, young mother cats often reject their babies, which is why a cat under one year old should not become a mother.
A cat's readiness to mate is clearly expressed in its behavior: it tends to be restless and eats less. The minute-long meowing that is reminiscent of a crying baby is particularly heartbreaking. The term "heat" also refers to a typical behavior of cats ready to mate: they roll on the floor, rub themselves intensively against objects and spread their scent marks.
If you stroke the back of a cat in heat, she will stick her bottom up and hold her tail to the side. Mating triggers ovulation in the cat. If the right tomcat is found, the heat only lasts 1 to 2 days and can often pass unnoticed. If there is no contact, this phase lasts about 1 week.
How do I know if my cat is pregnant?
A cat's pregnancy lasts about nine weeks. The cat's belly only grows later. External changes initially affect the nipples, which become larger and pinker in week 3 of the pregnancy. Her appetite also increases because she needs more energy.
As with humans, nausea and vomiting, weight gain and mood swings can occur. It is not unusual for an expectant mother cat to become clingy at first and then distance herself from you. Give her her space.
phases of pregnancy
- Day 1 to 15: Embryos implant and begin to develop: organs, skin and spinal cord, head and tail ends and the first signs of development of the gastrointestinal system and blood circulation can be seen by ultrasound examination.
- Days 15 to 21: The head and abdomen are recognizable, a primitive gastrointestinal system exists, development of the mouth, cerebellum and front and hind legs.
- Days 21 to 28: Development of the upper muzzle, ears and eyelids, formation of the toes, further development of the genitals, skeletal and muscular system, development of the jaw, palate, tongue and salivary glands, growth of teeth in the jaw, peritoneum, lungs and diaphragm form.
- Days 28 to 38: rapid growth (weight and height), triangular ears form, development of uterus in female fetuses, growth of bladder, skin and claws, formation of iris (eye).
- Day 38 to 58: Skin layers thicken, tail and ears lengthen, fur and pigmentation develop.
- From day 58: Kittens are viable, all organs are fully developed – nothing stands in the way of birth.
Do you want to know how big the kittens are in which phase? We'll tell you:
Phase 1: 0 to 5 weeks
- 5 to 6 days: Sesame seeds (⌀ 1–1.5 mm)
- 15 days: rice grain (⌀ 2–10 mm)
- 18 to 19 days: blueberry (⌀ 7–18 mm)
- 25 to 27 days: Strawberry (⌀ 2.1–4 cm)
- 28 to 32 days: Plum (⌀ 2.5–5 cm)
- 33 to 38 days: Tomato (⌀ 3.5–6 cm)
Phase 2: 6th week until birth
- 42 days: small potato (⌀ 5–8 cm)
- 44 days: Apple (⌀ 6–9.5 cm)
- 48 days: Peppers (⌀ 6.5–12.5 cm)
- 63 to 68 days: Strawberry (trained kitten)
Complications during pregnancy
If your pregnant cat suddenly changes her behavior, this may indicate a complication that should be checked out medically. It is not always an emergency, but you should still keep a close eye on your furry friend.
The following symptoms may indicate problems during pregnancy:
- restlessness, confusion
- loss of appetite
- screaming, pain
- Foul-smelling or bloody discharge
- Frequent licking of genitals
- Bleeding during pregnancy or childbirth
- Urinary tract problems (frequent visits to the litter box without urinating or blood in the urine)
Here's how you can support your cat during pregnancy:
- Avoid conflicts with other cats
- Avoid stress caused by unfamiliar, new situations
Do not try to feel the kitten yourself at the beginning of the pregnancy. This will harm the offspring. Leave the examination to medical professionals.
In the last one to two weeks of her pregnancy, your cat will start building a nest . The perfect place for her babies to be born is warm, safe and quiet. You can help your cat with this: provide her with different baskets or boxes with comfortable cushions. If she then chooses a different place, you should leave it at that.
To prevent your cat from giving birth to her kittens outside without supervision and help, you should keep your outdoor cat indoors.
Does my pregnant cat need special food?
For healthy development, an adapted diet is important for the cat - this benefits both your cat and its babies.
You should consider the following tips:
- Increase the feed ration to one and a half times the usual ration
- Use only high-quality food
- Calcium in the food is important for the bone development of the kittens and for the milk production of the mother
- Other important nutrients: vitamin A, taurine, arachidonic acid, copper and iron
- Always provide fresh water
Your veterinarian can advise you on nutrition and give you further food recommendations. Dr.Clauder's Pro Life Cat Kitten Emulsion enables the high protein requirements of cats and kittens to be met after birth. There is no greater challenge for a cat's body than pregnancy and nursing kittens. The highly usable protein and energy in the emulsion can maintain the performance of the stressed cat and help prevent wasting due to the litter, without increasing the daily amount of food. Kitten makes it easier to give extra strength to deal with the stress of weaning.
Maintain the same diet during the kittens' first weeks of life. Slowly wean them off when the kittens start eating solid food in addition to their mother's milk. Kittens also need special food.
The time has come: What you should consider during the birth
When the time comes and the birth is imminent, you will notice it in your cat's behavior:
- She runs around restlessly, meows a lot
- She eats little one or two days before birth
- Constant cleaning, including of the genitals
- She often visits the litter box without doing her business
Shortly before birth: contractions may be noticeable in the abdomen, and discharge may also occur. Shortly before birth, these symptoms are normal - in the middle of pregnancy, they should be understood as warning signs and should be medically checked.
Most cats manage the birth on their own – but you should still be there for your furry friend if complications arise and medical attention is needed.
As a rule, cats have several babies at once, with about 30 minutes between births.
Giving birth is very stressful for a cat. It can happen that a kitten is halfway out, but the mother cat is so exhausted that she cannot finish the process herself. You can now help the kitten into the world with washed, clean hands by gently pulling.
If the cat does not clean her kittens immediately after birth, you can use a soft, clean kitchen paper towel to help open the mouth and nose . By making circular movements over the face and stomach, the kitten will be able to breathe independently.
A hot water bottle wrapped in a thick blanket keeps the kittens warm if their mother is unable to care for her kittens immediately after birth.
A kitten should have drunk milk no later than 30 minutes after birth. If this has not happened, you must carefully help it find its way to the mother cat's teat - or seek veterinary advice.
Attention: A cat can become pregnant again shortly after giving birth - this is very stressful for her body. It is therefore advisable to discuss castration with your veterinarian after the birth - especially if the mother cat is an outdoor cat.
You should remember this
You should remember this
