If you don’t spay your cat and it’s around male cats, the risk of your pet getting pregnant is relatively high. Like humans, cat pregnancies result in many physical and behavioral changes that could catch you off guard if you don’t know that your cat has mated. So how do you know if a cat is pregnant?
If you suspect your beloved feline companion is pregnant, it’s important to make an appointment with a vet clinic in Desoto, TX, as soon as possible to ensure its health. Consider the guide below to learn the most common cat pregnancy signs and other relevant information.Â
Signs of Feline Pregnancy
When caring for cats, it’s important to take note of any behavioral or physical changes they experience. Paying close attention to your pet is also how to answer the question, “How do you know if a cat is pregnant?” before getting confirmation at the veterinarian’s office.
If you have concerns regarding a possible cat pregnancy, consider the warning signs below.
Lack of Heat Cycles
Female cats have heat cycles when it’s biologically ready to breed. Unless you spay your pet, it can have ongoing heat cycles lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks. The cycle will repeat every few weeks until it becomes pregnant or spayed.Â
When cats go into heat, they might roll around frequently or yowl constantly. If you don’t spay your cat and yet this behavior stops, chances are it’s pregnant.
Sleep and Appetite Changes
It’s typical for pregnant cats to experience changes in their eating habits. During the first days of pregnancy, your cat might not want to eat. As the pregnancy progresses, your pet might have an increased interest in food for herself and the kittens she’s carrying.Â
Sleep patterns can also change. It’s standard for pregnant cats to sleep for longer periods.
Weight Gain
How do you know if a cat is pregnant if it’s gaining weight? Though a cat will gain weight during its pregnancy, it doesn’t have to be carrying a litter of kittens to put on extra pounds.
Overeating and a lack of exercise can cause cats to steadily gain weight over time. Yet, with a pregnancy, the weight gain is usually around two to four pounds, mainly in the abdomen.Â
Swollen Belly
If your cat is eating a lot, it’s reasonable to assume that it’s the reason for a bigger abdomen. Yet, with pregnant cats, their bellies will naturally swell as their kittens grow. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to recognize a pregnancy if the cat is already overweight with a distorted belly.
Vomiting
Like humans, cats can also experience morning sickness, which results in frequent vomiting episodes. This symptom is most common during the early stages of pregnancy.Â
Be careful with vomiting. Even though it’s a common sign of pregnancy, it can also be a symptom of an illness.Â
Nesting Behaviors
Nesting is a common trait with pregnant cats because it indicates their preparation for birth. When nesting, your cat might prefer a quiet, secluded spot different from their usual resting areas to birth their litter. It’s also likely for it to drag blankets, towels, and other soft items to its nest and prevent other pets and unwanted people near its new spot.Â
Change in Nipple Color and Size
When a cat is pregnant, its nipples grow bigger and change color, appearing darker or pinker than usual. If your pet has a thick coat of fur, it might be hard to notice changes with its nipples.Â
Increased Affection
Even if your cat is friendly and naturally affectionate, it might demand more of your attention during a pregnancy. Don’t worry if your cat is overly affectionate with you and less tolerant of other pets.Â
Other Facts You Should Know
You need to be able to do more than recognize the signs of cat pregnancy. Here are other details you should know.
How Vets Diagnose Cat Pregnancies
How do you know if a cat is pregnant? A trip to the vet will provide a definite answer. Veterinarians can use one of three methods to determine if a cat has kittens growing in them:
- Ultrasound. An ultrasound scan of the cat’s abdomen can detect kittens after 21 days of gestation, but it can be hard to determine the exact number of kittens with this scan.Â
- Palpation. Thanks to their skill and experience, veterinarians can use their hands to apply gentle pressure on a cat’s belly to feel for kittens after the 20th day of pregnancy.
- X-Rays. This diagnostic imaging scan can detect kittens and their quantity after 40 days of pregnancy.
The Age a Cat Can Become Pregnant
If you don’t spay your cat to prevent pregnancies, they can start mating and carrying kittens as early as four months old. At that age, the mother cat is still a kitten, but it can continue getting pregnant until the last few years of its life. That’s why spaying cats at an early age is necessary.
How Many Kittens a Cat Can Have in One Litter
The number of kittens a cat can have depends on its pregnancy. Suppose a cat gets pregnant twice in its lifespan. In that case, it’s possible for one pregnancy to produce one kitten and the other to produce up to 10. In most situations, first-time cat pregnancies result in small litters with two or three kittens.
Turn to Penny Paws Animal Clinic for Help With Your Pregnant Kitty
As a feline pet owner, it’s necessary to know the answers to questions like, “How do you know if a cat is pregnant?” and, “Can spayed cats go into heat?” This information will help you understand what to expect if your cat mates and becomes pregnant. If it does become pregnant, visiting the veterinarian is a great way to ensure your pet and its offspring are healthy.
We at Penny Paws Animal Clinic in Desoto, TX, offer comprehensive veterinary services for cats and dogs. We offer ultrasounds, annual bloodwork, spay/neutering, and more. Call Penny Paws Animal Clinic in DeSoto, TX, today at (469) 807-3030 or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment. We also accept walk-ins!