Cat Pregnancy Symptoms

Cat pregnancy symptoms - Taking care of the pregnant cat

Pregnancy in cats lasts about nine weeks. The length of the pregnancy, from ovulation to birth can vary between different breeds - anything between 58-70 days is considered within normal range. During the first half of the pregnancy the cat gives no clue that she is pregnant. She hunts, rests, and generally behaves normally. Later on under the influence of progesterone - a hormone released during the pregnancy - and with an ever increasing weight in her abdomen, she soon moderates her behavior, gradually reducing her activity level and resting more. If you think that your cat may be pregnant, first check her nipples. These become more prominent and pink by three weeks of gestation. By four to five weeks after conception, her belly becomes visibly enlarged and developing fetuses are usually quite easy to count.

In the fifth week you can feel golf-ball sized swellings in her abdomen. In the sixth week you will notice her nipples are very large and they look full. They are. She is now storing milk in preparation for those hungry newborn felines. During her pregnancy, allow Sylvia to lead a normal life. If she is an outdoor cat, let her venture out for a hunt. If she wants to climb, discourage her. She may think she's got it all under control, but the weight of her babies has changed her center of balance.

if you suspect your cat is pregnant is take her to the vet for a prenatal check-up. The queen should continue to have exercise in order for her to keep muscle tone and to avoid gaining too much weight. Assuming you have a healthy cat, the best care you can give her is a diet high in nutrients, along with plenty of fresh, clean water. Approximately 3 weeks before she is due begin adding a premium kitten food to her diet. Each week increase the amount of the kitten food, so when she is in her final week of pregnancy, she is on all kitten food, and continue on it until after the kittens have been weaned. Feed small, frequent meals (approx. 3-4 meals a day). During the last week of pregnancy and the first 3-4 weeks of lactating, she may eat twice the amount she ate before pregnancy. As long as she is gaining a healthy amount and not becoming obese, she should receive the food.

During the last weeks of pregnancy, your cat may have difficulty finding a comfortable position and may seem restless. Many female cats seek seclusion. Cats are normally able to give birth without any problem completely by themselves. The process appears to be practically pain free, and apart from the actual straining, the cat seems unperturbed by the whole situation. Human intervention is rarely needed, even dealing with the umbilical cord and fetal membranes can be left to the cat. If you suspect that your cat may be pregnant, or if you know that she is, take her to see the veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet will give the cat a regular checkup to make sure she is healthy. No special medical attention is necessary unless she has an existing medical condition or injures herself or becomes ill during the course of the pregnancy.