How Long Is A Cat’s Gestation Period?

As with humans, female cats also have a number of symptoms, and indicators of their pregnancy. These symptoms are not seen immediately, but will become clearer from the third or fourth week of pregnancy.

Physical changes during pregnancy

The first symptom of pregnancy that you may notice is changes in the nipples, which start to swell and take on a darker pink color. Another symptom is increased appetite, vomiting and morning nausea. Changes in behavior are also common, as the cat can become affectionate and demand company or, on the contrary, become strange and lonely.

But the main sign is the increase in the size of the abdomen, which starts to be noticed around five weeks of gestation.

During this period of gestation, it is advisable to offer the animal a balanced diet, with lots of meat, fish and milk, also with mineral and vitamin supplements.

when the delivery arrives

We will know that the time of delivery approaches when we notice that the size of the breasts is getting bigger, due to the accumulation of milk. You will also be able to observe the flaccid and relaxed perineal area.

The day before the birth, the cat will be restless, active, without stopping to walk, with loss of appetite, sagging and with howls that will increase in tone as the time of delivery approaches.

When labor begins, the meowing will be stronger with each contraction, which will expel the first kitten, which can come out with or without a placenta. Also, each offspring will have its own placenta.

When the placenta does not break on its own, the cat will take care of breaking it with her teeth. The interval between the outings of newborn pussies can range from five minutes to an hour. Cats can have between one and eight kittens each pregnancy.

As for the total duration, the complete delivery of the first to the last kitten can take up to a whole day.

Generally, cats go through childbirth with few difficulties and do not need human assistance. Once the little cats are born, they will approach the cat’s nipples and begin to suckle.

Some important guidelines about pregnancy

• The gestation period of our cat will certainly be shorter than we could imagine at first. Usually it will range between 56 and 64 days, it will not go beyond two months.

• When we suspect that our cat may be pregnant, the ideal is to take her to the veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. We will ask the professional to determine how long our pet will be pregnant. This way we will calculate the time of delivery arrival and we will be prepared to help.

• From the moment we learn about our cat’s pregnancy, we will increase care for the feline. Especially with regard to your diet and nutrition; in this way we will be able to guarantee the maximum health of the mother and the babies that will be born.

• Until week number six, the cat will be able to eat the food she usually eats once a day. From that moment, and more or less until week number seven, the amount of feed should be divided into two portions, for better assimilation. From the seventh week onwards, the ideal is to have three meals, morning, afternoon and evening. This way the animal will eat the same amount, but little by little.

• The kibble or prepared foods that you are used to giving your cat may be substituted for better quality ones. In this way, both the mother and the puppies will receive all the necessary nutrients.

• The space that the future mother of puppies will need during pregnancy should be more comfortable and fresh, without too much heat, dimly lit to enhance the cat’s serenity, and with plenty of food and water. The more comfortable the cat is, the calmer she will be and the better she will face the next birth.

• The games we usually have with our friend can continue during pregnancy. The pregnancy of a cat does not mean that she is prevented from everything, although we should do everything more smoothly, avoiding any sudden movements.

• In the last stage of pregnancy, the organs and muscles of future feline offspring complete their growth. During the final phase of feline gestation, newborn pups will develop the characteristic muzzle and coat that will cover their bodies for the rest of their lives.