How to determine that a cat is pregnant: the timing and characteristics of her pregnancy, signs of an impending birth

Many owners of fluffy pets at least once met with such a period in their cat as pregnancy. A pet can become pregnant under two circumstances: if she is not spayed and if you regularly let her go for a walk. Of course, experienced breeders specifically select a couple for a cat so that she can become pregnant and give birth to profitable offspring. However, inexperienced owners will probably be interested in the question: how to determine pregnancy?

The duration of gestation in cats is approximately 9 weeks (plus or minus 4-5 days). This period can vary by several days for each cat. This discrepancy is considered the norm – some cats carry babies for 7 or 9 weeks. Also gestational age in cats depends on the number of kittensthat are in her womb. So, for example, a cat bearing numerous offspring is likely to give birth before its due date. On the contrary, if the pet has experienced any stressful situation, she will be late with childbirth.

What are the signs of pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a cat can behave in completely different ways. Some pets may show excessive activity unusual for them, while others, on the contrary, will become calm and affectionate. An unusual display of aggression in a pet may also indicate that she is in an interesting position.

The pregnancy of a cat is closely related to the onset of puberty and estrus. Some females may only go into heat a couple of times a year. Others have heat several times in just a month. The onset of estrus in a cat can be easily recognized: she shows anxiety and excessive activity, meows loudly and persistently, rushes around the house and tucks her paws. During this period, any the cat needs constant attention and affection, the pet can also, by chance, mark in the wrong place, which is completely unusual for her character.

Puberty in cats occurs at the age of 8-10 months. Some breeds can reach sexual maturity a little earlier – at 6-7 months. Despite this, regardless of the sex and breed of the pet, the first mating should be done no earlier than a year.

The first sign of a pregnancy in a cat is a change in the color and size of the nipples – they become larger and acquire a pinkish tint. This feature can be observed 3 weeks after the start of pregnancy. Although this sign is typical for young cats, therefore, if your pet is already more than three years old, you can ignore her nipples.

In the first month of pregnancy, the pussy will show less activity. Due to hormonal changes taking place in the body, as well as due to the gradual stretching of the uterus, she may vomit. But don’t worry. Such “toxicosis” will not last more than a week. After that, she begins to eat more abundantly, and sleep more than usual.

If the pet expects a large offspring (more than two kittens), then her pregnancy will be visible to the naked eye as early as 6 weeks pregnant. In the eighth week, the movements of the kittens in the mother’s womb will become clearer and can be felt by lightly placing a hand on the pregnant belly.

After about a week, the pussy will become restless. As a rule, during this period of pregnancy, cats rush around the apartment, looking for the most secluded place to give birth and nurse their offspring. In the final period of pregnancy, the cat’s nipples swell and protrude significantly. The pet will become more calm and thoughtful. At this time, your kitty is ready to become a mother.

Features of pregnancy in cats

Cats rarely give birth to one kitten. As a rule, they have three to six kittens are bornwhich is considered the norm. Pussies are able to bear such offspring due to the peculiarities of the structure of their reproductive organs.

The shape of the uterus in cats is significantly different from the female uterus. In women, it has a pear-shaped form, consisting of the main part and a pair of processes. The cat’s uterus is shaped like a Y and is much shorter than the female uterus.

All processes of the uterine body in pussies are of sufficient length. Therefore, when pregnancy fertilized eggs will pass through the fallopian tubes into the uterus, evenly attaching to the processes. This feature of the structure of the uterus allows the cat to give birth to large and healthy offspring.

If the pet gives birth much ahead of schedule, kittens may be born premature and too weak.

In the first half of pregnancy, the pussy needs to eat plentifully. Eliminate fish products from her diet – they can delay the development of the fetus, destroying B vitamins. Pregnant pet should get enough calciumcontained in curd. If the cat does not eat cottage cheese products, she needs to be given vitamins containing calcium.

How are cat births going?

You can determine that childbirth is about to begin by several signs:

• the cat completely refuses to eat;
• shows increased anxiety;
• her body temperature drops;
• you may notice the discharge of the waters, which are gray-red in color.

As a rule, after the water breaks, the period of contractions begins. They should last about an hour, after which the first newborn kitten will be born. However, the contraction period may be extended. The norm is considered childbirth for up to 24 hours from the moment the waters are poured out. If after 5 hours from the moment the waters broke and the contractions began, your cat could not give birth to a single kitten, you should seek help from a specialist.

It is also worth resorting to veterinary care if more than four hours have passed since the birth of the first baby, and the second kitten is not born. As a rule, the interval between the birth of kittens into the world is 10-15 minutes. In this period, you can give warm milk to the woman in labor.

Born kittens are connected with the placenta by the umbilical cord. After the baby is born, the cat gnaws the umbilical cord on its own and eats. The mother begins to lick the born kitten.

If the birth is delayed, you can gently help your pet:

• stroke the cat’s stomach and back – this can cause contractions;
• if the baby is stuck in the birth canal, it is worth gently helping him out;
• you should not pull the kitten by the head – so he can die;
• gently pull the baby by the hind legs, alternately to the right and to the left;
• pull the kitten only along the mother’s body;
• use the other hand to support the belly of the mother cat.

After giving birth, your pet will certainly need rest and peace. Try to provide her with everything necessary: ​​food, water and a toilet near the birthplace of kittens. It is worth protecting this place from prying eyes, do not let strangers near the kittens – mother cat must be calm for their newborn babies. Otherwise, she will be nervous and may decide to move the kittens to a safer place.

Be patient, very soon the kittens will get stronger and leave the warm “nest” of their mother, setting off to explore such a new and unknown little world for them. The gestation period of a cat is a great time in anticipation of the appearance of offspring.