How Many Weeks Are Cats Pregnant?

 The Timeline of Feline Pregnancy: How Long Do Cats Carry the Kittens?

The female cats or queens, as they are also known, have a gestation period of 63 to 65 days or around 9 weeks. This can, however, be her or her health depending on her cat. At this point, the mother is queen where the fertilized eggs uterus implantation, and embryos how fast they will grow and develop. This stage is not very evident to people and will be internal for a few weeks. A couple of weeks into the pregnancy will probably show behavior changes in your cat in addition to physical changes. Knowing this can assist you in watching and evaluating the time frame of your cat to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms in Cats

If the cat is pregnant, how can you tell that the cat is expecting? It may be hard at first, but if you pay attention closely, you might notice some earliest signs. Cat's nipples are usually swollen and pink in the third week of pregnancy or in the third week of nursing which is referred to as 'pinking up.’ Increased affectionate behavior or player frenzy alongside an insatiable appetite can be observed.

With time, such a cat becomes heavier and has a bulged belly. This can happen in some cats, which leads to cats being sick occasionally when they have a lack of appetite during pregnancy. Further, there is also a change in the behavior of the cat that shows nesting nature and in this case may also indicate that your cat is expecting and about to have kittens.

Stages of Feline Pregnancy: What to Expect

It’s helpful to think of feline pregnancy as consisting of three trimesters. In the first trimester, the embryos implant into the uterine wall and start to grow. There are some changes in physical and behavioral aspects which are usually not very obvious. Then the second trimester will see active development of the fetuses such that towards the end of this period, the kittens would be moving and detectable.

The third and final trimester is the one where one starts getting ready to deliver actually. The kittens will be completely developed but not born yet as they will grow further until the time of delivery. Your cat will also start nesting at this time and become increasingly secretive in anticipation of labor.

Your Cat Preparing for Kittens: What to Consider

When the time comes and your cat is about to give birth, you need to understand that this is a sensitive time that requires utmost care to ensure that the environment is perfect for giving birth. Look for a small area of your house that is not disruptive, warm, and has lots of soft blankets to use as a birthing area. This should be located in a part of the house that is less frequented but can be reached with ease by the cat.

You will also require clean towels, a heating pad set on low, and a shallow box or laundry basket to house the kittens. It is also advisable that the area is kept clean and your cat is closely observed near the due date.

Caring for a Pregnant Cat: Guidelines and Recommendations

Feeding Mother cats is an important thing as good nutrition is important throughout their cat’s pregnancy. Provide her with kitten food which is high in protein, as it is likely to be in demand. Make sure that clean water is always available.

Veterinary diagnosis should be performed periodically to observe the health status of the lactating mother and growing kittens. If possible, prevent the administration of any medicine or vaccine without conferring with your veterinarian. Also, however, do not hesitate to provide a lot of love and attention, but also permit your cat to have her quiet time, or moments of rest when needed.

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