Cat pregnancy: everything you need to know

Updated 18/12/2023

Watching your precious fur baby give birth to a litter of kittens can be a roller coaster of emotions. If you’re currently navigating the world of cat pregnancy, you probably have a lot of questions - luckily, we’re here to help. 

In our handy guide, we’ll explore what to expect when your cat is expecting: from how to tell your cat is pregnant to the various cat pregnancy stages, before finally delivering some top aftercare tips for your new mama and her fluffy bundles of joy...

How long does cat pregnancy last?

The average cat pregnancy length is around 63-67 days, or about two months. However, it can be as little as 60 days, or as long as 70.

How to tell if a cat is pregnant

Luckily, there are quite a few telltale signs that your kitty cat may be with kitten(s). Here's a handy list of things to look out for:

• They haven’t come into heat. This will probably be your first clue - if your cat hasn’t come into heat as expected, she may be pregnant. 
• Swollen nipples: this may be the first physical sign your fur baby may be pregnant. This usually happens after 15-18 days of your cat becoming pregnant.
• Increased appetite: Your cat might be hungrier, particularly later on in the pregnancy. 
• Swollen tummy: As pregnancy develops, your pregnant queen’s tummy will start to swell.
• Weight gain: your kitty is likely to put on around 1-2 kg on average (depending on how many kittens she is carrying). 
• Increased affection: possibly the best symptom? Your pregnant cat might be coming to you more often for snuggles and strokes. Good news all around for pet parents and cat sitters alike. 
• Sleeping more often: growing kittens is tiring work! Your cat is likely to want to catch a few extra zzz’s once she is pregnant. 

While these are all signs of cat pregnancy, some symptoms (such as a swollen tummy, or a change in appetite) can also be a sign of something else. If you think your kitty may be expecting, or you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to contact your vet. 

Stages of cat pregnancy

You’ve probably heard the term ‘pregnant queen’ floating about before. This isn’t just a nice compliment to your mama cat - although, they’re certainly a queen in our eyes! No, ‘queening’ is the process of cats giving birth. 

Here’s what you can expect as your mama cat journeys through her pregnancy: 

Stage 1: heat and fertilisation

The very first stage of cat pregnancy? Going into heat. 

This is when your kitty is fertile, and most cats will go into their first heat at around 6 months of age. That said, it can be as early as four months, and for some breeds, it may be slightly later - around 10 months of age. 

Once your kitty mates and falls pregnant, they officially enter the second stage of feline pregnancy…

Stage 2: early pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy - particularly in the first two weeks, you may not notice many external clues.

However, in about the third week of pregnancy you will begin to notice your cat gain a little extra weight. You may also spot that her nipples are starting to enlarge and become red, a process known as ‘pinking up’. Your vet may be able to feel small lumps in her stomach - those are her adorable kittens developing. However, an ultrasound scan might be needed to confirm the pregnancy in these early stages. 

Stage 3: mid-pregnancy

Here, you can expect your cat to still gain more weight. Her appetite is likely to increase around this time, too (about 1.5 times her normal diet). After all, she’ll be eating for 4, 5, or even 6 right about now!

Stage 4: Pre-labor

The pre-labor stage is a good indicator of when your kitty might give birth - this usually begins around one week beforehand. 

The most common pre-labor signs in cats to lookout for include: 

• Your kitty starting to nest (she’ll begin scouting out the warmest, cosiest places in the house)
• Her nipples will be very visible, and you may even see her beginning to lactate
• Her body temperature will drop to around 37.8°C shortly before her labor starts
• Finally, your cat is likely to stop eating around two days before she goes into labor - this is a very typical pregnant cat behavior before birth, so don’t be too alarmed if she is off her food

Stage 5: Labor and birth

The big day has arrived: cue your kitty in their hospital gown, a worried tom pacing the hospital corridors. Ok, not quite. 

In the fifth and final stages of cat pregnancy, your cat will begin their labor.

As you would expect, this can be uncomfortable for them, especially if your cat is giving birth for the first time. They are likely to feel anxious and unsettled, and may be meowing loudly.

Luckily, you shouldn’t have too long to wait - usually, the first kitten will arrive about an hour after the labor begins. Each subsequent kitten should then follow every 15-20 minutes. Once all kittens have arrived, your cat should then spring into action in her role as mama, and will begin licking and washing her kittens. 

A word of warning: it's not uncommon for cats to eat their placenta following birth… Don’t worry - this is completely normal, and is because cats have evolved to get rid of any evidence they've given birth. However, it might not be for the fainthearted! 

Most labors are straightforward in cats, and you shouldn’t need to get too involved. However, if you notice any bloody or heavy discharge, or if your cat is straining unproductively then contact your vet sooner rather than later for advice.

Caring for a pregnant cat

As a doting cat owner, it's important we do everything we can to make our kitty's pregnancy as smooth as possible. 

Your kitty is likely to choose their nesting place during the pre-labor stage, but you can give them a helping paw by setting up a comfy and cosy nesting box, somewhere quiet in the home. 

A cardboard box, lined with comfy towels and bedding, is fine (and if we know cats, we’re pretty sure a cardboard box will almost certainly be their first choice!).

Arrange a check-up at the vet to make sure all is going smoothly. Other than that, switch her over to a food specifically for pregnant and nursing cats, and make sure she has fresh, clean water at all times. 

Finally, if your kit goes outdoors, it's best to keep her inside at least during the final two weeks of pregnancy, so you can keep her safe and sound.

Postnatal Care

Phew! The hard work is done, your kitty and her kittens are doing well, and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. True, yes - but actually, this is where the real hard work begins. 

In the early days postpartum, mother and kittens will need a lot of TLC. After your feline has given birth, you’ll need to: 

• Keep the room she and her kittens are in warm, cosy and quiet
• Make sure they have clean and dry bedding
• Keep your cat's litter box, food, and water close by
• Keep an eye on her kittens (from a distance) and make sure they are feeding 
• Keep your kitty stress-free and undisturbed by family members 
• Keep your other pets away from her and her kittens
• After a week, take your mama cat and her kittens to the vet for a check-up

Bear in mind, a female cat can be pregnant almost immediately after giving birth. So, be sure to keep your kitty away from other cats (especially if you have an unneutered male cat in the home) until you can have her spayed. This will be around 5-6 weeks after giving birth, once her kittens have been weaned on to solid kitten food.

Between 8 weeks and 4 months of age, your new kittens will benefit from lots of human interaction – think at least every 4 to 6 hours. Once your kittens are bigger and bolder, they may be able to stay on their own for longer periods of time, and eventually you can start looking into the prospect of pet sitting for kittens.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

Looking for cute kitten names? 

The kittens have arrived - now to name them! Check out these ultra cute kitten names here.