How long does pregnancy last in cats: features, timing and recommendations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Cat pregnancy is not an easy process for both the animal itself and the owners. Especially if the pet is waiting for her first kittens. A lot of questions arise: how long does a cat's pregnancy last? How to determine if a pet is pregnant or not? How to feed? Should a cat be allowed to go outside? What to do during childbirth? And these are just the minimum questions that the owner of the animal asks.

This article will help you understand some issues related to cat pregnancy.

Features you need to know

1. Knitting a cat after the first heat is highly undesirable. The first estrus occurs at the age of 6-8 months, by which time the cat is, in fact, a kitten. The reproductive system is not yet functioning properly. There is a great risk of killing the animal with rash mating.
2. As for the first mating of an animal, veterinarians say that it is carried out after the second estrus. The optimal time for the first fertilization is from one and a half to two years of age.years.
3. If a cat was bought "for the soul" and without a pedigree, it is better to sterilize it. The fact is that in the felinological world such cats are considered a "phenotype" of purebred "relatives". In common parlance - a "noblewoman" with an elite origin. And such a cat does not represent any value in breeding. Litter from such an animal can be distributed in good hands. It will not be possible to sell kittens for a good price.
4. It should be remembered that purebred cats give birth harder than ordinary outbred animals. This is especially true of British and Scottish breeds.
5. Veterinary consultation required before mating. Not all cats are able to bear kittens, for some, pregnancy is death. Therefore, it is better to know in advance about the he alth of the pet.
6. If the pet is a "lady" thoroughbred, with documents, participates in cat shows, then to select a cat, you can contact the breeder from whom the animal was purchased. Decent breeders supervise their "graduates" and will never refuse to help their owners.

When fertilization occurs

If the mating is successful, then the cat's egg is fertilized within 24-50 hours. In the event that conception has not occurred, and this often happens at the first mating, after 20 days the “hunt” may begin again.

How pregnancy develops. The first stage and its features

It's worth starting with how long a cat's pregnancy lasts. 60 to 72 days. It all depends on the breed and the individual characteristics of the future mother. Dangerous forthe body of the animal early childbirth - up to the sixtieth day. Most likely, kittens will be born dead, and the cat's well-being may deteriorate dramatically. To avoid this, the owner must have the phone number of a veterinarian or breeder. If you need a consultation, you need to call them.

How long does pregnancy last in cats and how to determine if an animal is expecting offspring? The answer to the first part of the question has already been given. Now it remains to deal with the second part.

In the first 4 weeks (30 days) it is possible to determine whether a pet is pregnant or not only by changes in her behavior. The cat is sick, but the animal constantly requires food. It is recommended to feed the cat 3-4 times a day, without limiting calcium-containing foods. The activity of the expectant mother decreases, she becomes more calm. From the thirtieth day, the cat's belly begins to round. However, the belly may not appear until childbirth, so its rounding is not the most pronounced sign.

One of the main external signs of pregnancy is a distinct selection of nipples. The nipples of cats are very light and almost invisible. On the 30-35th day, they acquire an intense pink color, become pronounced.

To find out if a pet is pregnant, you should contact your veterinarian and do an ultrasound. On the 30th day, it is already possible to determine the number of kittens and whether they are in the womb of the animal at all.

Second half of pregnancy

Starting from the 31st day, the embryos actively grow and descend down the abdomen. During this period there may beyou can see a slight rounding of the cat's tummy. By the 45th day, the length of future kittens is from 5 to 10 cm, but they still do not move.

The first movements of the fetuses begin at a period of fifty days. The cat itself begins to demand affection, willingly walks in the arms, can lick family members. Simultaneously with these behavioral changes, the mother-to-be "talks" to her fetuses in her belly. This is expressed in a gentle short purr, as if the animal is answering someone.

Long-haired cats, their features

How long does pregnancy last for cats with long hair? Those pets, whom nature has awarded with thick and long hair, bear offspring from 65 to 72 days. Before giving birth, it is necessary to remove the hair from the genitals and prepare the nipples for a meeting with kittens - remove the hair around them. The procedure can be carried out by a veterinarian, but only at home. Any change, including a visit to the veterinary clinic, is highly discouraged for an animal in late pregnancy.

Short-haired cats and the timing of their pregnancy

How long do shorthair cats get pregnant? 60 to 65 days. Special preparation of wool for childbirth is not required. It is only necessary to remove it near the nipples of the animal.

Scottish cats pregnancy

Each breed has its own characteristics during the gestation of kittens. Particular attention should be paid to such a breed as the Scottish Fold cat. How long does a Scottish cat get pregnantbreed? 63 to 67 days. But if the kittens are born on the 60th-62nd day, this is not scary, because it is considered the norm.

As with other breeds, in the first three weeks, the pregnancy of a lop-eared cat is not outwardly expressed. However, starting from the sixth week, if the animal bears more than two kittens at the same time, the belly becomes large and round. And at the end of the seventh week, you can already observe the movement of the fetuses and even feel their heads. It is better for an inexperienced owner not to do this, because careless palpation can lead to miscarriage.

During the last week, the cat begins to actively look for a place for future births. She becomes restless, insistently requires the master's attention. The appearance of white discharge from the vulva indicates that labor will begin in two to three days.

The question of how long the pregnancy of a Scottish cat lasts and how it proceeds has been resolved. Now it remains to find out how to prepare for the birth of a thoroughbred pet.

What you need to prepare for the birth of kittens

1. Birthing box. An ordinary large cardboard box will do, as well as a plastic box specially purchased for this purpose with a hinged lid and a cat hole.
2. The place where the cat will give birth should be quiet and semi-dark. The room in which the "house" is located must be regularly ventilated. At the same time, there should be no drafts in it. A warm and dry room will be an excellent option for the birth of kittens. Scottish kittens are very sensitive to temperature, so in the first seven days of their liferoom temperature should be 29 degrees. Then weekly it is lowered by 2-3 degrees.
3. Disposable sanitary diapers. Immediately after giving birth, it will be necessary to replace the used diapers with new ones.
4. Manicure scissors. They should be disinfected with alcohol. Scissors are necessary in case of intervention by the owner. If the cat refuses to cut the umbilical cord on its own, then its owner will have to cut it.
5. Medical gloves, in case you have to pull the kittens out.
6. Veterinarian phone. You should be prepared for the fact that the first birth in lop-eared cats is difficult, with pathologies. Therefore, the presence of a veterinarian nearby is very desirable. It is unacceptable to take a giving birth cat to a veterinary clinic, a specialist should be called to the house.
7. The owner must be present next to the animal. His voice and caress will help the animal calm down a bit.

After it became known how long the pregnancy of a lop-eared cat lasts, how it proceeds and how to prepare for the birth of a pet, it is worth moving on to the question of the diet of any pregnant cat.

How to feed a pet

If a cat eats dry food, then it is better to transfer it to super-premium food. If the pet prefers natural food, then she needs:

1. 150-200 grams of boiled lean meat daily.
2. Low-fat fish, boiled and boneless - 150-200 grams 3 times a week.
3. Boiled chicken - twice a week, 200 grams.
4. Offal - 2 times a week, 100 grams.
5. Low-fat cottage cheese, for example, intended for baby food - 50 grams 4 times a week.
6. Kefir - 4 times a week. Fat content up to 3.2%.
7. Vegetables without starch - 1-2 tablespoons per day. Vegetables will help the normal functioning of the intestines.
8. Clean water should always be freely available to a cat.

Some more useful information

1. With the gestational age in days is understandable. How long does pregnancy last for cats in weeks? Nine weeks, on average.
2. Can a pregnant cat be allowed outside? In no case. Especially in the second half, when the animal becomes more distracted and clumsy.
3. Pregnancy is not a disease. The expectant mother should not be forbidden to play and move actively. The only thing that is undesirable is jumping to great heights.
4. Do not give your pet medication without the approval of a veterinarian. Even the most harmless, at first glance, drug can have a bad effect on the development of embryos.
5. If your cat has difficulty with hygiene, you should help her with a cotton pad dipped in warm water.
6. If a cat's body temperature drops from 38-38.5 degrees to 37-37.5, this is a sure sign that labor will begin in the next 12-24 hours.

In closing

What do you need to remember? How many months does pregnancy last in cats - 9 weeks or 2 months. Firstsigns of approaching childbirth - white discharge from the vulva and low body temperature. Self-treatment, without the recommendation of a veterinarian, should be absent. And the last - the essentials that need to be prepared before childbirth: a warm, darkened room with a temperature of 29 degrees, a delivery box, hygienic diapers, nail scissors treated with alcohol. The veterinarian and the owner must be present during the delivery.