Pregnant black cat

Is my cat pregnant?

Female cats that haven’t been neutered (called 'queens') can easily get pregnant if they live with unneutered male cats or spend time outdoors. So it’s important to know how to spot the signs of pregnancy.

When can cats get pregnant?

Queens can fall pregnant as young as four months old. If she lives with her brothers, she can mate with them too as cats don’t discriminate when it comes to their partners. Unlike humans, females don’t go through menopause so they can keep getting pregnant until the last years of their life. 

How long are cats pregnant?

Compared to humans, pregnancies are short – usually lasting for 63 days, though pregnancies shorter or longer by a few days can also happen.

How to tell your cat is pregnant?

Although there might not be any signs in the first weeks, there are some common early pregnancy symptoms that can appear:

  • Noticeable weight gain in a few weeks
  • Swollen, pink nipples that appear around three weeks into the pregnancy 
  • Vomiting (morning sickness like in humans)
  • Increased appetite
  • Sleeping more
  • Changes in personality, like being more affectionate 

Important

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your vet.

During the later weeks of her pregnancy, she might be anxious and pace around. She may also start nesting during her seventh week of pregnancy, which means looking for a safe space to give birth.

Close to her giving birth, there could be red-coloured discharge on her vulva (the outside of her genitals). 

Tip

In the final weeks of her pregnancy, we recommend keeping your cat indoors, to ensure she’s safe when she gives birth. Take care not to disturb her, keep your distance and try to keep other animals away from her.

What should I do if I think my cat is pregnant?

You should take her to the vet if you think she’s pregnant. The vet can tell if she's pregnant by doing a tummy check, although sometimes an X-ray or ultrasound is also needed. Your vet may also want to discuss the next steps with you.

Important

Make sure you do not press on her stomach as this can be very uncomfortable, and can even cause a miscarriage.

Even if your cat is pregnant, she can still mate with other cats for a few days and can give birth to a litter that has different fathers. After giving birth, queens can get pregnant after two weeks.

How to prevent cat pregnancy?

The single best way to prevent your pet from getting pregnant is by neutering them before they are sexually active, which can be as early as 4 months old. Not only will this prevent any accidental litters but it can also:

  • reduce their risk of breast cancer
  • reduce their risk of an infection of the womb (called pyometra)
  • prevent any risks that pregnancy and birth can have

Neutering your cat will also reduce their chance of catching and spreading feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). If you have a male and female cat in your home, it's best to get them neutered as early as possible to avoid surprises.

Read more about spaying your female cat or castrating your male cat.

— Page last updated 22/03/2024