How long do cats gestate after mating? This is the most common question asked by all domestic cat breeders. Although raising domestic cats has rules and basics that may seem easy to get used to, the cat gestation period is a very emotional waiting period for you and your cat, and it is a stage in which cats need... To complete care you must be prepared for it. Therefore, in this article, we will find out exactly how long a cat is pregnant, the most important symptoms of your cat’s pregnancy, and how you can care for her during her pregnancy for the first time so that the birth takes place safely.
It's normal to be concerned about your cat's pregnancy, especially if you have no prior experience with pregnant cats. It takes a lot of information to provide a suitable environment for your cat during her first pregnancy. Here are the most important tips during this period:
- Most pregnant cats prefer to give birth in a secluded and quiet place so that they can give birth in peace. It is unlikely that she will give birth in her bed, but rather it is possible that she will give birth in a haystack, a box, or even a closet.
- Pregnant cats prefer to stay at home in the last weeks of pregnancy in order to protect their babies from attacks by cats and other animals.
- During pregnancy, the cat's anxiety increases significantly, so everyone in the house must be careful to calm it down and not increase its anxiety.
- During pregnancy for the first time, cats often feel nervous, become restless, and want to be around their handler all the time.
- You can prepare a warm box for your cat to give birth in, but do not try to force her to give birth in a specific place and let her choose the most suitable place for her.
- Pregnant cats can take care of themselves well during childbirth, and if they need to, they will eat more of the bowl and you will notice that. But it is also important to provide care available to her.
- Do not try to interfere with the birth of kittens, but it is always best to monitor the pregnant cat to check on her well-being.
- The cat will likely become very withdrawn during birth, which is normal and happens to most social cats as well.
- Most cats that give birth for the first time will find themselves licking the place where they give birth after each cat emerges to facilitate the birth process.
Cat gestation period
The duration of pregnancy for cats after mating ranges from 58 days to 72 days at most, or between 8 and a half weeks to 10 weeks, or between two months and two and a half months at most. Although most kittens give birth after 63 to 65 days of gestation. As for the duration of the birth itself, it takes from 6 to 8 hours depending on the number of kittens in the mother’s womb, because the period between the birth of each kitten is approximately 40 minutes.
When the cat's birth date approaches, her appetite will decrease, she will become tired sometimes, she will begin to secrete milk approximately 3 days before birth, and her temperature will reach 37.8 degrees Celsius approximately 24 hours before labor begins.
Immediately before birth, when the cat's pregnancy period ends, the cat becomes very restless, and childbirth begins with strong contractions in the abdomen, accompanied by secretions. But if these secretions are black, heavy, or blood-colored, you must contact a veterinarian immediately.
Also, it is normal for the birth process to take place safely without your intervention, but if you find that your cat has become clearly stressed and no cat has been born yet, you must contact the veterinarian immediately before any other complications occur.
It is important for the cat breeder to provide a spacious, dark, isolated box furnished with clean cotton for the cat to give birth in, and it must contain a good opening so that the mother cat can easily exit it without exposing her children to harm.
The number of kittens that a pregnant cat gives birth to for the first time ranges from approximately 3 to 8 kittens, and the number in the first pregnancy is less than the number in the following times. Therefore, if you want to know exactly how many times a cat gives birth for the first time, it varies according to the health of the cat and the age at which it was married .
Important note: The gestation period of the Persian cat and the Siamese cat does not differ from any other type of cat, as they all give birth in an average of two months from the beginning of pregnancy.
The signs of cat pregnancy for the first time are no different from other times. There are some common signs by which you can know whether your cat is pregnant or not, such as:
- Increased appetite and frequent vomiting.
- The cat's weight increases in the first weeks of pregnancy, up to approximately 2 kilograms, depending on the number of kittens in the uterus, and this is the biggest sign of pregnancy .
- The color of the cat's breast changes to pink in preparation for breastfeeding the kitten (kitten) after birth, and this occurs approximately in the third week of pregnancy.
- Abdominal swelling and increase in size in the fifth week of pregnancy. One must be careful not to touch her stomach so as not to harm her or the fetus .
- The cat's personality changes and becomes more affectionate and demands more attention through increased purring.
Approximately 15 days after your cat shows symptoms of pregnancy, you can take her to the veterinary clinic to confirm the matter via ultrasound.
On the fortieth day of your cat's pregnancy , you can take her to the vet again to find out how many kittens are in the uterus. Although this method is not proven because larger cats may obscure smaller cats in the womb and make them not show up on ultrasound.
How to care for cats during pregnancy
- All family members should be alerted about your cat's pregnancy to provide a calm environment two weeks before birth, especially children.
- Try to encourage your cat to relax in the birthing bed, and if she rejects it and chooses another place, do not try to force her to change it.
- It is important to monitor your cat during pregnancy because she is still searching for the most suitable place to give birth and may choose a place far away from you.
- Birthing often occurs at night, so it is important to keep a veterinarian's number in case your cat develops complications.
- It is important to follow up on a cat's pregnancy with a veterinarian periodically during pregnancy to ensure that everything is going well.
- Pregnant cats should be given one and a half times more attention to nutrition than normal cats to nourish the fetuses in their stomachs.
- You must pay attention to the cat’s feelings and not scold or frighten him, because cats are very sensitive during pregnancy.
- A spacious box with a low opening and containing cotton or warm blankets must be prepared to provide the necessary comfort for the mother cat and her babies.
Important questions about cat pregnancy
How do I know that the cat has finished giving birth?
Usually when labor stops, this is evidence that labor has ended. However, it is always possible that some embryos will remain in the uterus. Therefore, it is important to know the number of fetuses using prenatal x-rays. If your cat notices any signs or complications after giving birth, such as a lack of appetite, lethargy, or fever, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
How many months does a cat carry?
The gestation period of cats ranges in months from two months to two and a half months at most. However, most kittens give birth at approximately 2 months and 3 weeks.
When does a cat get pregnant after giving birth?
It is normal for a cat to propose again 8 weeks after giving birth, which is the same time as kittens are weaned, and pregnancy begins immediately after that. However, the matter varies greatly, and some cats request marriage 15 days after birth, and sometimes before that.
How many times does a cat give birth a year?
Cats are very fertile animals, and it is normal for female cats to give birth 3 or 4 times a year. However, most veterinarians recommend that it be only twice.
How long does a cat give birth for the first time?
The average cat gives birth to approximately 6 kittens for the first time, but the number varies according to the cat’s health and age at mating, and the number increases during subsequent pregnancies.