If you have a cat that’s free to run outside and isn’t spayed yet, or
you’re interested in breeding your kitties, then you’ll need to know a thing or two about dealing with a
cat’s pregnancy. Female cats share some similarities to human females when it comes to pregnancy, but
there are quite a few things to consider for your cat. Here’s a bit of advice for caring for a pregnant
feline.
You won’t be able to tell for sure that your cat if pregnant for at least 4 weeks. At that
point, a veterinarian should be able to tell you conclusively if your cat is expecting and how many in
the litter, though the dead giveaway is the sudden increase in the weight she’s carrying
around.
When pregnant, things don’t change a whole lot for your cat, though there are some things
to keep in kind. For one, they still need to maintain their physical strength in order to make the
birthing process easier. This is achieved through encouraging physical activity as normal, which may seem
strange but again, this is to strengthen the core muscles needed during birth.
Their diet will also largely stay the same, though the method of delivery should change as
your cat gets closer and closer to the big day. The added space that the kittens are occupying will make
it more difficult to eat meals in larger sizes, so it’s important that you as the owner known to begin
feeding smaller meals more frequently in order to counter balance this space displacement.
Cats can, and will, experience morning sickness just as a human will. It will not be
uncommon for your cat to get queasy and vomit some days for seemingly no reason, but this is completely
normal and not usually a sign that something is seriously wrong. It’s very helpful for your kitty then
that there is fresh water always available, as well as dry cat food in case they need something to easily
settle their stomach.
As the pregnancy continues, you may notice that your cat’s behavior will change slightly
in so much as they will become more territorial around males, more affectionate to their owners, and will
sleep quite a bit more than is even usual for a cat. These are all normal behaviors of a pregnant feline
and shouldn’t be cause for concern. It can help things if you can find ways to keep male cats from
disturbing the pregnant female, but otherwise the best you can do is be friendly and affectionate right
back and give space when it seems appropriate.
When it comes time for the birth, your cat will begin looking for a good nesting spot to
actually go through with things, typically about a week before the act. If they can’t find anything, then
you’re likely going to have a surprise litter somehow in the house, but it’s best to set up a location
where both you and your cat can be comfortable, such as a cardboard box placed somewhere warm and draft
free. Scrunched up paper works great (plain, not newspaper as the ink can be a problem), but if you don’t
mind having to throw out an old blanket or towel, that works too.
Your pregnant cat knows what to do and how to take care of herself, but you’re her owner
and should know how to help if need be. You get to be the midwife and assist with the birth and the
pregnancy. Remember to do so with a loving heart and a willingness to help. If you do, you’ll be rewarded
with a brand new litter of kittens, and who wouldn’t want that?
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