How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Cat
How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Cat
Pregnancy is an exciting time for both you and your cat. Providing the correct nutrition, veterinary care and a calm environment will help ensure a healthy pregnancy and give the kittens the best possible start in life.
Gestation and Development Stages
The average pregnancy for Bengal and Savannah cats lasts between 60 and 70 days, with most queens giving birth between 63 and 65 days.
Weeks 1–2
Fertilisation and implantation occur. Most cats show very few outward signs, although some become slightly more affectionate or sleepy.
Week 3
The nipples become larger and brighter pink, often called "pinking up", which is one of the earliest visible signs of pregnancy.
Week 4
Your cat may sleep more than usual and occasionally experience mild morning sickness or vomiting.
Week 5
The abdomen begins to enlarge. Your veterinarian may be able to confirm pregnancy by palpation or ultrasound. Begin gradually introducing a high-quality kitten food.
Week 6
Appetite increases significantly. Feed a nutrient-rich kitten diet and begin preparing a quiet nesting area.
Week 7
Pregnancy becomes obvious. Many queens become more affectionate and you may be able to feel kitten movements.
Week 8
The abdomen is very large and appetite may decrease slightly because the kittens occupy more space. Avoid unnecessary handling.
Week 9
Milk production may begin and a small amount of clear or light brown discharge can be normal. Most cats give birth during the night.
Week 10
If your cat has not delivered by day 70, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Veterinary Care
- Ensure vaccinations are up to date before breeding.
- Avoid routine vaccinations during pregnancy unless recommended by your veterinarian.
- Use only worming products approved for pregnant cats.
- Schedule a veterinary examination around three weeks to confirm pregnancy.
- Arrange another examination during weeks eight to nine to estimate litter size using ultrasound or X-ray.
Nutrition
Feed a high-quality kitten food because it contains the additional protein, calories and calcium required during pregnancy.
- Introduce kitten food gradually from weeks five to six.
- Avoid overfeeding during early pregnancy.
- Increase daily food intake by approximately 25% during the final three to four weeks.
- Offer four to five smaller meals each day.
- Ensure fresh drinking water is always available.
Environment and Activity
Prepare a quiet nesting box before the due date.
The nesting area should be:
- Warm and free from draughts.
- Quiet and away from household activity.
- Lined with clean towels or fleece bedding.
- Large enough for the queen to stretch comfortably.
Allow gentle daily activity but avoid stressful situations, rough play and excessive handling during late pregnancy.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian
Seek veterinary advice immediately if:
- Pregnancy exceeds 70 days.
- Heavy bleeding occurs.
- Discharge has a foul smell.
- Your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours.
- She appears weak, lethargic or has a fever.
Pregnant Cat Care Checklist
Veterinary Care
- Confirm pregnancy at approximately three weeks.
- Use only veterinarian-approved worming treatments.
- Avoid unnecessary vaccinations.
- Arrange a pre-birth examination around weeks eight to nine.
- Keep your emergency veterinary telephone number readily available.
Nutrition
- Change gradually to kitten food.
- Increase food during the final weeks.
- Feed several small meals daily.
- Provide unlimited fresh water.
Nesting Area
- Prepare a nesting box by week eight.
- Keep bedding clean and dry.
- Minimise visitors and household stress.
- Allow gentle exercise only.
Weekly Checks
- Week 3: Pink nipples.
- Weeks 4–5: Weight gain and growing abdomen.
- Weeks 7–8: Nest-seeking behaviour.
- Week 9: Milk production or light discharge.
- Labour: Monitor quietly, especially overnight.
Labour Signs
Signs that labour is approaching include:
- Restlessness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Frequent grooming.
- Increased affection or hiding.
- Body temperature dropping slightly below 38°C.
- Milk production.
- Clear or light brown discharge.
During Labour
Stage One
Labour preparation usually lasts between six and twelve hours.
Provide a calm, warm environment and monitor quietly without disturbing the queen unnecessarily.
Stage Two
Kittens are born.
Normally the queen removes the birth sac, cleans each kitten and bites through the umbilical cord.
If she does not do this within one to two minutes, carefully open the sac, clear the kitten's nose and mouth, tie the cord approximately 2 cm from the kitten and cut it using sterile scissors.
Kittens usually arrive every 15 to 60 minutes.
Contact your veterinarian if:
- Strong contractions continue for more than 30 minutes without producing a kitten.
- More than two hours pass between kittens.
Stage Three
Each kitten should be followed by a placenta.
Count the placentas to ensure none remain inside the uterus.
Allow the queen to eat one or two placentas if she wishes, but remove any extras to reduce the risk of stomach upset.
Ensure every kitten begins nursing within the first two hours after birth.
Emergency Signs
Contact your veterinarian immediately if:
- Pregnancy exceeds 70 days.
- Bright red bleeding occurs.
- Discharge smells unpleasant.
- Strong contractions continue for over 30 minutes without a kitten.
- More than two hours pass between kittens.
- A kitten remains stuck in the birth canal for more than 10 minutes.
- The queen becomes extremely weak or ignores her kittens completely.
After Birth Care
After delivery:
- Allow the queen to rest quietly.
- Offer fresh water and a small meal.
- Check that every kitten is warm and nursing.
- Keep other pets and visitors away from the nesting area for at least one week.
- Monitor the queen daily for appetite, behaviour and any signs of illness.