How to Tell If Your Cat is Pregnant: Top Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Pregnancy in Cats

Like all other animal species, they exhibit human-like changes, both physical and behavioral. Knowing these signs well in advance will enable the cat owners to appreciate better the care and management of their queens throughout their pregnancy. This essay will explain some of the common symptoms of cat pregnancy, concerning their physical appearance, behavior, and appetite.

Mammary

The first pregnant cats display their pregnancy with enlarged nipples, which generally occur from two to three weeks after conception. Generally termed "pinking up," the nipples slightly darken toward a pink hue and swell due to getting more blood supply. It is caused by the small hormonal changes in a cat's body to prepare for nurturing the unborn kittens. The cat may, however, start licking the mammary area frequently, thus providing another hint of the possibility of being pregnant.

Physical modifications

Aside from making physical modifications, pregnancy brings many behavioral changes in cats. The most basic of these is the increase in affection. Most cats will become loving and attentive beasts, seeking more of the owner's attention. This may also be accompanied by a calmer demeanor and a desire for gentle attention rather than play. The increased urge to get attention is pertinent in determining whether your cat is pregnant. Some cats become territorial and will defend their territory even in the later weeks of gestation, catering to the instinct of protecting their unborn kittens.

Fluctuations in appetite

The next stage is other fluctuations in appetite during pregnancy in cats. Some cats may experience an obvious waning of appetite, thus mimicking morning sickness in humans. For the most part, this period may last for about three days, after which they are likely going to relent and regain their appetite with renewed vigor. Most cats during the later stages of their pregnancy will eat more in answer to the increased nutritional demands of the growing kittens. During that time, you will also have to pay extra attention to the fact that a balanced and nutritious diet reaches your pregnant cat.

Nesting behavior

After the ninth week, nesting behavior starts in a pregnant cat, which is the time closer to the due date. She will seek out a quiet, safe space for delivery and start looking for soft things to furnish a comfortable nest for her kittens. At this time, she may appear rather restless, wandering from one potential nesting location to another until she finally finds the appropriate spot. Giving her a nice, warm, and calm area within which to nest will give her added certainty and alleviate any anxiety during her labor.

Weight gain

Another physical manifestation is weight gain. All through her pregnancy, a cat gains weight systematically and very gradually, somewhere between one and two pounds, depending upon the number of kittens. This gain in weight will mostly be accompanied by a slight roundness of the abdomen, which becomes more conspicuous as the pregnancy progresses. By week five of gestation, a conclusive bulge may form, indicating that the unborn kittens are growing inside. Because abdominal swelling can also be an indicator of other health problems such as worms or fluid retention-extreme caution must be exercised concerning this symptom.

Pregnant cats must be recognized for their symptoms because proper care and a healthy gestation never fail to be desired. Once again, physical manifestations such as enlarged nipples, weight gain, and abdominal swelling, to be supplemented by behavioral changes like increased affection and preparation for nesting, help identify pregnant cats.

A close watch on those symptoms will aid a cat owner in preparing for the delivery of kittens and support the pet through a safe and healthy pregnancy. It can also provide opportunities for visitations to the vet for the confirmation of pregnancy and taking a look at any maladies that need to be addressed to minimize the chances of morbidity and mortality and ensure a safe and healthy duration for cats and their newborns waiting to arrive.