5 Telltale Signs Your Cat Could Be Pregnant

If you have an inkling that your female cat might be pregnant, there are some telltale signs to look out for that may help give you an answer. It's very easy for unfixed female cats to get pregnant, especially if they mainly live outdoors. The gestation length for a pregnant cat is usually around two months, so it's important to figure out if your kitty may be pregnant as soon as possible to give them the proper care they need.

Cats that aren't spayed are able to get pregnant whenever they start their heat cycle. Cats go into heat when they are still only kittens, typically starting their cycle around 5 to 9 months, but it's possible for them to start it as young as 3 or 4 months. Some signs your cat or kitten could be pregnant include pink and swollen nipples, weight gain, vomiting, a swollen belly, and personality and behavior changes. If you notice these changes in your cat, make an appointment with your vet to determine if they are expecting.

One of the most prominent physical changes you will notice in your cat if she's pregnant is swollen, pink nipples. This typically happens when your kitty is around three weeks pregnant and is sometimes referred to as "pinking up."  When cats aren't pregnant, their nipples aren't usually visible, so if you notice your unfixed female cat is suddenly showing pink nipples, there's a good chance she could be pregnant.

Along with them becoming pink and swollen, your cat may also start to lose hair around the nipple area. This happens to prepare your kitty to nurse her babies. As the pregnancy goes on, your cat's nipples will grow and will be the largest when she is nearing the end of her pregnancy. It may also be possible you notice a milky substance leaking from them later on in the pregnancy. After giving birth, your cat's nipples will stay enlarged until her kittens are done nursing.

Another sign to look out for in a potentially pregnant cat is weight gain. During pregnancy, you can expect your cat to gain a few pounds, the exact amount varying depending on the number of kittens in her litter. Typically, a pregnant kitty will gain around two to four pounds during her pregnancy. Along with gaining weight, your cat will likely experience a change in appetite. While a cat is pregnant, it's recommended to feed her a good quality kitten food rather than her regular adult cat food. 

The appetite of a pregnant cat can depend on how far along they are in their pregnancy. During the early stages, there's a chance your cat could have a loss of appetite due to morning sickness. As her pregnancy continues, however, her appetite will likely increase. Appetite and weight gain go hand in hand, as a pregnant kitty is going to need to eat more to keep up with this gain in weight.

Another sign your cat could be pregnant is if she is vomiting. Just like humans, your pregnant cat could be throwing up due to morning sickness. Morning sickness in felines tends to happen at the very beginning of a cat's pregnancy. While vomiting can be a sign of a pregnant cat, it isn't a super common feline pregnancy symptom, so you may also want to look for other signs and confirm with a vet that your cat is vomiting due to pregnancy and not for other potential reasons. 

 Pregnant cats can vomit for a variety of reasons. Hormonal changes are one of the main reasons your pregnant kitty could start vomiting, as well as other causes, such as the fact that their stomachs aren't used to the appetite changes that come along with eating a larger amount of food towards the end of their pregnancy. If your confirmed pregnant cat is constantly vomiting, take her to the vet, as this isn't a normal symptom. 

An enlarged belly is a telltale sign of pregnancy in many species, and the same goes for felines. A cat's belly tends to start swelling around 30 days after mating. As the pregnancy continues, their stomach will continue to grow bigger.

A pregnant cat will probably take extra care of their stomach and may tend to groom around their belly area more often than normal. Their belly swelling is caused not only by the babies growing inside but also due to a pregnant cat's larger appetite. While a growing belly is a fairly clear indication of a pregnant kitty, it may not be as clear in cats who rear on the fluffier side. If your cat's belly seems to be growing and there's a chance they could be pregnant, consult a vet to confirm. A vet may be able to feel kittens in a pregnant cat's belly as soon as two and a half weeks after they get pregnant.

Along with physical changes, a pregnant female cat will often show behavior and personality changes. If your normally standoffish cat starts being affectionate out of the blue, along with showing some other signs, there's a chance this new persona is because they are pregnant. Many pregnant cats tend to be even more affectionate than normal and will probably look to you for more attention.

Along with affection, a pregnant cat might also be more tired than usual and thus take more frequent naps. Another common behavior seen in pregnant cats near the end of their pregnancy is called nesting. Basically, nesting is your cat seeking a safe spot to give birth. If you notice your kitty isolating herself in a certain spot, she could be nesting and it could be a sign your pregnant cat is close to delivering. Pregnant kitties tend to nest just a day or two before going into labor.