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Question

saw my female cat mate several times with a tom and then once more with a different tom about 5 days later-this was around 3rd week in March. I was assuming she was pregnant except her belly looks almost normal---she used to be quite thin and now she looks like a healthy cat should. She has put on a bit of weight and is much more affectionate than she used to be and also was doing the howling bit until, of course, she mated. But I am still very unsure if she is even pregnant. there seems to be a fattening around her back 2 nipples but the nipples themselves don't seem to be as large as many they should be if she were pregnant. any thoughts???

Submitted: 912 days and 3 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Posted by TheCaretaker 912 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

The average gestation period for a cat is about 63-66 days. Your girl would have likely delivered by now or be due any day.

I've processed 11 little sweet kittens in the past 10 days (I own an animal rescue org) - there are so many more we haven't caught yet that it's really sad.

Did you know that your kitty has a significantly lower chance of developing many cancers once she's spayed and some cancer risks are eliminated completely! She'll become more affectionate and you won't have that nasty heat cycle to go through almost constantly Frown

 

If you need some help in getting your companion treated, here are some options:

 

http://www.imom.org/

 

http://www.help-a-pet.org/

 

http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=163

 

http://www.animaladvocacy.net/shelters-rescues.html

 

http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

 

http://www.spayusa.org/

Don't forget to call your local Humane Society for guidance as well. If you have a Pet Smart in town, they often have the numbers for rescue organizations that may also help, at least with recommendations for where (or who ) to go.

 

It's truly worth doing the right thing - cats have a lifetime of unconditional love in them and ask so little in return. It's really a good deal.

912 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

was hoping for more info other than the time frame and/or that she would be due anyday now---as I already know this---thanks:)

Posted by TheCaretaker 912 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

A typical cat pregnancy will last 63 to 69 days, depending on the accuracy of the human's calculations of actual impregnation. Before becoming an animal rescue facility, we owned a cattery with registered Siamese varieties. Our queens almost always birthed on the 63rd day. If a pregnant cat goes beyond 65 days - I'd schedule a vet visit. We also made at least three vet visits during the pregnancy to monitor health (of queen and kittens), and to know when delivery would be likely. This is of utmost help.

 

This link explores possible complications and other details http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/howto15.html

 

A cat is usually more than half-way through the pregnancy before showing signs or symptoms of pregnancy. Depending on the overall body shape and weight of the queen (pregnant female feline), you may not be able to really tell she's pregnant until just a couple weeks before delivery.

 

An experienced vet can palpate a female around 3 weeks or so along and determine pregnancy, or perform a CT Scan, Ultrasound or even X-ray, depending on circumstances and timing. This is highly recommended in order to best know that it's a healthy pregnancy and that both mother and kittens have the best chance for survival.

 

Cats absolutely need privacy, quiet and a sense of safety and security when delivering. An audience, noise or well meaning humans trying to "help" can stress a cat out to the point of their moving the newborn kittens and putting them in danger; becoming aggressive or cannibalistic toward the kittens or abandoning the kittens. Rarely does a cat need ‘help' - especially if a check up is undertaken at the vet before delivery, confirming overall health of mom and babies.

 

Leaving mom and babies alone for the 24-48 hours after birth is essential. Do not attempt to change the bedding at this time. Do not bring visitors in to see the kittens. No one should handle the little ones until their eyes open, about 7-10 days and even then, limited handling is recommended as they are still very fragile and mom may be uncomfortable with the interference.

912 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

I have visited many sites relating to the time frame of when the kittens might be due so I am already aware of that. She should be due around now--which I am also aware---I was really wanting to hear from a vet to see if the signs she has are that of a common pregnancy or not and if she might indeed be pregnant.

Accepted Answer

I've owned a registered cattery breeding Siamese right up until opening my current animal rescue organization. We processed more than 100 cats/kittens last season and are beyond that number already this season. Nearly every female we deal with at this time of year, if of age, is pregnant.

The signs of pregnancy in a cat due any day is 'nesting' - seeking out dark, quiet places and staying there for long periods of time. You'll notice that breasts are fuller, more defined and hair loss around the nipple area is often apparent (but not always).

Obviously - a cat will look like she's pregnant at this point - however, some varieties of cat just don't "show". Moist will be much wider at both sides around rib area and below.

You should be able to feel the kittens moving around at this point in the pregnancy. Firm, but gentle palpation of her abdomen should indicate there are kittens - however, again, if she's carrying just one or two (which does happen) and depending on her breed, this may not be clear either.

It would be very unusual for these signs to not be apparent.

You can also take her temperature. A normal temp is 100.5-102.5. Within about 24 hours of delivery, the temp will drop to 100 or below.

There's just no way for anyone here to know for sure without a hands on examination.

 

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Expert: TheCaretaker
Pos. Feedback: 99.7 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 5/27/2007

Own Animal Care org.

Animal Rescue&Care Org Owner; Animal Care author; Animal Behavior Consults.;Cert. Avian Specialist;

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