How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant: 6 Signs You Should Notice

Liputan6.com, Jakarta How to tell if a cat is pregnant can be hard for many cat owners. Cats are very good at hiding changes in their body, especially in the first few weeks. Many owners only notice when their cat starts getting bigger around the belly area.

Female cats can get pregnant very young, sometimes at just four months old. They can also have many pregnancies in one year. This means that if you have a female cat who is not spayed, there is a good chance she might be expecting kittens.

In this article, we will talk about how to tell if a cat is pregnant and how long it will last. We will also share some tips to take care of your pregnant cats and what you need to do when your cat gives birth and after. We gathered the information from various sources, Tuesday (17/9/2025).

Knowing the signs of cat pregnancy can help you prepare for the arrival of kittens. Some signs appear early, while others show up later in the pregnancy. Understanding these signs will help you give your cat the best care possible.

Here are some signs of a pregnant cat, according to PetMD:

- Nipple changes: Around 16-20 days into pregnancy, your cat's nipples become pinker and bigger. This is called "pinking up."

- Belly growth: In the last 20 days of pregnancy, your cat's belly will appear bigger and rounder.

- Behavior changes: Cats in the first two parts of pregnancy are often very friendly and calm.

- More grooming: Pregnant cats may clean their belly and bottom area more often.

- Looking for safe places: They will often search for quiet spots where they can give birth.

- Bigger breast area: Their nipples and breast area will become much larger.

Many new cat owners wonder about how long cat pregnancy lasts. Understanding how long cats carry their kittens helps you prepare for the important day. The pregnancy time in cats is much shorter than in humans.

PetMD explains that cats are pregnant for about two months, which is usually between 63 and 65 days. The pregnancy can be split into three parts of about 20 days each. However, the first two parts can be hard to notice at home.

This short pregnancy time means that changes happen quickly. Your cat may not show many signs in the first few weeks. The most clear changes appear in the final weeks before birth. This is why it's important to watch your cat carefully if you think she might be pregnant.

Taking care of a pregnant cat requires special attention to her needs. Your cat will need different food, more comfort, and regular health checks. Good care during pregnancy helps make sure you get healthy kittens and a healthy mother.

- Give Proper Food: Heart + Paw says that pregnant cats need special, healthy things in their food that are different from their regular diet. They should eat high-quality food that is made just for pregnant cats and growing kittens. This type of food gives both mother and babies the good things they need.

- Create a Quiet Space: Your pregnant cat needs a calm place to rest away from household noise and activity. Set up a comfortable area in a quiet room where she won't be bothered by children, other pets, or daily routines. This peaceful place helps reduce stress during pregnancy.

- Give Small, Frequent Meals: PetMD notes that as kittens grow inside your cat, there will be less room in her stomach. This means she may eat smaller amounts at each meal. It's better to give her several small meals throughout the day instead of one or two large meals.

- Keep Up with Vet Visits: Regular check-ups with your vet are very important throughout the pregnancy. Your vet can watch the health of your cat and her growing kittens, check for problems, and give guidance on proper care and food needs.

- Make Sure She Drinks Enough Water: Make sure your cat always has fresh, clean water in multiple places around your home. Pregnant cats need more water than usual to stay healthy and support their growing kittens. Change the water daily to keep it fresh.

The birth process can be exciting but also stressful for cat owners. Most cats can give birth without help, but you should know what to do in case help is needed. Being prepared helps make sure you get a safe delivery for both mother and kittens.

- Prepare a Birthing Box: Purina suggests creating a special box for birth that should be large enough for your cat to move around comfortably. Line it with clean, soft towels that can soak up fluids. Place this box in a quiet, warm, and comfortable room where your cat feels safe.

- Stay Calm and Quiet: During labor, keep the area peaceful and avoid unnecessary interruptions. Too much noise, activity, or excited visitors can stress your cat and possibly slow down the birth process. Speak softly and move slowly around the birthing area to keep things calm.

- Watch for Problems: Animal Welfare League NSW warns that if your cat has strong muscle squeezes for more than 90 minutes without giving birth to a kitten, you should contact your vet right away. Other warning signs include too much bleeding, clear distress, or kittens stuck in the birth canal.

- Have Supplies Ready: Keep clean towels, warm water, dental floss, disposable gloves, and your vet's phone number nearby during the birth process. You may need these items if you have to help during delivery or if problems happen. Also, prepare a cat carrier for emergency transport.

- Let Nature Take Its Course: Most cats can handle birth on their own without human help. Only step in to help if something seems clearly wrong, if your cat appears to need help, or if your vet tells you to step in. Too much touching can stress the mother and kittens.

Caring for newborn kittens is mostly the mother cat's job, but you can help make sure they grow healthy and strong. The first few weeks are very important for kitten growth. Knowing what to expect helps you give the best environment for the new family.

- Check Daily Weight Gain: Animal Welfare League NSW explains that healthy kittens should gain at least 10 grams every day. If a kitten loses weight for one day or stays the same weight for two days, you should contact your vet right away. This could be a sign of health problems.

- Keep the Area Warm: Newborn kittens cannot control their body temperature and depend on outside warmth to survive. The room should stay between 21 and 24 degrees to keep them comfortable and healthy. You can use heating pads, warm blankets, or space heaters to keep the right temperature all the time.

- Watch Nursing Behavior: Make sure all kittens are able to nurse properly from their mother. Animal Welfare League NSW says that kittens should start feeding within 1-2 hours after birth. If they are not nursing after one hour, gently place them near the mother's nipples with clean hands.

- Handle Gently and Minimally: During the first few weeks, let the mother do most of the care work while you watch from a distance. Handle kittens only when needed, such as for daily weighing or health checks. Too much handling can stress both the mother and her babies.

- Get Post-Birth Vet Care: Schedule a check-up for mother and kittens within 24-48 hours after birth to make sure everyone is healthy and growing properly. Your vet can check for birth defects, infections, or other problems that need immediate attention and give ongoing care guidance.

- Start Getting Them Used to People at the Right Time: Begin gentle handling and getting kittens used to people when they reach 3 weeks old to help them become friendly and confident cats. Introduce them to different people, sounds, and experiences slowly. Early getting used to people is very important for raising well-adjusted adult cats who are comfortable with humans.