Feline pregnancy is not an easy process for both the animal itself and the owners. Especially if the pet is waiting for its first kittens. A lot of questions arise: how long does a cat's pregnancy last? How to determine whether the nursery is pregnant or not? How to feed? Can you let a cat go out? What to do during childbirth? And this is only a minimum of questions asked by the owner of the animal.
This article will help sort out some issues related to cat pregnancy.
Features you need to know
- Knitting a cat after the first heat is extremely undesirable. The first estrus occurs at the age of 6-8 months, by this time the cat is, in fact, a kitten. The reproductive system is not functioning properly yet. Great risk to destroy the animal rash viscous.
- With regard to the first mating of the animal, veterinarians argue that it is carried out after the second heat. The optimal time for first fertilization is one and a half to two years old.
- If the cat is bought "for the soul" and without pedigree, it is better to sterilize it. The fact is that in the felinological world such cats are considered to be the "phenotype" of pedigree "relatives". In common parlance - "noblewoman" with an elite lineage. And such a cat is of no value in breeding. Litter from such an animal can be distributed in good hands. Sell kittens for a good price will not succeed.
- It should be remembered that pedigreed cats give birth harder than ordinary mongrel animals. This is especially true of British and Scottish breeds.
- Before viscous, consult a veterinarian. Not all cats are able to endure kittens, for some pregnancy is death. Therefore, it is better to know in advance about the health of the nursery.
- If the pet is a “lady” thoroughbred, with documents, participates in cat shows, then for the selection of a cat you can contact the breeder from whom the animal was purchased. Decent breeders supervise their "graduates" and will never refuse to help their owners.
How does pregnancy develop? The first stage and its features
It should start with how long the pregnancy lasts in cats. 60 to 72 days. It all depends on the breed and the individual characteristics of the future mother. Early childbirth - up to the sixtieth day - is dangerous for the animal. Most likely, kittens will be born dead, and the state of health of a cat may deteriorate sharply. To avoid this, the owner must have a veterinarian or breeder phone. In case of need for consultation you need to call them.
How long does the pregnancy last in cats and how to determine if the animal is expecting a baby? The answer to the first part of the question has already been given. Now it remains to deal with the second part.
In the first 4 weeks (30 days), it is possible to determine whether a pet is pregnant or not, only by changes in its behavior. The cat is sick, but the animal constantly requires food. It is recommended to feed the cat 3-4 times a day, not limiting in foods containing calcium. The activity of the future mother decreases, she becomes more calm. From the thirtieth day, the cat starts to round the belly. However, the stomach may not appear until the birth, so its rounding is not the most pronounced feature.
One of the main external signs of the onset of pregnancy is a distinct nipple discharge. Cats nipples are very light and almost invisible. On the 30-35th day, they acquire an intense pink color, become pronounced.
To find out if the pet is exactly pregnant, you should contact the veterinarian and do an ultrasound. On the 30th day it is already possible to determine the number of kittens and whether they are in the womb of the animal at all.
Second half of pregnancy
Starting from the 31st day, embryos actively grow and descend down the abdomen. During this period, a slight rounding of the cat's tummy may be seen. By the 45th day, the length of the future kittens is from 5 to 10 cm, but they are still not moving.
The first movements of the fruits begin at the time of fifty days. The cat itself begins to demand affection, willingly goes on his hands, can lick family members. At the same time with these changes in behavior, the expectant mother “talks” with her fruits in the stomach. This is expressed in a gentle short purr, as if the animal is responding to someone.
Longhair cats, their features
How long is the pregnancy for cats - owners of long hair? Those home pets, whom nature has awarded with thick and long hair, bear offspring from 65 to 72 days. Before giving birth, it is necessary to remove wool from the genitals and prepare the nipples for meeting with kittens - remove wool around them. The procedure can be carried out by a veterinarian, but only at home. Any changes, including visits to the veterinary clinic, are not recommended to the animals at the late stage of pregnancy.
Scottish Cats Pregnancy
Each breed has its own characteristics during the carrying of kittens. Particular attention should be paid to such a breed as the Scottish Fold cat. How long does a pregnancy last in Scottish cats? From 63 to 67 days. But if the kittens are born on the 60-62 day, it is not terrible, because it is considered the norm.
As with other breeds, in the first three weeks the pregnancy of a lop-eared cat is apparently not expressed. However, starting from the sixth week, if the animal carries more than two kittens at the same time, the belly becomes large and round. And at the end of the seventh week one can already observe the movement of the fruits and even feel their heads. An inexperienced host is better off not doing this, for reckless palpation can lead to miscarriage.
During the last week of the cat begins to actively look for a place for future birth. She becomes restless, urgently demands a master's attention. The appearance of white discharge from the vulva indicates that childbirth will begin in two to three days.
The question of how long a Scottish cat’s pregnancy lasts and how it proceeds is resolved. Now it remains to learn how to prepare for the birth of purebred pet.
What you need to prepare for the birth of kittens
- Delivery box. A regular large-sized cardboard box and a plastic box with a hinged lid and a manhole for a cat, specially purchased for this purpose, will also be suitable.
- The place where the cat will give birth should be quiet and dim. The room in which there is a "house", you need to air regularly. At the same time it should not be drafts. A warm and dry room will be an excellent option for the birth of kittens. Scottish kittens are very sensitive to temperature, so in the first seven days of their life the room temperature should be 29 degrees. Then weekly it is lowered by 2-3 degrees.
- Disposable hygienic diaper. Immediately after birth, it will be necessary to replace the used diapers with new ones.
- Nail scissors. They should be disinfected with alcohol. Scissors are necessary in case of intervention of the owner. If the cat refuses to gnaw the umbilical cord itself, then its owner will have to cut it.
- Medical gloves, in case you have to pull out the kittens.
- Phone the vet. It should be prepared for the fact that the first birth in lop-eared cats is difficult, with pathologies. Therefore, the presence of a veterinarian near is very desirable. It is unacceptable to take a birth cat to a veterinary clinic; a specialist should be called to the house.
- The owner must be present next to the animal. His voice and affection will help the animal calm down a bit.
After it became known about how long the pregnancy of a lop-eared cat lasts, how it proceeds and how to prepare for the birth of a pet, it is worthwhile to proceed to the question of the diet of any pregnant cat.
How to feed the pet
If the cat eats a dry feed, then it is better to transfer it to a feed of a super premium class. If the home favorite prefers natural food, then she needs:
- 150-200 grams of boiled lean meat daily.
- Fish low-fat varieties, boiled and boneless - 3 times a week for 150-200 grams.
- Boiled chicken - twice a week, 200 grams.
- Offal - 2 times a week, 100 grams.
- Low-fat cottage cheese, for example, intended for baby food - 50 grams 4 times a week.
- Kefir - 4 times a week. Fat content up to 3.2%.
- Starch-free vegetables - 1-2 tablespoons per day. Vegetables will help the normal functioning of the intestines.
- Clean water from a cat should always be freely available.
Some more useful information.
- With gestation days is understandable. And how long does the pregnancy last for weeks? Nine weeks, on average.
- Is it possible to let a pregnant cat out on the street? In no case. Especially in the second half, when the animal becomes more dispersed and clumsy.
- Pregnancy is not a disease. Should not prohibit the future mother to play and move actively. The only thing that is undesirable to admit - jumping to a great height.
- Do not give medicine to the nursery without the consent of the veterinarian. Even the most harmless, at first glance, the drug can have a bad impact on the development of embryos.
- If the cat has difficulties with hygiene, it is necessary to help her with a cotton pad dipped in warm water.
- If the cat's body temperature has dropped from 38-38.5 degrees to 37-37.5, this is a sure sign that labor will begin in the next 12-24 hours.
Finally
What you need to remember? How many months is pregnancy in cats - 9 weeks or 2 months. The first signs of approaching childbirth are white discharge from the vulva and low body temperature. Self-treatment, without the recommendation of a veterinary specialist, should be absent. And the last - essential items that need to be prepared before childbirth: a warm, darkened room with a temperature of 29 degrees, a box for childbirth, hygienic diapers, nail scissors, treated with alcohol. The veterinarian and landlord must be present during the birth.
General information on the duration of the offspring
On average, the question “how much does a cat have pregnancy?” Is most often answered - 2 months. However, this is a rather loose concept - some individuals barely carry offspring up to 60 days, and for some, the process can be delayed up to 70.
According to generalized calculations, the minimum pregnancy period for cats is from 56 to 60 days, the most normal is considered - 71 day (some sources give 72 days). These are periods when the birth of viable offspring is allowed. Most often - 64-67 days (roughly rounding out 9 weeks).
The entire "pregnant" period is conditionally divided into 3 phases of development, each of which includes an average of 3 weeks.
This period takes from the time of the alleged conception to 21 days. During this period, eggs are fertilized and embryos develop. By the 15th day, the embryo is already up to 1 cm in size, by the 18th day the paws appear, and by the end of the period, the internal organs are already forming. It is in this phase that active nipple rosacea is observed.
During this period (from 22 to 42 days), the brain, skeleton bones, muscles and the endocrine system are actively formed and develop. From this point on, the kittens are called fruits, acquiring a classic feline appearance with a clearly defined muzzle and genitals. Only after a month of pregnancy the cat starts to grow a little belly.
On 43-63 days from the moment of conception, kittens, growing up to 8-10 cm, acquire a tail and acquire coat with a tab of a certain color. By the middle of the period, their size reaches 13 cm, by the 57th day - these are already fully formed and developed kids who are ready to be born at any moment. The maximum size of newborns depends on the constitution of their parents.
There are exceptions to all rules. Duration can vary depending on many factors:
- breeding offspring, born before 60 days, most often are non-viable,
- cats with a slim (subtle) constitution usually never go pregnant longer than 65 days (on average, it is 60-65 days), and fat and beefy ones are usually repacked and periods can reach 70-72 days,
- primiparous cats, especially those who become pregnant in the first estrus before the age of 1 year, in most cases they give birth before the prescribed average period (up to 60 days). Kittens are not always born viable, often weak and small. That is why experienced breeders do not recommend mating a cat to get offspring in the first estrus and at the age of up to a year,
- primiparous middle-aged cats bear the offspring somewhat longer than their counterpart peers,
- mongrel cats bear fruit less than domestic and especially pedigree. Sometimes healthy children are born on the 55th day - this indicates better endurance and higher adaptability of street individuals in front of domestic animals,
- at the fold of the cat (British, Scottish) kittens are bred on average 63-67 days, but almost never a term is less than 60 days,
- nursing cases reported up to 75 days. The course of the entire period was without complications, and the newborns are all alive and well. The reasons for such a long but safe gestation are still a mystery to veterinarians,
- breed pregnancy Maine Coon usually longer than other breeds - up to 68 days or 9 full weeks + preparation for the birth of the cat itself,
- longhair cats pregnant women go longer (up to 70 days) than smooth-haired or completely bald (about 65 days),
- the smaller the litter of fruits, the longer the cat can walk on demolitions and, conversely, the more, the birth will occur faster and more often before the due date,
- weather affect the onset of labor - sudden changes in temperature with environmental humidity can suddenly provoke premature labor,
- Scottish cat’s pregnancy is usually less than that of the British cat, in which the timing can sometimes move upwards up to 70-72 days. Therefore, there is no unequivocal answer to the questions of how long a pregnancy is for a cat of the Scottish breed or how long the pregnancy of a British cat lasts - variations of duration are present here.
Preterm labor
Any birth before 55-60 days, regardless of the outcome of the flow, are considered premature, i.e. ahead of time. You can try to save the newborn if it is not earlier than 50-55 days of pregnancy.
Which leads to an early interruption of the process:
- the presence in the womb of weak and non-viable embryos, their intrauterine death,
- serious viral infections (calitsevirosis, panleukopenia, mycoplasmas, etc.),
- injuries and bruises of the abdomen,
- pathology of pregnancy, leading to placental abruption,
- severe fright or sudden stressful situation.
Ultrasound will help determine the date and expected date of birth
If a pregnant cat has an anxiety, vaginal discharge or body temperature has risen before the expected date of birth, then a visit to the vet should not be postponed. Assistance is of two directions - the removal of the uterine tone, so that the animal continues to carry babies to the end or the decision is made to stimulate preterm labor or caesarean section.
Post-pregnancy
Pregnancy is considered worn out when all the dates of childbirth pass, and babies do not appear. If the offspring is not born until the 70th day, then the pregnancy is already accepted as postponed, despite the exceptions, when this number of days is considered normal. Even on the 73rd and 75th days, it happens that absolutely healthy animals are born, but still it is impossible to take a pace as a rule.
Any delay in delivery is always a reason to visit a veterinarian, since There can be a lot of reasons for the delay:
- the death of kittens from hypoxia in the late period,
- missed abortion
- "spoon",
- ascites
What is the pathology and why childbirth does not occur, will show ultrasound.
The main pathology of pregnancy, affecting the timing
In animals, by nature, everything is laid down in such a way that the basic physiological processes perfectly proceed without human intervention. The domestication has led to the fact that deviations in the carrying and the birth of offspring in pets have become more frequent. From this, the gestation time of the cat also changes. What are these pathologies?
Superfetation
This is a fairly rare pathology, characterized by the appearance of sexual activity (sexual activity) during the current pregnancy. This is a kind of hormonal failure. If in this state the cat is not protected from covering the male, then at the same time as the main brood in the womb, another “batch” of embryos will begin to develop. It turns out that the body simultaneously develops fruits from both fertilization, but with a difference in development weeks.
The situation usually develops in two ways:
- The first “batch” of kittens is born on time, the second “batch” remains in the womb, and the pregnancy continues further along with breastfeeding of newborns. In such cases, only one drawback - the lack of nipples for all after two births, so the owner will have to deal with feeding. Это идеальное развитие событий и так бывает очень редко,
- во время рождения первых котят происходит выкидыш и гибель вторых из-за их недоразвития – так бывает в большинстве случаев.
Ложная беременность («ложка»)
This pathology is characterized by the fact that there are no kittens in the womb, and externally and by behavior, it seems that the cat is pregnant: you can see an increase in the abdomen, the mammary glands swell and redden, and colostrum appears. The catch is that the duration of the “spoon” coincides in duration with the usual time intervals. One difference - at the set time, the kids do not appear. Deviation is hormonal in nature. Most often the condition occurs in sphinxes and orientals. Contact a veterinarian is necessary, because This pathology leads to inflammation against the background of stagnant blood in the genitals and severe mastitis.
Owners should pay attention to:
- lack of labor on the due date,
- somewhat earlier lack of movement of the fruit.
The cat has ascites, and looks like a pregnant
An accurate diagnosis is always made after an ultrasound. The treatment is complex, including both the normalization of hormonal background and the treatment of associated diseases.
The exact cause of this pathology on the background of a false pregnancy is not known. Experts are more inclined to think that protein metabolism is disturbed due to hormonal disruption and fluid begins to accumulate in the abdominal cavity.
The belly grows, the owners think that Murka will soon have kittens, but the absence of shocks of babies in the later stages and the behavioral signs of the cat is alarming. Those. except for a big belly there is nothing else.
This is a reason to contact a veterinarian for a pet. Ultrasound will be especially informative in this case. The condition, alas, is incurable.
Fading Pregnancy
A serious pathology arising on the background of the cessation of development and death of the fruit in the cat's womb. There are many reasons for this condition:
- infections,
- hormonal deficiency,
- various inflammations in the abdominal cavity and pelvis,
- injuries
- stresses.
Any attentive owner can determine this:
- belly does not grow
- there is no movement of the fruit,
- appetite decreases, the cat becomes sluggish, inactive,
- At the beginning of decomposition, signs of general intoxication and self-poisoning appear with an increase in temperature, vomiting.
Be sure to contact the clinic. An ultrasound is being done. If it is confirmed that all the babies are dead, then in the clinic, the abortion of the cat is carried out. If it turns out that there are living fruits, supportive therapy is appointed at the discretion of the veterinarian in order to gain time, to give the living person to advance, so that Murka gives birth to herself on the set dates. Usually, after such a pathology, they suggest sterilization. There are high risks of relapses due to the inability to find out exactly why this happened and the inability to prevent a repeat.
Ectopic pregnancy
A condition in which the egg is attached in the wrong place, and the fetuses begin to develop outside the uterus. Outwardly, such a state does not manifest itself until a certain time. Often this leads to rupture of the main "pregnant" organ, and this, in turn, leads to serious bleeding and intra-abdominal inflammation. The cat requires urgent surgical care. In difficult situations, in order to save Murka from sepsis and necrosis, a cesarean with sterilization is done (the animal will no longer give offspring).
This is a spontaneous termination of the course of pregnancy in the early stages, when the fetuses are not yet viable and it is impossible to save them.
There are three types when
- embryos cease to develop at very, very early stages and are absorbed.
- Kittens are killed and leave the cat's womb through preterm birth.
- the fruits perish, but are in the womb until the end of the "pregnant" period.
Any of these conditions is pathological, which is not always possible to predict. Often this happens suddenly and the owners are late in asking for help. In all cases, the fetuses perish, the only difference is at what time the cat is pregnant.
Suspected miscarriage can be on the following grounds:
- from the genitals appear smelly discharge,
- persistent asymmetry of the abdominal walls,
- feverish state, body temperature jumps,
- refusal of food, vomiting, sudden weight loss,
- unexplained anxiety.
What to do and what not to do the owners, to save the timing of carrying the offspring
In order for a cat to go out on its own term, owners need to know a few rules of what to do and what should be avoided during this period so that the duration does not change towards the critical one. The rules are not a panacea, because There is also a genetic predisposition with which “you cannot argue.
What do we have to do:
- Contact a specialist as soon as possible after the alleged conception to identify possible risks to the life and health of the fruit and for the mother cat. With the help of ultrasound it is reasonable to find out if the cat is pregnant at all.
- Contact a veterinarian for any strange behavior of Murka or abnormalities in health (vomiting, fever, lack of appetite).
- Protect the pet from children, so that they do not squeeze, do not kick and do not make any sudden movements in relation to the animal.
- Provide balanced and adequate nutrition.
- If necessary, give vitamins for pregnant women (veterinary).
What not to do:
- Nerve Murka. This includes the acquisition of new pets during this period, the organization of noisy activities in the room where the cat can not hide, to allow children.
- Strongly press the belly, ostensibly trying to determine how many babies should be born. It’s almost impossible to do it with your hands - especially for non-specialists, and it’s easy to injure your stomach!
- Give any medication without consulting a veterinarian.
- Allow Murka to jump from a height or climb there.
- Washing or treating a house with heavily acting and strongly smelling household chemical solutions is a direct path to poisoning.
- Allow contact with sick and abandoned animals.
- Do not follow the rules of hygiene (ironing with dirty hands after the street or allowed to sleep in shoes, which came from the street).
Symptoms and periods of pregnancy
The cat will start behaving like a real woman - so you will easily see the first signs of pregnancy in her behavior in the first weeks.
1. Long sleep, decreased activity.
2. Vomiting for several days (not always).
3. Good appetite.
4. Weight gain.
5. Aggressiveness to cats.
Considering how long the pregnancy lasts in cats, the gestation period is divided into 6 phases:
1. Until the 18-20th day. Many cats are not observed changes, except for increased appetite.
2. From the 20th to the 30th day. The stomach becomes elastic, nipples get a pink color, increase in size. During this period, the vet will be able to grope kittens. We recommend not to do this out of curiosity, so as not to injure the fragile fetus.
3. 5th week. Kittens are lowered into the abdominal cavity, increasing the size of the cat's abdomen.
4. The last days of the 5th week and the first days of the sixth. Significantly rounded belly.
5. From the 42nd to the 50th day. Kittens are overgrown with fluff, claws grow. The future mother eats less, sometimes refuses to eat at all. The behavior is restless.
6. From the 50th to the 70th (or earlier). Kittens are moving, on the cat's belly are visible moving mounds.
Depending on how many cats have a pregnancy, you can roughly navigate how many new individuals it will bring. If a cat prepares for childbirth at 59-61 days, it means that there are at least 5 kittens in her stomach. If the birth did not come to 63-65 days, then she bears 2-3 descendants.
The day before the birth, the animal stops eating, becomes anxious, searches for a secluded place - where it can give birth. Keep your belongings away because they can be stolen and serve as a nest. Body temperature drops to 37 degrees. The animal obsessively licks under the tail - the cork comes off at this time.
Care for a pregnant cat and food
During pregnancy, the animal should receive a lot of vitamins and nutrients. If you feed a pussy with special food - make sure that it is of the highest quality. Cheap food harms mom and developing kittens. If you feed a natural meal, try to make a balanced diet. Required vegetables, dairy products, meat. Additionally, give vitamins.
Meals - 4-5 times a day. A serving should be satisfying. By the number of daily intake should be increased by 2 times. Meat should be a lot: 50% of the diet.
Be sure to have clean purified water.
Caring for a pregnant cat requires only responsibility and love of you. How many months does Murke provide special care? All pregnancy! Try to take it gently on your hands, do not squeeze the stomach, even if it is not standing out. Limit it from elevations in the house - do not allow jumps. Keep the cat warm, without drafts. Do not let the purr out on the street so that she does not pick up the infection, and the treatment did not have to be during the pregnancy - many medicines are contraindicated during this period and during lactation.
There are periods when the kitty deceives the owners and themselves about their pregnancy.
False pregnancy in cats caused by hormonal disruption. All signs of pregnancy are repeated in an animal during this period: swelling of the nipples, an increase in the abdomen, increased appetite. After the 60th day, Murka prepares a place where she will “give birth” and after that milk is extracted from the nipples. Later, the milk burns out, which may be the cause of mastitis or oncology. Put the cat on a low-calorie diet to reduce milk production. Get a special gel for rubbing in the nipples, reducing lactation.
The cat takes the kittens for soft toys - carries them in the teeth, washes and protects from the owners. It is important at this time to give her maximum attention. Pat her, play, get new toys. Feeling loved, kitty returns to normal within a month.
