If you're wondering how to tell whether your cat is pregnant, the clearest early sign is often her nipples. Around two to three weeks into the pregnancy they become darker, slightly swollen and more visible, a phenomenon many call "pinking up". However, you'll only get certainty from the vet, who can confirm pregnancy with a scan. A domestic cat is pregnant for roughly 63 to 65 days, that is a good nine weeks, and during that period both her body and behaviour change gradually in ways you can learn to read.
Below we go through the signs you can watch for yourself, when in the process they typically appear, and what you can do to give your cat the best care in the weeks leading up to the kittens' arrival. If you're the least bit in doubt, or something seems wrong, the vet is always the right first step.
The early signs that the cat is pregnant
The first weeks are the most discreet. In addition to the darker nipples, many notice that the cat's appetite fluctuates. Some cats eat less at first and may seem slightly unwell in a way reminiscent of morning sickness, while others begin to eat more than usual. A pregnant cat often sleeps more and becomes more affectionate, she may seek closer contact and become calmer than usual. At the same time, heat cycles cease. If your cat suddenly stops the intense, meowing heat periods, it can be a hint that she has been successfully mated.
Be aware that several of these signs can also be due to entirely different things than pregnancy. Changed appetite, increased sleep and new behaviour can have many explanations, and that is why the early signs are only indications and not proof. That is precisely why a trip to the vet is the only sure way to get an answer, especially if you don't know whether the cat has had access to a male cat at all.
How the body develops week by week
As the pregnancy progresses, the signs become more tangible. Around the fifth week the belly begins to round out, and from about the sixth to seventh week the growing belly is clearly visible and palpable. The cat gains weight, typically a couple of hundred grams and upwards depending on how many kittens she is carrying. The coat often becomes glossy and well-groomed, and the body takes on a characteristic pear shape, where the abdomen becomes wider towards the back.
Avoid pressing or feeling hard on the belly to feel the kittens yourself. It can hurt and, in the worst case, harm the foetuses. Leave the physical examination to the vet, who knows exactly how to gently assess a pregnant cat. In the last week or two the cat often becomes more restless and begins to look for a safe, secluded spot, behaviour known as "nesting", where she prepares for the birth.
When you should contact the vet to get certainty
A vet can typically confirm pregnancy with an ultrasound scan from around the third to fourth week, and later in the process the number of kittens can be assessed more closely. In addition to giving you certainty, the visit ensures that the pregnancy proceeds healthily, and that the cat is free of worms and in good general condition before the birth. If your cat hasn't had her uterus and ovaries removed, and she has had the opportunity to meet a male cat, pregnancy is always a real possibility to have investigated.
Contact the vet without hesitation if your cat seems ill, eats very little over a prolonged period, has discharge, or if you're nervous about whether something isn't as it should be. The same applies when the birth approaches, so that you know in advance when to seek help and what is normal. This article can help you recognise the signs, but it can never replace a vet's assessment of your particular cat.
How to feed the pregnant cat
A pregnant cat has an increasing need for energy and nutrition as the kittens grow, and especially in the last third of the pregnancy and throughout nursing the need rises markedly. Here she needs meals with a high content of animal protein and good quality fat that support both her own body and the kittens' development. Many vets recommend feeding the pregnant and nursing cat with nutrient-dense kitten food, precisely because it is composed for growth and high energy needs.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS all cat meals are prepared from human-grade ingredients and fresh produce with the meat at the centre, which makes them well suited for a cat with elevated nutritional needs. If you want to give her wet meals that she can easily eat in small portions throughout the day, a THE LITTLE LION PÂTÉ, 12 PCS is a soft and aromatic choice that tempts even a cat with a fluctuating appetite. If your cat prefers dry meals, meat-rich choices such as the Jaguar and the Panther are good options. You'll find the entire range gathered under our cat food, where you can choose based on your cat's taste and needs.
If you're in doubt about how much and what your pregnant cat should eat, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisors are ready by phone, chat or email to help you draw up a feeding plan that suits her life stage and condition. They advise on feeding, food and nutrition and are a good supplement to the health-professional guidance you get from your vet.
Prepare for the kittens and the first weeks
Once you've had it confirmed that your cat is pregnant, it's a good idea to start preparing a quiet birthing place in good time. A box with soft, clean blankets placed in a warm, draught-free and secluded spot gives the cat the chance to withdraw as the birth approaches. Let her decide for herself whether she wants to use it, cats have strong instincts for where they feel safe.
Once the kittens have come into the world, an intense period follows in which the mother cat needs extra nutrition to produce milk, and in which the kittens gradually need to be introduced to solid food. In ESSENTIAL FOODS' Kitten universe you'll find relevant products gathered with the newborn and the little kitten in mind, including kitten, so you're well equipped when the new family needs feeding. If you want to know more about when kittens reach adulthood, you can read on in our guide about when a cat is fully grown.
Expecting kittens is a time that requires both attention and calm. By learning to recognise your cat's signs, keeping close contact with the vet and giving her meals that live up to her elevated needs, you give her the best start to the little family's arrival.