A cat is pregnant for approximately 63 to 67 days, or about nine weeks. Most cats give birth between day 63 and 65 after mating, but a pregnancy lasting between 61 and 70 days is still considered completely normal. Exactly when the kittens arrive depends among other things on the cat herself, the size of the litter and the breed, which is why it is difficult to predict the birth down to the day. The short answer, then, is two months plus a short week from mating to birth.
Because the pregnancy is so short, a lot happens in just a few weeks. Your cat goes from seeming completely normal to carrying an entire litter of kittens in a span of time equivalent to a single season. In the following, you will get an overview of when you can tell that she is pregnant, how the nine weeks typically progress, and how you best support her with calm, care and the right meals in the run-up to the birth.
When can you tell that the cat is pregnant?
The first two to three weeks rarely give clear signs. One of the earliest visible indicators often appears around the third week, when the cat's nipples become more pink and slightly swollen, a phenomenon many call "pinking up". At the same time, some cats may seem a bit quieter or sleep more than usual. If your cat has had access to a male cat and suddenly no longer goes into heat, that too is a hint that she may be pregnant.
From around the fifth week the belly begins to round noticeably, and towards the end you can often sense the kittens moving when the cat lies relaxed. The appetite usually increases gradually throughout the whole process, because her body needs to build new life and prepare to nurse. If you want certainty early on, or you are in doubt about how far along she is, a veterinarian can confirm the pregnancy and give an estimate of when the birth is approaching.
How the nine weeks from mating to birth progress
The pregnancy is often divided into three phases. In the first third, roughly the first three weeks, most of it takes place inside the cat without outer signs. The embryos form, and your cat behaves largely as she usually does. That is precisely why many are surprised at how late it actually becomes visible that a litter is on the way.
In the middle phase, from around week four to six, the kittens grow quickly. The belly rounds, the weight increases, and the appetite follows suit. This is also when many cats become more affectionate and seek out comfort. In the final phase, week seven to nine, the cat prepares for the birth. She often begins to look for a quiet, sheltered place to give birth, the so-called nesting behaviour, and tends to withdraw. If you set out a calm, soft box in good time in a warm and undisturbed spot, you help her find security before it all begins.
What should a pregnant cat eat?
A pregnant cat has an increasing need for energy, protein and nutrients, because her body must nourish both herself and the growing kittens. In practice it is often recommended to give a pregnant and nursing cat meals intended for kittens, precisely because they are more densely packed with energy and the building blocks that support growth. That way she gets more nutrition in every mouthful, which is an advantage when the appetite can fluctuate late in the pregnancy, when the belly takes up more room.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS you will find cat meals prepared from fresh produce and human-grade ingredients, so your cat gets a high-quality meal during a period when the demands on her diet are greatest. Our kitten meals are composed with growth in mind and are therefore a natural choice for the pregnant and nursing cat. As a drink and supplement, nothing beats clean water, and a fixed, predictable feeding rhythm helps her eat enough throughout the whole process.
If you are in doubt about how much and how often you should feed, or how you best adjust the meals throughout the pregnancy and after the birth, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisors are ready on phone, chat and email. They advise on feeding, food and nutrition and can help you draw up a plan that suits your particular cat, her litter and her appetite.
How to care for the cat in the run-up to the birth
Calm is one of the most important gifts you can give a pregnant cat. Avoid unnecessary transport, noise and changes in the home, especially in the final weeks, when she is most sensitive and needs to feel secure. Let her set the pace in cuddling and contact, and respect that she withdraws when the nesting begins. At the same time, make sure she has easy access to food, water and a clean litter box close to the place where she stays.
As the belly grows, the cat may find it harder to groom herself, and here you can help with gentle brushing if she accepts it. Keep an eye on her general wellbeing along the way, that she eats, drinks and is reasonably herself. If you experience anything that worries you, whether it is her appetite, behaviour or the pregnancy itself, you should always contact a veterinarian, who can assess her specifically and follow the process if there is a need for it.
What happens after the birth?
Once the kittens have come into the world, the cat's elevated nutritional needs continue, in fact they increase further while she is nursing. Nursing drains her of energy, which is why it is important to continue with energy-rich meals until the kittens are weaned. During the first weeks of life the kittens live exclusively on the mother's milk, and gradually they begin to taste solid food, typically from around three to four weeks of age.
When the kittens are to be introduced to their first proper meals, you can benefit from choosing cat meals adapted to the smallest ones. ESSENTIAL FOODS' meals for kittens are composed to support the growth and development that fill the first months of a cat's life. That way both mother and kittens get a good and secure start after the nine weeks that began with a mating and ended with an entire litter of new life.