Similar to humans, cats have periods of peak fertility where their chances of getting pregnant are much higher than usual, and these seasons happen about once every three weeks.


Feline pregnancy usually lasts around 63-67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly when your cat got pregnant and how far along she is as cats usually don’t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until they are a few weeks along.

If you want to avoid an unexpected litter of kittens, getting your cat neutered before she’s old enough to have her first season will ensure you can avoid giving your cat any unwanted stress.

But if you’re trying to encourage your cat to get pregnant, it’s useful to know some of the tell-tale signs so you can prepare and make sure your cat has everything she needs to have the smoothest pregnancy possible.

5 signs your cat is pregnant

1. The most obvious sign of pregnancy usually happens within 15-18 days of their pregnancy, where you will start to notice your cat’s nipples become enlarged and red as your cat starts to prepare for her new litter.

2. This second sign may come as a surprise. Some cats experience nausea, vomiting or 'morning sickness' as humans call it.

3. Your cat's tummy will also start to swell as the kittens grow inside her, so it’s imperative to be as careful as possible when handling her during this time as not to harm any of the babies or the mother herself.

4. Towards the end of their pregnancy, cats tend to have an increased appetite, which often signals that she will soon be going into labour.

5. Cats can also start acting much more maternal as they reach the end of their term, wanting lots more attention and fuss and starting to purr much more frequently than usual.

A positive feline ultrasound

Of course, the only way to be certain that your cat is pregnant before she goes into labour is to visit your local veterinary practice and have them diagnose a pregnancy with a feline ultrasound. They will also be able to gain more insight into how many kittens your cat may be having and how far along she is, giving you plenty of time to prepare as you’ll know exactly what to expect.

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