How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?

Cats are actually very reproductive animals, and if you have a female cat at home, even if you just sneak out once and come back again you may be pregnant with kittens. If you have both a male and a female cat at home, then don’t take it lightly, because a four-month-old cat can be pregnant! How do you know if your cat is pregnant? The following points can help you make a determination. A cat’s gestation period is generally 63 days, and in the first two weeks of pregnancy there are usually no visible changes. However, by the third week of pregnancy, there will be significant changes in behavior and physical appearance. Symptoms The nipples become darker in the third week of pregnancy, the nipples will become larger and darker, and sometimes there will even be overflowing milk. Morning sickness Like people, some cats will feel nauseous or even vomit during pregnancy. But not all cats will have pregnancy reactions, and this is also true for people. Abdominal swelling After 30 days of pregnancy, cats will clearly show their pregnancy. You will see a noticeable bulge in the abdomen, which will be more pronounced in short-haired cats. Throughout pregnancy, the female cat will gain 2-4 pounds, depending on how many kittens are in her belly. Weight gain The biggest change in a cat’s body after pregnancy is that it becomes heavier ~ it will probably gain 1-2 pounds in weight. The greater the number of kittens in the mother cat’s belly, the faster she will gain weight. Pregnancy in cats is actually similar to human pregnancy, and there are large individual differences between pregnant cats. However, the weight gain is common to all pregnant cats. Change in sleeping position As the cat’s pregnancy lengthens, the sleeping position of the female cat will change. Instead of forming a ball like before, she will sleep on her side. How does a cat’s pregnancy look? In the middle and late stages, the cat’s belly will slowly grow larger. You can still feel the kittens by touching them with your hand. Experienced cat owners will be able to count the number of kittens. Diagnostic ultrasound examination Of course, to know if your cat is pregnant or pregnant, taking your cat to the vet for an ultrasound examination is the most effective way. Generally when a cat is 21 days pregnant, you can go for an ultrasound to check the pregnancy, but if you want to know how many kittens are in the belly, it is best to wait until after 40 days of pregnancy because the skull of that kitten will be clearly visible. Do not worry about the radiation, such a small amount of radiation will not affect the development of kittens. Note to remind pooper scoopers that if they do not want the cat in their home to become pregnant accidentally, then they must be de-sexed at the right age. If there are both unneutered male and female cats at home, it is best to do isolation treatment after 6 months to prevent accidental early pregnancy.