1
What can you tell me about premature kittens? My cat recently had kittens and they seem very small compared to most newborn kittens I have seen.
2
My cat is pregnant, what can I do to prepare for the birth of the kittens? And what is the best food to feed her during her pregnancy?
3
What are some ways I can tell if my cat is pregnant?
4
Can a cat get pregnant by more then one male in the same litter? I have heard that one litter can have up to three different fathers. Is this myth or fact?
5
My cat is pregnant and has been noticeable for about two weeks. When can I expect her to deliver them?
6
What are visible signs a cat is pregnant? How long is a cat's pregnancy? How much do I need to change her eating habits such as food and vitamins?
7
What should I do during the birth of kittens?
8
At what age do cats get their first heat and what are the signs?
9
I have a cat who is approximately 6 months old who's recently been in heat. It took me awhile to figure it out, until I really noticed a big change in her behavior. Now I still lack the knowledge of how to tell is if she "succeeded" in getting pregnant when she was able to slip through the door while it was open.(There is a male cat that has adopted us and stays right out front of the house.) Plus, how do you tell for sure when your cat has passed this "stage"? Any help would be much appreciated and a BIG relief for me. Thank you so very much for you time.
10
How long is a cat's pregnancy?
11
My 11-month old cat is pregnant and she has missed her due date by four days. Is this normal or could there be a problem?
12
I have an 8 month old cat named Pheobe that I rescued from a shelter. She came in heat within a few days after I got her and she is still in heat a few weeks later. How long do cats usually stay in heat and how often?
13
How long is pregnancy for a cat?
14
At what age can a cat become pregnant?
15
My cat Misty delivered one kitten on Thursday, is this normal?
1
What can you tell me about premature kittens? My cat recently had kittens and they seem very small compared to most newborn kittens I have seen.
Gestation (the length of pregnancy) in cats is usually 63 days. Newborn kittens usually weigh between 3 and 4 ounces, about 3 percent of an adult cats body weight. If the mother is very small or was undernourished during pregnancy her kittens might be small at birth. If the mother is now receiving adequate nutrition and providing sufficient milk for the kittens and they are nursing well you may not need to do anything. If there is not enough milk or the kittens are not able to nurse, you may need to supplement with a feline milk replacer product. If you notice the kittens crying excessively and the mother cat not providing for them then you may need to intervene as well.
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2
My cat is pregnant, what can I do to prepare for the birth of the kittens? And what is the best food to feed her during her pregnancy?
While nutrition is a key factor in keeping a cat healthy, its importance is heightened during pregnancy and lactation. The diet must supply essential nutrients in the proper balance to the developing kittens and prepare the female for the stress of lactation. Diets labeled for adult maintenance, intermittent feeding, or therapeutic uses are generally inadequate for pregnancy and lactation. Any diet fed during this time should be labeled as nutritionally complete and balanced for all life stages of the cat and this claim should be supported by actual feeding studies. During the fourth through sixth weeks of pregnancy, your cat should show a slow, steady increase in body weight. At this time food consumptions should be allowed to increase slightly. During the final three weeks, her body weight will increase more rapidly and she should be allowed to eat all she wants. As littering nears she may lose her appetite. Food refusal during the ninth week of pregnancy is usually a good indication that the kittens will be born within the next 24 to 48 hours. Be sure to provide her with a warm, clean, private place to have the kittens. A large box with low sides lined with carpet or shredded newspaper provides an ideal "queening box".
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3
What are some ways I can tell if my cat is pregnant?
Currently there is no pregnancy test for cats as there is for women. During the first few weeks there are very few detectable signs of pregnancy other than a slight weight gain. Around 5 weeks post mating, her nipples will become pink and slightly distended and her tummy will be noticeably larger. As she gets closer to the time of delivery her breasts will enlarge and a milky fluid can be expressed from the nipples. The average length of pregnancy is around 65 days. About two weeks before giving birth she will become restless and search for a place to have her babies. Provide her with a suitable box that is large enough for her to easily move about. It should be placed in a warm, dry, out-of-the-way location that is quiet and somewhat dark. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's advice concerning prenatal care. Don't give your cat vitamins, medications, or other supplements without discussing them with your veterinarian first.
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4
Can a cat get pregnant by more then one male in the same litter? I have heard that one litter can have up to three different fathers. Is this myth or fact?
Probably this statement is a bit of both myth and fact. In studies that actually watched groups of male and female cats and their reproductive activities, only two cases of different males mating with the same female were recorded. However, since it was observed, it may also occur at other times without being observed by people. Since cats are such fascinating creatures and more studies are ongoing perhaps over time we will know more about the mating habits of cats.
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5
My cat is pregnant and has been noticeable for about two weeks. When can I expect her to deliver them?
The length of pregnancy in cats is 60-68 days with the average of 65 to 66 days. Pregnancy usually becomes the most obvious during the last third of that time frame. That is when you will see obvious changes in both her behavior and physical shape. She is also likely to show an increased appetite, a decrease in activity and agility. As delivery gets closer she will seek a quiet dark place to deliver the kittens where she will be undisturbed. You can help her by providing an area with soft bedding and privacy so she can get used to it and will hopefully choose it to deliver her kittens. Delivery often takes place at night, so you may not see the kittens being born. Once she has delivered her kittens and has weaned them, please consider having her spayed to avoid any more unplanned litters.
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6
What are visible signs a cat is pregnant? How long is a cat's pregnancy? How much do I need to change her eating habits such as food and vitamins?
The length of pregnancy in the cat is 63-66 days and births are usually seasonal with more kittens born in the summer and fewer in the fall and early winter. About midway through the pregnancy the cat may begin to look heavier in the abdomenal area and this will increase as the pregnancy progresses. A pregnant and nursing cat will need more nutrition throughout pregnancy and lactation. A good commercial diet such as Purina ONE Growth and Development is designed to meet the nutritional needs of the pregnant and nursing mother as well as her kittens.
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7
What should I do during the birth of kittens?
Most cats will do a good job of delivering their kittens on their own. You can help by providing a quiet, clean and isolated area for her to give birth. A cardboard box or laundry basket that is lined with paper and old towels would be a good spot. Make sure that her food, water and litter box are nearby. For the first few days she will not want to leave the kittens and should not have to go far to get what she needs. It is also important that she have good nutrition such as Purina ONE Growth and Development to provide all her needs during pregnancy and nursing.
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8
At what age do cats get their first heat and what are the signs?
Most cats will come into heat between six and eight months of age. In general cats come into heat in the spring and the fall. When a cat is in heat they will often cry loudly, roll on the floor and actively attempt to seek out a mate. If let outside at that time, they will find a male cat and get pregnant. Because there are so many cats and kittens without homes it is prudent to spay your cat before she comes into heat to prevent an unwanted litter of kittens.
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9
I have a cat who is approximately 6 months old who's recently been in heat. It took me awhile to figure it out, until I really noticed a big change in her behavior. Now I still lack the knowledge of how to tell is if she "succeeded" in getting pregnant when she was able to slip through the door while it was open.(There is a male cat that has adopted us and stays right out front of the house.) Plus, how do you tell for sure when your cat has passed this "stage"? Any help would be much appreciated and a BIG relief for me. Thank you so very much for you time.
If your cat was in heat and managed to get outside and encounter an intact male cat, she is likely pregnant. The length of pregnancy in cats is 63-66 days. As the cat goes through her pregnancy she will begin to show enlargement in her abdomen indicating the presence of kittens. Be sure you are feeding her a good diet such as Purina ONE Growth and Development to help her meet her nutritional needs of pregnancy and nursing. Once she has delivered and weaned her kittens please have her spayed to prevent further litters of kittens.
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10
How long is a cat's pregnancy?
The length of a typical cat pregnancy is 63-66 days. Most litters are born in the summer and fewest in autumn and winter. Most cats like to deliver their kittens in a dark, quiet area, often under beds or in closets. Litter size varies from one to six kittens. Usually a cat will deliver her kittens without assistance but on rare occasions she may have difficulty and need veterinary attention.
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11
My 11-month old cat is pregnant and she has missed her due date by four days. Is this normal or could there be a problem?
The length of pregnancy in a cat is 63-69 days, so there is some variability in the due date. If she has gone beyond that time then a veterinary visit is needed. The veterinarian can determine if the kittens are still alive and if delivery is imminent. If she does not deliver the kittens on her own she may need a ceasarian section to help get the kittens.
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12
I have an 8 month old cat named Pheobe that I rescued from a shelter. She came in heat within a few days after I got her and she is still in heat a few weeks later. How long do cats usually stay in heat and how often?
Cats experience a heat cycle that is seasonal in nature, generally occurring in the spring and fall. During that time they will cycle in and out of heat several times unless they become pregnant. If not bred the heat cycle can last for several weeks. To help stop unwanted kittens, you may want to consider having your cat spayed as soon as she is out of heat.
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13
How long is pregnancy for a cat?
The length of pregnancy for a cat is 63-65 days. An average size litter is 3-5 kittens. While a cat is pregnant she needs a complete and balanced diet such as Purina ONE Growth and Development to help provide good nutrition for her and her developing kittens. A pregnant cat will often try to find a dark, quiet place to have her kittens. Providing her with a clean box with towels inside and in a quiet area is helpful. Kittens are born with both their eyes and ears closed and these open in the second to third week of life. Most cats are good mothers and spend a great deal of time with their kittens in the first 3 weeks of life.
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14
At what age can a cat become pregnant?
A cat can become pregnant when she first comes into heat. That tends to happen between 6-9 months of age. The signs of heat include rolling on the ground, vocalization and frequent licking of the vaginal area. If she is allowed outside at that time, she will search out a mate and become pregnant. To avoid unwanted kittens a female cat should be spayed prior to coming into heat.
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15
My cat Misty delivered one kitten on Thursday, is this normal?
On occasion a cat may have a very small litter of only one kitten. However, if she still has kittens remaining in her uterus, that could make her very ill. Your veterinarian should be able to determine if there are still more kittens to be delivered. In some cases a radiograph is needed to make sure no kittens remain in the uterus. In other situations the veterinarian can determine with a physical examination if more kitten remain.
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