Cat Pregnancy Week by Week: What Happens and When

In this guide

Feline pregnancy is short, lasting roughly nine weeks, or 63 to 65 days, from mating to birth. Knowing roughly what is happening at each stage helps you plan feeding changes, vet visits and preparations for the birth itself.

Weeks 1 to 2

Fertilisation occurs within a day or two of mating, and the embryos begin to travel to the uterus. There are no visible physical signs yet, though some cats show mild behavioural changes such as increased affection or slightly reduced appetite.

Weeks 3 to 4

This is when the clearest early sign appears, the nipples become pink and slightly swollen, a change often called pinking up. Some cats experience a short bout of nausea or reduced appetite around this stage, similar to morning sickness. A vet can usually confirm pregnancy through gentle abdominal palpation from around day 17 onward, and ultrasound can detect heartbeats from about day 20.

Weeks 5 to 6

The abdomen visibly rounds out, and appetite increases noticeably as the kittens grow rapidly. This is a good time to transition her onto a kitten food or a food formulated for pregnant and nursing cats, since her energy and nutrient needs are climbing.

Weeks 7 to 8

Kittens' movements may become visible or felt through the abdominal wall. Her belly is now noticeably large, and she may become less active, spending more time resting and seeking out potential nesting spots. This is the point to set up a quiet whelping area if you have not already.

Week 9 and delivery

In the final days, she may stop eating, become restless, and settle into her chosen nest. Body temperature typically drops below 37.5 degrees Celsius in the 12 to 24 hours before labour starts. Delivery itself usually takes a few hours from start to finish, though it varies with litter size, which commonly ranges from one to six kittens in domestic cats.

Throughout pregnancy, keep up with a vet-approved deworming schedule, since parasites can pass to kittens, and avoid vaccinating or giving new medications without checking with your vet first, as some are not safe during pregnancy.

Article content © S Vejay Anand. All rights reserved.