Cat Pregnancy - How Long Does it Last?
Jane Tompsett
This is the most frequently asked question by cat owners. After all, you want to know how long it's going to be before you need to start worrying about the birth!
Have you any idea at all? Has your cat been pregnant before and previously given birth to kittens?
One thing is for sure, knowing the length of a cat's pregnancy won't help at all unless you know the date when she mated with her chosen suitor.
In the general way of things, your cat doesn't let that sort of information slip out!
Just when you think that your life is running smoothly, your pet cat comes home with more than she went out with.....
So you thought that all that loving behavior and cute rolling around she's been doing lately was just for your benefit? She's been coming into season and was practising her seduction technique for every Tom, Dick or fur-covered Harry that will pass her way.
And now, out of the blue, you strongly suspect that you're going to be a grandparent to a litter of kittens and you have no idea when that might be.
So, how soon will your cat's new little kittens be born?
The avarage length of feline pregnancy is 63-65 days - around nine weeks - but kittens may be born as early as 58 days or as late as 70 days gestation.
But as chief midwife-in-waiting, unless you have a good idea when your promiscous puss-cat was consorting with the local toms, you will only be able to make a rough guess at the expected delivery date.
It's far more usual not to have any idea that your beautiful, pregnant cat is 'with kittens' until she is 35-42 days into her 65 day pregnancy and starts to show certain signs.
the time you begin to recognise the physical changes in your cat she will already be over halfway through her pregnancy.
If you are very vigilant, you may have noticed your cat's nipples looking significantly pinker than usual. This occurs around 3 weeks into the pregnancy as her milk glands begin to change in readiness for full-scale milk production when her kittens arrive.
Around the same time, your cat may go off her food. Could it be puss-cat morning sickness perhaps?
However, just about every cat gets picky about their lovingly prepared food from time to time, so pregnancy is likely to be the last things that enters your mind as you dispose of yet another uneaten meal.
It is very unlikely that you will understand the significance of these subtle changes in your cat unless you have had previous experience of feline pregnancy.
It is only at the five or six week stage of your cat's pregnancy that you will begin to be certain that your beautiful pet is carrying kittens and at this point, you will only have 21-28 days to go before her kittens are born.
Of course, as a loving and responsible cat owner, you will feel that it is your duty to make sure that you are fully prepared to help your cat give birth safely and calmly. It is up to you to arm yourself with the knowledge you will need to care for your newborn kittens and their mother to the best of your ability by finding a comprehensive ebook that will easily guide you through all the stages of pregnancy, labor, birth and nursing.
But best of all, just savor the anticipation of the joy that your new kittens will bring!
Are you waiting for the birth of your new kittens? Discover all you need to know about http://www.howtodeliverkittens.com/ how to deliver kittens and subscribe to Jane Tompsett's free http://www.howtodeliverkittens.com/ Cat Owners Confidential newsletter by following these links.
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