Feline pregnancy by week. How to understand that a cat is pregnant? Sexual activity of cats during pregnancy

When your cat is in an interesting position, you probably want to be sure of it. For you, the appearance of kittens in your pet is in any case relevant. And if you never want to add a family, and even if you are burning with the desire to see nice fluffy kittens. It is worth noting that the signs of pregnancy can manifest themselves in different ways. It also happens that the owners cannot detect any signs until the onset of pregnancy. And you should also be aware that in the first three weeks, even veterinarians are not able to detect the presence of pregnancy. Below are your attention to behavior patterns by which you can determine that your family will soon be replenished.

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Photo gallery: Signs of pregnancy in cats

Behavior change

As mentioned above, in the first three weeks it is impossible to determine the pregnancy of your furry pet. True, if your cat is in Lately she demanded a cat very actively, and after a meeting with him she calmed down, which means you can be sure that she is pregnant. However, if a week or a little more has passed, and the cat again began to make heart-rending sounds, it means that the pregnancy has passed by.

So, the first sign of pregnancy is a complete lack of interest in the cat. In addition to this, pregnancy is clearly symbolized by the fact that the cat has become very aggressive towards other cats that live in the same territory. But in the second half of the course of pregnancy, her behavior changes to the opposite. The cat becomes extremely affectionate not only to strangers, but also to humans. Therefore, if you notice similar behavior in your pet, then you understood everything correctly.

As for food, the first two weeks the cat eats as before. Nothing in her diet has changed. But after the third week goes, she may suddenly wake up with an aversion to those products that she previously adored. At the same time, nausea and vomiting appear in the morning, which also indicates the presence of pregnancy. You can be sure that a cat has achieved her goal when her usual behavior changes to a more calm one. At the same time, her appetite increases, and sleep begins to last much longer than usual. All these signs appear already in the second half of pregnancy.

During the final period of pregnancy, cats become completely lethargic. They are not interested in anything, they will not even go outside, although the doors are not closed. More and more free time cats begin to spend in a dream or half-asleep. It is sleep that takes up most of the time in a post-pregnancy cat.

However, one sign of the cat's behavior should be said separately. Even if during the entire period the cat does not show more than one sign indicating its interesting position, before the most crucial moment, she will definitely start looking for safe place for childbirth. This behavior is called nesting and it indicates pregnancy.

In this behavior, the natural instincts of the cat wake up. Approximately fourteen days before the birth, the cat begins to look for a cozy warm place where she will spend the first days, and hunt with her kittens. From the point of view of a cat, she chooses a place only for the sake of safety. Therefore, do not be surprised when your pet wants to find a secluded corner in your favorite closet, on bookshelves and other cozy places.

This is exactly the time when you should find a cozy place in your house with your kitty and tame her to a box in which she will give birth to kittens. It is necessary to look for the location of the place with a cat. Let her stop herself where she feels best. After all the simple manipulations, you will have to persuade her that this box is best suited for her future birth. If you ignore these rules, it is quite possible that she will find her place herself and it is possible that it is in your bed.

Appearance changes

Again, like last time, no signs are observed in the first weeks. But after the third week is over, the owner will begin to notice changes in the cat's behavior. True, you have to try very hard to see them. It's about changing the color of her nipples and skin. When a cat is not pregnant, the color of her nipples is almost the same as the color of the skin on her stomach. If the cat has given birth before, the color of her nipples will become darker, but still close to the color of the rest of the skin.

A pregnant cat has nipples pink color. This is very noticeable in cats that give birth for the first time. Although the color often depends on what breed the cat is, how old it is, and what kind of individual characteristics.By the way, all nipples do not always darken. Some of them remain the same color as they were before. An increase in the nipples during pregnancy is almost imperceptible. But still, basically, the nipples not only become burgundy, but significantly swell.

After the expiration of three weeks, the cat's belly begins to grow. At first it is imperceptible, but in the second half of pregnancy everything changes. Kittens begin to grow intensively, and the cat's belly grows much faster. The size of the belly depends on how many fetuses are in the womb of the mother cat and how big they are. Therefore, if the pregnancy is infertile, changes in the abdomen are practically not visible.

In the fifth week, everything becomes clear. If there are a lot of kittens, your cat will swell before your eyes, so don't be intimidated by her new look. Her belly will become huge, the skin will be very tight, and you may well be able to see the stirring of the fruits in her stomach. If by this period the cat's stomach has not practically changed, then it has few fruits inside. But if you put your hand on her tummy, you will still feel the kittens moving inside.

About seven days before pregnancy, the cat's stomach becomes pear-shaped, the nipples sag, and colostrum appears.

Well, these signs indicate that your kitty is now pregnant. If you feel that she is pregnant, but you do not notice any obvious signs, contact your veterinary clinic. The doctor will do ultrasound, using which the pregnancy reveals.

When can a cat get pregnant?

Pregnancy of a cat occurs as a result of mating with a cat. During mating, the cat stimulates ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries) and fertilization. Ovulation and fertilization are possible only during estrus.

As a rule, conception occurs 24-50 hours after mating. The most favorable for conception are 3-5 days of estrus, but it is also possible on other days.

At what age can a cat get pregnant?

A cat can become pregnant as soon as it reaches puberty. Depending on the breed, this occurs at 6-18 months. However, early pregnancies (before 1 year) can be extremely dangerous for the health of a cat and its offspring, so professional breeders do not breed cats before they reach the age of 12-14 months.

The sexual activity of cats decreases after 6 years, however, more "adult" (in some cases up to 10-15 years) cats can become pregnant and give birth, but such births and pregnancies are fraught with serious complications both for the cat itself and for its offspring. Usually, cats continue to mate with cats after the age of 6, but pregnancy after late matings rarely occurs or does not occur at all.

To maintain the health of a cat, breeders sterilize cats and castrate cats at 6-7 years old.

How long does a cat's pregnancy last?

A normal cat pregnancy lasts just over 9 weeks (65 days). The duration of a cat's pregnancy can vary from 60 to 70 days.

Kittens born before day 60 are considered premature and usually die quickly. Postponement of pregnancy (more than 70 days) is a sign of fetal pathology or a disease of the cat itself, this is an obvious reason to contact a veterinarian.

The duration of a cat's pregnancy depends on the number of kittens (1-2 kittens are gestated by a cat longer than 5-6), on the type of kitten's coat (long-haired and semi-long-haired kittens are gestated longer than short-haired and bald ones), and on the breed of the cat (Persian cats carry the longest pregnancy, least of all - Orientals, Siamese and other cats with light bones).

How often do cats give birth?

Cats can become pregnant and give birth after each estrus, therefore, the number of pregnancies depends on the number of estrus. And the number of estrus entirely depends on the temperament of a particular cat. It should be noted that due to artificial lighting and central heating, the biorhythms of cats living at home are knocked down, and they can "walk", at least every week. In theory, healthy cat can give birth 3-4 times a year, but this happens extremely rarely.

Veterinarians recommend giving birth to cats no more than 1-2 times a year; in the tribal rules of almost all clubs it is written: "a cat can give birth no more than 2 times a year, in exceptional cases 3 births are allowed." Pregnancy and childbirth exhaust the cat, but "empty" estrus is no less dangerous for her physical and mental health so it's important to strike a balance here.

Signs of pregnancy in cats

A cat's pregnancy is very similar to a woman's pregnancy. both cats and humans are mammals. Only the pregnancy of a cat lasts a little less. So all the signs of a woman's pregnancy are on early dates can be safely transferred to the cat. Since the signs of a cat's pregnancy are of interest to the owners, first of all, in the early stages, we will not talk about the rounding of the abdomen.

After the 20th day of pregnancy, the nipples of cats turn pink sharply, begin to peel off and become “sticky”.

(this is the most striking sign of a cat's pregnancy, it is especially easy to notice if the cat is pregnant for the first time)

Estrus stops, the cat is not interested in cats

(estrus during pregnancy, especially in the early stages are POSSIBLE!)

(toxemia also happens in cats)

(the cat becomes calmer and sleeps more)

Appetite is lost (1-3 weeks), appetite increases (4-7 weeks).

(the cat refuses the usual food)

(the cat becomes either more affectionate or more aggressive)

How to determine if a cat is pregnant?

By the presence of the above symptoms

(the only thing the hosts can do themselves)

As a result of palpation of the abdomen and examination by a veterinarian after 21 days of pregnancy

(DO NOT palpate (feel) the cat's belly on your own! You can damage the fetus and cause a miscarriage !!)

As a result, the procedure for ultrasound / X-ray / echogram after 21 days of pregnancy

ATTENTION!! There are no rapid tests that determine the pregnancy of a cat; and human cats are not suitable.

How to determine the gestational age of a cat?

The gestational age of a cat is counted from the moment of conception, naturally, this starting point is difficult to establish with an accuracy of up to a day. Ideally, the cat owner should inform the cat owner the exact date mating, but in reality this rarely happens. Usually, breeders count the gestation period of a cat, starting from 2-3 days of mating.

If the cat became pregnant in no clear place, it is not clear when and it is not clear from whom (such a situation should be avoided), then only a veterinarian can more or less accurately determine the gestational age, while the owners can estimate this period only according to the condition of the animal (if the belly is large, then 8- 9 weeks, if the abdomen is not visible, but the nipples are pink 3-5 weeks, etc.).

THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

cat pregnancy

If you decide to read this article, it means that a pregnant cat has appeared or is about to appear in your house. Of course, pregnancy is a very milestone the life of your pet. In order for you to understand as accurately as possible the processes occurring in the cat's body throughout the entire duration of pregnancy, we have tried to describe them sequentially.

Cats reach puberty at the age of 7-9 months, at which time the first estrus occurs in the animal and the female becomes capable of fertilization. This is easy to guess from characteristic change animal behavior. Cats usually begin to slowly walk around the apartment with bent knees, make pitiful and persistent meows, willingly respond to caresses, rub against various items or about the legs of the host, some individuals may begin to mark.

However, the first mating is not recommended at this age. mating female in early age can lead to her difficult birth and deflection of the spine, and the male to a reduction in the period of fertility. Usually the first time cats are knitted at the age of 1.2 - 1.3 years.

The average gestation period for cats is 9 weeks. This period may vary up or down depending on the breed of the animal, its physiological features. However, if a cat has given birth before day 60, the chances of the kittens surviving are low. Next, we will look at changes in the behavior and body of a pregnant cat at certain time intervals.

Unlike cats, ready to cover the female at any time, although their more active behavior falls on early spring, females can only mate during estrus. The intervals between estrus can be different depending on the breed of the animal and the time of year. Observations show that in stray and old cats, estrus mainly occurs in spring and autumn. At domestic cat the number of estrus during the year can be much greater and they can occur with an interval of 15-25 days. The average duration of estrus is 6-8 days, but given period may be individual for each particular female.

It is characteristic that ovulation in a cat occurs after mating (after 23-30 hours). The average number of eggs varies from 3 to 7. During pregnancy, fertilized eggs pass through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Fertilized eggs attach to the wall of the uterus. Later, a protective placenta forms. Through the placenta, oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood enter the kittens' bodies.

If a cat has mated with a cat, this does not mean that she is pregnant. The first signs of pregnancy can be seen no earlier than three weeks later.

If the cat’s pregnancy has not occurred, the eggs have not been released, the swollen mucous membrane will gradually return to normal, and the body will prepare for the next estrus.

In the first three weeks of pregnancy, the cat usually becomes less active, eats less, sleeps more than usual. Also, the cat may require increased attention and affection from the owner.

Typically, the first sign of pregnancy, three weeks after a cat becomes pregnant, is when the nipples turn a distinct pink color. This is especially noticeable during the first pregnancy of a cat.

In the 3rd week, the cat may experience vomiting, which is associated with ongoing hormonal changes, as well as uterine distension. This state lasts for several days, and you can not even notice it.

The veterinarian can palpate pregnancy on the 20th day after fertilization.

After four to five weeks developing embryos become large enough and are palpable with gentle pressure on the abdominal cavity. When examining, great care should be taken not to press too hard or abruptly, this may cause damage. amniotic membrane and throw out.

From the fifth week, the cat's tummy begins to noticeably round.

Around the sixth week of pregnancy, if more than one or two kittens are formed, the cat's belly suddenly becomes very large at once: the growth of the embryos is rapid.

By the 35th day of pregnancy, the uterus is filled with fluid, usually it is impossible to accurately feel the number of embryos, therefore, palpation is uninformative as a research method.

After the seventh week, you can already feel the kittens moving and feel their heads. By this time, the cat becomes restless, looking for a place in which to make a nest.

During the last week, the mammary glands increase, the nipples protrude. Sometimes a slight white discharge appears at the exit of the vulva. The cat becomes withdrawn and inactive.

But 3-4 days before the onset of childbirth, her behavior changes: the cat walks on the heels of the owner. Her body temperature drops to 37°.

During this period, it is recommended to conduct a survey radiography and ultrasound in order to determine the number, size and presentation of fetuses in the uterus, which will undoubtedly facilitate the process of childbirth. By conducting these studies, the veterinarian will be able to predict with a certain probability whether the birth will be pathological or not.

It should be noted that some cats may go into estrus during pregnancy, and if fertilization occurs during this period, embryos will be in the uterus. different ages. In this case, all kittens can be born at the same time, and the second litter will be premature (as a rule, it rarely survives). In rare cases, kittens are born at a designated interval.

As a result of cruelty to animals, improper feeding, hypothermia or overheating of the body, the presence of uterine infections, with genetic and anatomical abnormalities, hormonal disorders, severe poisoning, or exposure to some other factors, a miscarriage may occur in a cat.

Most miscarriages occur at 4-5 weeks of pregnancy. However, they can also occur in initial stage pregnancy and later.

Hidden miscarriage is possible even at the beginning of pregnancy. Embryos are not formed, tissues are easily resorbed.

In case of a miscarriage in the later stages of pregnancy, unviable, large, without woolen cover, the fetuses can both be born and linger in the uterus. In the latter case, they are subject to mummification or putrefaction, resulting in inflammation of the uterus (metritis).

When a cat miscarries, it is necessary to provide timely obstetric care related to the removal of the fetus. Depending on the severity of the animal's health condition, amputation of the uterine horn or uterus may be required. Subsequently, symptomatic treatment is carried out.

Bearing offspring is a serious and very responsible period, both for pet as well as for its owner.

Each owner, faced with such a phenomenon as pregnancy in cats, should be aware of the changes taking place in the body of the animal and how to properly care for future mother at that time.

How long does pregnancy last?

The duration of pregnancy in cats is from 56 to 70 days depending on the breed, physical condition animal, age, etc. For example, in shorthairs it lasts 58–60 days, in longhairs it can be up to 72 days.

The countdown starts from the moment of fertilization. It usually occurs a day after mating, and is determined by appearance and the behavior of the pet about the onset of pregnancy in the early days is very difficult.

The first signs of pregnancy

How to know if a cat is pregnant? Despite the fact that it is almost impossible to calculate the exact date of conception, there are signs by which one can judge the onset of pregnancy.

The cat pregnancy calendar is divided into several stages.

• No first 3 weeks external changes she is not observed.
• Usually they begin to be noticed in the third week - the nipples become bright pink in color and slightly enlarged. Thanks to what is happening at this stage hormonal changes, as well as stretching of the uterus, there is toxicosis in a cat, especially in the morning. It usually ends in 4-5 days.
• From this time on, the animal's appetite improves, weight gain appears, and the tummy becomes round shape. are changing and taste sensations cats.
• After 6 weeks, the nipples are filled with milk, which makes their increase even more noticeable. At this stage, an experienced veterinarian can already feel the embryos.
• In the period from 7 to 9 weeks, the stomach becomes larger, putting a palm on it, you can even feel how the kittens are moving. The cat sleeps most of the time. Due to increased intra-abdominal pressure, she goes to the toilet more often than usual.
• In the last week, appetite decreases, and the stomach moves closer to the ribs and, as it were, sags. Mucous discharge in a pregnant cat that appears at this time indicates the approaching day of childbirth.

In addition, the expectant mother becomes restless and begins to look for a place to give birth to kittens.

Caring for a pregnant cat

These animals are naturally very clean, so caring for them does not cause special trouble. The main thing for a cat during this period is rest and proper nutrition. In addition, there are several recommendations for caring for a pet:

1. The cat must be indoors during the entire pregnancy. First of all, this is due to her safety - so that childbirth does not happen on the street. Another reason is that not all cats go through pregnancy without estrus, which can lead to a double pregnancy.
2. Do not give your pet any medicines except in special emergency situations.
3. Should be protected as much as possible future mother from dangers. On later dates pregnancy, her center of gravity shifts, as a result of which balance is disturbed. The animal often does not realize this and continues to climb on cabinets and other tall objects. Starting from the seventh week of pregnancy, climbing, jumping and playing should not be allowed to protect the health of both the cat and future kittens.
4. From other animals living in the house, it is better to keep the future woman in labor separately, because during this period she needs solitude.
5. Toward the end of pregnancy, you need to take care of the place where the birth will take place. You can use the usual carton box. A thick layer of newspapers is placed on its bottom (during childbirth, the soiled part of them is removed, and the nest will be dry and clean again). Instead, they are often used disposable diapers sold today in any pharmacy. In no case should you put soft napkins or scraps of paper in the box. The equipped nest must be placed in a warm place where there are no drafts. It is better to do this in advance, no later than 2 weeks before the birth, so that the cat has time to get used to it.
6. Many owners are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to bathe a cat during pregnancy. There are no special contraindications, but only if the animal is accustomed to this procedure from childhood, calmly tolerates it, and pregnancy proceeds without complications. If the cat does not feel very well during the bearing of offspring, you should not expose her body to additional stress and stress.
7. It is very important to find out the phone numbers of the veterinarian available on the day of the birth, as well as the nearest veterinary clinics.
8. Collect all information related to childbirth, especially if the pet happened to become pregnant for the first time

Pregnant cat nutrition

A balanced diet is one of essential conditions bearing healthy offspring. When feeding a cat with dry food, she is transferred to a special diet intended for pregnant women. If the animal is on natural nutrition, it must be complete and varied.

Products are included in the menu depending on the breed, the age of the cat and its size. The stage of pregnancy also matters. For example, in the first half, the cat's body needs calcium, in the second, protein is especially required.

Be sure to include meat (beef, chicken, turkey) in the daily diet. You can give the cat during this period rice or buckwheat porridge, low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, pureed zucchini, carrots, cabbage.

The diet changes by week of pregnancy:

1. At the very beginning, the cat needs 10% more food than usual. At the same time, it is given a little at a time, but the frequency of feeding increases to 4–5 per day (especially starting from the fifth week, when the kittens begin to grow). The main thing is not to overfeed the animal.
2. About 2 weeks before birth, the amount of feed is reduced. Otherwise, too large kittens can provoke complications during childbirth.
3. In the second half of pregnancy, it is recommended to add scalded with boiling water and finely chopped nettle leaves to cat food.
4. IN last days you can give a decoction of raspberry leaves, which can facilitate the birth process.

Vaccination during pregnancy

The owner must take care of everything necessary vaccinations 2 months before mating a pet. During pregnancy, a cat's susceptibility to toxic substances increases dramatically.

Possible Complications

For some reason (infection, injury, poor nutrition, etc.), a cat can experience complications during pregnancy. The risk is especially high for a period of 4-5 weeks.

Throughout pregnancy, and especially during this period, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the animal in order to notice the slightest changes in well-being in time.

Any infection during pregnancy is dangerous. You should immediately consult a doctor in the following cases:

• The cat refuses food for more than a day
• Increases (more than 38⁰С) or decreases (up to 37.5⁰С) body temperature
• Opaque loop selection
• The animal is breathing heavily and drinking a lot of liquid
• Frozen pregnancy, when the embryos stop their development and eventually die.

false pregnancy

This is a fairly rare occurrence in cats, the exact cause of which has not been established. At least it is known that this physiological process does not pose any serious harm to the health of the animal.

Symptoms of a false pregnancy are usually subtle, and the pet owner does not even always notice them. The cat becomes more drowsy, its movements are cautious, appetite increases, nipples slightly increase.
Classmates

Pregnancy is an important stage in the life of a pet. During this period, her behavior changes dramatically, the body also undergoes many deformations. For the process to end successful childbirth, the owner needs to know how the cat's pregnancy proceeds by week.

cat puberty

In most cases, the owner finds out that the cat is ready for pregnancy when she is seven to nine months old. Exact term the onset of the first estrus depends on many factors, such as heredity, living conditions, individual characteristics. For example, in a large animal, puberty is likely to occur no earlier than one and a half years. The breed does not matter, so British cat can become pregnant at the same time as other felines.

Heat appears characteristic features. The cat begins to fuss for no reason or slowly walk around the house, flirting more and meowing plaintively.

At the same time, she willingly rubs against various objects, and in some cases even marks the territory. Despite the maturation of the pet, most experts advise mating not before a year. Early pregnancy often turns into a heavy gestation of the fetus, followed by a lethal delivery.

At the beginning of pregnancy, 3-7 fertilized eggs move into the uterus, where they attach to its wall. Through certain time, in the first week, the placenta is created, which serves as a conductor of oxygen and nutrients between fetus and mother.

At this time, the female becomes a little less active and more thoughtful. She eats less and sleeps more than usual.

From the sixth week of pregnancy, the changes are clearly visible due to the rounded belly, which takes pear-shaped. But when carrying two or three kittens, this sign may not appear until the very term of birth.

late pregnancy

By the seventh week, pregnancy enters the final stage. During this period, the fruits are finally formed, they have a full-fledged coat and other species characteristics. They actively move, sometimes becoming a cause of concern for the mother.

The approach of childbirth can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• the cat becomes unappetizing and inactive;
• her mammary glands increase even more, colostrum is secreted from them;
• whitish discharge may appear from the uterus.

The nesting instinct also manifests itself, thanks to which the female walks around the nooks and crannies, looking for a place for delivery.

If it is estimated that the last week of pregnancy has come, the cat becomes the most restless, and her temperature drops to 37 degrees, we can safely say that in three to four days she will be relieved of the burden.

At this time, it will not be superfluous to conduct an ultrasound abdominal cavity to determine the number and size of kittens, and possible pathologies. This is especially important during the first birth.

Tracing the development of the fetus in a pregnant cat by weeks, it must be remembered that she does not need special care. But for a more comfortable flow of the process, it is still necessary to adhere to some rules:

• So that the cat is not exposed to temperature changes, is not injured and does not come into contact with sick animals, her pregnancy, if possible, should proceed at home.
• If there are other animals in the house, including cats, the pregnant woman must be resettled before giving birth.
• To prevent cross mating, sexual contact between a pregnant woman and a cat should not be allowed.
• For safety reasons for mom and babies, it is better not to allow her to climb high objects from where she can fall.
• All regular veterinary procedures (vaccinations, deworming) should be postponed for postpartum period when the cat is strong enough.
• Do not use chemically active substances near the expectant mother.
• Monitor the condition of the pregnant woman and, in case of a sharp deterioration in well-being, seek the help of a veterinarian.
• To keep the cat clean in the last weeks of pregnancy, it must be washed warm water, especially carefully lingering on the tummy and nipples.

Pregnant cat nutrition

The nutrition of a cat carrying kittens should be adjusted in accordance with the recommendations of veterinarians. If previously she ate exclusively special cat food, she needs to be switched to canned maternity food the same brand. It contains everything useful material for expectant mothers, so it is not necessary to give separately.

But if a cat has symptoms of beriberi - sharp deterioration appetite, tearing, hair loss, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian regarding the introduction of special vitamin-mineral complexes into the diet. The same applies to cats that eat human food.

Often, experts prescribe a course folic acid which reduces the risk of developing fetal pathologies.

Also, it would not be superfluous to enrich the menu with natural sources of calcium - cottage cheese, milk, but in moderation.

In the last weeks of pregnancy, the serving size should be increased by half of the original. But you should not overfeed, because obesity is fraught with complications during delivery.