The Ultimate Guide to Spotting Early Signs of Cat Pregnancy

It’s important to have your cat spayed during their kitten days unless you have adopted them for breeding purposes. Book an appointment at Pet Pavilion in Abu Dhabi to spay your kitten as soon as they turn the ideal age, which is five to six months.

That said, your cat may reach sexual maturity much sooner, so don’t be surprised when it displays the following signs of cat pregnancy.

No More Signs of a Heat Cycle

When cats reach sexual maturity, they regularly undergo a “heat cycle,” which is characterized by the following:

Making sounds, such as yowling.
Attention-seeking, often unusual, behavior.
Raring to go outdoors.
Excessive rubbing across objects and people.
Rolling across the floor.
Raising their rear with or without a spine stroke.

Your cat may require extra attention and affection for about 10–14 days, which is how long the cycle lasts. The pattern will repeat every cycle and only stop when the cat is spayed or gets pregnant. It could be an early sign of cat pregnancy if it's not the former.

A Cat Raising its Hind End as it Stretches

“Pinking Up”

“Pinking up” is a term breeders came up with to describe a very obvious sign of cat pregnancy: Rosy, swollen nipples. It’s one of the first signs a cat displays when she’s about three weeks into the pregnancy, which, in cat gestation periods, is quite a long way in. Don’t be alarmed if you notice a milky discharge alongside the swelling; it’s par for the course, albeit a little uncomfortable for your cat.

Note: While swollen, pink nipples are normal, lumps are not. If your cat has a lump or several lumps on the tissue surrounding their swollen nipples, releasing a yellow, not milky, discharge, bring them into our veterinary emergency clinic in Abu Dhabi immediately because it could be a mammary gland tumor.

Diminished Appetite

A diminished appetite is a short-lived sign of cat pregnancy, occurring around the third week and lasting 3–10 days. Any more and you should seek our services to increase their appetite; they are eating for several fetuses, after all.

As your cat’s pregnancy progresses, you’ll notice an increase in its appetite. A pregnant cat’s appetite slowly increases after the diminished appetite period. She should eat 50% more than her usual food intake when she delivers the kittens.

A Cat with a White Coat Drinking from a Teacup Beside a Dish Containing Grapes

Gradual Weight Gain

Cats slowly gain weight throughout their pregnancy. You must pick up your cat or snuggle with them regularly. Does she feel heavier than usual despite not eating anything apart from her normal meals?

While weighing them isn’t an exact science, you’d be surprised how many cat owners have been right about cat pregnancies after picking them up. Cats normally gain about two to four pounds during pregnancy, so you must be very sensitive to feel the weight gain.

Morning Sickness

Like human mothers, cats also experience the feline equivalent of morning sickness. This symptom usually accompanies a diminished appetite. If your cat isn’t eating much and vomiting at random hours—not just in the morning—she might be pregnant.

These bouts occur around the fourth week, about midway through their pregnancy. If they aren’t as few and far in between as you’d like, bring her to Pet Pavilion for a physical exam.

A Cat Scratching a Soft Surface While Lying on the Floor

Increasing Abdomen

Increasing is normal in pregnancy. When carrying a living, growing thing inside you, your belly will naturally grow to accommodate its size. In the case of cats, several living fetuses are taking up a lot of space in the abdominal area.

Your cat will start increasing around its fifth month. You might miss this sign if she was overweight before getting pregnant until she's very far along.

Mood Changes to Watch Out for

Your cat isn’t just affectionate when she’s in heat. A little far along her cat pregnancy, your feline might seek more attention and affection from her human. Conversely, she might grow impatient with any other pets getting your attention.

While they normally sleep 12–18 hours a day, they may be dedicating more hours to sleep instead of exploring their surroundings. Nesting behaviors don’t manifest until two weeks before the kittens are due, so they are not typically an early sign of cat pregnancy.

Schedule General Health Consultations in Abu Dhabi for Your Pets

Treat your cat, pregnant or not, to a general health consultation for pet at Pet Pavilion, aka its home away from home. We are not your average veterinary clinic. Our cutting-edge medical interventions are tailored to your pet and designed to make them feel safe and better almost immediately. Bring your cat into our clinic to ensure they get the best possible alternative or traditional treatment.

Email us to explore options and interventions.