How Long Are Cats Pregnant?
Short answer: about 65 days, usually between 63 and 67 days, or about 9 weeks. A cat bred on March 1 is due around May 5. Signs such as pink nipples usually show at about 3 weeks.
Cat pregnancy timeline
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | No visible signs. Fertilized eggs implant. |
| 3 | "Pinking up": nipples become pinker and larger. Some cats are a little sick or eat less. |
| 3-4 | A vet can often feel the kittens or see them on ultrasound. |
| 5-6 | Belly visibly rounder, appetite rises. Start switching to kitten food. |
| 7 | Kittens can be felt moving. After about day 45 a vet x-ray can count them. |
| 8 | Nesting: she looks for quiet, hidden places. Prepare a nesting box. |
| 9 | Birth (queening), usually day 63 to 67. |
Signs of pregnancy in cats
- Pink, enlarged nipples from about week 3
- Weight gain of about 1 to 2 kg (2 to 4 lb) by the end
- Bigger appetite in the second half
- Heat cycles stop
- More affectionate, then nesting in the last week
Only a vet can confirm pregnancy for sure, by feeling the belly, ultrasound or x-ray.
How many kittens?
Most litters have about 4 kittens, commonly 1 to 6, and first-time mothers often have smaller litters. An x-ray after day 45 gives the count, which helps you know when she is finished.
Signs of labor and when to call the vet
- Restlessness, nesting, loud meowing, licking, refusing food are signs labor is near (often within 24 hours).
- Kittens usually arrive 10 to 60 minutes apart. Cats can also pause labor for many hours and then continue, which can be normal if she is calm and nursing.
- Call the vet if she strains hard for more than 30 to 60 minutes without a kitten, if there is green or bloody discharge before the first kitten, if she is past day 70, or if she seems weak or in great distress.
Feeding a pregnant cat
Switch gradually to a kitten (growth) food in the second half of pregnancy and let her eat more as she needs. She will need about 2 to 3 times her normal calories while nursing. The cat food calculator shows her normal daily calories as a starting point.
Cats can get pregnant from about 4 months of age and again soon after giving birth, so talk to your vet about spaying.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (feline reproduction); Cornell Feline Health Center; International Cat Care.
Try the pet gestation calculator
Enter your own numbers below, or open the full pet gestation calculator with the formula and more examples.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your pet may differ: ask your vet. Terms
Frequently asked questions
How long is a cat pregnant?
About 65 days on average, usually 63 to 67 days, which is about 9 weeks.
How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?
The first clear sign is pinker, larger nipples at about 3 weeks. A vet can confirm with an ultrasound from about 3 to 4 weeks.
How many kittens do cats have?
Usually about 4, commonly between 1 and 6.
Can a cat get pregnant while nursing?
Yes. Cats can come back into heat a few weeks after giving birth, even while nursing.