Cat experts generally recommend spaying or neutering all pet cats, to work toward a world without stray and homeless cats — which is why, ideally, your cat would be spayed before a pregnancy happens.

Everything You Need to Know About Caring for a Pregnant Cat

Maybe you planned for your cat to have kittens, maybe it simply happened — life happens — or perhaps you found or adopted a cat who was already pregnant.

Whatever the case, you now have a pregnant cat at home and you want to give her the best possible care — and we want to help you do just that. To start, it’s worth thinking about an important question: should your cat have this litter?

Cat overpopulation is a real problem, so please don’t breed your cat on purpose unless you’re a responsible breeder with a purebred cat in excellent health.

Your vet should also help decide whether your cat is in good reproductive health, as many problems can be passed down genetically.

If you’re new to cat breeding, we recommend finding an experienced breeder to help you do things the right way for your cat and her kittens-to-be.

How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Pregnant?

Since you know your cat best, watch for these signs that kittens may be on the way:

Physical changes

A pregnant cat may experience bouts of “morning sickness” She will also generally eat more than usual as the pregnancy progresses.

In addition, her belly will become noticeably bigger after about five weeks and will keep growing until she gives birth.

Her nipples may also look swollen or turn a darker red.

Behavioral changes

You might notice your friendly, playful cat starts hiding more, or your lazy cat is suddenly buzzing around the house — both kinds of change are perfectly normal for a pregnant cat.

Your Pregnant Cat’s Environment

Apart from some basic veterinary care and changes to her diet, your pregnant cat shouldn’t have any special needs during her pregnancy.

However, as her due date approaches, she’ll start looking for a safe, quiet place to nest.

This usually begins a day or two before giving birth.

You can prepare an empty box or laundry basket lined with blankets and place it in a safe, quiet corner of your home.

That said, like most cats, she may decide to do things her own way and choose the most inconvenient spot possible to give birth.

If there are areas of the house you want to keep off-limits, make sure they stay closed during the last week of her pregnancy.

Also make sure she can’t get outside, as she may sneak away to have her kittens somewhere you can’t find them.

Your cat may seem anxious as the birth approaches. This is completely normal — just do your best to keep her comfortable and give her space. It will all be over soon.