Cat gestation period – all you need to know
The cat gestation period lasts about 60-67 days, and the signs during pregnancy are visible after about 2-3 weeks. If your cat was in “heat” and had contact with a cat, then becoming pregnant is very high. From the third week of pregnancy, the cat will have changes in behaviour, hormonal and physical. Today’s article will detail what the cat’s gestation period means, how many puppies a cat can have, and other essential things for a bit of cat to have a peaceful and healthy birth. Cats are usually used to giving birth on their own if they are in the wild. Domestic cats need little help from their owners if they have difficulty giving birth.
Pregnancy in cats – what does it mean?
The cat gestation period can vary, but most of the time, it lasts nine weeks. The cat reaches sexual maturity at the age of 6 months, and the heat period means that it is ready to support a pregnancy. Most of the time, cats go into heat from late winter to autumn and last about 10 to 15 days.
Cats that live in the apartment can get warm all year round because their bodies no longer distinguish between seasons due to artificial light. So, if you don’t want to have a house full of kittens, you can choose to sterilize your pet. It is also essential that the cat is separated from cats during pregnancy, as even then, the cat may become pregnant again. Unfortunately, the kittens from the second heat period do not develop properly and die. Therefore, keeping the pregnant cat away from untreated cats is essential for at least the first three weeks.
Pregnancy period in cats – signs
The cat gestation period is visible after about three weeks. If you are not sure that your pet has puppies, then you can go to the vet, where he can confirm you with an ultrasound. It will determine if the cat is pregnant, how advanced the pregnancy is, the cat’s health, and how many puppies it will have.
If the cat is pregnant, then you will notice the following signs:
– The cat is more loving and seeks to be caressed by others
– The cat is vile, like pregnant women in the morning. If nausea intensifies, then it is recommended to go to the vet.
– The cat’s nipples will swell and turn red
– Your cat’s weight will increase by about 1-2 kg (if you gain more weight, your cat may be obese)
– The belly of the fish will swell
– The cat’s appetite will increase (it is recommended to consult a specialist to make sure that the cat does not have internal parasites)
– The cat will look for quiet places in the house
– When the cat is about to give birth, the little cat will be tired. Thus, she will conserve her energy for the moment of birth
– Normal body temperature is 37.7 degrees Celsius. The moment it decreases, the cat will give birth at any time.
The cat can have between one and eight pups at birth. At first birth, the cat will not give birth to more than three pups. Maximum fertility in cats is between the ages of 2-4 years.
The gestation period in cats – the time when the girl cat
The cat gestation period is a beautiful moment, as it means that the cat will bring some cute creatures into the world, which will bring joy to the owner’s life. The moment of birth begins in the same way as in a woman. Labour starts with dilation and contractions. Cats have a plug of mucus, which they lose 6 or 7 days before birth or at the beginning of delivery. The next step is to break the water, after which the chicks will appear no later than 2 or 3 hours. The chicks will be born every few minutes, half an hour, or even an hour. If the time increases, then it means that there are some complications, and it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. External interventions should only take place when necessary. The cat should be left alone at birth to not feel threatened by any external factors. You can see it from a distance, subtly. Puppies are born with an amniotic sac and umbilical cord. The cat will clean the puppies of that fluid on its own and gnaw on the umbilical cord. If this does not happen, you can clean the puppies with sterile gauze to release the puppies’ nostrils and pat them on the back to make it easier to breathe. More than two hours have passed since the last baby was born, then the birth is over. The cat will then take care of the chicks: she will clean them, breastfeed them and make them a bed to have a place to rest.
The gestation period in cats – the diet
Nutrition is essential during the cat gestation period. During this period, the protein intake must be increased. You can also turn to food supplements that you can find in pet shops or veterinary pharmacies. Your cat needs excellent food to give it the energy it needs for when it will give birth to puppies. With the right food, kittens will develop harmoniously. Biotur Shop provides you with high-quality food. Golosi Cat Tri Mix premium food is a delicious food due to the mixture of white and red meat rich in precious amino acids, helpful in maintaining muscle tone and maximum vitality.
Taurine also plays an important role, being an antioxidant that helps protect myocardial membranes, and Vitamin A is needed for healthy eyesight and fur. Extensive integration of vitamins and minerals helps limit oxidative processes and adds better taste.