How long are cats pregnant?
A cat's pregnancy (gestation) lasts about 63-65 days from mating, with a normal range of roughly 58-67 days. Because cats ovulate in response to mating and may mate over several days, the exact start date is often uncertain, so it is best to plan for a window rather than a single date.
Cat pregnancy week by week
| Week | Days | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 1-14 | Fertilization and implantation. No visible signs. |
| 3 | 15-21 | Nipples become pinker and enlarge ("pinking up"). Some cats have mild morning sickness. |
| 4 | 22-28 | A vet may feel kittens by gentle palpation. Ultrasound can confirm pregnancy. |
| 5 | 29-35 | Belly starts to swell; appetite increases. Switch gradually to kitten food. |
| 6 | 36-42 | Weight gain continues. Kittens grow quickly. |
| 7 | 43-49 | Skeletons visible on x-ray, so a vet can count kittens. Kittens may be felt moving. |
| 8 | 50-56 | Nesting begins: she looks for quiet, hidden spots. Prepare a kittening box. |
| 9 | 57-65 | Restlessness, loss of appetite and grooming. Labor usually starts within 24 hours of a temperature drop below about 100°F (37.8°C). |
Signs your cat is pregnant
- Pink, enlarged nipples from about week 3
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- A rounder belly from week 5
- More affectionate behavior, or more withdrawn
- Nesting behavior in the final week
A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound from about day 21 (best at 25-35 days) or by x-ray after about day 42, which also counts the kittens.
Feeding a pregnant cat
A pregnant cat's energy needs increase steadily, and nursing mothers may need two to four times their normal calories. Most vets recommend feeding a high-quality kitten food from mid-pregnancy through weaning, offered freely or in several meals a day. Use our cat food calculator for her pre-pregnancy baseline.
Labor and when to call the vet
Kittens usually arrive 10-60 minutes apart. Cats can also pause labor for up to a day or more (interrupted labor) and then resume normally. Call your vet if your cat strains hard for 30-60 minutes without producing a kitten, has green or bloody discharge before the first kitten, seems weak or feverish, or is past day 70.
Frequently asked questions
How long are cats pregnant?
About 63-65 days (roughly 9 weeks), with a normal range of about 58-67 days.
How can I tell how far along my cat is?
Pink, enlarged nipples suggest about 3 weeks; a visibly swollen belly about 5 weeks; nesting suggests the final week. A vet ultrasound or x-ray gives the best estimate.
How many kittens do cats usually have?
Usually 3-5 kittens, though litters of 1-9 or more happen. First litters are often smaller.
Can a pregnant cat still go into heat?
It is uncommon but possible in early pregnancy. Keep a pregnant cat away from intact males.