Cat Pregnancy Calculator
Find her due date, how far along she is, and what to do each week until the kittens arrive.
Enter the mating date
If she mated over several days, use the first. Not sure? Your best guess works, and your vet can check.
When are the kittens due?
Enter the mating date to see her due date and a week-by-week plan.
How long are cats pregnant?
Cats are pregnant for about 65 days, a little over 9 weeks, counted from mating. That's the due date our calculator shows. Vets give a normal range of about 63 to 68 days.
Unlike dogs and people, cats ovulate in response to mating, so the mating date lines up closely with conception. The Merck Veterinary Manual puts birth at 64 to 66 days after the hormone surge that mating triggers. If your cat mated over several days, count from the first.
Cat pregnancy week by week
| Week | What's happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 2 | No visible changes. Fertilized eggs travel to the uterus and settle in around day 14. | Keep her routine and food the same. |
| Week 3 | Her nipples often turn pink and a little larger (pinking up). Some cats have mild morning sickness. | Check with your vet before any medicines or treatments. |
| Weeks 4 to 5 | Kittens can be felt or seen on ultrasound. Her belly starts to round out. | Book a vet visit to confirm the pregnancy. |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | Her appetite grows and she gains weight steadily. | Ask your vet about moving her to kitten food. |
| Week 7 | Kittens grow fast. You may feel them move. | Choose a quiet spot for a kittening box. |
| Week 8 | She may groom her belly more and start looking for a nest. | Set up the kittening box and keep her indoors. |
| Week 9 | She becomes restless, may stop eating, and seeks out her nest. Labor starts. | Keep your vet's number handy and let her be. |
Caring for a pregnant cat
- Food: a pregnant cat needs more calories as her pregnancy goes on. Many vets suggest moving her gradually onto a kitten food, which she can stay on while nursing, and offering smaller meals more often.
- Medicines: check with your vet before any medicine, supplement, flea or worm treatment, or vaccine. Some are not safe in pregnancy.
- Indoors: keep her inside in the last few weeks, so she doesn't give birth somewhere you can't reach her.
- Vet visits: one to confirm the pregnancy and check her health, and a chat about the birth and what to do if something goes wrong.
What happens during the birth
In the early stage of labor she may be restless, vocal, pant, or hide. This often lasts 6 to 12 hours. Once she starts straining, the first kitten usually arrives within 30 minutes, followed by the others every 10 to 60 minutes. Each kitten's placenta usually follows within about 15 minutes. Most cats have all their kittens within 4 to 16 hours.
Most cats manage perfectly well on their own. Stay nearby but give her space, keep the room warm and quiet, and keep other pets away.
When to call the vet
Call straight away if she strains for 20 to 30 minutes without producing a kitten, goes more than 2 hours between kittens when you know more are coming, has green discharge or more than a few drops of blood before the first kitten, has a kitten stuck, cries out in pain, or seems very weak. Call too if she's several days past her due date with no sign of labor.
Once the kittens arrive, our cat age calculator and cat calorie calculator can help as they grow.
Frequently asked questions
How long are cats pregnant?
About 65 days, or a little over 9 weeks, from mating. The normal range is about 63 to 68 days. Because cats ovulate in response to mating, the mating date is a fairly good guide to when the kittens are due.
How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?
The first sign is often pinking up, when her nipples turn pinker and larger about 2 to 3 weeks after mating. Her belly starts to round out from about week 5, and she'll eat more. A vet can confirm the pregnancy by feeling her belly from about day 21 or with an ultrasound.
How many kittens do cats usually have?
Most litters have about 4 kittens, but anywhere from 1 to 8 or more is possible. First litters are often smaller. A late X-ray can count them so you know when she's finished.
How long does it take a cat to give birth?
The early stage, when she's restless and nesting, often lasts 6 to 12 hours. Once she starts straining, the first kitten usually arrives within 30 minutes, then the rest every 10 to 60 minutes. Most cats deliver all their kittens within 4 to 16 hours.
When should I call the vet during labor?
Call if she strains for 20 to 30 minutes without producing a kitten, goes more than 2 hours between kittens when more are expected, has green discharge or more than a few drops of blood before the first kitten, has a kitten stuck, cries in pain, or seems very unwell. Also call if she's several days past her due date with no signs of labor.
Can a cat get pregnant again right after having kittens?
Yes. Cats can come back into heat within a few weeks of giving birth, even while nursing. Keep her indoors and away from unneutered males, and talk to your vet about spaying once the kittens are weaned.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Whelping and Queening in Dogs and Cats (gestation length and signs of labor).
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Pregnancy Determination in Small Animals (palpation, ultrasound, relaxin, and X-ray timing).
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Dystocia in Small Animals (when labor needs a vet).
- PDSA (written by vets and vet nurses). Cat labour: a guide to your cat giving birth.
Sources last checked: . How we calculate
