After the Kittens Are Born. Yes, a female cat may become pregnant and still go in and out of heat and behave like she is in heat. Increased appetite: Food intake for a queen usually increases thanks to the expected kittens developing in her belly. When combined with the loud crying, it might look like she's in pain. During this period of time, a cat's reproductive organs are not active and the estrus cycle will not occur. It's perfectly normal, and as long as no males are able to reach her, she'll be fine. Cats generally have an uneventful queening but some bleeding and a drop in body temperature may occur in the 24 hours leading up to queening; I would keep a close eye on her for the time being and visit your Veterinarian if there are no kittens or if she is showing any signs of distress. Male cats should also be kept away from her at this time as they could be dangerous to her and the kittens. This is how feral cat populations explode so easily. "This article helped put my mind at ease, knowing that the behaviors my cat is experiencing are completely normal. Cats should not bleed when they are in heat. Having known this, you need to help your cat through this period.
Pregnancy in domesticated cats lasts about 2 months, so the first question to ask yourself is whether your cat has been outside over the past 8 weeks. While the heat cycle is not usually painful for cats, it can be a bit uncomfortable for them. A false pregnancy should present with labs that are normal. If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section. Below, we'll break down each of the five stages of a cat's heat cycle. Why Is My Pregnant Cat Calling As If In Heat? Do not squeeze or press on her belly, since this can cause pain and in some cases may lead to miscarriage. In order to receive further treatment, cats who have an underlying condition that led to false pregnancy symptoms must be followed up with the vet. This article covered every aspect. Kitten partly-delivered, but stuck.
You could consider 63 days, or nine weeks, as an average feline gestation period. Additionally, an x-ray or abdominal ultrasound may be taken. Take her to the veterinarian if she bleeds. She might also hope to meet a receptive male. The influx of hormones that a cat experiences during their heat cycle is what triggers these symptoms. Spruce the room up so the isolated cat doesn't grow anxious. The process by which different males fertilize two or more eggs during the same estrus cycle is called superfecundation. Check on her regularly and give her lots of affection and attention, and keep an eye out for any discharges coming out of her birth canal. You can differentiate a pregnant cat and one that's in heat by observing their behavior patterns.
Nipple swelling, vomiting, significant weight gain, increased appetite, and personality changes are some of these symptoms. It is advised that you have your vet perform additional testing on your cat's condition if your vet's examination revealed that she is not, despite appearing to be, pregnant. Also known as "calling, " your cat may wail, moan or meow more than usual while she is in heat. Unlimited video visits and follow-ups. Your veterinarian should spay your cat if you don't want to breed her in order to break this cycle and reduce the possibility of an unwanted or unplanned litter. My cat is young, and we haven't been able to get to sleep in my house.
But don't try to make up for her lack of appetite with higher calorie cat food. Veterinary Clinics Of North America: Small Animal Practice, vol 42, no. Yes, although it is extremely rare, cats can get in heat when pregnant. You also need to keep her from getting pregnant when you don't want her to.
Current Advances In Gestation And Parturition In Cats And Dogs. A pregnant cat won't go into heat after being spayed, so it's safe to bring one home if you've recently had one fixed. She may be meowing loudly as a result to express her desire for love and attention. That said, several things are generally recommended to help a cat have a healthy and safe pregnancy and birth. If you don't want to breed your cat, you should have her spayed by your vet to avoid this cycle and the risk of an unwanted or unexpected litter. Pregnancy is not an easy period for cats. These tests can look for fluid accumulation in the abdomen or uterus, detect a true pregnancy, determine if a uterine infection is present, and look for organ enlargement.
This tissue can produce estrogen, triggering signs of heat in the cat. Merck Veterinary Manual, Merck Veterinary Manual, 22 Mar. Around delivery, her nipples will grow larger and pinker, while beginning a milky discharge. In the end, the queen may mate with another different male and still get pregnant with him.
You can get ready to welcome the new kittens soon if you see all those at once. You will need to devote more of your time to her during these times, as she will be extremely sensitive to any negative stimuli. 1] X Research source Reproduction in the Dog and Cat. Hormonal supplements can be prescribed by the veterinarian to correct these imbalances and prevent future false pregnancies from occurring.
Becoming more affectionate. This is brought on by a hormonal imbalance that results from a cat mating but experiencing a false pregnancy rather than a real pregnancy. The veterinarian may recommend hormonal supplements to address these imbalances and avoid further false pregnancies. No further kittens, one hour after the appearance of the first one. A determined male will claw through the mesh to reach your female, and she can get pregnant without even leaving the house. The whole mating process can take between 30 seconds to 4 minutes. However, a female cat typically needs to mate at least 4 times during the estrus period to become pregnant.