Some Important Facts About Cat Pregnancy Gestation

Generally cat pregnancy gestation period lasts from 60 to 70 days, or nine to ten weeks. Cats can become pregnant at as early as six months of age. They go into heat periods twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The heat period can last up to three weeks and during this entire period, the cat remains rather uncomfortable.

For ovulation, cats need stimulation by a male for releasing eggs from their ovaries. The first noticeably sign of cat pregnancy appears after about three weeks of mating. The nipples of a pregnant cat turn pink and the surrounding hairs start receding slightly.

Once you know that your cat is pregnant, you might want to know more about the stages during the cat pregnancy gestation period. There are many physical and behavioral changes that occur in cats during the gestation period. The cat litters can range anywhere in between one and eight kittens. Cats can have the maximum kittens between the age group of two to eight years. While examining the pregnant cat, the vet can feel the number of embryos by just palpating her abdomen. However, this is only possible after around 3 weeks. You can also go for ultrasound, which again is a very safe tool for testing pregnancy.

Cat Pregnancy Gestation Process:

Once the fertilization is done, the zygote (combination of the ovum and the sperm) starts forming a mass of cells. A collection of 16 cells is called morula. This morula enters the uterus and places itself in the uterine wall. Normally in cats, the egg takes five days to reach the uterus. The emplantation happens around two weeks after fertilization. This process is repeated for each every kitten. The embryo develops and floats within two sacs, the amnion and the allantois, which are fluid filled. Then in the later stages, the placenta, the cord of attachment between a mother and fetal bloodstreams is developed. Through this placenta, the nutrients and oxygen gets transferred. Once all the organ structures are being formed, the embryo becomes the fetus. This completes the first trimester of the cat pregnancy gestation period. During the second trimester, the fetus will be developed and in the last trimester, the main activity would be the growth of the fetus.

When Is Your Cat Ready To Give Birth?

At the end of the cat pregnancy gestation period, watch for the following signs in your cat that indicate that now she is ready to give birth:

• Cat becomes restless and starts searching for a quieter place for giving birth.
• Drop of 2F or 1C in her body temperature. For accurate measures, start measuring her temperatures in the last two weeks at the same time in a day.
• Milk is produced in her nipples.

Generally, cats give birth without experiencing many problems but it is always better to consult with your vet beforehand. This will solve all your queries about the cat pregnancy gestation period and make you aware of some possible signs of danger when you might need to ask for professional help.