Free cat pregnancy calculator – Enter mating date to get accurate due dates, weekly gestation timeline, and expert care tips for your pregnant cats.
Calculate Your Cat’s Due Date
Enter your cat’s mating or breeding date to get accurate pregnancy timeline
How to Use the Cat Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the Mating Date
Select the date when your cat mated or was bred. This is the conception date needed to calculate accurate pregnancy timeline.
Click Calculate
Press the “Calculate Pregnancy Timeline” button to instantly generate your cat’s complete gestation schedule and expected delivery date.
Review Results
Get detailed information including due date, current pregnancy week, trimester stage, days remaining, and important milestones for your pregnant queen.
Prepare & Monitor
Use the pregnancy calendar below to track weekly development, understand what to expect, and prepare everything needed for a safe kitten delivery.
Cat Pregnancy Calendar – Week by Week Development
Track your pregnant cat’s journey from conception to kitten birth with our detailed feline gestation calendar
Fertilization & Early Development
🔬 What’s happening: Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes. Embryos begin cell division and travel to the uterus for implantation.
😺 Queen behavior: No visible signs yet. Your cat’s behavior remains normal during this early cat pregnancy stage.
💊 Care tips: Continue regular feeding. Avoid unnecessary medications or vaccinations during suspected pregnancy.
Implantation Period
🔬 What’s happening: Embryos implant into the uterine wall. Placental development begins to support kitten growth throughout gestation.
😺 Queen behavior: Some cats may show subtle changes like mild lethargy. Morning sickness in cats is rare but possible.
💊 Care tips: Schedule a vet appointment to confirm pregnancy. Discuss prenatal vitamins and proper nutrition for pregnant queens.
First Visible Signs
🔬 What’s happening: Major organ systems begin forming. Heartbeats may be detectable via ultrasound by day 20-21 of cat gestation.
😺 Queen behavior: Nipples start “pinking up” (becoming darker and enlarged). First noticeable sign your cat is expecting kittens. Mild increase in appetite.
💊 Care tips: Switch to high-quality kitten food for increased nutrition. Provide quiet resting areas for your expectant mother cat.
Confirmation Stage
🔬 What’s happening: Fetuses grow rapidly. Limbs, facial features, and internal organs continue developing. This is the ideal time for ultrasound confirmation.
😺 Queen behavior: Noticeable weight gain begins. Increased appetite and more frequent eating. Some pregnant cats become more affectionate during this period.
💊 Care tips: Vet can confirm pregnancy via palpation or ultrasound. Begin feeding multiple small meals daily to support growing kittens.
Visible Belly Growth
🔬 What’s happening: Rapid fetal growth. Kittens develop fur and claws. Gender differentiation occurs during this week of cat pregnancy.
😺 Queen behavior: Abdomen becomes noticeably rounded. Pregnant belly is clearly visible from the side. Weight gain accelerates significantly.
💊 Care tips: Increase food portions by 25-50%. Ensure fresh water is always available. Avoid picking up your pregnant cat by the belly.
Third Trimester Begins
🔬 What’s happening: Kittens’ skeletons become visible on X-ray. Vet can count the litter size and estimate how many kittens to expect.
😺 Queen behavior: Significant abdominal enlargement. Movement of kittens may be visible through belly wall. Increased nesting behavior in pregnant felines.
💊 Care tips: Prepare a quiet birthing box or nesting area. Keep in a calm, low-traffic room. Limit strenuous activity and jumping.
Pre-Labor Preparation
🔬 What’s happening: Kittens are nearly fully developed. They gain weight rapidly and lungs mature in preparation for birth.
😺 Queen behavior: Increased restlessness and nesting instinct. Your pregnant cat may search for secluded spots. Reduced appetite as kittens compress stomach.
💊 Care tips: Introduce the birthing box/nesting area. Place soft blankets and towels. Keep your vet’s emergency number handy for difficult labor.
Labor is Near
🔬 What’s happening: Kittens move into birthing position. Final weight gain occurs. Your cat’s body prepares for parturition (the birthing process).
😺 Queen behavior: Frequent visits to nesting area. Excessive grooming, especially of genital area. Temperature may drop 1-2 degrees before labor begins.
💊 Care tips: Monitor closely for signs of labor. Stay nearby but don’t interfere. Contact vet if labor exceeds 24 hours or complications arise.
Birth Week! 🎉
🔬 What’s happening: Most cats give birth between days 63-65 of pregnancy. Labor typically lasts 2-6 hours for the entire litter.
😺 Queen behavior: Active labor signs include panting, pacing, vocalization, contractions, and discharge. Instinctively knows how to deliver and clean kittens.
💊 Care tips: Provide privacy during delivery. Monitor from distance. Call vet immediately if: labor exceeds 4 hours between kittens, excessive bleeding occurs, or mother appears distressed.
How Long is a Cat Pregnant For?
The average feline gestation period is 63-65 days (approximately 9 weeks or 2 months) from the day of conception. However, cat pregnancy length can naturally vary between 61-72 days depending on breed, age, and individual factors.
Queens (female cats) carrying smaller litters may have slightly longer pregnancies, while larger litters might arrive a few days early. Certain breeds like Siamese and Oriental Shorthair cats tend to have slightly shorter gestation periods, while Persian and Maine Coon breeds may carry their kittens a bit longer. Understanding your cat’s breeding cycle and conception date helps predict accurate delivery timing.
Not sure about your cat’s breed? Use our cat breed identifier to learn more about your feline’s characteristics and typical pregnancy patterns.
Signs and Symptoms Your Cat is Pregnant
- Pinking up: Nipples become enlarged, pink, and prominent around week 3 of feline pregnancy
- Weight gain: Gradual increase of 2-4 pounds throughout gestation period
- Behavioral changes: Increased affection, seeking attention, or mild aggression in pregnant queens
- Morning sickness: Rare vomiting in early pregnancy stages, similar to human morning sickness
- Enlarged abdomen: Visible rounded belly after 5 weeks, especially noticeable from side view
- Increased appetite: Eating 50% more food as pregnancy progresses to support developing kittens
- Nesting behavior: Searching for quiet, dark places in final weeks before kitten delivery
- Restlessness: Pacing and agitation 24-48 hours before going into labor
How to Tell if Your Cat is Pregnant at Home
Besides using our cat pregnancy due date calculator, you can identify pregnancy signs through careful observation:
Weeks 1-2: No visible signs during early conception phase. Behavior remains normal in expectant mother cats.
Week 3: First detectable sign is nipple enlargement and color change (pinking). This is the earliest reliable home indicator.
Week 4-5: Gentle belly palpation may reveal slight firmness. Increased appetite becomes noticeable in pregnant felines. Ragdoll and British Shorthair cats may show belly rounding more prominently due to their body structure.
Week 6+: Obvious abdominal swelling. You may feel or see kitten movement through the belly wall during late gestation.
For definitive confirmation, schedule a veterinary exam including ultrasound (after day 20) or X-ray (after day 42) to determine litter size. Understanding your cat’s behavior can help—try our cat language translator to better interpret your pregnant queen’s communication signals.
What to Expect When Your Cat Goes Into Labor
Recognizing cat labor signs helps you prepare for kitten arrival and identify when veterinary assistance is needed:
Early labor (Stage 1): Restlessness, nesting, pacing, refusing food, temperature drop to 99°F, mild contractions. Lasts 6-12 hours.
Active labor (Stage 2): Visible contractions, straining, discharge, and delivery of first kitten. Each kitten typically arrives 30-60 minutes apart.
Placenta delivery (Stage 3): Mother expels placenta after each kitten. Count to ensure all placentas are delivered (one per kitten).
Most healthy queens manage delivery independently. Monitor from distance and contact your vet if labor complications develop.
Caring for Your Pregnant Cat – Complete Guide
Nutrition during feline pregnancy: Switch to premium kitten food by week 4. It provides extra protein, calcium, and calories needed for developing kittens and milk production. Larger breeds like Norwegian Forest Cats and Ragdolls may require additional portions due to their size.
Feeding schedule: Increase food portions by 25-50% by mid-pregnancy. Feed 3-4 small meals daily as growing kittens compress the stomach.
Prenatal supplements: Quality cat food typically provides necessary nutrients. Consult your vet before adding vitamins or supplements to avoid overdosing.
Hydration needs: Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water. Pregnant cats drink more as their bodies support developing kittens. Check our cat water intake calculator to ensure your pregnant queen stays properly hydrated throughout her pregnancy.
Exercise and activity: Allow gentle play but discourage jumping and rough activity after week 5. Pregnant cats naturally slow down as delivery approaches. Bengal and Abyssinian cats, known for their high energy, may need extra supervision to prevent overexertion.
Veterinary care: Schedule checkups at weeks 3-4 (confirmation), week 6 (litter count), and maintain on-call availability for labor day.
How Many Kittens Will My Cat Have?
The average litter size for cats ranges from 3-5 kittens, though litters can range from 1-12 depending on several factors:
Age factor: Young queens (first pregnancy) typically have smaller litters of 2-3 kittens. Prime breeding age (2-5 years) produces larger litters.
Breed influence: Siamese, Burmese, and Oriental breeds often have larger litters of 5-8 kittens. Persian, Scottish Fold, and Exotic Shorthair breeds tend toward smaller litters of 2-4 kittens. Maine Coon cats can have variable litter sizes but average 4-6 kittens.
Health status: Well-nourished, healthy cats generally have more kittens than malnourished or stressed mothers.
Your veterinarian can estimate litter size through abdominal palpation (week 4-5) or X-ray (after week 6) once kitten skeletons are visible. Curious about breed-specific traits? Explore our random cat breed generator to discover different breed characteristics and litter patterns.
Preparing for Kitten Delivery Day
Birthing box setup: Create a quiet, warm nesting area in a low-traffic room. Use a large cardboard box or plastic container lined with washable blankets. Some breeds like Sphynx cats need extra warmth due to their lack of fur, while long-haired breeds like Himalayan and Turkish Angora cats may need additional space and cleaner bedding to prevent matting.
Essential supplies: Clean towels, heating pad (set on low), kitten milk replacer, feeding bottles, digital scale, and your vet’s emergency contact number.
Environmental preparation: Maintain room temperature at 75-80°F. Newborn kittens cannot regulate body temperature for the first few weeks. Devon Rex and Cornish Rex kittens with minimal fur need especially warm environments.
Emergency planning: Know your nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic. Save contact information in your phone before the due date arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Pregnancy
How accurate is a cat pregnancy calculator?
Our calculator provides estimated due dates based on the standard 63-65 day feline gestation period. Accuracy depends on knowing the exact mating date. Individual cats may deliver 2-3 days earlier or later than the calculated due date. Veterinary ultrasound provides the most accurate pregnancy timeline confirmation.
Can cats get pregnant while nursing kittens?
Yes, female cats can become pregnant again as early as 1-2 weeks after giving birth, even while nursing. This is called “superfetation.” To prevent back-to-back pregnancies, keep nursing mothers indoors and away from male cats until spaying is performed.
Do cats show signs of pregnancy in the first week?
No visible signs appear during the first 1-2 weeks after conception. The earliest detectable sign is nipple enlargement and pinking around day 18-21. Early pregnancy detection requires veterinary examination or waiting for visible symptoms to develop.
Should I take my pregnant cat to the vet?
Yes, veterinary care is essential during feline pregnancy. Schedule a checkup at week 3-4 to confirm pregnancy and assess the mother’s health. A follow-up visit at week 6 allows litter size estimation via X-ray. Contact your vet immediately if you notice bleeding, unusual discharge, loss of appetite, lethargy, or signs of distress.
What is the difference between cat heat cycle and pregnancy?
Heat cycles (estrus) occur every 2-3 weeks when cats are receptive to mating, showing behaviors like yowling, rolling, and raising hindquarters. Pregnancy begins after successful mating and conception, lasting 9 weeks until kitten delivery. Heat cycles stop once a cat becomes pregnant.
Can you feel kittens move in a pregnant cat?
Yes, kitten movement becomes detectable through gentle belly palpation around week 6-7 of gestation. By week 8, you may see visible movement through the abdominal wall as kittens shift positions. Larger breeds like Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats may have more noticeable kitten movement due to their size. Avoid excessive handling or pressing on the pregnant belly to prevent stress or injury.
How do I know when my cat is about to give birth?
Pre-labor signs include: restlessness and pacing, nesting in quiet areas, refusal to eat, temperature drop below 100°F, excessive grooming of genital area, and vocalization. Active labor begins with visible contractions, discharge, and straining. The first kitten typically arrives within 30-60 minutes of active labor starting. Understanding your cat’s behavior helps—try our what cat breed am I quiz to better understand your feline care approach.
Is it safe to spay a pregnant cat?
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) can be performed during pregnancy if necessary for medical reasons or population control, though it’s more complex and costly than routine spaying. Discuss timing, risks, and alternatives with your veterinarian. Early-term spaying is safer than late-term procedures.
Need Help Identifying Your Cat’s Breed?
Different breeds may have slight variations in gestation length and litter size. Use our cat breed identifier to learn more about your feline companion.
Identify Cat Breed →