by: JaneTompsett
This has to be the number one question owners ask. After all, you need to know how long it's going to be before you need to start panicking!
Have you any idea at all? Has your cat been pregnant before and previously given birth to kittens?
One thing is definite though, knowing the length of a cat's pregnancy from beginning to end will be of no use at all unless you are certain of the date of conception.
As a rule, your cat keeps that information a secret!
Just when you think that your life is running smoothly, your pet cat comes home with more than she went out with.....
So you thought that all that loving behavior and cute rolling around she's been doing lately was just for your benefit? She's been coming into season and was practising her seduction technique for every Tom, Dick or fur-covered Harry that will pass her way.
And now, quite suddenly, you have this niggling feeling that you are going to be a grandparent to a litter of kittens and have no idea just how soon they might be arriving.
So, just how long will it be before you can gaze on your tiny new kittens?
The avarage length of feline pregnancy is 63-65 days - around nine weeks - but kittens may be born as early as 58 days or as late as 70 days gestation.
But as you will be your cat's midwife-in-chief, you will only be able to make an educated guess at the most likely delivery date unless you witnessed your promiscuous puss-cat in action with the local tom cats.
It's more likely that you won't have any idea that your lovely, pregnant cat is 'with kittens' until she is 5 or 6 weeks into her pregnancy and starts to show certain signs.
By the time you begin to recognise the physical changes in your cat she will already be over halfway through her pregnancy.
You may just notice - if you are very observant - that your cat's nipples are beginning to look significantly pinker. Her milk glands begin to prepare for full-scale milk delivery around week 3 of pregnancy.
About this time, you may also notice that your cat loses interest in her food. Could it be feline morning sickness perhaps?
However, just about every cat gets picky about their lovingly prepared food from time to time, so pregnancy is likely to be the last things that enters your mind as you dispose of yet another uneaten meal.
It is very unlikely that you will understand the significance of these subtle changes in your cat unless you have had previous experience of feline pregnancy.
It will not be until there are only 21-28 days to go before the birth that you will become sure that your lovely cat is pregnant.
Of course, as a loving and responsible cat owner, you will feel that it is your duty to make sure that you are fully prepared to help your cat give birth safely and calmly. It is up to you to arm yourself with the knowledge you will need to care for your newborn kittens and their mother to the best of your ability by finding a comprehensive ebook that will easily guide you through all the stages of pregnancy, labor, birth and nursing.
But most of all, take the time to savor the anticipation of the arrival of a litter of cute, fluffy newborn kittens!
About the Author
Are you ready for the birth of your new kittens? Learn everything you need to know about how to deliver kittens and subscribe to Jane Tompsett's free Cat Owners Confidential newsletter by following these links.
