Is my cat getting fat or pregnant?

When looking from above, you'll see that a pregnant cat's tummy is distended slightly more than halfway from the neck to the tail. From the side, pregnant cats will look a little swayback with a slightly round and bulging tummy. If a cat is just fat, then she'll be fat all over including her neck and her legs.

Is my cat pregnant or just bloated?

Around the halfway point of the gestation period, you'll notice your cat's belly start to swell. The swelling will start at about five weeks into the gestation period up until birth, so a swollen stomach could likely indicate that your pet is pregnant.

How can I tell if my cat is really pregnant?

Luckily, how to tell if a cat is pregnant usually comes down to a few common signs, such as: Noticeable weight gain in a few weeks (she'll gain about 2 to 4 pounds in all) Swollen and pink nipples (called "pinking up," this occurs around week three of pregnancy) Distended abdomen (noticeable around week five)

What does a cat's nipples look like when pregnant?

“Pinking up” of the nipples

However, a pregnant cat's nipples will appear pinker, showing a visible contrast to how they were before. In addition to that, you may notice that the fur around your cat's nipples will also start to recede, as it prepares her body for nursing the kittens.

How long before a pregnant cat starts showing?

The cat's belly will get big around 30 days after they mate. Another symptom that appears as the pregnancy continues, 2 to 3 weeks after they conceive, is their nipples enlarge and redden (also called "pinking up").

Signs that your cat is pregnant and not just fat

How can I tell if my cat is pregnant without a vet?

How do cats prepare for birth?

Preparing for Your Cat to Give Birth

Make sure that this birthing box is large enough for your cat and her litter to be comfortable in, but also tall enough to prevent any curious kittens from making an escape! Keep the nest in a warm place and line it with soft blankets or towels (that you won't mind throwing away).

Do pregnant cats bellies get hard?

There is a lot of extra fluid in the abdomen due to the amniotic fluid, and that in combination with the kittens will put a lot of pressure on the abdominal wall. A lot of the extra space is taken up and the skin over the belly is therefore much tighter.

Why is my cat's belly swollen?

Potential causes for a cat or kitten swollen belly include organ enlargement, fluid or a mass in their belly, intestinal parasites and weight gain. In some cases, your veterinarian might be able to identify the cause of your pet's swollen belly through a physical exam alone.

Why is my cat fat all of a sudden?

An indoor lifestyle, boredom and lack of exercise can be precursors to weight gain. No outdoor activity or restricted outdoor activity can increase the risk of a cat becoming overweight at one year of age. [2] And boredom, caused by lack of activity, can lead some cats to eat more, Dr. Dereszynski says.

Will a pregnant cat let you touch her belly?

Whilst it's safe to stroke your pregnant cat, make sure that you avoid her tummy. This area will be very sensitive, and any touching there could cause her discomfort or hurt her unborn kittens. If you do have to pick your cat up, make sure to “scoop” her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach.

What does a pregnant cat look like at 6 weeks?

Between weeks 4 and 6 of a cat's pregnancy, the foetuses of the future kittens will start to grow rapidly. This brings about significant physical changes for the mother to be: her back hollows out, her pelvis becomes wider and her abdomen swells.

Does a pregnant cats belly drop?

Later Signs of Cat Pregnancy

As the kittens grow in the womb your cats belly will grow and expand, however it is not until around the fifth week of your cat's pregnancy that the cats belly will drop downwards giving your cat an obviously distended stomach.

Should I leave my cat alone while giving birth?

Most cats would prefer to be left alone, and they definitely don't want to be pet or touched while they are giving birth. It's best to give your pregnant cat as much privacy as possible while also leaving yourself the ability to monitor the birthing process for any signs of issues or distress.

Do cats give birth at night?

Your cat's labour should go smoothly, but it's useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Get hold of your vet's out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night, or they might need an emergency helping hand.

How many kittens can a 1 year old cat have?

How many kittens are in a cat's first litter? A healthy cat's gestational period lasts roughly 63–65 days, and queens may have an estrus cycle within four weeks of giving birth — even if they're still nursing. A healthy queen can potentially give birth to three litters per year, each containing up to 12 kittens.

What does nesting look like in cats?

Nesting: A day or two before labor, your cat will seek out a quiet and safe place to have her kittens. She may choose a spot you make for her or look to hide out in the back of a closet or under a bed.

Can you tell how many kittens a cat will have by their nipples?

Telling the difference Between Male and Female Cats Based on Nipples: Since both male as well as female kittens have nipples, and because gender makes no difference to the number of nipples a cat has, one can not determine a kitten's sex by a kitten's nipples. What is this?

How many kittens are usually in a litter?

While cats usually have an average of four kittens in each litter, this can range from one to 12 kittens. Larger litters are seen more frequently in pedigree breeds such as Oriental, Siamese and Burmese.

Do cats sleep more when they are pregnant?

Changes in behaviour

She will start to sleep more during the day, appearing to have less energy or desire to move. Your queen may also start to act more maternal and needier, seeking extra attention from you – when she's awake that is!

Can a dog get a cat pregnant?

But creating hybrids of animals that are very genetically distinct from each other – such as a dog and a cat – are impossible, as is one species giving birth to an entirely different one. It does not stop people from hoping.

Why is my female cat getting fat?

The most common causes of cat weight gain are overfeeding and not enough exercise, says Wag!. This sometimes happens without pet parents realizing it, especially as cats get older and their metabolisms and their activity levels slow down.