How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant

Are kittens on the way? Here’s how to find out

by Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM | expert review by Dr Emma Chandley

Updated February 4, 2026

Here’s a question: are you about to have a bunch of tiny new family members running around the house in the form of fuzzy kittens? There are some key things to look for if you’re wondering if your cat is pregnant.

A pregnant cat will gain weight steadily throughout her pregnancy. Her nipples will also become rosy-pink and more prominent. She may also become more affectionate or withdrawn or start nesting. The best way to confirm pregnancy is to take your cat to the vet for a physical exam and imaging. With proper care, your pregnant cat should have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy.

Signs of pregnancy in cats

Many cat pregnancies are a surprise to their parents. Pregnancy is possible in any intact female cat who has been around an unneutered male cat (even for a short time). It can be difficult to tell if your cat is pregnant at home, but there are some signs of pregnancy in cats that may tip you off.

What are the physical symptoms of pregnancy in cats?

Pregnancy signs in cats are often vague early on. Despite steady weight gain, many cats look the same as usual up to halfway through their pregnancy. Subtle symptoms can include decreased appetite, nausea, or vomiting. This is inconsistent though, because some cats will show an increase in appetite due to rising energy requirements as the foetuses develop.

How much do you spend on your pet per year?

The amount of weight gained varies from cat to cat, and some cats can put on over 50 percent of their baseline body weight during pregnancy. It can be difficult to tell if all that weight gain is due to the growing foetuses or if your cat is just putting on weight (or both). Tracking your cat’s weight and body condition with your vet can help you to notice these changes before unexpected problems develop. Obese cats have an increased risk of stillbirths and difficult labour.

Other physical symptoms of pregnancy in cats include:

Prominent nipples: a cat’s normally near-invisible nipples will become more prominent and elongate to give nursing kittens a better hold.
Mammary gland enlargement: cats tend to not lactate prior to birthing kittens, but some mammary gland enlargement may be noted very late in the pregnancy.
Round belly: in the second half of the pregnancy, progressive enlargement of a cat’s abdomen will become more evident. This may not be as obvious in cats with obesity or long coats.

What are the behavioural symptoms of pregnancy in cats?

A change in cat behaviour during pregnancy is expected. Most cats become more affectionate early in the pregnancy, though some can become standoffish. Decreased friendliness may be more common in cats who are experiencing nausea in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Nesting behaviour is also common in pregnant cats, especially as their due date approaches.

Nesting behaviour can take many forms. Some outdoor cats may begin to prefer staying in or near the house rather than roaming. Indoor cats can be seen poking around the house to find a warm, clean, quiet area where they feel safe. Setting up a nesting box for your pregnant kitty can be helpful, but she may choose to set up shop in an entirely different area. Cats are just like that, try not to be too offended.

Can I confirm my cat is pregnant at home?

If you’ve noticed behaviour changes and an expanding waistline, you may wonder how to tell if your female cat is pregnant at home. Until you actually see kittens coming out, it can be hard to confirm that your cat is pregnant at home with any certainty.

A few weeks into her pregnancy, your cat will develop enlarged segments of her uterus that will expand over time. It is not recommended to feel for this at home for a few reasons:

Finding the uterus is difficult in large or obese cats, cats with a full bladder, and cats who resent having their bellies touched.
If you’re not trained to palpate a cat’s abdomen, it’s difficult to differentiate a poo-filled colon, bladder or kidneys from an enlarged uterus.
Squeezing on the uterus too hard can cause damage to it or the foetuses.

The best solution is to get your cat checked out by a vet if you think she may be pregnant. They’ll want to know some basic information about your cat’s behaviour, normal appearance, possible exposure to male cats, and last heat cycle.

How do vets confirm pregnancy in cats?

Vets diagnose pregnancy using a combination of physical examination and one or more diagnostic tests. The method chosen usually depends on how long it has been since mating.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the earliest reliable way to confirm pregnancy.

early changes may be seen from day 16
most pregnancies are confirmed between day 21–28
foetal heartbeats are usually visible by day 25

Ultrasound is ideal for confirming that the kittens are alive, although it is less accurate for counting them.

Blood test (relaxin)

Relaxin, a hormone produced by the placenta, can be detected in the blood from around 28 days post-mating.
Testing earlier may give a false negative, so timing is important.

X-rays

X-rays become useful later in pregnancy, when the foetal skeletons have mineralised – usually from around day 42 onwards.

How long is a cat’s gestation period?

Cat pregnancy length does not vary much. Over 95 percent of births occur within 61 to 70 days of breeding. The usual time that is quoted is 65 days, plus or minus one day. If the date of breeding is not known, testing may be able to help determine approximately how far along your cat is.

How do I know what stage of pregnancy my cat is in?

The stages of pregnancy are not as well-defined in cats as they are in humans. This doesn’t mean that your vet can’t tell how long your cat has been pregnant, though. There are a few different landmarks that can give a good idea of how long the foetuses have been developing and when they should make an appearance.

How vets estimate pregnancy in cats

A blood test for relaxin can confirm pregnancy from around day 28 post-mating – useful when an ultrasound is not feasible or as a screening tool.
Ultrasound is the most reliable early diagnostic method: gestational sacs or embryos may be seen starting around days 15–17, and fetal heartbeat detection is usually possible by day 16–20. From around day 25–30, anatomical details become clearer, and measurements (eg, crown-rump length) can be used to estimate gestational age.
X-rays are only useful later, once the kittens’ skeletons have mineralised – generally after day 42–45 – and are used primarily to count foetuses rather than date the pregnancy.

Because of natural variation between individuals, no single ultrasound ‘landmark’ should be considered 100 percent accurate for predicting the date of birth. Instead, vets use a combination of mating date (if known), ultrasound findings and serial monitoring to give a broad estimate of due date and monitor fetal health.

What is the best way to care for a pregnant cat?

Pregnant cats don’t require too much extra care. Your vet will use your cat’s medical history to determine if she needs any additional medications. Vets will commonly recommend good flea control and deworming to prevent anaemia in the kittens and the mother. Always check that the products used are safe for pregnant and lactating queens and age-appropriate for kittens. Cats who are intentionally bred should be fully up to date on vaccinations prior to breeding, but vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy due to risks to the foetus.

Other ways to support your pregnant cat include:

Feed a high-quality diet. A ‘growth’ diet is often recommended due to its higher nutrient density, which is useful during foetal development and lactation after birth.
Provide a quiet, comfortable place to nest. Cats will want to pick out a safe place to deliver before the time comes.
Avoid outdoor roaming. This could increase the risk of complications, such as parasites and viral diseases. Pregnant cats are also slower and may have trouble avoiding dangers.
Check in with your vet regularly. Your vet can monitor foetal development, watch out for health issues, and make sure your cat is maintaining an appropriate weight.

How do I know that my cat is ready to give birth?

Cats usually begin seeking a nesting area about a week before birth. This area will usually be away from people and other pets. You can set up some soft bedding and barriers to see if this helps.

A few hours to a couple of days before birth, your cat will begin to seem restless. This can involve increased vocalisation, grooming, pacing, panting, or even vomiting. This will generally be done in or around the nesting area and is considered the first stage of labour. During this time, milder uterine contractions and cervical dilation are occurring.

Once this process has started, don’t try to move your cat to a different nesting area or start handling her more. Your cat has picked her spot and is going through the expected pre-birth routine. Interrupting this could throw her off and delay delivery.

What can I expect during the birthing process?

Birthing starts with the second stage of labour. During this time, the uterine contractions become stronger and are accompanied by abdominal pushing. Kittens are produced during this stage, usually 30 minutes to an hour apart. Cats can stop their labour for up to a day if they feel stressed or are interrupted. It’s best to leave them alone and not get involved unless there is a problem. The third stage of labour often happens at the same time as the second. It involves the expulsion of the foetal membranes and placenta, which the mother may eat.

Strong contractions without production of a kitten within 60 minutes or vaginal bleeding are abnormal. If either of these are noted, intervene and take your cat to a vet as soon as possible.

How many kittens can I expect my cat to have?

Most cats have litters between one and five kittens in size. Kitten mortality rates are fairly high, between 14 and 16 percent, so unfortunately it’s not uncommon to have a kitten pass away before the two-month mark. Watchful pet parents and good veterinary care can help, though. Watch to make sure everyone is nursing and gaining weight, and act quickly if you feel a kitten is falling behind.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe for my pregnant cat to continue her vaccinations and flea treatments?

It’s always best to follow your vet’s advice for your specific cat. Flea treatments are usually continued during pregnancy, but vaccines are generally pushed back until after delivery to prevent complications.

What should I feed my pregnant cat?

Pregnant cats are often fed a ‘growth’ diet intended for rapidly growing kittens. This may not be necessary for the whole pregnancy, but it becomes more important during the final weeks of rapid growth and during lactation.

When can I start noticing signs of pregnancy in my cat?

Signs like increased affection may be apparent in the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. A visibly enlarged abdomen is often not obvious until four to six weeks into the pregnancy.

References:

Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM

Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 19 years of experience. He has treated a variety of species in emergency and speciality practices for both large and small animals. His primary interests as a vet are emergency medicine and critical care.