This process happens around 2-3 weeks after conception and may be the first sign you notice when a cat is pregnant. There are a few possible indicators of pregnancy if your cat wandered outside during the summer heat. What breed does my cat look like? If it has been 4 months, she likely is not pregnant. If it's done before 5 months, the operation is quicker, and they recover faster. Cat food reviews A breastfeeding cat can be spayed and allowed to go back and breastfeed. There are three stages of cat labor. How long do kittens have to stay with mom? Tumors on the adrenal glands can also affect the production of estrogen, resulting in the cat going into heat after being spayed. Normal cats' nipples are small and pink, but they shouldn't be prominent unless the cat's pregnant. Even if she is already showing a lot of energy until the first 2 weeks has passed. She obviously has all the right instincts! She will do anything to care for them, even putting her own life in danger. 6. She tried to keep the feral mamma and kittens to care for them and it ended horribly and tragically with the feral mother cannibalizing her litter. The 4th stage is where your cat begins labor, roughly about a week . Spaying pregnant cats is possible and no more dangerous than spaying cats that aren't pregnant. The average number being 6. Please spay the cat after the delivery as multiple litters lead to an exponential increase in the amount of cats and kittens that end up in shelters and end up euthanized because there are simply too many unwanted cats. Signs a cat is pregnant includes loss of appetite, weight gain, and possibly little lumps you can feel which are the kittens developing in her stomach. That would be 6 more heats to go through, and does not agree with all the other experts. Premature birth of a litter can happen to any mother at any time. This is low-risk in a young healthy cat. Is she fat all over or is her tummy sticking out? While this could complicate a cat pregnancy, it is still possible that your kitty, if she is pregnant, will deliver a healthy litter of kittens. Yes, spaying your female cat prevents pregnancy, but there are other great reasons to do it. Thinking of becoming a breeder? All cat breed articles; Cat Health Cat health forum. A friend recently borrowed my cat trap and trapped a pregnant feral. The enormous cat overpopulation problem is partially . Even if he did it a little bit wrong she wouldn't be able to support a pregnancy. Since both a fertilized egg and uterus are needed to gestate kittens, the cat will be unable to become pregnant. If a cat has been going through heat cycles every 10 days to two weeks, and suddenly stops, it is likely she is pregnant. Some no-kill shelters allow the mother cat to give birth, especially if the pregnancy is late-term. Apr 10, 2021 Roxi was spayed about 6 months ago. That night as she was taken to the vet to be spayed, she gave birth. As a female grows older, her litter size increases, and litters of six kittens are common. Signs of false pregnancy involve behavioral changes and the development of mammary tissue. Internal bleeding can be recognized by weakness, pale gums, a distended abdomen, depression and anorexia. The most definitive ways to confirm pregnancy include a blood test, ultrasound, x-rays or abdominal palpation. Heat cycles change Normal heat cycles for cats are somewhere between 10 to 14 days. Spaying a female cat, especially before the first heat, helps prevent uterine infections, uterine cancers, and breast cancer. If your cat has seemed to suddenly stop having her heat cycle, then you should be suspicious of a pregnancy. Look for shaved hair on the cat's abdomen. Sometimes, internal bleeding may occur as post-surgical complication after you have your cat spayed. Cats are very fertile, and a female cat can easily get pregnant if she's outside and moving a lot. Spaying Helps Overpopulation. The cost to get a cat spayed depends a lot on the country and the veterinarian. For example, topical pills or creams which contain this hormone may be consumed if left round the home. At 8 weeks, they should be eating solid foods. Spaying removes the uterus and ovaries, so, no, she couldn't be pregnant unless the vet didn't do anything at all. Lack of appetite after the first day. A neutered cat's metabolism will slow a bit. It is this estrogen that triggers your cat to go into heat. You can have 2 kittens with 6 nipples and 4 kittens with 8 nipples. Redness or odor at the suture line. A spay, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, is a common procedure that is performed on female cats. Typically, a female cat may experience "heat" around that time. Your cat may naturally keep herself quiet for the first few days, but you'll need to ensure she doesn't run and jump, which could tear her stitches, aggravate the spay site, and potentially cause bleeding. Diseases & Medical conditions; Cat Parasites; Veterinary care for cats; Medications & Treatments; Spaying & Neutering; Pregnant cats & kittens; All cat health articles; Cat Food & Feeding Cat nutrition forums. Cats are usually pregnant for about 2 months . For female cats, spaying involves removing the uterus and their eggs. A female feline can easily produce two or three litters each year, 50 to 150 kittens in a lifetime, and up to four kittens per litter if left as a reproductive queen. For males it's called castration, and for females it's called spaying. Spaying Helps Overpopulation. Her babies all were adopted as pairs into great homes. For cats which have not been fixed or neutered, they run the risk of pregnancy. When a cat is spayed, they remove the ovaries and uterus. Eating less. There are several possible explanations for a female cat's estrus symptoms after she has recovered from surgery. These include: Bleeding. So it is remotely possible that the cat could go into heat, mate, and get pregnant. Under normal circumstances, pseudocyesis happens when an infertile male mates with an unsprayed cat. If you own a female cat, and you don't plan to use it for reproducing, it is recommended to get your cat spayed. If your cat has seemed to suddenly stop having her heat cycle, then you should be suspicious of a pregnancy. Some no-kill shelters allow the mother cat to give birth, especially if the pregnancy is late-term. Looks for these signs in your cat's body indicating pregnancy: Heat cycles cease: This may be the first sign you notice of a cat's pregnancy. Spaying your pet helps control this problem of epidemic proportions. 1 answer Answered by Debi Matlack Veterinary Technician The appearance could be due to weight gain, or she could have a condition which leads to fluid accumulation in the belly, heart disease, pulmonary disorder, heartworms, FIP, just to name a few. The release of hormones can also result in something known as phantom pregnancy in cats. Neutering does involve a short general anesthesia. Consult your vet for the best dietary advice. Feline pregnancies last between 58 and 69 days on average. Hi there, When you describe that her stomach looks swollen, yet she is spayed, without being there to see what is going on, my impression from what you write is that she has a distended or enlarged abdomen. Her babies all were adopted as pairs into great homes. I know it's 8 weeks for dogs, but are cats different? Looks for these signs in your cat's body indicating pregnancy: Heat cycles cease: This may be the first sign you notice of a cat's pregnancy. Once they give birth, the kittens will need to receive the first milk that the mother cat produces called colostrum. "Zoned-out" appearance if particularly affected by medications. Cat food reviews If your cat is pregnant, her heat cycle will stop. As such, you might have to take the cat for spaying as she nurses her young. You can return the kittens to the mother within 24 to 30 hours. New posts Search forums. I haven't tried squeezing them to see if any milk comes out. It is easier to recognize for first-time cat mums since prior to pregnancy, they usually have very flat white nipples. Outside of weight gain and increased sleeping habits, other pregnant cat symptoms include things like increased appetite, affectionate behavior, nest building, and swollen nipples. For example, spaying your cat prevents: Health issues such as uterine infections, cancer and breast tumors; Your cat going into "heat" Cat overpopulation (the ASPCA reports that 3.2 million homeless cats and kittens enter shelters . There are some rescue groups that opt to never spay a rescued pregnant cat. New posts New media New articles New media comments New article comments New profile posts Latest activity New showcase items New showcase comments. Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay. 2. Cats can have between 2 and 10 nipples, but the number varies between cats. Spayed cat can happen because of several reasons. As mentioned above, kittens can get pregnant as young as 4 months old. 2. In total, this could take about 2 hours to 6 hours for most cats. 5. 4. Get Your Cat Spayed. The big problem is that without a uterus, the kittens don't have an appropriate place to grow, and would most likely implant on the intestines. False pregnancy typically occurs between six to 12 weeks after the cat has been in estrus, also known as "heat". Also called the nesting stage, this is when your cat will start looking for warm places to give birth. She has been looking very fat/bloated for a couple months. Also called pseudocyesis, pseudopregnancy, or phantom pregnancy, false pregnancy is a situation where a queen shows all pregnancy symptoms without being pregnant. Everyone that sees her tells me she is pregnant but she is spayed. #3 OrientalSlave, Oct 2, 2021. It is probable that the kittens will be little, emaciated, and devoid of hair when they emerge from the nest. 2 people found this answer helpful Was this answer helpful? The yowling during birth was horrifying and the next day we had to bury her still-born kittens. Neutering has many benefits - as well as preventing pregnancy, it also reduces the chance of your cat getting into a fight, roaming away from home and catching diseases such as FIV. All cat breed articles; Cat Health Cat health forum. 5. After the kittens are born, the mother cat can be spayed. When I evaluate a patient for this, the top 3 causes would include: 1) Fat 2) Fluid 3) Abnormal large organs or a mass This is something where I would recommend veterinary evaluation. Internal bleeding requires immediate medical . Mild vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy. Cats can easily get pregnant again while feeding kittens. A homeless female cat has to care for her kittens until she can ween them and teach them how to fend for themselves in a hazardous environment. She also keeps her nipples free of fur. A homeless female cat has to care for her kittens until she can ween them and teach them how to fend for themselves in a hazardous environment. This may put your cat at risk for becoming overweight. Keep your cat quiet. If she's fat all over, probably her metabolism just changed and she needs less food. Above her nipples it feels like sacks. There are some rescue groups that opt to never spay a rescued pregnant cat. Answered by Debi Matlack Veterinary Technician In Spring of 2006, we had a cat give birth in a garage the night before she was to be taken to be spayed. It can be very difficult to see the signs that a cat is pregnant. Most cats can be neutered at 4 months old. . Cats gestate for an average of 63 to 67 days. It's called "pinking," and it describes changes in your cats nipples when she's affected by pregnancy hormones. The vet will remove the uterus. Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay. Walking with a hunch-back appearance more than a day after the procedure. A vet here in the Philippines recommended 6 months after having kittens. My cat has what looks like a thorn hanging out of her stomach any ideas what it will be. Diseases & Medical conditions; Cat Parasites; Veterinary care for cats; Medications & Treatments; Spaying & Neutering; Pregnant cats & kittens; All cat health articles; Cat Food & Feeding Cat nutrition forums. Some of these symptoms may not be obvious. This may happen in case of failure to properly ligate the uterine or ovarian blood vessels. Swelling. A vet here in the Philippines recommended 6 months after having kittens. One cat, Toby, was found with a broken leg on the side of the road next to his dead mother who had been hit by a car. The stitches must be checked regularly to address any signs of swelling, foul odor, or redness. You must take note of this to ensure that she is already fully recovered, and her wounds healed before she does any difficult movements. Cats can get pregnant almost throughout the entire year; a cat that is not fertilized will get in heat cycles periodically, until she will mate. Yes, this includes male cats as well! Heck, she won't even let me hold her in a position to even take a picture. Signs a cat is pregnant Here's a list of cat pregnancy symptoms: Pink and enlarged nipples - this usually happens between 15 days to 18 days after ovulation and is one of the earliest ways to detect pregnancy in cats. If a female cat isn't pregnant or in heat, she could have a swollen cyst . The enormous cat overpopulation problem is partially . The second stage is when contractions occur to push a kitten out, which usually happens within 5 minutes to 1 hour in between kittens. Whatever else you do, don't let her out again until she is spayed. The first stage usually lasts around 24 hours to 36 hours. Ultrasound can confirm a pregnancy after day 16. Good luck. A litter is born between five and six weeks after the spay. Best of luck. After the female cat becomes pregnant, her body slowly changes over the next 63 days as the fetuses grow. A false pregnancy also known as a phantom pregnancy, pseudocyesis, or pseudopregnancy occurs when a fully matured female cat displays all of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy without actually being pregnant. Neutering male cats eliminates the chances of testicular cancer and lowers the risk of prostate problems. She should be examined by your vet and spayed if she is intact to prevent unwanted or accidental litters. 1. Let's take a closer look at other tell-tale signs of cat pregnancy. The pre-labor stage usually starts 1 week before delivery, and you may observe several signs including drops of milk in the nipple area, loss of appetite, and rectal temperature drop. It is possible that some ovarian tissue may be missed. In an intact female cat, the ovaries produce hormones, including estrogen. Changes in Behavior. In this article we will look into the pros and cons of getting a . If the cat is still nursing, she can have her babies. She now carries a "pouch" of loose skin in her belly. What happens if a kitten gets pregnant? Spayed cat looks pregnant I have a stray kitty here that I feed every day and got her spayed but she is looking very fat like she is pregnant. Spaying is performed to sterilize cats, which means they can no longer have kittens. In terms of horror stories, yes, there are rare instances where your cat may have been spayed, but only one of the tubes was tied successfully. It is best to trim the kittens' claws to prevent scratching the stitches. You can determine how many kittens your cat is expecting, but they aren't always precise, and they shouldn't do until your cat is at least 42 days pregnant. If you are curious, the price of castration is from 75 to 150 euros. Unspayed female cats can go into heat every 2 - 3 weeks from springtime through the autumn, which means that they can get pregnant and birth kittens rapidly - and they can start having litters as young as 6 months old themselves. You might of course observe physical changes in your cat that could make you wonder, is my cat pregnant or just fat, but if your cat is pregnant, you might also find indicative changes in their personality as well. Well, it seems to work on game generated pets, but not player generated ones. If your dog is acting like this toward a ball, it would make her an awesome foster mother. Symptoms of phantom pregnancy include changes in behavior and the enlargement of mammary tissue. Cats may be spayed as early as 6 weeks old or when they weigh at least 2 pounds; however, some vets will refuse to spay cats before the age of 6 months considering the procedure dangerous . A spaying procedure involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries in a queen's reproductive biology, but in some cases a vet has failed to remove both ovaries. Pretty was spayed and released back to my property/barn and took 14 months before she would let me touch her and now, about 3 years after the spay, she will let me pick her up and hold her for short periods of time. As nursing slows down, cats can come into heat and get out of the house to look for mating partners. Usually, in Spain, spaying a cat costs between 30 and 60 euros. Signs your cat might be pregnant, include: Enlarged mammary glands or nipples. Keep your cat confined to a small room like a bedroom or bathroom to encourage her to stay quiet. A cat can get pregnant as soon as she's about four months old, which is why it's so important to get her spayed early on. Second, breast cancer is the number one type of cancer diagnosed in intact (unspayed) female cats. As your cat's body prepares to generate milk for its kittens, the first noticeable indicator is darkened and swollen nipples. What's new. My Sim adopted a kitten, and 'Spayed' was definitely one of her traits, yet shortly after she grew up, she apparently got pregnant during one of her nightly excursions. Sorry - but this is a pro spay and neuter site. Municipalities sometimes run ongoing and outreach campaigns in which veterinary clinics may offer discounts. This phenomenon occurs when a cat doesn't conceive after ovulating. Several health benefits are associated with spaying your cat. Should be 10-12. Many animal shelters automatically spay a pregnant cat that comes into the shelter. That would be 6 more heats to go through, and does not agree with all the other experts. Nipples swell and become rosier in color: Breeders call this "pinking-up," and it . As for the number, cats can have as little as 4, but as many as 10! The best way to find out is to make an appointment with your vet. This may not be evident at first, but you will likely notice when she doesn't come back into heat for more than 3-4 weeks. Spaying prevents uterine infections ( pyometra ), significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer when performed . This may not be evident at first, but you will likely notice when she doesn't come back into heat for more than 3-4 weeks. I recommend getting her seen by your vet for an exam and treatment options. L C David (author) from Florida on October 10, 2017: . Forums. In the 3rd stage of pregnancy, the kittens begin growing quickly and your cat will continue to gain weight and develop a belly. While a cat carries her litter, the nipples may become plumper and brighter in color. Of course, all cats are different, and some might even stay the same throughout their pregnancy. Agree with @spotty cats, she looks pregnant, and since she has a large tummy she is well on. Less common possibilities may require veterinary intervention. There are also low cost spaying options. She behaves normally and doesn't seem to be in any pain or distress. Like above, though, she also had the 'Free Spirit' trait, so maybe not a bug but a misguided . Hormones in a cat's body control this production of unnecessary milk. If the cat has been recently spayed, the fur on her lower abdomen area will be shorter than the fur on the rest of her body because vets have to shave this fur off before performing the operation. Weight gain and a larger belly. Since they go trough puberty at around 6 months, so you should probably get her spayed at around 6-7 months old. If she is, or has been, pregnant and given birth, It might be that the bleeding is coming from the anus rather than the vagina, and if this is the case, your cat may have an infection in one or both of the anal glands, which sit either side of the anus at approximately 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. First, spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. Sex doesn't change the number, but purely genetics. Since they go trough puberty at around 6 months, so you should probably get her spayed at around 6-7 months old. Spayed cat. Some kittens from the same litter may have different amounts. Ultrasound cannot tell you how many kittens your cat is carrying. Even with a large litter cats usually only start to show at 5-6 weeks. However, the biggest issue is the lives of the fetal kittens. Her increased appetite and larger abdomen will be the second and most noticeable signs. Generally, spayed and neutered pets live healthier, longer, and happier lives. After my cats were spayed, they returned to being kittens (there again, they had each had a litter and were barely 12 months themselves). If your cat is pregnant, her heat cycle will stop. Cat Spaying. If she is not spayed then she very likely could be pregnant if she has ever been outside. Pre-Labor. When this happens, the nipples get larger and change to more of a reddish color. Final Thoughts. And, they could be symptoms of a health problem that needs to be treated. This tissue can produce estrogen, triggering signs of heat in the cat. What breed does my cat look like? When a cat is pregnant, they are typically referred to as a "queen.". Ovarian remnant syndrome is a condition that occurs when ovarian tissue remains inside the body after a female cat is spayed. If your cat is spayed before her first heat cycle, there is less than of 1% (0.5%) chance of developing breast cancer. They can confirm that kittens are on the way, and get an idea of how many, in a few ways: Feeling your cat's belly is sometimes useful but not always accurate. Cats that are not pregnant, and sometimes even spayed, can produce milk and this is called a false or pseudopregnancy. For this reason it is known as an ovariohysterectomy. Usually a queen's behavior will not greatly change during pregnancy, but some cats may become . "Pinking". Nipples swell and become rosier in color: Breeders call this "pinking-up," and it . Many animal shelters automatically spay a pregnant cat that comes into the shelter. "Ovarian remnant syndrome is treated by surgically removing the remaining ovarian tissue." Rarely, a pet may develop signs of false pregnancy after being spayed, due to the sudden removal of hormones. By removing your cat's ovaries and uterus during their pregnancy, you also have to abort the kittens. If a cat has been going through heat cycles every 10 days to two weeks, and suddenly stops, it is likely she is pregnant. A friend recently borrowed my cat trap and trapped a pregnant feral. Why does my spayed cat look pregnant? In rare cases, female cats may show signs of false pregnancy, also known as a phantom pregnancy or pseudopregnancy, after the spay surgery because of the sudden removal of hormones. Calvine, RagdollCrazy . Thinking of becoming a breeder? Try flipping the cat onto her back so you have a clear view of her stomach. There are many benefits to spaying your cat.