i hope you enjoy our tips. Shes spotting a bit too . These may include the neck, behind the ears, their chin's underside, part of the neck and the base of the tail. She isnt making any noise and hasnt eaten in a day. If she allows you to pet her in this area, then she trusts you completely. Detecting a cat pregnancy by feeling her belly is tricky and depends on timing. Thank you for posting this. The number of kittens determines how long the birthing process will take. Provide her with a soft bed or blanket in a quiet, safe place. Myth: It is not safe to touch a cat during pregnancy because of the risk of toxoplasmosis. First of all, the belly is a very vulnerable place. Keep her clean: A pregnant cat needs to be kept clean, especially during the later stages of pregnancy when she is larger and her belly is more exposed. The fetuses are still very tiny at this point, and they are not yet fully formed. MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978. I dont know when she is going to give birth. You may notice them spending more and more time under the bed or in the back of the cupboard. Look for other pregnancy signs in line with this stage of gestation. It is a positive statement, but it . What to Feed a Pregnant Cat. 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. Your vet will also want to examine the living kittens to ensure theyre healthy. Hi, Great to prepare for pregnancy. These 7 Signs Will Help You Find Out, Eyelid Agenesis In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment. If you do have to pick your cat up, make sure to "scoop" her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach. And is still excessively grooming! But above all, if your cat meows when you touch her stomach, she might be having stomach pain. best football academy in the world and their fees. A human pregnancy test wont indicate whether kittens are on the way. But he will stretch out for me to go again. There could be a number of reasons why your female cat may be resistant to being touched on her stomach: she may be uncomfortable with the sensation, she may be feeling threatened or defensive, or she may simply not like being handled. my cat is actively in labor and i didnt know until i saw this artical. There are plenty of times I have done the full out belly rub, and every time I see him from a long day he comes right up and rolls right to his back. My cat loves a good old belly rub! Most cats would prefer to be left alone, and they definitely don't want to be pet or touched while they are giving birth. If you look at her from above she'll suddenly look much slimmer because the kittens are now hanging down below her instead of poking out the sides. proud mom of Baby, and i am an animal lover as I have at home a cat, a dog, a fish tank, birds This diversity makes me special because I provide many answers to your questions that increase your knowledge about your pets friends. Hi, I thought my fur baby was pregnant because her belly is huge and she Is acting very strange this last month and a half But right now if she is in labour shes acting like shes in heat looking at me like shes confused do cats act like this when theyre going to go into labour.. Greatful for your help, Why do cats show us their bellies? She may also start to gain weight and her appetite may increase. Do cats feel pleasure when they mate? You may not want to be rude, but you also dont want to be uncomfortable. If your cat is only resistant to being touched on the stomach occasionally, it may be worth experimenting with different touch techniques to see if one works better than the others. Isn't that cat belly just begging for a rub, pet or tickle? God Bless You n Yours and all creatures great n small !! Another reason why cats enjoy belly rubs is because it feels good. Between the scratching the carpet under the bed, pacing around, dried milk from the nipples, lowered babies, and lowered body temperature, everything youve described is textbook nesting phase. Havent we all? My once feral kitty loves for me to rub her belly. During week six of pregnancy, the fetuses continue to grow and develop. What state is best to claim lottery winnings? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. My cat is a stray and it's been determined she's about 4 years old. Normal heat cycles for cats are somewhere between 10 to 14 days. If you notice your cat bedding down in unusual places, it could be a sign that shes expecting. ReadDr. Amos' full bio, the book about him "Lessons in Survival: All About Amos," and afictionalized account of his father's lifein the novel, "Through Walter's Lens.". So the question and concern is After she had her 5th litter she started peeing a mixture of pee and blood for about 2-3 weeks, I dont know if thats normal or something to be concerned about if shes pregnant again. You might want to look into a diet thats appropriate for a pregnant or lactating mom while also supporting good GI health. During week two of pregnancy, the fertilized eggs implant themselves in the lining of the uterus. Therefore, it is advised to keep your cat indoors to ensure that she does not make her nest outdoors. Feed her a high-quality cat food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The mother cat will also usually chew off the umbilical cord. My cat is 65 days pregnant today. So, if you need to pick up your pregnant cat, make sure to scoop her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach. When you notice a pregnant cat meowing and restless, chances are she's just feeling uncomfortable. He lies next to my leg and if I try to remove my hand from his belly. Around week 6, you may be able to feel the kittens moving inside her belly. The symptoms of a pregnant cat will now encompass many changes in her behavior. The kitten receives vital nutrients, antibodies, and oxygen through the mothers milk while she is pregnant. A properly formulated cat food diet is extremely important for a pregnant cat. Good luck! It is a common misconception that kittens can be separated from their mothers as early as 8 weeks old. The kittens mother will also let you know how comfortable she is with you handling her babies. This can be done by gently inserting a finger into the kittens vagina and feeling around for a round, hard object. And she cant keep still. Im excited but nervous at the same time. Then let mama step in and lick them. How much should I brush my long haired cat? She's so funny. Litter size can vary from one breed to another from 1 to 12 kittens. Do you think you could explain the situation and encourage them to be quiet and respectful when shes giving birth? This is a common question that many cat owners ask themselves when their feline friend becomes pregnant. However, if you are pregnant and you take a cat pregnancy test, the test will come back positive because hCG is present in your urine. 2. Cats bellies do "drop" before they give birth--could be a few hours or a few days. It is only possible for a person to be pregnant if they have a uterus. By and large, I dont recommend rubbing a cat belly. Hello! If your cat loves it when you rub her belly, take it as a compliment. An abdominal x-ray will show a clear presence of kittens and how many there are. She picked up a little toy mouse in her mouth & walked around meowing. Or, you may notice that they are quite restless and have a hard time settling in any one place. Privacy Policy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Sweenyjane.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. ), and because I took them and their mom in when they were only a couple hours old, they tend to be pretty affectionate with me. Your cats labour should go smoothly, but its useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Heres a look at what you can expect to see during each week of your cats pregnancy. So, what should you do if you really feel you must try for a cat belly rub? During the length of pregnancy, females will gain around 2 to 4 pounds of body weight. Hey, the information is really very informative thanks for the great share. A pregnant cat will usually allow you to touch her belly. Cats are very sensitive creatures, and their stomachs can be particularly sensitive during pregnancy. For example, their nipples may enlarge and redden (this is often called pinking up). She lets me rub her belly quite a few times a day. My cat is about 3-4 years old and shes pregnant with her 6th litter and shes a small cat. It means that your cat wants attention and trusts you enough to touch her belly. The recommendation regarding cats during pregnancy is due to toxoplasmosis, a parasite that can cause serious infections in humans and deformities in the developing fetus. Thank you this information was of so much usehad a ct visiting our house n then in labourdid not know what was happening until the site helped me to help the birth of 3 lil lovable.kittens, How many years the Persian female can litter the kitten, My cat is getting fatter n end of nipples white. This is a sign that labor is not proceeding correctly, and it may lead to infection if not addressed quickly. This is partly because she may feel comforted by your touch and partly because she may be checking to see if you are a potential threat to her unborn kittens. Youll have to wash or replace your blanket and carefully move the kittens after a while, but its unlikely that the newborns will fall off. My cat just recently started showing his belly, maybe the past month or so. Here's what you need to know about providing the right food for a pregnant cat. How do you apologize to someone you love deeply? I would recommend taking your cat in to see a vet. How do I know when my cats ready to give birth? 2 If the cat uses this spot, it will be easier for you to observe and attend to the birth. Kittens start wiggling about in the womb at four to five weeks, but most people say they arent able to feel or see them until around the seventh week. This educational content is not veterinary advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified veterinarian. Touching a cat during pregnancy can be beneficial for both the mother and her kitten. 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. Pregnant cats are generally very protective of their unborn kittens and will not allow anyone to touch their belly. Pregnant cats can gain around 1-2kg, depending on how many kittens they are carrying, which should be noticeable if you look at her body shape from above. Secondly, horrible diarrhea is not a normal part of pregnancy. Yes, if your cat suffers from morning sickness and starts vomiting for the first two weeks; eat less. By the third week, you may be able to feel lumps in your cats abdomen as the kittens develop. My cat loves belly rubs and will roll over for them at least 10x a day and when hes done he gets up, he has let 7 people pet his tummy 3 of which he didnt know too well. My concern is if Ive had her 71 days shes been inside since that day, Ive felt kittens move, but shes showing zero signs of labor and zero signs of stress when do I worry? It might be a little bit gross for you, but the kittens will probably be fine. 1 Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Your email address will not be published. Once you know for sure, you can start making preparations for the arrival of her kittens! In anticipation of your cats pregnancy, proper preparation will ensure that the kittens birth will be worry-free. Cats are seasonally polyestrous animals which means they have multiple cycles during each breeding season. Following fertilization, a pregnant female cat will go through a 4-week period of early-stage pregnancy. Younger mothers, and those giving birth to their first litter, will usually have fewer kittens, while experienced mothers that are in their prime can comfortably have as many as 10 cats or more. What should i do?! How much longer? If she allows you to pet her in this area, then she trusts you completely. My girl is hiding under my bed. It sounds like your cat is close to giving birth, but its hard to say exactly how close. About two months after he started coming by, I saved him from a potential dog attack. I think my kitty is 4-6 weeks pregnant. She will gain weight, her nipples will become more prominent, and she may even exhibit some nesting behavior. Some cats may even retract their bellies when touched, while others may not show any reaction. As a cat owner, you want to be able to provide the best care for your feline friend possible. View complete answer on northernilcatclinic.com, View complete answer on nationalgeographic.com, View complete answer on guildcrestcathospital.ca. Do pregnant cats let you touch their stomach? Most cats do not feel pleasure when they mate, although there is some variability in this. Her appetite has almost doubled in the past few weeks. In the 3rd stage of pregnancy, the kittens begin growing quickly and your cat will continue to gain weight and develop a belly. Thank you. will a pregnant cat let you touch her belly will a pregnant cat let you touch her belly What does a cat look like at 4 weeks pregnant? will a pregnant cat let you touch her belly. So, you should avoid touching the swollen belly as it may hurt the momma cat and the unborn kittens. Her nipples will become enlarged and pink or red. Hi Bethany, thank you for commenting. How can I slowly encourage her to give birth in there? 2 If a kitten remains in the birth canal without being pushed out for more than a minute or two, it's best to bring your cat right to the vet. They can be moody and become more affectionate than usual in certain moments, while others can be more aggressive. Whilst it's safe to stroke your pregnant cat, make sure that you avoid her tummy. Depending on the number of embryos, the female can gain up to 2 kilos in weight. Fact: Not true. Your cats pregnancy officially begins when she goes into heat and mates with a male cat. If i pet her, she'll lay back all comfortable and if I stop she gives me a disgruntled look. Their bones are fully formed, and their skin is starting to become more defined. So if you want to be able to rub your cats bellies, I highly suggest getting them while young and constantly touch them so they get used to it. In fact, as she standing and eating she'll sit down if I'm not standing above her bending over, rubbing her belly. My cat loves belly rubs but also when I hold her belly and chest while she sleeps. Thanks again for the information. Does your cat like having his stomach rubbed? Relaxation. She may also gain weight and her nipples will become more prominent. It's also quite likely that this cat has come to view the woman as her family, so she trusts that the house is a safe place. The two old men (14 years each), love having their bellies rubbed, especially the one we got as a tiny kitten. The answers vary. I am only fostering her so I dont know her pre pregnancy behaviors. We do feel blessed by this. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Help.so my queen is currently hiding under my daughters bed scratching the carpet under there, Ive made her several places around the house, Moses basket, cardboard box even the bottom drawers full of her blames and puppy pads, she has dried milk on her, shes been pacing for days, her temp is now 98.2.wouldnt say shes in Labor? This has been very helpful. One obvious answer is, dont. For more information, please see our By week three of pregnancy, the embryos have started to develop into fetuses. Will a pregnant cat let you touch her belly? You may be tempted to touch her belly to feel for signs of life, but you should avoid doing this too much as you could risk hurting the new mum or her babies 1 answer Answered by Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS Veterinarian 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. My partner and I have had three sets of cats between us, each set a pair of siblings. I quickly learned the contrary. This is her first litter and she is showing signs of soon labor. But nothing. But we once had a cat who would lay down next to your arm on the sofa (or in bed) and subtly insinuate itself very slowly, ninja-like, until she placed her upturned jelly-belly underneath your warm hand. Nothing is cuter than a litter of newborn kittens but, cute as they may be, caring for kittens can be a lot of work. 4. Thanks for your question. Watching an animal give birth is a special experienceyour kids would be lucky to be a part of the moment. She will also sever the umbilical cord by chewing on it approximately one inch from the kittens body. I've read so many articles about this behavior and is so little info of cats that does enjoy belly rubs. Share your thoughts in the comments! Which small dogs have the least health problems. A cat will become unusually vocal, will roll around on the floor and often become much more affectionate. So many cats give birth to multiple litters in rapid succession: you really shouldnt have anything to worry about other than making sure that mom and kittens are comfortable, safe, and healthy. Infection can follow handling of cat litter because it can be found in the stool of cats, so pregnant women are advised not to handle cat litter. and towards her face. He often pops into the hospital grounds for attention from the patients and staff as the hospital is nearby. After a few weeks she brought me her current litter which are around 11 weeks old now. she is normally clingy to me anyway. I think she is close to giving birth maybe a week or so. If you notice any of these signs, its a good idea to take your cat to the vet to confirm that shes pregnant. When I stopped rubbing her belly she got up and curled up next to me, and I wondered is this normal?? Nursing mother cats need to eat a high quality kitten formula food. This is the final stage of cat pregnancy. Im not a vet, but it sounds like your cat may have a chronic digestive issue like a food allergy, intolerance, or perhaps even IBD. After all, cats can get pregnant as early as 4 months old, so its important to be on the lookout for the tell-tale signs. Pedigree breeds like Siamese, Burmese, and Oriental cats are more likely to have large litters. I very seriously doubt that your cat will harm the older kitten once the new ones arrive. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate. Overtime she started coming inside eating, taking a nap, then right back out she goes.