Cat pregnancy - Care of a Pregnant Cat

How long does pregnancy in cats last? How long is a cat's pregnancy?

The average length of cat pregnancy is 65 days. But a variation of four days either way is not unusual, so the whole cat gestation period may be as short as 61 days or as long as 69.

For a better understanding: if your cat mated on January 1, the date of birth should be on March 7, but could be as early as March 3 or as late as March 11.

If you know the date of mating it is easy to find out the expected date of birth. Nipples get pink about 21 days after mating: this is a clear sign that you can use if you don’t know the exact date of mating.

Food for a Pregnant Cat

Feeding Your Own Pregnant Cat
If your cat is already on a diet of quality canned food, it should be safe to continue feeding her the same brand she is accustomed. During the last three to four weeks, she should be switched to kitten food, and continue on that regimen until after the kittens are weaned. In the final week of her pregnancy, try a supplement of KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement,) which is readily available in most pet supply stores and many supermarkets.

Feeding a Pregnant Stray cat

A pregnant stray cat may be thin and undernourished. I'd advise immediately feeding her kitten food to build up her strength and stamina, and to help the developing fetuses grow strong and healthy.

Pregnant Cats Need Calcium

Pregnancy (and subsequent nursing) causes a depletion in the amount of calcium in the bloodstream. This condition can result in eclampsia, a life-threatening disease. Although it more often occurs during nursing, it can occur during the last stages of pregnancy. A calcium supplement can help prevent this potential problem, particularly when caring for a pregnant stray cat.