Q&A for How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant

The length of pregnancy is called the gestation period. An average gestation period for a cat is 64 to 67 days.

Not usually, but your cat may become protective of her kittens after they are born. After a mother cat has had her kittens, she becomes protective of her babies and may become aggressive if she feels they are threatened. However, aggression is not normal during pregnancy.

No. Red nipples are not a recognized sign of being in heat. "Pinking up" or having prominent red / pink nipples is more commonly a sign of pregnancy.

Pregnancy and nesting could be one explanation for your cat's behavior, but doing these things does not definitely mean that a female cat is pregnant. If she has not had contact with an entire male cat, then it is not possible for her to be pregnant.

You can check for a swollen belly and enlarged mammary glands, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to see these signs until the final third of pregnancy. You can also take your cat to your veterinarian who can diagnose pregnancy after your cat has been pregnant for 28 days. A veterinarian can feel your cat's tummy or run an ultrasound scan to look for kittens.

For cats, normal pregnancy lasts for approximately 9 to 9-1/2 weeks (around 64 - 67 days).

No, the pregnancy hormones inhibit the cat from coming into heat. If you suspect she is pregnant , but the cat is calling, then something isn't right and she should see a vet.

There is no licensed (proven safe) product to induce abortion in a cat; however, an injection of prostaglandins is thought to be safe and effective in most cases. However, spaying a pregnant cat is possible, right up to the later stages, and is the preferred option for many, in order to avoid a repeat pregnancy.