Is your cat expecting kittens? Our free Cat Pregnancy Calculator works out your cat’s due date from the mating date. A cat’s pregnancy (gestation) lasts about 63 to 67 days — 65 days on average, which is roughly nine weeks. Enter the date your cat mated below and get the expected delivery date, the full birth window, how many days pregnant she is today, and which week of pregnancy she is in.
Enter The Mating Date
How Long Are Cats Pregnant?
A cat’s pregnancy lasts about 63 to 67 days, with 65 days as the commonly used average — just over nine weeks. That is much shorter than a dog or human pregnancy, so the weeks pass quickly. Most queens (female cats) give birth without any help, but knowing the expected dates lets you prepare a quiet nesting area and have your vet’s number ready for the big day.
Cat Pregnancy Week-by-Week Timeline
| Week | Days | What Is Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1–7 | Fertilisation happens. There are no visible signs yet and your cat behaves normally. |
| Week 2 | 8–14 | The embryos travel to the uterus and implant. Hormones start to change; still no clear outward signs. |
| Week 3 | 15–21 | The classic early sign appears: the nipples become pinker and more visible — called “pinking up”. Appetite may rise slightly. |
| Week 4 | 22–28 | A vet can usually confirm the pregnancy by gentle palpation or ultrasound. Some cats have brief morning sickness or eat a little less for a day or two. |
| Week 5 | 29–35 | The belly starts to look rounder and appetite clearly increases. Feed small, frequent, high-quality meals. |
| Week 6 | 36–42 | The kittens grow quickly. Their skeletons can be seen on an X-ray if the vet needs one. Your cat may start looking for quiet corners. |
| Week 7 | 43–49 | The mammary glands enlarge. Rest increases and play decreases. Set up the nesting box in a warm, private place now. |
| Week 8 | 50–56 | You may see or feel the kittens moving. A little milk may appear. Grooming of the belly and sides increases. |
| Week 9 | 57–67 | The birth window. Watch for nesting, restlessness, loss of appetite and a small drop in body temperature roughly 24 hours before labour begins. |
Signs Your Cat Is Pregnant
- “Pinking up”: nipples turn pink and stand out around day 15–21 — the earliest reliable sign.
- Bigger appetite and steady weight gain of roughly 1–2 kg across the pregnancy.
- A rounding belly from about week 5.
- More affection or more privacy-seeking — behaviour changes both ways are common.
- Nesting behaviour in the final two weeks.
Only a vet can confirm a pregnancy for certain. A check-up around week 3–4 is a good idea for every expecting cat.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick the mating date — the day your cat was bred. If she mated over several days, use the first date; the birth window already allows for this.
- Click “Calculate Due Date” to see the expected date (day 65) and the full window (day 63–67).
- Prepare before day 60 — set up the nesting box, stock up on food, and keep your vet’s number handy.
Caring for a Pregnant Cat
Feed a high-quality kitten food during pregnancy and while nursing — it has the extra energy and protein she needs. Keep fresh water available at all times, continue gentle normal activity, and avoid any medication or flea treatment unless your vet approves it. See a vet quickly if you notice discharge, bleeding, complete loss of appetite for more than a day, or straining for over 30 minutes during labour without a kitten appearing.
Preparing for the Birth
About two weeks before the due date, set up a nesting (kittening) box in a quiet, warm, low-traffic corner of your home. A cardboard box or plastic crate with one side cut low enough for the mother to step over — but high enough to keep kittens in — lined with clean old towels works perfectly. Show it to your cat and let her get used to sleeping there, but don’t be surprised if she still inspects wardrobes and laundry baskets; many queens choose their own spot at the last moment. Keep a small kit ready: clean towels, a heating pad that can be set on low under half of the box (kittens must be able to move away from the heat), kitchen scales for weighing kittens, kitten milk replacer in case a kitten cannot nurse, and your vet’s phone number saved and written down.
The Three Stages of Labour
Stage one lasts about 6 to 12 hours (sometimes up to 24 in first-time mothers). Your cat becomes restless, visits the nesting box repeatedly, may pant, purr loudly, refuse food and seem clingy or withdrawn. Her body temperature often drops slightly. There are no strong contractions yet — this stage is about preparation, so keep the room calm and simply keep an eye on her.
Stage two is the actual birth. You will see strong, visible straining, and a kitten is usually born every 30 to 60 minutes, although pauses of up to two hours between kittens can be normal if the mother is resting calmly and nursing the kittens already born. The mother normally breaks the birth sac herself, licks the kitten clean to start its breathing, and chews the cord. Only help if a kitten is stuck in its sac for more than a minute or two — gently tear the membrane near the face with clean hands.
Stage three is the delivery of the placentas, one after each kitten. Count them if you can: a retained placenta can cause a serious infection. Most cats eat the placentas, which is normal. Call your vet immediately if your cat strains hard for more than 30 minutes with no kitten, if labour stage one lasts over 24 hours, if you see dark green discharge before the first kitten is born, or if more than two hours pass between kittens while she is actively straining.
After the Birth: The First Week
Healthy newborn kittens nurse within the first one to two hours and get colostrum — the antibody-rich first milk — during the first day, which protects them against infections. Weigh each kitten at the same time every day on kitchen scales: steady gain of roughly 10 grams a day is a good sign, while weight loss or constant crying means a vet should check the kitten quickly. Keep the nest warm and free of drafts, because newborns cannot control their body temperature for the first weeks. The mother needs plenty of kitten food and fresh water right beside the box, and she will only leave the kittens for very short breaks. Watch her too: refusal to eat, fever, a hot painful mammary gland, or ignoring the kittens are all reasons to call the vet the same day.
Educational & Veterinary Disclaimer
This calculator gives an estimate based on the average 65-day cat gestation. Real due dates vary by cat, litter size and exact mating time. It is an educational tool, not veterinary advice. Every pregnant cat should be seen by a veterinarian, and any concern during pregnancy or labour should go to your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.
High-Authority References & Sources
- Cornell Feline Health Center — pregnancy and reproduction guidance for cats.
- International Cat Care — breeding, pregnancy and kitten care resources.
- Merck Veterinary Manual — reproductive management of cats.
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — responsible cat ownership and veterinary care.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long are cats pregnant for?
Cats are pregnant for about 63 to 67 days — 65 days on average, which is just over nine weeks.
How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?
The earliest common sign is “pinking up” of the nipples around week 3, followed by a growing appetite and a rounding belly from week 5. A vet can confirm with an ultrasound or examination from about week 3–4.
How many kittens are in a typical litter?
Most litters have four to six kittens. First-time mothers often have smaller litters of two or three, and litters of up to eight or more are possible.
When should I take my pregnant cat to the vet?
Book a confirmation visit around week 3–4. Go sooner — or to an emergency clinic — if you see discharge or bleeding, she stops eating for more than a day, or she strains for over 30 minutes during labour without a kitten.
Can a cat get pregnant while still nursing kittens?
Yes. Queens can come back into heat while nursing, so an unspayed cat with access to males can become pregnant again very quickly. Keep her safely indoors if another litter is not planned.