How Long Are Cats Pregnant?
Cats are pregnant for about 60 to 65 days, a little over two months, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Delivery typically comes 64 to 66 days after breeding.
Quick kitten due date
For milestones and a calendar file, use the cat pregnancy calculator.
Cat pregnancy week by week
| Weeks | What's going on | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Mating triggers ovulation; queens are often bred several times over 2–3 days (Merck). Few outward signs. | Note the mating dates. Keep her indoors and away from other toms. |
| 3–4 | Pregnancy can usually be detected from about day 21–30 (Merck). | Book a vet check to confirm the pregnancy and talk about diet. |
| 5–6 | Her belly and appetite usually increase as the kittens grow. | Vets often recommend switching to kitten food for pregnancy and nursing (Merck). |
| 7–8 | Last three weeks: she needs more food (Merck). After day 55 an X-ray can count the kittens. | Set up a warm, quiet nest box. Book the X-ray if your vet advises it. |
| 9 | She may hide, turn restless and build a nest (Merck). Delivery typically day 64–66. | Keep the room calm, have towels and your vet's number ready. |
Signs of cat pregnancy
Early on there's little to see. As pregnancy goes on, a growing belly, a bigger appetite and, near the end, nesting behaviour are typical. None of these prove pregnancy: cats can also have a pseudopregnancy (a non-pregnant luteal phase after a sterile mating). A vet can confirm a real pregnancy from about day 21–30 and count kittens with an X-ray after day 55 (Merck).
Labor and delivery in cats
Before labor she is likely to be restless and to seek out a nest. In the delivery stage you'll see abdominal contractions, and kittens usually arrive at intervals of less than one to two hours, though this varies a lot (Merck).
Call your vet if labor goes beyond about 24 hours in the first or second stage, if more than 1–4 hours pass between kittens while she is straining, if a kitten is stuck, or if she seems in distress (Merck). This is general information; your vet's advice comes first.
How long after giving birth can a cat get pregnant again?
Cats are seasonally polyestrous and can come back into heat during the breeding season, so a queen can conceive again sooner than many owners expect. If you don't plan another litter, talk to your vet about spaying and timing. The cat heat cycle guide explains how her cycle works.
Questions breeders ask
How many weeks is a cat pregnant?
About nine weeks. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives 60–65 days, with delivery typically 64–66 days after breeding.
How many months is a cat pregnant?
Just over two months.
How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?
Weight gain, a bigger appetite and nesting are typical later on, but a pseudopregnancy can look similar. A vet can confirm pregnancy from about day 21–30 (Merck).
How many kittens will my cat have?
It varies. An X-ray after about day 55 can show how many kittens to expect (Merck), which also helps you know when she has finished.