In this week’s Pet Talk, Maneka speaks about everything related to pregnancy in a cat

By Maneka Gandhi

What are the signs that a cat is pregnant?

• Nipples swell and become rosier in colour: This may be the first visual sign you will see in a pregnant cat.

• Cat’s appetite increases: A pregnant cat will show an increased interest in food.

• Weight gain: Most pregnant cats will gain about 900 to 1,800 grams of body weight over the course of pregnancy.

• Possible vomiting: Pregnant queens may be subject to a few bouts of “morning sickness,” much as human mothers-to-be. This is not necessarily a reason to worry unless they go on for too long.

• Abdominal enlargement: Sometime around the   fifth week of pregnancy, a pregnant cat’s abdomen will start to swell noticeably. It will continue to enlarge until time for birthing.

What are some of the signs that a pregnant cat is going into labour?

• Behavioural changes: These include restless pacing, panting, excessive grooming (especially in the area of her genitals), and excessive vocalisation.

• Physical signs of labour: There may be a drop in normal body temperature. The cat may vomit. The abdomen may “drop” a few days before labour, and the nipples may become larger and pinker.

• Active labour: Contractions will start, and you will see the appearance of the amniotic sac. You may also see a discharge of blood or other coloured fluid.

How soon can a cat go into heat after giving birth?

Most cats will have an oestrus cycle (heat cycle) within six to eight weeks after giving birth. On rare occasions, a cat will have an oestrus cycle within a week after her kittens were born. She may still be nursing and in heat at the same time.

Oestrus is described as the period of receptivity to mating and is linked with the production of oestradiol (a type of oestrogen) produced by ovarian follicles. It is not to be confused with menstruation in human females, and you will rarely, if ever, see any signs of blood, although occasional mucous discharge may be evident.

What is the gestation period of a cat?

A queen’s or a pregnant cat’s gestation period typically runs from 57 to 69 days, with the average of about nine weeks. By the time you notice she is pregnant, she’ll likely be at least three weeks in. By six weeks pregnant, it becomes more apparent.

How many litters can a cat birth in one year?

A cat’s gestation period is roughly 2 months, making it possible for her to birth as many as five litters a year.

How can I stop my neutered cat from humping?

Humping behaviour is normal for whole (sexually intact) male cats. Even after castration surgery, it takes time for the hormones to leave the body, and it’s not unusual for mounting to continue for at least a few weeks if not longer. Urinary tract infections also seem to lead to humping behaviour in some cats. Cat humping can be related to stress and anxiety. This is most likely when something has recently changed in the cat’s environment, like the addition of a new family member, a move, or even a neighbourhood cat that can be seen from a window. Boredom is another cause of                                              humping in cats.

Are cats sexually active after spay-neutering?

The timing of the castration surgery is an important factor in his sexual urges after neutering. It is not at all unusual to see neutered cats attempting to “hump” other cats, either male or female. This behaviour may not be sexually related at all but may be simply a matter of assuming seniority. This is more likely to happen with male cats who have been neutered well after developing                        their gonads.

Do indoor cats necessarily need to be spayed?

An indoor cat may, at some point in her life, end up escaping accidentally outside. Not being spayed/neutered will attract tomcats to her and she won’t be able to defend herself. Plus, she might get pregnant.

Neutering a cat reduces chances of certain kinds of cancer. Female cats go into heat once a month, during which time they yowl and cry incessantly and search for mates. If they’re neutered, they don’t have to go through that.

Should I get my female cat spayed or my male cat neutered?

Get the male done first, since the recovery time is faster and it’s cheaper, and if he isn’t spraying your house yet, he will soon. Then get the female. But get them both done, not one or the other.

What is the best time to get cats spayed?

Whether male or female, you can get your cat sterilised around puberty. For queens and toms, this is at six to seven months old. But make sure your vet is experienced as this is much more difficult than dog operations.

Why do cats expose their tummy?

Cats sometimes roll onto their backs to get into a defensive position. This way they can attack whomever or whatever threatens them with both teeth and the claws of all four paws. Cats who are in defence mode when on their backs will also display other signs of aggression, such as holding their ears back against their heads, hissing and even growling.

If your cat is not spayed, rolling over could be an instinctive mating behaviour. Unspayed females who are ready to mate will often roll from “affection” or frustration.

How many times a day should you feed your cat?

There is no quick and easy answer to the frequency with which a cat should be fed, as the age and relative health of your cat, how many cats you have, your own home environment, as well as the type of food you feed, will all play a large part in how you handle feeding. For example, a stay-at-home caregiver will be able to feed food to kittens or geriatric cats several times a day. On the other hand, a single, working owner, or a two-income family, will rely more on dry cat food, with early morning and late-night supplements of wet food.

Which is better, wet or dry food for cats?

Wet food is beneficial for cats because it provides moisture. Cats in the wild get most of their water from the prey they consume, with little or no need for drinking it on the side. In fact, cats have evolved with a very low thirst drive as compared with other species. When eating an all-dry diet, their water intake easily falls short of their actual needs, allowing them to become dehydrated and more prone to kidney disease and urinary tract problems.

Why is my cat rolling around on its back?

When you see your cat drop to the ground and roll on its back, your pet’s posture can tell you something. Sometimes this is accompanied by rubbing its head against the floor while meowing. It’s possible your cat has an out-of-the-way itch or just wants a good stretch, but this movement is often a positive signal from your cat. The rolling over motion typically signals the cat feels safe and maybe wants some attention from you. In fact, a cat rolls over on its back when it’s at its most relaxed state. When cats roll over, it usually is more of a solicitation for attention than submission. 

There may be other reasons why your cat is rolling around on the ground. Since cats have a higher body temperature, they’ll likely sunbathe or sleep near a heater. Because of this, cats may easily get overwhelmed by the sensation and need to cool down. This includes drinking a lot of water, resting in cool places, and rubbing on cool floors. Your cat could also be protecting its digestive system by rolling around in the dirt, coating its fur with bacteria, and ingesting it by                                                                        licking its coat.

Why is my cat licking his swollen paw?

Soft tissue swelling could mean a few things: insect bite or sting, infection, an abscess, or blunt tissue damage. Bee stings can produce a huge swelling very quickly but aren’t usually too painful. (Cats are generally more prone to getting insect bites/ stings on their paws from batting at bugs). This is an allergic type of reaction and, if it doesn’t get infected, the swelling will go down in 24 hours or less. Your veterinarian can administer or  recommend medications to help reduce swelling and stop the allergic reaction.