First-time owners of female cats may not be familiar with the stages of a cat's pregnancy, but the stages are relatively simple to detect. The female cat will initially go into heat, followed by physical and emotional changes and the growth of the her belly with kittens.
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Female Cats in Heat
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When a veterinarian has not spayed a female cat, she will go into heat between the ages of four to 10 months. Evidence that she is in heat will be demonstrated by the female cat rolling around on the floor, demanding constant attention from the owner, meowing or wailing throughout the house, holding her tail to the side, rubbing against objects and trying to run outside.
If there are no male cats present and the female cat has not been capable of going outside to find one, pregnancy is not something the owner need worry about. However, contact with any male cat while the female is in heat will most likely ensure the female will become pregnant.
Signs of Pregnancy
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Once a female cat becomes pregnant, she will begin pinking---her nipples will turn pink and enlarge. The female cat will also develop an affectionate personality and crave an abundance of attention. In addition, her appetite will increase, as she needs more nutrition for her forthcoming kittens. And, as the kittens grow, her belly will grow as well.
As the pregnancy progresses, the female cat will also begin scouting out the house for a place to nest. Owners can attempt to create a place for the female cat to have her kittens; however, many cats will insist on finding their own locale and will not use the owner's man-made nest. This is because most owners want to have the cat visible at the time of birth and be able to assist the mother cat with her kittens. The female cat, however, desires a dark and secluded place to give birth, away from the owner or anyone else in the house.
What To Do
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If the owner suspects the female cat is pregnant, the best course of action is to take the cat to the veterinarian. If the female cat is pregnant, the veterinarian can provide the owner with vitamins, determine if there are any potential concerns that should be addressed and advise the owner about how long it will be before the kittens are born. A female cat's pregnancy will last nine weeks.
In addition to veterinary care, the mother cat should be fed a larger amount of food, as well as food that is vitamin rich, so that she and the kittens will progress through the pregnancy as healthy as possible.
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