Cats go into heat every several weeks during many months of the year and during this time, they can become pregnant.
If the female mates with more than one male during a 24-hour period, the resulting litter may have more than one father.
Knowing how long cats are pregnant will allow the family to prepare for the new kittens.
A cat can become pregnant as soon as it experiences its first heat cycle.
In some cats, this is as young as four months, while it can be one year in others.
It is advisable not to breed the cat during its first heat cycle because many young cats do not make good mothers.
The feline maternal instinct seems to be more developed when the cat is at least one year old.
A pregnant cat will develop swollen pink nipples approximately three weeks after mating.
The cat will then begin to gain weight and will eat more as the due date approaches.
The animal may become more affectionate with its human owners and will begin building a nest to serve as the delivery and caretaking area.
A cat may have between one to eight kittens in a litter, but the average is three to five.
The cat will be pregnant for approximately 65 days and can get pregnant again any time after giving birth.
Pregnant cats should be fed special cat foods that are high in calcium, protein, and calories.
The owner should take the feline to the vet as soon as he or she discovers that the cat is pregnant.
The vet will usually recommend that an outdoor cat remain indoors during the term of the pregnancy.
Children and pets should not be allowed to play roughly with a pregnant cat.
Poking the cat's belly during pregnancy can cause the animal to miscarry the kittens.
The cat should be allowed plenty of time to rest and store its energy for the impending delivery.
The owner can prepare a kitten delivery box containing a soft bottom and an enclosed top.
When the owners know how long cats are pregnant, they are better able to prepare for the birth.
They can use the 65-day pregnancy period to schedule the required vet visits, get the cat on the proper diet, and prepare a delivery box.
The cat will spend its time eating, sleeping, and sometimes being more affectionate than usual.
When delivery day comes, the mother cat and the human owners can share in the birth of the new kittens.