Pet health · 5 min read
Pregnant cat: how long, signs and care
How long a cat is pregnant, the first signs, week-by-week changes, feeding and care, what happens at birth, when to call a vet, and spay costs in Malaysia.
By John, Senior groomer · Reviewed by Agnes, Manager · Published
A cat is pregnant for about 63 days, which is about 2 months or 9 weeks, counted from mating. Kittens born from day 58 to day 68 are normal. The first visible sign is pink, enlarged nipples at about 2 to 3 weeks, and the belly grows from about week 5. A vet can confirm the pregnancy by ultrasound from about day 21, and an X-ray after day 45 counts the kittens. Most litters have 3 to 5 kittens. From about week 5, move her onto kitten food and let her eat as much as she wants. Do not give flea, worm or vaccine treatments without asking a vet. Call a vet if no kittens arrive by day 68 or if she strains for more than an hour without a kitten. In Malaysia, spaying her after the kittens are weaned cost about RM30 at a government vet clinic and up to RM150 at a private clinic in a 2024 price check by theSun. Our cat pregnancy calculator gives her due date.
This is general information from a grooming and boarding team, not veterinary advice. PGH is not a vet clinic. If your pregnant cat is weak, bleeding or in pain, take her to a vet today.
How long is a cat pregnant, week by week?
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | No visible signs. Feed and handle her as usual. |
| Week 3 | Nipples turn pink and larger (pinking up). Some cats eat less or vomit for a few days. |
| Weeks 3–4 | A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound or by gently feeling the belly. |
| Weeks 5–6 | Belly visibly bigger, weight gain. Move her onto kitten food. |
| Week 7 | Kittens may be felt moving. An X-ray from about day 45 can count them. |
| Weeks 8–9 | Nesting: she looks for a quiet, hidden spot. |
| Day 58–68 | Labour. She may stop eating, pant, purr or become restless about a day before. |
Cats can mate with more than one male during one heat, so the exact mating date is often unknown. If you only know when her nipples turned pink, count about 18 days back from that day. The cat pregnancy calculator does this for you.
How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?
There is no home pregnancy test for cats. Watch for these signs:
- Pink, larger nipples at about 2 to 3 weeks, often the first sign owners notice.
- A few days of eating less or vomiting around week 3.
- Weight gain and a rounder belly from about week 5, seen best from above.
- More affection or more sleep, though this varies a lot between cats.
- Nesting in the last week: she searches cupboards, wardrobes and boxes.
A belly that grows fast with no pink nipples can be something else, such as fluid or worms, so a vet check is worth it. A vet can feel the kittens from about day 20 to 30 and see them by ultrasound from about day 21.
How many kittens will my cat have?
Usually 3 to 5. First litters and young cats often have fewer. An X-ray after about day 45, when the kittens' skeletons show, is the only reliable way to count them. Knowing the number tells you when the birth is finished, and whether a kitten is stuck.
How do I care for a pregnant cat?
- Food. From about week 5, switch gradually to a good kitten food and leave it out so she can eat little and often. She will need more food again while nursing.
- Water. Keep fresh water near her favourite resting spot.
- Medicines. Ask a vet before any flea, tick or worm product, and before any medicine. Some are not safe in pregnancy.
- Vaccines. Vets generally avoid live vaccines during pregnancy. The best time to vaccinate is before she is mated. WSAVA's guidelines cover the details your vet will follow.
- Indoors. Keep her inside and away from male cats and sick cats. Parvo in a pregnant cat can cost the litter, as our cat parvo guide explains.
- Nest box. From week 8, set up a cardboard box with clean towels in a warm, quiet room, away from children and other pets.
- Litter tray. Put one close to the nest box so she does not leave the kittens for long.
Can I groom, bath or board a pregnant cat?
Gentle brushing at home is fine and helps long-haired cats, whose coat can mat as the belly grows. Do not lift her by the belly. Ask your vet before a bath or a salon groom, especially in the last 3 weeks. If you want to book a groom for a pregnant cat, WhatsApp us first so we can talk it through.
Boarding in the last weeks of pregnancy is not a good idea, because she may give birth away from home and away from the vet who knows her. At check-in, PGH asks for a combination vaccine record for every cat. See our pet hotel vaccination rules and the cat hotel.
What happens during the birth, and when should I call a vet?
About a day before, she may stop eating, pant, purr or pace. In labour she will lie in the nest and strain. Kittens usually arrive 30 to 60 minutes apart, each in a sac that the mother licks open. She may eat the afterbirth, which is normal. Stay nearby, keep the room quiet and do not pull on a kitten.
Call a vet if:
- no kittens have arrived by day 68,
- she strains for more than an hour without a kitten,
- there is green or bloody discharge before the first kitten,
- a kitten is stuck halfway out, or
- she seems weak, cold or in pain.
Keep your vet's phone number and the nearest 24-hour clinic ready before the due date. For clinics near us, see vet clinics in Subang Jaya and USJ.
How much does spaying and vaccinating the kittens cost in Malaysia?
| Government clinic | Private clinic | |
|---|---|---|
| Spaying the mother cat | RM30 | Up to RM150 |
| Kitten core combination vaccine, per dose | RM40–65 | RM50–200 |
Source: theSun price check (2024), as covered in our vaccination and neutering costs guide. These are not confirmed 2026 fees, so phone the clinic for a current quote. Lower-cost options are in our guide to government vet clinics in Selangor.
A cat can come back into heat soon after giving birth, sometimes while still nursing. Many vets spay the mother once the kittens are weaned at about 8 weeks. Kittens start their vaccine course at 6 to 8 weeks. PGH is in USJ 21, Subang Jaya: how to get here.
Questions we get asked
- How many months is a cat pregnant?
About 2 months. Pregnancy in cats lasts 58 to 68 days, 63 days on average, which is about 9 weeks. Kittens born anywhere in that window are normal.
- How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?
The first visible sign is pink, enlarged nipples at about 2 to 3 weeks. The belly grows from about week 5. A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound from about day 21 or by feeling the belly from about day 20 to 30. There is no reliable home test for cats.
- How many kittens will my cat have?
Usually 3 to 5, though first litters are often smaller. An X-ray after day 45 is the best way to count the kittens, so you know when the birth is finished.
- When should I call a vet during the birth?
If no kittens have arrived by day 68, if she strains for more than an hour without a kitten, if there is green or bloody discharge before the first kitten, or if she seems weak or in pain.
- Can a cat get pregnant again right after giving birth?
Yes. A cat can come back into heat soon after giving birth, sometimes while still nursing. Keep her away from male cats and ask your vet about spaying once the kittens are weaned at about 8 weeks.
Sources
Written by
John, Senior groomer
Groomers and hotel staff at Pets Grooming Hotel, Main Place Mall, Subang Jaya. These guides are based on what we see on the grooming table and in the hotel every week. They are general advice, not a substitute for your vet.
