Re: For how long is a cat pregnant?

Hi Kate,

Gestation (the amount of time an animal is pregnant) for the cat is about 63 days. I don't know how much that number will help you since you probably don't know when the cat became pregnant. I am a big advocate of spaying and neutering male and female pet animals to prevent overpopulation. Just think, if your cat has 5 kittens and those kittens each go on to have 5 kittens and so on and so on, you will see how fast the numbers multiply. Cats will produce several litters a year. Please consider having you pet spayed after this litter is weaned. Not only will you be helping curb the pet population but your cat will be healther and live longer as well.

That said, when the time is near for your cat to deliver, she will seek out a secluded spot. The best thing you can do for her would be to provide a cage for her. Cages are often available at local garage sales or check your local newspaper. You'll be surprized how comfortable she will be in her cage! Set the cage up with a small litter box, a box lined with paper or old towels (for delivering the kittens in), fresh food and fresh water - that won't spill. Place her in the cage for a few hours at a time for a few days, then start leaving her in there overnight. Cats usually have kittens in the middle of the night. (Usually - being the key word here.) Cats usually don't have any trouble delivering. If you see the cat pushing for over an hour without producing any kittens, call your local small animal emergency clinic. The main thing is BE PREPARED! For some good information on queening-giving birth (the female cat is known as a queen, that is where the term queening comes from): http://www.cfainc.org/articles/kittening.html

Good luck!!