Know when kittens are coming and what to do next. This Cat Pregnancy Calculator turns a recorded mating date into an estimated due date, then maps out clear checkpoints for scans, tests, and home prep. You get a practical window rather than a single “bulls-eye” because real cats like to keep us guessing.
How the Cat Pregnancy calculator works
The tool uses a planning midpoint of 63 days for feline gestation and displays a practical window of 60–67 days. Veterinary references describe an average that sits near 63–65 days with typical variation on either side Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals. That range handles breed differences, litter size, and the fact that cats are induced ovulators, which means ovulation follows mating rather than a fixed cycle.
The calculator adds 63 days to your mating date to create an estimated due date (EDD) then highlights two dates for planning: an earliest likely date around day 60 and a latest likely date around day 67. You can schedule scans and set up a queening space with that buffer in mind.
Step-by-step: how to use it
- Enter the mating date. If several matings happened in the same heat, use the last mating in that heat.
- Read your EDD and window. The tool shows the due date plus the 60–67 day window.
- Check milestone cards. You’ll see suggested windows for ultrasound, relaxin testing, radiographs, and nesting prep. These reflect common veterinary guidance from well-known sources noted below.
- Print or save. Put the dates on your phone or on the fridge. Share the plan with your vet.
Pregnancy timeline & milestones
The table below gives a clean, practical schedule from mating to queening. Use it as a checklist. The ranges are designed for real homes and busy clinics.
| Milestone | Typical timing | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound (heartbeats) | ~21–28 days after mating | Confirms pregnancy early and checks viability. |
| Abdominal palpation | ~21–25 days after mating | Experienced vets can feel “string of pearls” uterine swellings. It gets difficult after ~35 days. |
| Relaxin blood test | From ~25 days after mating best reliability at ≥29–31 days |
Detects pregnancy hormone unique to placental tissue. |
| Radiographs to count kittens | From ~45 days after mating best detail ≥55 days |
Skeletons mineralize enough to count fetuses. Your vet can spot large litters or odd positioning. |
| Prepare nesting/queening area | From ~58 days after mating | Early setup reduces stress and helps your queen choose a safe spot. |
| Estimated due window | 60–67 days after mating | Most queens deliver within this band. Keep phones charged and supplies staged. |
These windows reflect the ranges many veterinarians use in daily practice and match mainstream educational resources. For deeper reading see the links in the references section that follow.
Week-by-week signs you can watch
Cats hide pregnancy well at first then change fast near the end. Use these notes like a field guide.
- Weeks 1–2 (days 1–14): Not much to see. Appetite may dip for a day or two. Activity looks normal. Keep routine steady.
- Weeks 3–4 (days 15–28): Nipples can become pinker and slightly larger. Mild morning queasiness can appear. Some queens seek more affection.
- Week 4 onward: A vet can confirm pregnancy via ultrasound. Palpation is possible in skilled hands during the ~21–25 day window.
- Weeks 6–7 (days 36–49): Abdomen rounds. Appetite climbs. Energy may dip during hot weather. Switch to high-quality growth or reproduction diet on veterinary advice.
- Week 8 (days 50–56): Kittens kick. Nesting starts. Your queen may scout dark corners and closets.
- Week 9 (days 57+): Milk may bead at nipples. Appetite can fluctuate. Restlessness increases a day or two before queening.
Nutrition, supplements & daily care
Good food and a calm routine support the healthiest outcomes. The principles here come up again and again in veterinary nutrition handbooks and pet health resources.
- Feed for growth. Most vets recommend a complete diet labeled for growth or reproduction during late gestation and lactation. It meets higher calorie and calcium needs without risky supplementation.
- Avoid random supplements. Extra calcium given by guesswork can do more harm than good. Ask your vet before adding anything new.
- Split meals. Several small meals work better in late pregnancy because abdominal space shrinks.
- Keep vaccinations on schedule. Core vaccines are best updated before breeding. Discuss risk-based vaccines for your area with your veterinarian.
- Deworm with a plan. Your vet can recommend pregnancy-safe parasite control. Products and timing vary by region and health status.
- Handle gently. Lift the queen by supporting the chest and hindquarters. Avoid belly pressure, especially after week five.
- Plan for emergencies. Save your clinic’s phone number. Know after-hours options. Draft a quick transport plan.
Queening box setup & supplies checklist
Most queens do the work. You set the stage and stand by. Build a simple queening space that feels safe, warm, and quiet.
- Box: Sturdy bin or low-entry crate lined with washable towels. Make it big enough for mom to stretch and turn.
- Heat: A low-setting heat pad under half the box gives kittens a warm zone and a cooler zone. Never place a pad directly against skin.
- Lighting: Dim and calm. Avoid bright lamps or noisy rooms.
- Privacy: Place the box away from foot traffic yet close enough for quick checks.
- Supplies: clean towels, disposable pads, blunt-ended scissors, dental floss for tying umbilical cords if your vet has shown you how, sterile lube, a bulb syringe, a small kitchen scale, and a notebook for times and weights.
- Food & water: Keep bowls near the box. Place a clean litter tray outside the entrance.
Do a practice run. Pick up a kitten-safe thermometer and aim for a cozy nest with an ambient temperature that sits near the range your vet recommends for neonates. Newborns cannot regulate body temperature well for the first weeks.
How accurate is a feline due date
Due dates are targets not guarantees. The 60–67 day band captures most normal pregnancies. Breed, litter size, and the exact day of ovulation nudge the finish line a little earlier or later. Induced ovulation adds natural spread because ovulation follows mating rather than a set day of a cycle. A larger litter tends to shorten gestation a touch. A singleton can go a bit longer.
Your calculator result shines when it guides preparation. Bring scans and tests into the recommended windows then watch behavior as the due window opens.
Feline reproduction basics (quick science)
Understanding how queens cycle makes the calendar feel less mysterious.
- Induced ovulation: Queens usually release eggs after mating. That makes the exact “day zero” fuzzy when multiple matings occur in one heat.
- Superfecundation can happen: Two males can father kittens in the same litter when matings occur close together.
- Litter size varies: Two to five is common. Healthy adults usually carry more than very young or older queens.
- Hormones tell the story: Relaxin rises during feline pregnancy. Tests that detect it become reliable near the fourth week.
Featured FAQs
How many months is a cat pregnant?
Roughly two months plus a little more. Most queens deliver between 60 and 67 days after mating.
Can you feel kittens moving?
Movement often becomes obvious during the last two weeks. Gentle hands are important during late palpation.
When should a queen see the vet?
Schedule a checkup shortly after mating then book an ultrasound around day 21–28. Plan radiographs closer to day 55 if you need an accurate kitten count.
What are signs of labor?
Restlessness, nesting, and a drop in appetite often show up first. Many queens lick the vulva and vocalize as contractions strengthen. A green or foul discharge before a kitten appears is a red flag that needs urgent care.
When is it an emergency?
Seek immediate help if your queen strains hard for 20–30 minutes with no kitten, if there is strong labor for over two hours between kittens, if she becomes weak, or if a kitten is visibly stuck.
Helpful related tools
- Dog Pregnancy Calculator – similar layout and friendly milestone cards.
- Mare Gestation Calculator – long-gestation template with ultrasound and foaling tips.
- Sheep Gestation Calculator – quick windows for scans, vaccines, and lambing prep.
One-page checklist (print me)
- Enter mating date in the calculator.
- Book ultrasound for day 21–28.
- Consider relaxin test from day 25 if ultrasound is not available.
- Plan radiographs near day 55 if you need a count.
- Set up queening box by day 58.
- Stock towels, pads, and a small scale.
- Save clinic and after-hours numbers on your phone.
Step-by-step for the big day
- Move quietly. Keep the room dim and warm.
- Let mom handle membranes unless a kitten is struggling to breathe. Use a bulb syringe only if needed.
- Dry each kitten with a warm towel and check that it latches.
- Record times and weights. A small kitchen scale helps catch problems early.
- Offer food and water between kittens. Many queens appreciate a quick snack.
Further Reading
These organisations provide dependable background reading on feline gestation, testing, and care. Link depth varies by region. Browse their reproduction articles and client handouts.
- International Cat Care — welfare-focused advice for guardians and breeders.
- Texas A&M Veterinary resources — lab information on relaxin testing and timing.
- Cornell Feline Health Center — robust guides to feline health and reproduction.
- PetMD — accessible overviews of ultrasound, radiographs, and late-pregnancy care.
The Cat Pregnancy Calculator gives you a realistic target date with the right checkpoints along the way. Use the 60–67 day window to schedule scans and set up the nest. Feed for growth as the last weeks approach. Keep a simple kit ready and keep your vet’s number close. Preparation turns a nervous countdown into a calm, safe queening for mom and kittens.
