How long are cats pregnant?
A cat's pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives a length of 60 to 65 days and says birth typically happens 64 to 66 days after mating. A veterinary review of feline pregnancy found an average of 65.6 days, with normal pregnancies ranging from 52 to 74 days.
due date = date of first mating + 65 days
Example: a cat mated on March 1 has an estimated due date of May 5. Most kittens would arrive between April 30 and May 6.
Cat owners often do not know the exact mating date, especially with cats that go outside. If you are unsure, a vet can estimate how far along she is from an ultrasound or x-ray.
Cat pregnancy calendar at a glance
| Days after mating | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0–20 | Early pregnancy, usually no clear signs. Kitten food if your vet recommends it. |
| 21–30 | A vet can confirm the pregnancy by palpation or ultrasound. |
| 31–43 | Kittens develop, belly grows. Prepare a nesting box. |
| 44–65 | Last three weeks: about 25% more food. |
| 56 and later | An x-ray can count the kittens. |
| 60–66 | Birth (queening). First stage 12–24 hours, then kittens usually less than 1–2 hours apart. |
Caring for a pregnant cat
Food: vets usually recommend switching to a complete, balanced kitten food during pregnancy and nursing. In the last three weeks she needs about 25% more food than normal. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, she should not get dietary supplements such as calcium or vitamins.
Vet visits: a check between day 21 and 30 confirms the pregnancy. An x-ray after day 55 tells you how many kittens to expect. Ask your vet before giving any medication, dewormer or flea treatment.
Nesting box: a box with soft, washable bedding in a quiet, warm corner. Let her explore it in the weeks before birth.
Signs of labor and when to call the vet
As birth approaches, many queens hide, become restless and build a nest. Some tremble, vomit or stop eating. This first stage of labor lasts 12 to 24 hours. Then the straining starts, and kittens are usually born less than 1 to 2 hours apart, although this varies. Cats alternate between delivering a kitten and passing its placenta until all kittens are born.
Call your vet if:
- the first stage (restlessness, nesting) or the second stage (straining) lasts more than 24 hours,
- more than 1 to 4 hours pass between kittens,
- kittens are born dead or very weak, or your cat seems very distressed,
- after the birth she keeps straining, has a smelly discharge, a fever or seems depressed,
- a kitten loses weight after its first 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long are cats pregnant?
About 9 weeks. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives a pregnancy length of 60 to 65 days, with birth typically 64 to 66 days after mating. A veterinary review found an average of 65.6 days, with normal pregnancies lasting anywhere from 52 to 74 days.
How do I calculate my cat's due date?
Add 65 days to the date of the first mating. Most kittens are born between day 60 and day 66. If your cat was mated over several days, count from the first mating and expect a slightly later birth.
When can a vet tell if my cat is pregnant?
From about day 21 to 30 after mating, a vet can usually confirm pregnancy by feeling the belly or by ultrasound. An x-ray more than 55 days after mating shows the kittens' skeletons and helps count them.
How much should a pregnant cat eat?
Vets usually recommend a complete, balanced kitten food during pregnancy and nursing. In the last three weeks of pregnancy, a queen needs about 25% more food. Do not add calcium or vitamin supplements unless your vet prescribes them.
When should I call the vet during birth?
Call your vet if the first stage of labor (restlessness, nesting) or the second stage (straining) lasts more than 24 hours, if more than 1 to 4 hours pass between kittens, if kittens are born dead or weak, or if your cat seems very distressed.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Cat Owners: Management of Reproduction in Cats (pregnancy length, diagnosis, feeding, stages of labor, signs of a difficult birth).
- Root Kustritz MV. Clinical management of pregnancy in cats. Theriogenology, 2006 (average gestation 65.6 days, range 52–74 days).
This calculator gives estimated dates for general information. It is not veterinary advice. Work with your veterinarian throughout the pregnancy and birth. Last updated: October 2026.