context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } You might have read stacks of books when you were expecting your own bundle of joy. But do you know what happens when your cat becomes pregnant? Don’t load Fluffy's bowl with pickles and ice cream. Just treat her like the queen that she is -- literally. The process of a mama cat getting ready to have kittens is called "queening." A female cat can get pregnant when she’s as young as 4 months old, unless she’s been spayed to prevent that. Queens can keep going into heat every 2 to 3 weeks from the spring through the early fall, making them ready to reproduce more often than not. A cat’s pregnancy lasts about 63-65 days. So, a cat can have kittens when she’s only 6 months old. The best way to find out is to make an appointment with your vet. He can confirm that kittens are on the way, and get an idea of how many, in a few ways: Feeling your cat's belly is sometimes useful but not always accurate. Ultrasound can confirm a pregnancy after day 16. Ultrasound cannot tell you how many kittens your cat is carrying. X-rays can determine the number of kittens to expect, but they are not always accurate. There are a few clues that you may notice, too. Her belly will get big around 30 days after she mates. Another symptom that appears as the pregnancy continues, 2 to 3 weeks after she conceives, is her nipples enlarge and redden (also called "pinking up"). It’s rare, but in the earliest stages of pregnancy, your cat may have "morning sickness" that might show up as a lack of appetite or vomiting. If that keeps happening, take her to the vet. With the surge of hormones and changes to her uterus, she may show signs of fatigue. This phase will eventually fade after those first few weeks pass. Just like many other females in the animal kingdom carrying a bun in the oven (or for a cat, an average of 4 buns per litter), your cat may need extra food and calories while she’s expecting. She’ll eat about 1.5 times her normal diet as her pregnancy draws to a close, so make sure she has constant access to her normal fare. Your vet will probably recommend that you feed your pregnant cat kitten food or food that's labeled for pregnant and lactating cats throughout her pregnancy and during the period she is nursing her young. Viruses can spread to kittens before they’re born, so keep up with your cat's vaccination schedule. If your pregnant cat is due for her regular vaccination and deworming/flea treatment or needs medication, check with your vet first to make sure the treatment is safe for her. It is best to vaccinate prior to breeding, as most vaccines are not safe to give during pregnancy. Make your home a comfortable place for the impending birth. If you normally let your cat go outside, stop that, in case she goes into labor during one of her walkabouts. About 2 weeks before the due date, you may notice your cat is acting different as she gets into nesting mode. To help out, you can scan your home for a good birthing spot for her. Find a medium-sized box with a low opening, and cover it with newspapers, old towels, and soft blankets to create a relaxing area for the mother and her future kittens. You should place the nesting box in a quiet corner of your house. Let your pregnant cat visit it often, before the birth, so she gets used to the area and feels comfortable. Keep in mind that you can guide your cat as much as possible and set up the ultimate birthing spot, but she's going to do what she's going to do. If she wants to give birth in a laundry basket, behind the garbage can, or in the back of your closet, she will. When you notice that she’s in nesting mode, take her to the vet for her final prenatal visit. He can give you more information about how to prepare for the delivery, check on the mother and kitties’ health, and tell you want to do if there’s an emergency during the birth. Two clues that the big day is coming: Cats usually stop eating 24 hours before they give birth, and their temperature drops below 100 F. You’ll meet those kittens soon!