Is my cat pregnant ? Opinions/advice PLEASE

[mightymoosh]

My cat, Bella, escaped 3 weeks ago. She was gone a week and as she hasn't been spayed yet she could very well be pregnant. Now, before any abuse starts she was booked to be spayed before my mum accidentally let her out and she has seen a vet but without an ultrasound there's no way of knowing for sure and as a student I don't really have the money for one so I was hoping some of you might be helpful ^.^

Her behaviour has changed dramatically since she got back. She's now very clingy, purrs a lot and sleeps beside me every night. Shes always been a bit chunky so her belly isn't much of an indication and I can't tell if her nipples are pinking or it's just my imagination.
I know you can get them spayed early in the pregnancy – aborting the babies but I really couldn't do that - call that irresponsible I just don't believe in it and her babies will be well looked after. I wouldn't let them end up how my cats were when I got them and depending on how many there are our family might just get bigger :')
Thank you for reading and any advice is very welcome
^.^
Xoxo

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• mightymoosh
• Aug 15, 2013

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• mightymoosh
• Aug 15, 2013

 

[vball91]

It is very very likely that she is pregnant. Cats are induced ovulators so even if she wasn't in heat, if she was mated, she's pregnant.

I understand what you're saying about not wanting to spend money for an ultrasound to confirm if she's pregnant. At this point, she either is or isn't, and you will find out soon enough. However, a cat having kittens can be expensive as well, even if there are no complications. If there are complications, it can be very expensive indeed. Just FYI as something you need to be prepared for.

 

[mightymoosh]

It is very very likely that she is pregnant. Cats are induced ovulators so even if she wasn't in heat, if she was mated, she's pregnant.

I understand what you're saying about not wanting to spend money for an ultrasound to confirm if she's pregnant. At this point, she either is or isn't, and you will find out soon enough. However, a cat having kittens can be expensive as well, even if there are no complications. If there are complications, it can be very expensive indeed. Just FYI as something you need to be prepared for.

I know - thankfully I do get help with food and stuff - I already have 5 and 3 I have raised from 2 weeks old so I do have a little experience with babies it's just the birthing I'm worried about - but when she gives birth if she is pregnant I will have more of an income than now as it will be uni term time.

It's just annoying not knowing for sure right now xD

The fact about not having to be in heat is interesting - I've done research and never come across that before so thank you very much for the advice ^.^
xoxo

 

[maewkaew]

It sounds like she probably is pregnant.     I don't see any point either to getting an ultrasound to find out  because you'll find out anyway soon.   She should be pinking up within  the next week if she hasn't already.   

Keep in mind that if she DID have complications that needed an after hours c-section,  it could be  £900-1000 ,  i remember someone from the UK,  on here or another site,  said she was told that price,   she could't get the money together in time and sadly her cat died.    

 Also ,   Bella could have anywhere from 1 to 8 kittens ( sometimes even more but that is pretty rare  -  but not impossible) .   I know several cats who have had 7 in their first litter.    and several on here recently have had 6.   It costs quite a lot properly raising a litter  which means keeping them at least 10 weeks; 12 is better.  Just the extra high quality food and litter alone is expensive.,  plus you will need to get them at least the first set of vaccinations, and de-worm them and vet exam.  

Plus you will still need to get her spayed.    And if you don't find them all homes soon enough you will have to get both the mum and kittens  altered,  or risk that they will breed with each other   That definitely should be done by 6 months but even waiting that long is a bit risky because kittens can reach puberty as young as 4 months.  

 and IF anything should happen that she is unable or unwilling to care for the kittens, that means feeding every 2-3  hours round the clock. day and night.   and stimulate them to urinate and defecate,   and keep them clean and warm.   Would you be able to do that?  You could stretch it to every 4 now and then....  but  you could not just go off for the whole day.   And if a kitten is particularly weak or they are premature.  then you might have to feed hourly.

 I know you feel like you don't want to spay/ abort  but sometimes that's the best choice.   At  least you need to consider all the possiibilities so you plan in advance for  what to do in case things do not go perfectly.  

How old is Bella?  

  Here is a good article you should definitely read so you know what is normal,  what is not,  how you could help if needed and when to get her to the vet.   http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/breeding_from_your_cat/felineparturition.html

 

[mightymoosh]

Yeah I've done the whole 'tea towel' thing and 3 hour feeds - and come next month ill have more than enough money if there's complicationsv- plus my parents will help as they love her as much as I do.
I've got vets 4 pets vouchers to get her spayed for £5 already and I'm sure I can get more if it comes to that.
She's around 2 and a half (she's one of the 3 I hand reared from 2 weeks). I already know to keep them for 12 weeks. At least 1 will be staying I think if she is pregnant. Also we have a friend who runs a pet shop so we do get everything cheaper than it usually is anyway. Thank you very much for the advice and the link It's one of the most helpful ones I've read so far

^.^ xoxo

 

[maewkaew]

 Ok well that is good to hear you would be able to afford it IF anything goes wrong,  and  would have time to do the feedings if needed. Probably it won't be needed,    hopefully it will go well.  and   it is much easier when the queen is doing most of the work that first month. 

 I do feel that, because of there being already so many cats and kittens who need homes,  it is too bad she was not spayed earlier when you've had 2 years to do it and a low cost option.  

but   I'm glad she's not 6 months old and having to go through a pregnancy and birth,   which would be riskier.   When you said she was booked for a spay, I was concerned she was around 6 months. 

   If you find she is pregnant,   start transitioning her to a high protein food -- either specifically a kitten food or a food labeled as being for both cats and kittens  ( all life stages) -- meaning it is good enough for kittens and pregnant/ nursing queens.      If you're not already feeding wet food,  I would switch to at least half that  so she is accustomed to it  which will help her stay well hydrated.   

 

[mightymoosh]

I didn't realise there was a low cost option until about a month ago and they have been strictly indoor cats up until the week my mum accidentally let her out. She's the only one who hasn't been 'done' yet. It's just typical that this would happen while I was waiting for my vouchers to come through. I'm already getting kitten food in for another of my cats to keep weight on her and she does get wet food already so that's not a problem.
I know how many need homes - I've never had a cat that wasn't from a rescue of some sort and I'll be doing everything possible to ensure that they go to good, loving homes.

I will be fairly prepared if she is pregnant (we also had 10 Rottweiler pups rejected by their mother a few years back) I know kittens are different but there's still the feeds, the vet checks and finding them good homes. Plus one of my friends has a litter of kittens every other month so he's got a lot of information - it's just preparing beforehand and getting to grips with any real telltale signs of pregnancy and oncoming birth

xoxo

 

[maewkaew]

The "pinking up" of the nipples does not always take a full 3 weeks ,  it can start at maybe around 18 days into the pregnancy....  but on the other hand,  it could also not be noticeable until maybe 25-28 days. 

Also,  between about 18-25 days  ,  an experienced vet ( or layperson with a lot of experience with pregnant cats)  can often feel whether a  queen is pregnant  by palpating the abdomen and feeling  the little embryos.  ( However, if you don't know what you are feeling for  it could be easy to get mixed up with organs or pieces of feces in the intestines.   and you don't want to be pressing too hard on her belly. )

If she turns out to be pregnant , then the main thing is what I already said about nutrition.  

  You may want to also talk to the vet about de-worming using something that is safe for pregnant cats.    I am just thinking about how she was gone for a week.  and there is a chance she might have eaten some prey with worms.   

A few weeks before she is due  I would go ahead and set up a nest   in the room where you'd like to keep the kittens -- a room that you can close the door and keep out other pets, keep out noise,  and keep IN the mom and kittens ( to stop her from moving them all over the house as they sometimes do,  and I think first time mums are more likely to.  

 That link I gave you is the best one on the internet I can think of about cat birth.   

 So,  read that in advance.   and if you want, you might also look for some videos on You Tube of cats giving birth  or showing the human assisting  with a newly born kitten.   ( Your cat may handle it all herself  but you are  wise to be prepared to help just in case she needs you. 

 I don't know how the low cost neuter program works or how young they will do it.   ( In the U.S. and Canada,  for the past 30 years  shelters have been doing spays and castrations as young as 8 weeks  if the kitten weighs at least 2 pounds ,  and there's been a lot of studies finding it is safe.    and many breeders now do it around 11 or 12 weeks before they place kittens in new homes.  so it MIGHT be possible to do that before they go to new homes, so you are sure there are no accidents. ) 

 But if they don't do it until 5 or 6 months,   maybe  there's a way you could get vouchers  and then pass those on to give to the new homes....     Or if not, you could at least give them information.    

 

[mightymoosh]

Yeah I've watched a few YouTube videos already and a breeder video about everything you need for when (if) she gives birth. Over here you can get specialist places to do earlier neutering and cats protection do vouchers for it cheap online - it was actually a cat rescue lady who gave me the information for cheaper neutering. And there's a good vet right around the corner with a 24 hour number which is pretty handy to have.
I will give the information you sent in the link a good few read throughs - you've been so helpful, thank you so much I really appreciate it
Xoxo