Is my cat pregnant?

I have an indoor cat that got out around 6-8 weeks ago for 5-30 minutes (was in the shower) and her stomach has been growing and I'm worried it could be tumors? Maybe? I was wondering if somebody could post pictures of pregnant cats bellies so I can see if mine looks like that.

I'm sorry but I really don't know how to explain it and don't have means to get a picture on the internet right now. I'd appreciate any help. We've had her for 8 years, found her outside and she's never been to the vet or anything... she's always been fine. I want to change that now that I'm older and more capable of paying the costs but it won't be able to happen for another month or so...

I'm worried.

Was she in heat at the time? If not, probably isn't; but if she is pregnant you'd know about 3 weeks after being outside as her nipples would be a lot pinker. Fat tummy would not show up till almost at the end - like 6 weeks pregnant. The kittens would be born 63-68 days after being bred.

Why has she not been spayed yet?

She actually was in heat, around the time she got out and the the area that's sagging is really pink. She hasn't been spayed because I'm to scared to let her go outside and I want her to have kittens.

Originally Posted by Cannith

She actually was in heat, around the time she got out and the the area that's sagging is really pink. She hasn't been spayed because I'm to scared to let her go outside and I want her to have kittens.

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Cannith....I'm not going to ask why you want your cat to have kittens but I do not understand why you have not taken her to your vet if you are concerned about her health. Certainly if she get out she most certainly can be pregnant. Cats are induced ovulators and do not need to be in heat to become pregnant. I would be very concerned about her being pregnant by a stray outdoor cat who you do not know the background of. Although rare...cats can carry FELV and FIV, both of which can be transmitted to a cat during mating and can also be transmitted to the kittens.

Katie

Because my mom's not the kind of the person to do something unless something dramatic happens that forces her to do it. I just for my first job last Friday, starting this Friday so I haven't had the money to do it myself but now that I can pay, I plan to bring her.

Originally Posted by Cannith

Because my mom's not the kind of the person to do something unless something dramatic happens that forces her to do it. I just for my first job last Friday, starting this Friday so I haven't had the money to do it myself but now that I can pay, I plan to bring her.

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Since she is 8 years old and has never seen a vet...I would suggest that she does go in and see a vet. A vet would be able to verify that she is indeed pregnant. Have you noticed her nipples becoming more prominent??

May I suggest however that if she isn't pregnant that you consider having her spayed. One issue that arises with cats that have never been spayed and have never had a litter is that they can develop pyometra:

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/pyometra.html

pyometra can kill cats if not caught and treated early.

Katie

Why are so many people against cat pregnancy? Wouldn't people want to live with a long line of the same cat family? Don't worry, I am going to bring her to the vet as soon as possible but they best I can so right now is find pictures of pregnant cats and compare, know where I can find them? I haven't seen my kitty for a week now and honestly, haven't really noticed the color of her nipples.

Originally Posted by Cannith

Why are so many people against cat pregnancy? Wouldn't people want to live with a long line of the same cat family? Don't worry, I am going to bring her to the vet as soon as possible but they best I can so right now is find pictures of pregnant cats and compare, know where I can find them? I haven't seen my kitty for a week now and honestly, haven't really noticed the color of her nipples.

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Cannith...your cat is rather old for having a first litter which does concern me. As far as your question about being against cat pregnancy...I would rather phrase it as being pro-spay and encouraging the health and well being of cats.

Cats can look pregnant and still not be pregnant..so sharing pictures of what pregnant cats look like won't necessarily answer whether your own cat is pregnant or not.

There is currently a huge overpopulation of cats....especially cats that are not pedigreed. I would invite you to look at your own local shelter and see whether they are being successful at placing all the kittens and cats that are brought into their shelter or whether they have to make some tough choices.

Certainly, if your cat is indeed pregnant, we will assist you through the pregnancy...but we will recommend that this be her only litter of kittens.

Katie

Originally Posted by Cannith

Why are so many people against cat pregnancy? Wouldn't people want to live with a long line of the same cat family? Don't worry, I am going to bring her to the vet as soon as possible but they best I can so right now is find pictures of pregnant cats and compare, know where I can find them? I haven't seen my kitty for a week now and honestly, haven't really noticed the color of her nipples.

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It isn't so much that people are against cat pregnancy, it is more that we are trying to fight the cat overpopulation crisis.

At 8 years old, she needs to see a vet to determine if she is even healthy enough to raise a litter. When females get older, their eggs begin to lose viability and the chances of delivering normal, healthy, live kittens decreases.

The best way to tell if your cat is pregnant is to take her to the vet and have him give her a thorough exam including blood and urine analysis. Let him tell you whether or not she is healthy and can be reasonably expected to deliver a healthy litter of kittens.

Originally Posted by Cannith

Why are so many people against cat pregnancy? Wouldn't people want to live with a long line of the same cat family? Don't worry, I am going to bring her to the vet as soon as possible but they best I can so right now is find pictures of pregnant cats and compare, know where I can find them? I haven't seen my kitty for a week now and honestly, haven't really noticed the color of her nipples.

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It isn't that people are against cat pregnancy. People are against the certain circumstances surrounding individual pregnancies...

The age of your cat is a bit of a concern, she is a little old to just be having her first litter, her health is also a concern because intact cats are much more likely to get cancer and Pyometra (not a fun disease!).

The real problem is that you just don't know the health of the tom she mates/mated with, and when breeding random mixed breed cats, it's not just you so don't worry, but no one can be sure about disease or problems in the family line in that case (addressing your question about this). You don't want a family line that has cancer, hip problems, leukemia, etc in it, then have to deal with all the following litters who will all have it too. Expensive and heartbreaking to go through.

The professional breeders do know what runs in the family lines because they do extensive (and expensive!) testing and select certain cats to breed accordingly and they know the entire genetics and pedigree.

Does that make sense? Sorry it's so long...

Your cat is beautiful by the way! I love grey colored tabbies. That is also great taht you want to change that and get her to be seen by a vet! That would be the best way to find out for sure if she is prego or not!r