My (very) pregnant cat going into heat?

I have two cats, a girl named Fibonacci (Chi for short) and a boy named Pythagoras (Pi). They're both strictly indoor cats. She became pregnant in early June (approximately). Her nipples are very visible (though not leaking milk) and her stomach is hard and swollen, and lately she's become rather pear-shaped (she's a fairly small cat). Throughout her pregnancy she's been extremely affectionate (she was a little stand-off-ish but sweet at times before) but since last night she's been even more clingy (and sleeping a lot). She's walks around, restless, making the same purr-meows she did when she was in heat, rolling on the floor, wiggling her butt and rubbing against everything. She also frequently is licking her genitals. Pi keeps mounting her but she growls, hisses and swipes at him when he tries to have intercourse (which she didn't do when she was in heat this spring). She's already made her nest in my closet, so I figure she's only a week or two from birthing. I'm just confused/worried about her behavior now, and his. Is it normal for them to act like this? Could she be in heat again? Should I keep them separated while I'm gone at work this evening? Thanks in advance for all your advice!

i have no experience with pregnant cats, but i'm sure someone who does have experience will be along shortly.

from what i've read, it can be common for a pregnant cat to become (even) more affectionate as she gets closer to giving birth.

are you feeling or seeing (it can be harder to actually see it) the kittens moving yet in momma's tummy? if you're feeling/seeing kittens moving it usually starts about 2 weeks before she gives birth.

it might be that your pi is confused about chi's behavior too.

@mickNsnicks2mom thanks for responding anyways! Advice/input is appreciated. I don't know about feeling them move. She loves me rubbing her tummy but her purrs vibrate her whole body so much and she moves so it's hard to tell. I feel little lumps under there though.
She is actually leaking a clear fluid from her lower areas (fairly sure not from her nipples).

I've been keeping them separated just in case (difficult to do in a studio apartment!). She's only acting like she's in heat when he's around. Otherwise, she acts like a normal pregnant cat. I'd really appreciate advice, since keeping them separated until she gives birth is going to be a real pain in the butt.

ciawearshats said:

I've been keeping them separated just in case (difficult to do in a studio apartment!). She's only acting like she's in heat when he's around. Otherwise, she acts like a normal pregnant cat. I'd really appreciate advice, since keeping them separated until she gives birth is going to be a real pain in the butt.

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let me see if i can catch someone with experience's attention...

@Red Top Rescue, @StefanZ -- any suggestions for the original poster?

thank you!

Yeah, keep them separated.  A high preg shall not be disturbed nor stressed in any way.

Also, if you arent a breeder, neuter him as soon you can.   Not only because you shall  neuter him anyway, sooner or later. But also, to stop these behaviors, and complications you mention.  Bothering her and you.   And making him risk getting a clawing into face if she gets angry enough.

Also, cats arent protected from pregnancy by lactacing.   With a virile male around, and her answering to his  closeness and advances, she may get  pregnant anew already about a week after the delivery...     And you dont want this -   EVEN if you are a breeder.  Or rather,   especielly if you are a breeder.

IF you are a breeder, and do need him as a stud for your programme or your breeder fellows,  try to let him live with some friend or so,  who preferably does has a friendly neutered male, or even - spayed female.   So they can keep themselves company.

Good luck!    @clawearshats

I agree with StefanZ that you should get Pi neutered as soon as possible.  That will stop his mounting behavior.  I have heard of this happening with pregnant queens.  Evidently the smell they give off is not unlike the scent when they are in heat, and the males will try to mount them, which is not healthy for the females and also could get her angry enough to hurt the male.  Purebred breeders to not allow the males with the expectant moms or with the moms after they give birth.  Some of them are very hostile to males after they give birth, so your situation could get a lot tougher later.  On the other hand, if he is neutered he will calm down, and perhaps she will not be as bothered by him when the kittens come.  Otherwise you may have to send him away for a time, or get a large crate to keep one of them in.

An adult female can have up to three litters during the course of a normal breeding season.  She can get pregnant again while the kittens are still nursing, and you can't get her spayed until a couple of weeks after the kittens are weaned and her milk has totally gone.  If you do not neuter Pi, you could have 3 litters of kittens before winter, which is not good for her and not terribly good for you in a small apartment.  Living with a full male is also not somethig you want to do in an apartment because as he matures, his urine will take on a strong skunky odor and your neighbors will complain even if it doesn't bother you.  Neutering prevents that.  Whole adult males do not make good inside pets. 

Thank you for getting someone's attention for me, @mickNsnicks2mom, it's a huge help.

And thank you both for your advice! I hadn't been able to find anything about pregnant cats acting this way so I was starting to wonder if she was even really pregnant, or if she'd just had a pseudo pregnancy and was in heat again. No, I'm certainly not a breeder, just a cat person. I didn't think he'd be old enough to get her pregnant this soon so I'd put getting him neutered off a little. I'll get it done as soon as I can, and until then continue keeping them separated.

He stays in the bathroom and she gets the rest of the house (so she can nest and whatnot). She just acts so amorous towards him that it was confusing (to Pi and I both, probably!).

Again, thank you guys so much! I really appreciate the advice and info! I'm working on getting him neutered asap!

I finally found a place that would do it for under seventy! Pi is getting snipped next Wednesday. I hope it helps!

Good for you finding a place to get him neutered quickly.  It takes a few weeks for the hormones to dissipate after that, but you should see a change fairly quickly.  She is affectionate towards him since he is her "mate" now, but she's "not in the mood" for what he's in the mood for, so that should get better too when he's not in the mood anymore either.  Then they can just lick each others heads.  Many neutered males are very good with kittens as they grow and start playing.  Most mothers don't feel threatened by their housemate neutered males but would probably attack any strange males.  After neutering, most of the boys are very sweet and clingy for a day or two, and if you bring him home the same day, he may be a little overactive too, so being in the bathroom is a good place for him.

ciawearshats said:

Thank you for getting someone's attention for me, @mickNsnicks2mom, it's a huge help.

And thank you both for your advice! I hadn't been able to find anything about pregnant cats acting this way so I was starting to wonder if she was even really pregnant, or if she'd just had a pseudo pregnancy and was in heat again. No, I'm certainly not a breeder, just a cat person. I didn't think he'd be old enough to get her pregnant this soon so I'd put getting him neutered off a little. I'll get it done as soon as I can, and until then continue keeping them separated.

He stays in the bathroom and she gets the rest of the house (so she can nest and whatnot). She just acts so amorous towards him that it was confusing (to Pi and I both, probably!).

Again, thank you guys so much! I really appreciate the advice and info! I'm working on getting him neutered asap!

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no problem! i try to check back on threads where i haven't had the knowledge or experience to help, just to make sure it does catch someone with experiences' attention.

great work on getting your pi's neutering appointment all set up so quickly!