2-3 Year Old Cat Possibly Pregnant

caringforcats

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My tiny baby (who's not a baby but still quite tiny) is quite possibly pregnant. We formerly thought that one of our new cats, a small male who is around a year old, was a female because he is so small, but on May 21 my friend and I caught them mating. Conception could have occurred anytime from May 20-May 30 I'd say, we weren't always watching them. Her nipples are just now pinking I think, but mom thinks it's just because she's in heat (she's not doing any of the other 'in heat' behaviors that she normally does, like being lovey or crying a lot). She won't take her to a vet and I'm slightly terrified because she's so small (I'll weigh her in the morning) she'll die while giving birth or something bad will happen. She's my fluffy little one and I really can't lose her, and neither could my mother (she's the only lap cat we have and mom's thrilled she finally got one of our four to like her). Advice? I can post pictures of her tomorrow - she's not swelling up yet but she does feel like she's put on weight.
 

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There are articles at the top of the forum.  They will tell you what to look for.  I know when the nipples change can help pinpoint the due date. 
 

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Do you want her to have kittens? If not, there is still time to have her spayed and the pregnancy terminated. She will need to be spayed eventually anyway. And your male cat needs to be neutered regardless.

Humane Societies offer low-cost spay and neuter services. Do you have one nearby?

Consider whether you want to have a litter of kittens to feed and find homes for after they are weaned. There is a huge over-population of cats and kittens this time of year, and in general. Your cat will be happier, healthier, and live longer if she is spayed.

By the way, nipples pink up around day 21. Cat pregnancy averages around 65 days. If you continue the pregnancy, your cat needs a nutritious diet of kitten chow and wet food in order to support the kittens ' growth.

I would suggest that you discuss the whole situation with your mom so that together you can make the best decision for your cat and for your family.
 
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caringforcats

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Mother is not opposed to her having kittens, but she's in denial. She still thinks our Sidney is a girl. We have on about forty five minutes away, but mom doesn't leave the house much and I don't have all my hours required to get a license, otherwise I'd take them all up there myself. Our two oldest are spayed and neutered also, thankfully. 

Because they're both small, is that going to cause any issues? They're descendants of a large string of strays that were finally adopted out, who had many... many.... many successful litters. I just don't know what I should do for her besides the food - I'm going to walk up to the pet store and get some chow as soon as I get paid.
 

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If you plan to let her have kittens, there is little else to do but feed her well, and set up a nesting box or area when her time is closer.

Do discuss with your mom getting her spayed after this litter. And begin to think ahead about finding good homes for the kittens. And stock up on kitten chow, wet food and litter.

We'll be happy to offer advice as you go along. Welcome to the site! :)
 
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caringforcats

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Thank you!

Mom plans on getting her spayed as soon as she's done with this litter. We've dealt with very young kittens before - FIVE OF THEM at one point (including my fat boy Captain) - so we are prepared in case she rejects them. We also care for my aunt's two while she's away over the summer, so that could mean that sometime in July we could have upwards of ten cats around the house! Yikes! Thankfully we have potential homes also.
 
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caringforcats

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Update! I weighed my tiny one today (getting long white fur all over my maroon team shirt), she is 6.8 lbs. I don't know how many oz that is though:/ I also took a few pictures to help with maybe confirming things? And to show you her beautiful face. These are what pictures I could get of her nipples, and this is Her:
I think her nipples look like those of a three-weeks pregnant cat, and she would be around that time (24-26 days), but I'm not sure.
 

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She is very beautiful! She is a bit on the small side, but she's young so should be okay during pregnancy. Expect her to gain a couple of pounds between now and delivery. I think you can safely assume she is at least 3 weeks pregnant. :)
 
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caringforcats

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I have a counter from the time I caught her in the act and it says 25 days. We're feeding her wet food with her dry food always there and she has plenty of water. Mom still seems to think she's not pregnant, do her teats look anything like those of a cat in heat? I've never noticed them like that before, but I don't know. That's what my mother thinks.
 

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It's good you know when she mated so you have a fairly accurate timetable.
 
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So, quick questions before I call the vet tomorrow - At how many days will it be too long and we have to take her in? We have two 24-hour vets within 20 miles that I've found and one close if we have to schedule something. Mom seemed to be a bit more open to the idea of babies a few minutes ago - sternly telling Princess she could only have two (if only she'd listen)! I think I opened her eyes when I showed her the teats. She must have done some research 
 Can't believe I'm gonna be a grandma! 
 

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What do you mean by too long before you have to take her in? For what?
 
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caringforcats

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Sorry, that was vague. I mean how long after approximately 65 days should we bring her to the vet because she's overdue? 
 

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Oh, they can go up to 70 days, but it's unusual. You will see signs that her time is nearing: she will become restless, her belly may "drop", and she may have discharge. The site has many good links to articles that will give you loads of information to read up on between now and then! :)
 
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caringforcats

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Guys! Princess is 42 days pregnant (according to my calculations) and she's officially started to show! Her belly is more saggy than wide for the moment but I kind of expected that to happen as she's long furred! I'm so excited! I've been broiling her chicken breast and letting it cool down to a lukewarm temperature and giving it to her with her dinners (about a fourth of it per dinner), is this okay? I figured the extra protein would be good for her. I can also cook up some deer burger if red meat would be better preferred! I got a paycheck and had a birthday on monday so I'm rich and ready to spend it all on fur babies. My issue I'm realizing - both my local grocery store AND walmart only carry hartz kmr, and I've both heard bad things and experienced it (my poor baby munchkin Oreo, sister to my big fat Captain, got constipated, had seizures, and died from it.) and I see no sign of goats milk. Any advice would be appreciated!
 

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Yes, online, and pet stores generally carry it too. Save some of your money back for cat toys, and in case you need to take a fur baby or mommy to the vet! :)
 
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caringforcats

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Thank you very much! I'm glad she's seemingly healthy. Daddy cat has gotten very protective of her, it's sorta romantic!
 
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