How can I tell how pregnant my cat is?

I had a cat find me on Tuesday and she is a tiny little thing, but has a very large belly and I have felt little movements and pops in her belly. She has lost some hair around her nipples and is constantly grooming herself. I have been feeding her kitten chow and canned food and she drinks a ton of water. Today she is very clingy, but is still eating then goes right back to her bed and grooms herself. She wants me beside her at all times and loves for me to rub her belly. I have no clue how pregnant this cat is, but would like some advice on how I can maybe get a timeline. I also noticed a flea on her, but didn't want to put medicine on her because of the babies. Any advice would be helpful. I'm a dog owner and not to wise about cats. I am keeping the dogs a away from her though.

Here is an article that is a great overview of the birthing process.  You can give her a flea treatment, someone who knows more about that will be along soon.

Thank you for taking her in.

 [article="29720"]Pregnancy And Delivery In Cats​[/article]  

There are more specific articles at the top of this forum.

BTW when you start to see the kittens moving in her stomach she is about 2 -3 weeks away from giving birth.

@sarthur2

Thank you. I think someone just dumped her because she was pregnant.

Pregnant cats tend to be very affectionate and even downright clingy towards the end.

If you are seeing kitten movement she is somewhere in her last couple of weeks most likely. When you stop seeing much movement and her belly seems really tight, then she is getting very close to the end.

Signs of impending labor include vaginal discharge, loss of mucus plug, dilation of vulva, and a rippling tummy.

It's difficult to pinpoint any further since you just got her on Tuesday. It's very kind of you to take her in and give her a home.

You can use Advantage for cats on her neck without harm. It's best to kill the fleas now so they do not get on the kittens after they are born, as fleas can cause anemia very quickly in newborn kittens.

Have you made a nest for her yet in a quiet place in your bedroom or in a closet? You may want to put her food, water, and litter nearby so she does not need to leave her babies for long.

Please read our many articles on pregnant cats and kitten care and feel free to ask any questions as they come up!

Oh I have read and read. I have made her a bed and she just happens to love my big dogs bed so I put blankets and a huge towel on it. Her food, water and litter is right be it and she is secluded from people and dogs. She is so clingy today and eats a small amount then comes and lays back by me. Noon stop cleaning herself and get belly is so solid compared to two days ago. She just send so tiny, but I can feel little pops and her sides are crazy lumpy. Her nipples are losing more hair today. Wish I could get a better picture but she just wanted me to pet her.

She certainly sounds like she is bonding well with you and very grateful to have a safe place to have her kittens. If her belly is hard she may be closer to the end then. Keep us posted!

What is a rippling tummy?

You'll recognize it when you see it, but it is contractions during stage one labor. As she experiences contractions you will see her entire belly "ripple" in waves.

Glad to hear you are on top of things.  Stefanz (an advisor) suggests fleece or flannel instead of towels.  The kittens tiny claws can get stuck in the loops and they cannot retract them yet.

Please, please please go out and get some Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) we have been recommending Pet Ag powder form, other brands are ok if you cannot find this one. KMR is sold at pet stores and Walmart.  Do not get Hartz or Saergents, posters have reported problems with these brands.  And get a scale that measures in grams or 1/10 of an ounce, digital is best for reading  and a needless syringe - small 1-2-ml/cc.  You can get them at a pharmacy.  And a heating source, can be a pad, hot water bottle or sock filled with raw rice. It is much easier to have these supplies in case they are needed than to scramble around to find them especially if problems arise at night.

Thank you. I will continue to do what I'm doing and let you know when the time comes or I I have any more questions.

Thanks again I just woke up from a nap and read the one about KMR I am having my daughter get that and a syringe and scale.

This is good for being prepared for any eventuality.

I just went out there and this poor cats stomach looks like she is just sticking out like tennis balls on both sides. She is still very loving and comes and flops down beside me to rub her belly and just rests. She does get up and takes a couple bites and drinks but that's all. I changed the towel out like I was told. Just a waiting game now.

Yes, all you can do is wait. She wil have them when her body is ready. Be calm. Her day is coming soon!

It's been a few days since I have asked any questions because I feel like a bother! Today when I got off work I went to see her (we have her confined to a room due to dogs and kids being home from college as to not stress her out) and she had some KMR but didn't eat as usual. Yesterday she didn't have a hard stool but it wasn't diahhrea either but it was a large amount. I assumed this was from the kitten chow and KMR she has been tearing up the past few days. She is now laying on her big bed just wanting me by her and I have noticed a little twitching in her private area but just a couple times. I haven't seen any discharge or any milk from her so I'm not sure what to think. Any one go through this? First time mom cat here just trying to make it through this and be there for her. Thanks

It sounds like she is getting very close! She may be having some pre-labor. You should eventually see some discharge (unless she licks it away) and her vulva dilating. Keep an eye on her! And you are not a bother!

Thank you. I worry so much for her because I don't know her background, but I do know she is better off with Me than out in the wild alone. I have done everything you guys have told me to do and my friends can't believe the difference in her looks and weight already. One more question. Do they prefer the light on our off when we go to bed for the night? Weird I know but it's dark where she is if the light isn't on.

Cats see in the dark much better than we do, but I always leave a night light on for my cats. Best of both worlds!

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This poor gal gets bigger and bigger by the day! I have had her almost two weeks now so we are unsure how far along she is. Just wanted to show an update of her. Not the greatest picture but she is always sitting on my lap so hard to get a good picture.

She refuses the KMR but lives her kitten chow and canned food is that a big deal?