RE: Pregnant, worms, or just putting on weight?

Hi, I'm here with an old familiar story, I recently took in a cat and I think she may be pregnant. Or that she has worms. Maybe both (probably both). She's apparently around 7 months old.

Since she would have come to me pregnant if she is I have no idea what her nipples looked like before. They are sticking out a bit (but not much, and she mostly has all of her fur around them). She has a little bit of bulging around each of the lowest nipples (like little bags). I've tried to very gently feel her stomach, but she's mostly interested in eating my hands when I do that. 

She is slightly bulging at the sides, but more in the middle (slightly bulging out at her ribcage which I recall is more indicative of worms). Her belly is firm (but that could be worms if I remember correctly). She's not showing nesting activities (beyond kneading a spot before she plops down on it). She's extremely playful, she runs up an down the stairs and pounces on anything that moves (including my feet under the blanket). When she's not pouncing she's purring loudly in my ear and trying to hug me. 

Highly unlikely that she's just putting on weight, because she's not putting it on in any of the usual places (around the neck, on the shoulders and back, etc), but I'm putting it out there as a possibility. 

I know the only definitive way to know is go to the vet, but I'm disabled and have a lot of difficulty leaving the house and my partner is working solidly for the next few weeks, so it'll be a little while before we can get her to a vet (she was a rather unexpected addition). 

I'm hoping she just has worms. Is it likely to just be worms? Her coat condition is good, and she's very energetic, so I'm not sure. 

And if you suspect pregnancy, her nipples will be rather enlarged or swollen from milk, when she's laying down pet her (ya know the typical petting around her head) and try slowly placing your hand on her side stomach, and feel for a little bit if you can feel anything odd (moving around, "kicks" etc) that's what I do with mine whenever I think they're pregnant

Your stray is pregnant. She will not show nesting behavior until just before time to give birth. Poor kitty is young to be having a litter. She will eventually lick the fur away from her nipples.

Pregnancy is about 65-68 days. She needs to eat as much as she wants of both wet cat food and dry food. You will not see or feel kitten movement until 2-3 weeks before she gives birth. Milk comes in just before or just after giving birth.

It sounds like she is in early pregnancy. You could have her spayed and the pregnancy terminated at this stage if you wish. Most vets will not spay in late pregnancy. If she needs worming you will need to get that from a vet.

Can you post a picture of her? She sounds very healthy and active!

My apologies for the photo quality, my good camera's battery has died. We named her Jinks.  

What a sweet looking kitty! I can tell by her ears that she has some growing to do yet! She's beautiful!

Thank you! She's a really sweet cat. Very affectionate, and excellent company for watching tv with and hilarious to watch as she attempts some rather brave jumps. 

So would you say she's in the earlier stages of pregnancy (assuming she is pregnant)?

Yes, early stages, and spaying now would be a good idea. Then she can enjoy being a kitten herself without having to birth a litter and mother them. It's expensive and you'd need to find homes for those kittens. There are already so many kittens out there who need homes!

Hi, I posted some time ago about a possibly pregnant stray I had acquired. Well, I'm not so sure what's going on because sometimes her belly is bigger, but this morning it barely looked bigger at it (smaller than yesterday). Is this normal? Is it just the kittens shifting inside of her? Or is something else going on?

Have you felt the kittens moving ??? If you have they could of dropped down in preparation for birth....

I thought I had, but honestly I'm really not sure. I doubt she's ready to give birth as she's still got all her fur around her nipples. 

She's had breakfast and she looks bigger again. Is it possible that her big belly has just been a food belly all a long, and she's not pregnant? 

Who knows these cats certainly like to keep us on our toes lol she could be having a phantom pregnancy? ? Do you know for sure shes pregnant? ? My cat mollys fur didnt come away from her nipples and still hasnt five weeks later lol

I'm not 100% sure. It could be a phantom pregnancy. I don't really know what happens in one of those versus a real pregnancy. 

I had cats have kittens when I was a little kid (along with a few dogs who had puppies), but this is mostly new to me. 

Her belly is always very firm. Her nipples aren't huge, but they are very pointy, but she won't really let us get a good look. 

You really should take her to be examined by a vet. An x-ray would reveal for sure if she is pregnant. The vet can also listen for heartbeats. It would put an end to the guessing and speculation.

She needs to be spayed to avoid pregnancy if she is not already carrying a litter.

I know. However, my partner hasn't had a weekday off of work yet so we've been unable to do so. I've only lived in the area for two months, so I don't know anyone else yet who could help me get her there. 

You need to make a Saturday appointment.