How Long Are Cats Pregnant?
A cat is pregnant for about 9 weeks — most cats deliver 63 to 67 days after mating, most often around day 65. That is noticeably more consistent than in dogs, and there is a biological reason for it.
Cats are induced ovulators: they don't release eggs on a fixed cycle. The act of mating triggers ovulation, which follows within roughly 24 to 50 hours. So conception happens very close to the mating date — which is why a calculator based on that date is usually accurate to within a few days.
How This Calculator Works
Enter the day she mated and the calculator counts forward to show her current day and week, the most likely delivery date (day 65), and the normal delivery window (days 63–67). It also lists the dates worth marking on a calendar — when a vet can confirm the pregnancy, when to switch her food, and when to set up a birthing box.
If she mated over several days, use the first day. If you have no date at all, switch to Estimate from signs and choose the most advanced change you have noticed.
Key Dates to Mark
| Day | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Mating — the calculator counts from here |
| Day 15–21 | Nipples turn pink; vet can confirm by ultrasound |
| Day 28 | Start switching to kitten food |
| Day 32–35 | Belly visibly rounding |
| Day 45 | X-ray can count the kittens |
| Day 50 | Set up a quiet birthing box |
| Day 58 | Watch closely for signs of labour |
| Day 63–67 | Kittens due (most likely day 65) |
For what happens inside each of the nine weeks, see the full cat pregnancy timeline and stages chart.
Don't Know When She Mated?
This is common — especially with cats that go outdoors. You can still get a reasonable estimate from her body. Nipples turning pink and enlarged (“pinking up”) is the first reliable sign and appears around week 3. After that, a rounding belly points to week 5, and feeling kittens move suggests week 7.
Treat any sign-based date as a rough guide — it can be out by one to two weeks. If you are not sure she is pregnant at all, our guide on how to tell if a cat is pregnant walks through the signs week by week.
Signs Labour Is Close
- •Intense nesting — pawing at bedding, seeking closets and quiet corners.
- •Restlessness and loss of appetite in the final day.
- •Vocalising, panting, and licking her genital area as contractions start.
- •A drop in temperature to below about 37.8°C (100°F) in the last 12–24 hours. Unlike in dogs, not every cat shows this, so treat it as a bonus sign rather than something to rely on.
Call a vet urgently if: she strains hard for 30 minutes without producing a kitten, more than two hours pass between kittens, she goes into labour before about day 58, she passes dark green or bloody discharge before the first kitten, or she seems weak or in distress. This calculator is a planning tool, not a substitute for veterinary care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are cats pregnant?
About 9 weeks. Most cats deliver between day 63 and 67 after mating, most often around day 65, and a day or two either side is common. Labour before about day 58, or no kittens by day 70, is a reason to call your vet.
How accurate is a cat pregnancy calculator?
Very accurate if you know the mating date — usually within two or three days. That is because cats are induced ovulators: mating itself triggers ovulation, typically 24 to 50 hours later, so conception happens very close to the mating date. Estimating from physical signs is much rougher — it can be out by one to two weeks.
How can I tell how far along my cat is?
Her body follows a fairly predictable schedule. Nipples turn pink and enlarge around week 3, the belly starts to round in week 5, kitten movement can often be felt around week 7, and nesting starts in week 8. For an accurate answer, a vet can measure the kittens on an ultrasound or count skeletons on an X-ray after about day 45.
Can a cat be pregnant for 70 days?
Occasionally, yes — some healthy cats deliver around day 68 to 70. Beyond that, or if she is past day 67 and showing distress, straining hard for 30 minutes without producing a kitten, or passing dark green or bloody discharge before the first kitten, contact a vet straight away.
How many kittens will my cat have?
The average litter is around four kittens, and three to five is typical. First-time mothers and older cats usually have smaller litters, while some breeds such as Siamese often have more. An X-ray from about day 45 is the only reliable way to count them — and knowing the number matters, because it tells you when she has finished.
When should a pregnant cat see the vet?
Once around week 3 or 4 to confirm the pregnancy and check her health, and ideally again in the last couple of weeks. Go urgently if she strains hard for 30 minutes without producing a kitten, goes into labour before about day 58, bleeds heavily, has a fever, or seems in distress at any stage.
Related Tools & Guides
Cat Pregnancy Timeline
Week-by-week stages chart
Is My Cat Pregnant?
The signs, week by week
Cat Food Calorie Calculator
She needs more as the weeks go on
Dog Pregnancy Calculator
Due date for dogs