How long are cats pregnant?

About nine weeks. PetMD puts the average cat pregnancy at 63 to 65 days, and this calculator counts 64 days from mating as the most likely due date, with the 63 to 65 day window around it.

Cats differ from dogs in one handy way: they ovulate in response to mating. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that kittens are born 64 to 66 days after the hormone surge that mating triggers. So if you know when your cat mated, the count is usually fairly reliable. If she was outdoors and you don’t know, a vet can estimate how far along she is from a scan or X-ray.

Cat pregnancy week by week

Stage	What’s happening
Weeks 1–2	Fertilized eggs implant. There are usually no signs yet.
Week 3	Nipples often become pinker and slightly larger. A vet may be able to feel the kittens from about two and a half weeks.
Weeks 3–4	An ultrasound can show the kittens’ heartbeats.
Weeks 5–6	Her belly rounds out and appetite grows. Around six weeks, an X-ray can count the kittens because their skeletons show up.
Weeks 7–8	Kittens may be felt moving. She looks for quiet, hidden places to nest.
Week 9	Most cats stop eating the day before labor and seem restless.

Getting ready for the birth

A nesting box about two weeks before the due date: a cardboard box with soft towels in a quiet, warm, private spot.
Kitten food for her during the last weeks of pregnancy and while nursing, since her energy needs rise a lot.
Your vet’s number and the nearest emergency clinic, saved on your phone.
A thermometer, if you want to track her temperature. PetMD notes that a drop below 100°F usually means labor will start within a day.

An example: Luna was mated on June 1. Her kittens are most likely due around August 4, in a window of August 3 to 5. An X-ray in mid-July would show how many to expect.

When to call the vet during labor

Most cats give birth without any help, usually delivering all their kittens within about six hours. Each kitten typically takes 5 to 30 minutes once strong straining starts. Labor can also pause for up to 24 to 36 hours between kittens, especially if she doesn’t feel safe. Call your vet if:

She has visible contractions for more than 20 minutes without producing a kitten
A kitten is visible in the birth canal for more than 10 minutes without coming out
You see bloody discharge at any stage of pregnancy
She seems very weak, distressed or unwell

Common questions

How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?

Pinker, larger nipples around three weeks are often the first sign. A vet can confirm by feeling her belly, by ultrasound from about three to four weeks, or by X-ray from about six weeks.

How many kittens do cats usually have?

Commonly around three to five, though first litters are often smaller. An X-ray late in pregnancy gives the real count.

Can a cat get pregnant while nursing?

Yes. Cats can come back into heat within weeks of giving birth. Talk to your vet about spaying.

What if she goes past the due date?

A day or two past is common. If she’s more than a few days past the window, or seems unwell, call your vet.

Is there one for dogs?

Yes. Dogs have a different, wider window. Try the dog pregnancy calculator.

Sources

Last reviewed November 5, 2026.