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So your cat is pregnant? The wonderful thing about cats is that they are reasonably easy to care for when pregnant. With just a little extra tender loving care and some small changes the experience can be hugely exciting for you and very rewarding for the mum-to-be.

If you cat remains unspayed she could get pregnant several times in one year. After you've established that she is pregnant (see other articles by this writer) then there really is no need to attempt to try to limit her activities in any way. She knows her body best and in the early weeks she will be as agile and active as she's always been and this is fine.

The important thing to remember with a pregnant cat is that their appetite often appears to decrease. In fact, it doesn't decrease. What actually happens is that the capacity of the stomach decreases as the kittens grow and take up space inside the mother. For this reason it is important to feed smaller portions which are easier for her to manage - little and often is the key here - for example: four meals every day instead of the usual two.

What you feed your cat is also very important. It is recommended by veterinarians that you feed kitten food to expectant mums as it contains all the nutrients and vitamins necessary for the expectant mum and her fast growing litter.

As a cat owner you will already be aware that cats have a way of asking for food - feeding on demand is fine when your cat is pregnant.

As the due date gets closer (usually 60 - 65 days after mating) you should begin to prepare a space or box for your cat to give birth in and encourage them to spend time in this space now. You don't need to purchase anything special here, many people use a cardboard box and cut one side out for easy access and then lay newspaper inside. Its also a good idea to place a familiar blanket inside to encourage your cat to use it.

Cats, if left to their own devices, will find a dark, quiet, warm spot in the house or even outside to give birth - so you might want to consider this preference when placing your box in the desired location. Of course, if you do have an alternative place for birthing you will need to move your cats water and food bowls and also have a litter tray standing close by.

Restless is a sign of impending birth and if the timing is right and she appears agitated then the moment isn't too far away. If you wake in the morning and find your cat is acting strangely you should check the box in case she has given birth over night. If she hasn't yet delivered, encourage her to return to the box. Now all you have to do is wait!

Cats are equipped with all they need to see themselves through labour without human intervention - however, if you are concerned talk to your vet.

Caring for a pregnant cat is easy and straight forward, following the guidelines provided here for a stress-free experience, a healthy litter and a happy cat!

Learn more about this author, Laura Lytton.
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