Cat Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the breeding date to get your cat's due date and full kitten development timeline.
Pregnancy Timeline
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
Can't find what you need?
Request a ToolHow to Use the Cat Pregnancy Calculator
Enter your cat's breeding date to instantly see her due date and every key milestone of the pregnancy. Here is how to interpret the results:
- Enter the breeding date. Use the date of mating. If the queen was with a male for multiple days, use the date you first noticed mating activity for the earliest possible due date.
- Read the delivery window. Cat gestation is 63-67 days, with 64 days being the average. Most cats deliver between days 63 and 65. Contact your vet if delivery has not occurred by day 68.
- Follow the milestone timeline. Key dates include when the nipples turn pink (around day 15-18), when ultrasound can confirm pregnancy (day 21), and when x-ray becomes useful for counting kittens (day 45).
Use Share to send the timeline to your vet or a co-breeder. Use Copy to save the due date to your notes.
About Feline Gestation
Cat gestation averages 64 days from the date of mating, with a normal range of 63 to 67 days. Unlike dogs, cats are induced ovulators, meaning ovulation is triggered by mating. This makes the breeding date a fairly reliable reference point for calculating the due date. Progesterone testing is not typically needed for cats unless there is a history of reproductive problems.
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy in cats is "pinking up," where the nipples become pinker and slightly enlarged around days 15 to 18. By day 21, a vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound. Most queens begin showing abdominal enlargement around day 30. Near term, the queen will seek out a quiet nesting area. Setting up a clean, warm queening box at least 10 days before the due date gives her time to become comfortable with the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a cat pregnant?
Cats are pregnant for approximately 63 to 67 days, with an average of 64 days. The range is slightly tighter than in dogs because cats are induced ovulators, meaning ovulation happens at the time of mating rather than independently. Most cats deliver within 2 days of the 64-day average. A pregnancy lasting beyond 68 days warrants a vet call.
What is "pinking up" in a pregnant cat?
Pinking up refers to the nipples becoming visibly pinker, slightly enlarged, and more prominent around days 15 to 18 of pregnancy. This is one of the earliest visible signs of feline pregnancy and is caused by increased blood flow and hormonal changes. It is most noticeable in first-time mothers. If the cat has had previous litters, this change may be subtler.
How many kittens does a cat typically have?
The average litter size for domestic cats is 4 kittens, though litters of 1 to 8 are common. First-time mothers (queens) tend to have smaller litters of 2 to 3. Older queens, Siamese cats, and cats bred in spring typically have larger litters. An x-ray at day 45 or later will give your vet an accurate kitten count, which helps you know when delivery is complete and if any kitten has been retained.
What should I feed a pregnant cat?
During pregnancy, cats should be fed a high-quality kitten food or food labeled "all life stages" because these are more calorie-dense and higher in protein and calcium than adult maintenance food. The queen's calorie intake should increase gradually through pregnancy, reaching about 1.5 times her normal intake by the last two weeks. Provide food ad libitum in the final 10 days before delivery so she can eat freely as stomach space becomes limited by the growing kittens.