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Mating, pregnancy and birth in cats

Mating, pregnancy and birth in cats

Written by Mara | November 10, 2026

A litter of kittens: cute, special and often exciting for the owner! If you are considering having your cat mated, or if your cat has become pregnant unexpectedly, it is important to be well prepared. In this blog, you can read everything about reproduction in cats, from the first heat cycle to caring for newborn kittens.

At what age can a female cat first come into heat?

A female cat can come into heat for the first time from as early as 5 to 7 months of age, depending on her breed and circumstances such as daylight and nutrition. Cats in the wild have a seasonal cycle. This usually starts in mid-December and continues until the end of February. This means that a possible litter of kittens will be born in spring, when sufficient food is available to feed the kittens properly. During this period, the cat becomes fertile and can become pregnant. Heat cycles repeat every 2 to 3 weeks as long as the cat is not mated or spayed.

Mating a female cat

While in heat, the female cat has a period of approximately 7 days during which she is willing to mate with a male cat. This is known as oestrus. Female cats automatically ovulate after mating with a male. They are known as induced ovulators. Male cats have small barbs on the penis that provide additional stimulation and thereby trigger ovulation, usually releasing several eggs. As a result, most matings in cats lead to pregnancy.

What is the ideal age for a first litter?

Although a female cat can become pregnant at a young age, the advice is to wait until she is at least 12 months old, so that she is fully grown physically. The first heat cycle is not a suitable time for a litter: the risk of complications is greater and her maternal instinct may not yet be sufficiently developed.

Relevant products

Pregnancy in cats

If your cat has been mated, pregnancy lasts an average of 63 to 67 days. During this period, a litter of usually 3 to 6 kittens develops. After a few weeks, you may notice that your cat becomes calmer, eats more and that her abdomen begins to grow.

Read everything about pregnancy in our detailed blog: Your cat is pregnant: what to expect

During pregnancy, you can best support your cat by providing good nutrition, sufficient rest and worming at the appropriate time. You can read more about this later in this blog.

Giving birth in cats

A cat usually gives birth without assistance, but it is important to be well prepared and to know when you need to intervene.

The stages of birth in cats

A cat’s labour progresses through three clear stages:

Stage 1: cervical dilation

Duration: 12 to 24 hours

During this stage, the uterus begins to prepare for birth. The contractions are weak and irregular and the cervix begins to dilate.

Signs:

Restlessness and nesting behaviour
Searching for a quiet place
Loss of appetite
Occasional mild cramps or licking the vulva

Stage 2: delivery of the kittens

Duration: an average of 6 to 12 hours, sometimes longer for large litters

During this stage, strong pushing contractions begin, leading to the birth of the kittens. On average, one kitten is born every 30 to 60 minutes. It may progress more quickly in experienced mothers.

Please note: if more than 2 hours pass between kittens, contact your vet.

Stage 3: delivery of the placenta

Each kitten is followed by a placenta, usually within 15 minutes. The mother may eat it, which is normal. After delivering the placenta, the mother cat often rests briefly before the next kitten is born. During this pause, she may lick the newborn kitten clean and allow it to suckle.

Is your cat not paying attention to the kittens immediately after birth? Remove the membranes yourself and clear mucus from the kitten’s nose and mouth. Use a mucous aspirator if necessary. Rub the kitten dry to stimulate its breathing. Tie off the umbilical cord 1 to 2 centimetres from the abdomen and disinfect the end with a Betadine solution. Place the kitten with the mother cat so that it can drink.

What do you need for your cat to give birth?

Make sure you prepare a quiet and warm place in good time where the cat can give birth. You will need:

A birthing box or cardboard box with soft, clean cloths
Clean towels and tissues
A digital thermometer if required, to measure a drop in body temperature, which is often a sign that labour is approaching
A heat mat or hot-water bottle for the kittens, used under supervision
A small mucous aspirator or spray to stimulate the kittens’ breathing if necessary
Thread and a Betadine solution for tying off and disinfecting the umbilical cord
Your vet’s telephone number close at hand

Allow your cat to proceed quietly and only supervise her from a distance.

When should you contact your vet?

Call your vet if:

Your cat has been pushing for more than 2 hours without any result
A kitten has already been born and more than 2 hours pass before the next kitten
Your cat becomes lethargic or develops a fever
You notice green, foul-smelling discharge before the first kitten is born
You suspect that a kitten is still in the abdomen after the birth
The mother cat shows clear signs of pain or experiences blood loss
A kitten is stuck in the birth canal

Are you in doubt? Always err on the side of caution and call your vet. It is advisable in any case to ask your vet to check the litter after the birth. The vet can then check whether all the kittens are physically healthy and how the mother cat is doing.

The nursing period: what should you look out for?

After birth, the kittens begin drinking almost immediately. During the nursing period, the mother cat needs extra energy and nutrients. Make sure you provide:

Complete kitten food for the mother cat, which is particularly rich in energy and nutrients
Rest and a safe environment
A daily check to ensure all kittens are drinking and growing well
A daily check of the mother cat: check the discharge and mammary glands. Also monitor her body temperature.

Worming the mother cat and kittens

Did you know that kittens can become infected with worms through their mother’s milk? Roundworm larvae can remain dormant in the mother cat’s body and become activated during pregnancy. These larvae are not killed by standard worming treatments. It is therefore important to treat the mother cat approximately 7 days before birth with a worming product that also targets these reactivated larvae.

Dronspot for cats is one such product. It acts against the larval stages of roundworms and prevents the kittens from becoming infected through their mother’s milk.

For the kittens, the following applies: worm them at 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks of age, while they are still nursing. Infection through the mother’s milk continues during this period. After that, worm them monthly until they are 6 months old. For example, you can use Vitaminthe paste with the matching applicator attachment for puppies and kittens, which fits the 10 ml variant.

Preventing pregnancy: would you prefer not to have a litter?

Would you prefer not to have a litter? It is important to take measures to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. You can have your cat spayed or use temporary solutions such as the contraceptive pill for cats. Read all about the advantages and disadvantages in our blog The contraceptive pill for your cat.

Do you still have questions about pregnancy, birth or caring for kittens? Please feel free to contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk. We will be happy to help!

Frequently asked questions

Can you stimulate labour in a cat?

You should never actively induce labour without consulting a vet. Provide a quiet, safe environment. Reducing stress helps labour to begin.

What are the signs that a cat is about to give birth?

A cat that is about to give birth may show the following signs:

Nesting behaviour
Restlessness or meowing
Loss of appetite
A drop in body temperature
Pushing and loss of amniotic fluid

What are the signs of a pregnant cat?

A pregnant cat will show a number of signs:

Larger nipples that are pink and swollen
Weight gain
A rounder abdomen
Sleeping more
Changed behaviour, either becoming affectionate or withdrawn

These signs usually develop during the second half of pregnancy.

How do you know whether your cat is pregnant?

After 15 to 30 days weeks, a vet can detect the pregnancy by abdominal palpation. From approximately 30 days of pregnancy, the gestational sacs can be visualised with an ultrasound scan. Physical signs such as enlarged nipples and weight gain are early indications.

How does a pregnant cat behave?

Pregnant cats may become more affectionate or withdrawn, rest more, eat more frequently and show nesting behaviour towards the end of pregnancy.

How far along is my cat’s pregnancy?

The gestation period of a cat is an average of 63 to 67 days. Your vet can estimate the stage of pregnancy using an ultrasound scan or physical examination. Changes to the nipples and abdominal growth also provide an indication. From 15 to 30 days of pregnancy, the vet can feel the gestational sacs during abdominal palpation. From 30 days, this is more reliably assessed with an ultrasound scan because the gestational sacs then become too large. A kitten’s skeleton begins to develop from 42 days of pregnancy. This can often be felt. From 50 days of pregnancy, the skeletons are fully developed and visible on an X-ray. In this way, the stage of your cat’s pregnancy can be determined quite accurately.

About the author

Mara van Brussel-Broere, Veterinarian at Vetsend

Graduated as a companion animal veterinarian from Utrecht University, she uses her practical experience to advise customers and share knowledge at Vetsend. She finds it important to provide pet owners with clear information about health and wellbeing.