How long are cats pregnant?
Cat pregnancy (gestation) lasts about nine weeks. Most cats give birth around 63–65 days after mating, and a range of roughly 60 to 68 days is commonly considered normal. The calculator adds 64 days to the mating date for the estimated due date and shows that window. Because a queen may mate several times over a few days, use the first mating date if you know it, and expect the kittens to arrive anywhere in the window.
Estimated kittening date = mating date + 64 days
Cat pregnancy week by week
| Weeks | What commonly happens |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Fertilisation and implantation; usually no visible signs |
| About 3 | Nipples often become pinker and more prominent (“pinking up”) |
| 3–4 | A vet can often confirm pregnancy by ultrasound or by gently feeling the abdomen |
| 5–6 | The belly visibly enlarges and appetite increases |
| About 6–7 | Kittens’ skeletons can be seen on an X-ray, which helps estimate litter size |
| 8–9 | Nesting behaviour, restlessness, and finally labour |
Preparing for kittening
A week or two before the window opens, set up a quiet, warm nesting box in a low-traffic area and let your cat get used to it. Ask your vet in advance what is normal during labour and when to call — for example if strong straining goes on without a kitten being born, or if your cat seems unwell. Use the Days Until Date calculator for a countdown, or see the Dog Pregnancy Calculator if you have puppies on the way.