That kittens are very cute is not news to anyone! These true mini fur balls go through a whole gestation period. But, do you know how this process takes place? Well before the kittens arrive in the world to make any human die of love, they are embryos and their mommy cat needs a lot of support and support. It's a whole cycle so that they are born perfect and safe.We know that cat pregnancy generates many doubts and it was thinking about it that Patas da Casa put together a complete guide for you to understand everything about it. Veterinarian Cynthia Bergamini, from São Paulo, also told more about cat pregnancy and gave some tips.

What is the estrus interval and gestation time of a cat?

As cats are considered to be large reproductive animals, females usually have many heat periods during the year - which usually last about 10 days and occur every two months. If the cat is not neutered, there are many chances that she will end up pregnant - not least because she is literally hormonal during this period. For you who wonder how long a cat's pregnancy lasts,is usually two months (63 to 65 days).

How to tell if the cat is pregnant?

Veterinarian Cynthia Bergamini explained some signs that can help you identify if your kitten is pregnant or not. See what she said:

• Pink and bigger breasts;
• Growth of a thin coat around the breasts;
• The abdomen begins to grow at around four weeks of pregnancy: first it enlarges in the area behind the ribs and then throughout the rest of the body;
• Enlargement of the vulva;
• More need;
• Need to be close to owners at all times;
• Kittens become more skittish with other animals, after all, they are already beginning to develop a protective instinct with their kittens.

How to confirm cat pregnancy?

If you suspect that your kitten is pregnant, confirmation can be made with some tests. According to Cynthia, one of them is the ultrasound, which is done from the 3rd week. Another way to be sure if the cat is pregnant or not, according to the veterinarian, is with a placental hormone test, which is the least common. From 45 days of pregnancy, it is also possible to perform an x-ray.

Cat pregnancy: how many kittens at a time?

A kitten can have approximately six kittens per pregnancy, but this number can vary. If the pregnancy is of only one kitten, called a single fetus, it develops much more, since it is the only one to feed on its feline mother. On the other hand, the fetus can even harm the kitten, since it will be heavier than normal. In some situations, it is necessary for the cat to undergo a caesarean section.For this, it is important to consult a veterinarian.

Pregnancy: cat goes through some processes until the birth of the kittens

• First 36 hours: after mating, the eggs begin to appear in the kitten's uterus;

• 2nd to 3rd day: the eggs are fertilized;

• 12th to 14th day: the eggs become embryos, also called blastocysts. It is also at this stage that the placenta is formed, which will be responsible for nourishing the puppies until they are born;

• From day 26: at this stage, it is already possible to feel the kittens in the cat's belly, but they are still very small and the main organs are still forming, so it is not yet possible to know for sure how many babies are there;

• From day 35: "The embryos will become kittens and grow a lot until the second month of pregnancy. They reach about two-thirds of their ideal weight at this stage, "explains the veterinarian. At this stage of development, it is already possible to feel the kittens and even know the number of kittens just by touching the belly. After this period, the kittens will continue to grow, until approximately the 60th day of pregnancy, whenwill be ready to be born.

Cat pregnancy: the female cat needs specific care

A pregnant kitten deserves special care. The first thing that the guardian needs to worry about is food: at the beginning of pregnancy, she will feel hungrier than normal, so she needs to eat well so that the kittens grow up healthy. It is worth checking with the veterinarian a suitable ration to supply all the nutritional needs that gestation demands - the doctor can also check with the vet.recommend the use of some vitamins.

As the kittens develop, they begin to compress the cat's stomach. As a result, she ends up eating less. During this period, the veterinarian may indicate changing the food again. According to Cynthia, pregnant kitten needs to be previously vaccinated and also have received deworming and flea control. The environment should be quiet and comfortable for the pregnant feline.

Cat pregnancy: maternal instinct directs the kitten during childbirth!

There is no way to know exactly when the kittens will be born, but it is possible to measure the temperature of a pregnant cat. If her temperature is below 39º, which is ideal, it is a sign that the kittens are going to be born. The birth of a cat usually does not require human intervention. She knows exactly what to do: when she is close to putting the kittens into the world, she will look for a safe place andThe expulsion of the mucous plug, accompanied by a white or yellowish liquid and excessive licking of the vulva, is the sign that labor is about to begin.

The cat will have small contractions that will help to expel the kittens from her belly through her vulva. They will come out attached by the umbilical cord inside the amniotic sac, which the mother cat will tear open with her own mouth. After that, she will clean the kittens, so that they learn to breathe. For each kitten there is a placenta and the kitten usually ingests them all after delivery.

It can take at least six hours for a kitten to give birth, and the time it takes for the kittens to emerge can vary depending on the care the mother takes of each one. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes for the kittens to be born. The birth is over when the cat is able to stand up, walk around, interact with and care for her kittens. It is not normal for a cat to give birth in two days, so if it is 24 hours and your cat has not yet given birth to a kitten.has given birth to all her kittens, take her to the vet immediately.

If it is not extremely necessary, do not touch the newborns. The kitten may reject the kittens because they smell different and this can be detrimental to their development, especially when they are first breastfeeding. The kittens need to drink their mother's first milk, called colostrum, which is a nutrient-rich milk that will provide antibodies for the newborns.

Cat pregnancy: postpartum and new mommy care are important

Although the kitten knows exactly how to deliver her own baby, in some cases there may be a kitten left that has not developed properly or even placental remains. It is important to observe the cat after delivery: fever, nausea, lack of appetite and impaired mobility may be some signs.

Some curiosities about the puppies:

• They usually lose their umbilical cord around the fifth day of birth and start hearing in less than nine days;

• Their eyes open after about 15 days;

• In the beginning, the mommy needs to stimulate the kittens to potty by licking their genitals;

• At about ten weeks of age, kittens start to feed themselves;

• All kittens are born with blue eyes, and it is only when they grow up that the final color appears.

Cat pregnancy: neutering prevents reproduction and brings health benefits

Castrating a cat is the only way to prevent feline reproduction. In addition to reducing the number of animals, considering that there are many on the streets and shelters waiting for a home, it promotes health benefits and prevents some behaviors. "Castration prevents fights, decreases escapes, ends the heat period in females, decreases or eliminates the behavior of marking territory. In cats,also decreases the possibility of mammary tumors," the veterinarian adds.

Something very important is not to resort to injections for cats not to get pregnant or not to go into heat. "Cats can be susceptible to having a breast cancer problem with the use of these vaccines. Progesterone should not be used in cats, as they can promote uterine infection, diabetes, abnormal breast growth and tumors ", concludes Cynthia.