09.07.2022

Persian cat pregnancy signs—the ultimate guide

Is your Persian queen getting a bit too fluffy? Some cat parents may find it difficult to determine whether they should adjust the portions they feed their kitties or get ready to welcome a new addition to the family. 

Untamed presents all Persian cat pregnancy signs and what to expect when your furry friend is expecting. You will also learn how to take the best care of your pregnant queen so that she raises healthy and beautiful kittens. 

All about Persian cat pregnancy

Pregnancy in all felines, including Persians, lasts about two months. In most cases, cats are pregnant for 63 to 67 days, but sometimes the pregnancy can last as long as 72 days. 

Your pregnant Persian cat probably won't display any symptoms until they are two or three weeks into their term. You will have more than a month to prepare and create a safe environment for your new kitties and their mom. 

Signs of a Persian cat’s pregnancy

I seem to be getting rounder all over.

Source: Dan Dennis

Pregnancy symptoms you can expect after two or three weeks into the term typically include:

1. Change of the heat cycle
2. Vomiting
3. Increased appetite
4. Weight gain
5. Pinkier nipples
6. Behaviour changes
7. Swollen abdomen

Heat cycle change

Intact females typically go into heat every ten days or two weeks. You can't miss it because it is accompanied by constant meowing, yowling, and rolling on the floor. Such behaviour is their way of attracting males from the area. If your Persian doesn't do it, she is most likely pregnant. 

Vomiting

Felines also suffer from morning sickness. If your Persian pukes regularly, it may be a sign of pregnancy. 

While vomiting is normal in pregnancy, if your kitty does it too frequently and for too long and you aren't noticing any other pregnancy signs, there may be something else at play. In such cases, it’s best to take your Persian to the vet immediately. 

Increased appetite

Your pregnant Persian will want and need more food during pregnancy, although it is possible she actually eats less in early pregnancy.

Weight gain

Your pregnant Persian will gain between one and two kilos, especially later in the gestation period. In general, any feline shouldn't gain more than 40% of her ideal weight while expecting. Feeding her a good quality and well-balanced diet will ensure that.

Pinkier nipples

Your kitty's body will go through several changes during gestation. One of these changes is larger and darker pink nipples. It usually happens around the third week of pregnancy. If your Persian has had more than one litter before, her nipples will likely look even darker and more prominent. 

Behaviour changes

I don’t feel like getting up today.

Source: Trent Kocurek

You will likely notice your Persian's behaviour change during pregnancy. She will want to sleep and rest longer, and they may be less playful. She will likely become more affectionate and less willing to go outside (if you ever let her), asking for your attention more often. 

It is also possible that your Persian becomes more reclusive, although that is pretty rare. That happens due to hormonal and neurological changes, so you may also have to put up with some mood swings. 

You will finally notice that your Persian is looking for a quiet, secluded place where she can give birth. She may arrange blankets to create a nest or even be protective of her space during the nesting period. This happens in the advanced stages of pregnancy.

Swollen abdomen

About halfway through the pregnancy (five or six weeks in), you will notice the most obvious of all pregnancy signs—the swollen belly. Keep in mind that the belly might be more challenging to notice if your Persian is overweight. 

How to determine whether your Persian cat is pregnant for sure

Are you ready for this cuteness?

Source: Dan Wayman

Many signs can tell your Persian cat is pregnant, but you must remember that those symptoms can also indicate some health niggles. For example, if your kitty's appetite increases, it may be a sign of diabetes, while weight gain can be a consequence of an inadequate diet. 

It can also be hard to spot pregnancy signs if your Persian is obese or if they have dark fur (the different nipple colour will be difficult to notice). For this reason, the only certain way you can know if your Persian is expecting is to schedule a vet visit. 

Your vet will determine if your kitty is pregnant by using one of the following three methods:

1. Ultrasound—Ultrasound can reveal pregnancy in the third week already, but it can be difficult to determine how many kittens there are
2. Palpitation—An experienced vet can determine if a feline is pregnant as early as 20 days into pregnancy by gently pressing your Persian's abdomen to feel the fetuses
3. X-ray—X-ray will show the skeletons of the kittens only about 40 days into the pregnancy, and it’s a great way to determine how many kittens to expect

How many kittens can your Persian cat have?

There can’t be too many of mes.

Source: Shubham Sharma

The average number of kittens your Persian cat can give birth to is between three and five. One solid clue as to how many offsprings you can expect is knowing how many kittens there were in the litter your queen came from, but there are no guarantees. 

If this is your Persian's first pregnancy, or you have an older queen, you can probably expect a smaller litter (two or three kittens). 

You should also know how many kittens your Persian is carrying because first-time mothers sometimes don't give birth to all the kittens. This can cause life-threatening complications. A kitten may get stuck in the birth canal, and your queen could strain too long trying to give birth, which can lead to abnormal bleeding, while the kitten can die due to oxygen deprivation. Also, felines' babies usually come down the birth canal 10 minutes to one hour apart, so you may get more once you think the delivery is over. 

At what age can a Persian cat get pregnant?

Any cat can get pregnant when she is as young as four months old, which is when she will experience her first heat. Unlike humans, felines don't experience menopause, so your Persian can keep having babies until the last several years of their life. 

How do you take care of your pregnant Persian cat?

Once you know your Persian cat is pregnant, you must ensure she gets all she needs to stay healthy and delivers a beautiful litter.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Bring routine care to the next level
2. Create a safe nesting environment
3. Focus on quality nutrition

Routine care

Here are a few ground rules for regular care for a pregnant Persian cat:

• Don't cuddle your Persian's pregnant belly because it can harm the kittens. Pressing or squeezing is forbidden, as it can cause severe discomfort and miscarriage
• Clean the litter box more often—twice a day is ideal
• Replace the existing litter tray if it is too small or uncomfortable for a pregnant queen. She should be able to comfortably turn around and dig. The new tray should be lower to the ground, and if it's a closed one, the entrance should be wider

A safe nesting environment

Your pregnant Persian needs a safe, quiet, and comfortable place to give birth. Felines are pretty independent, so she will likely find a space she likes on her own, but you can help her find a perfect spot:

• Provide soft bedding
• Secure an area with minimal human traffic
• Separate the pregnant kitty from other pets
• Explain to other family members that they need to respect her privacy and boundaries

Quality nutrition

Quality nutrition is paramount during your Persian cat’s pregnancy.

Image (c) Untamed

Nutrition is crucial for keeping your Persian cat healthy, pregnant or not. Besides larger portions, you will also have to ensure she gets all the energy she needs during gestation. 

What is the best diet for your pregnant Persian cat?

Pregnancy puts a considerable strain on your Persian cat's body, so her diet must meet her nutritional needs during this period. Whether you opt for wet, dry, semi-moist, raw, or homemade cat food, you must provide meals that contain all the micronutrients your Persian queen needs. 

Some manufacturers state you can feed your pregnant queen with kitten food, but you can treat them to some other meals that contain:

1. Plenty of animal protein
2. Enough animal fat
3. Vitamins and minerals

Animal protein

Meat and fish are the best sources of essential amino acids, such as taurine, arginine, and lysine, that felines need for:

• Muscle build
• Skin and coat health
• Normal organ function
• Healthy vision

These ingredients are also the primary sources of energy for cats and the only ones that will provide normal energy levels and ensure your kitty stays at a healthy weight. While cats can theoretically get the necessary amino acids from grains and vegetables, they need to eat significantly more to get the required amounts. 

As cats don't have the enzymes to metabolise plant protein, vegan or vegetarian diets can also be hard on your kitty's stomach and cause:

• Abnormal vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Flatulence 
• Indigestion
• Constipation

Animal fat

Fat is an excellent additional energy source for your pregnant Persian if paired with sufficient animal protein. Suitable amounts of fat are good for a pregnant queen because they:

• Deliver twice as much energy as proteins or carbs
• Provide healthy fatty acids that promote cell integrity
• Ensure the food has a fantastic taste, which is crucial because the best food means nothing if your kitty doesn't like it

Vitamins and minerals

If you feed your pregnant Persian cat sufficient quantities of meat and fish, she will get all the nutrients she needs.

Image (c) Untamed

Felines get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from meat and fish, which emphasises why a meat-based diet is paramount. These micronutrients are vital for feline health, especially during pregnancy, and they ensure the kittens develop properly.

Check out the table below to understand their significance:

How can Untamed support your Persian cat during pregnancy?

Untamed meals are the best you choose for your pregnant Persian. 

All our dishes are:

• Full of meat or fish—Untamed tins contain twice as much protein as most other products
• Vet-formulated—We cooperate with vets to ensure that all our meals are perfect for pregnant queens, as well as cats in other life stages, including:
• Kittens
• Adults, regardless of their sterilisation status
• Seniors (who may have gum problems, missing teeth, or trouble maintaining muscle tone)
• Free of unwanted ingredients—We steer clear of grains, vegetable protein, and all common allergens 
• Made with human-grade meat and fish—We only use top-quality ingredients and never come near to animal derivatives and other iffy components

Order Untamed today, and see your Persian cat thrive during pregnancy without additional weight gain or digestion issues!

How to order Untamed

You can easily order a trial pack online and subscribe to regular deliveries of healthy meals for your Persian.

All you need to do is:

1. Take our Try Now quiz
2. Create a tailor-made meal plan suitable for your pregnant Persian
3. Place your order

When your kitty samples all the recipes, we can stock you up every month. Once your pregnant queen delivers the kittens and stops breastfeeding, you can change your order to suit her new nutritional needs. You can also modify, postpone, or cancel your order through your account—no questions asked! 

What can you expect from Untamed?

With Untamed, providing your pregnant Persian with balanced and complete nutrition is easy.

Image (c) Untamed

Once you switch your Persian cat to Untamed, you can expect terrific results. Here is what many happy cat parents report they have noticed soon after their feline companions joined the Untamed clowder: