PawGauge
Cat pregnancy

Cat pregnancy calculator

Enter the mating or vet-timed ovulation date to get your queen’s due date and a week-by-week timeline of what’s happening — also called a queen due-date or kitten calculator, built on veterinary gestation data.

A pregnant cat resting
Photo: An Chu / Pexels

What most owners know. Queens carry about 63–65 days; because cats can mate over several days the window is ~61–70.

Estimated due date

—

likely between —

— of ~65 days Week — of 9 due

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— · Enter the date to see this week’s stage.

Week by week

  1. Week 1 days 0–7

    Fertilisation

    Eggs are fertilised and the embryos begin travelling to the uterine horns. No outward signs yet — keep her routine calm and normal.

  2. Week 2 days 8–14

    Implantation

    The embryos implant into the uterine lining (around day 12–13). Still no visible changes.

  3. Week 3 days 15–21

    “Pinking up”

    Her nipples turn pink and enlarge (around day 15–18) — often the first visible sign. She may become more affectionate.

  4. Week 4 days 22–28

    Organs form

    Major development. A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound from around day 21. Some queens show brief “morning sickness”; handle her gently.

  5. Week 5 days 29–35

    Fetal stage

    Kittens are recognisable and growing fast; her abdomen starts to swell. Gradually increase her food.

  6. Week 6 days 36–42

    Skeletons calcify

    Kitten skeletons harden (visible on X-ray from ~day 40). She gains noticeable weight and needs kitten/growth food.

  7. Week 7 days 43–49

    Fur & movement

    Kittens develop fur and you may feel them move. Set up a quiet nesting box in a warm, private spot.

  8. Week 8 days 50–56

    Almost ready

    Milk may appear and she starts seeking a nest. An X-ray around day 55 can count the kittens.

  9. Week 9 days 57–65

    Queening

    Nesting and restlessness. A drop in body temperature below ~99 °F (37.2 °C) often means labour within ~24 hours. Have your vet’s number ready.

Good to know

General guidance only — an estimate, not veterinary advice. Always check with your vet about your pet’s growth, weight and diet.

How this was calculated

Cat pregnancy lasts about 63–65 days. From a vet-timed ovulation it is close to 63 days; from the mating date it is roughly 65 days but with a wider ~61–70 day window, because queens are induced ovulators and often mate over several days. We add the right number of days to your date and place you on the 9-week developmental timeline.

Source: Feline reproduction guidance (Cornell / ISFM). Full method on our methodology page.

After they’re born: kitten feeding →Feeding the mum →

Built by the PawGauge team, reviewed against cited veterinary sources. Last reviewed 29 June 2026.

About our figures →

How feline gestation works

A cat’s pregnancy is short — around nine weeks — and fairly consistent. Queens are induced ovulators: mating itself triggers the release of eggs, usually within a day or two. So the mating date is a good anchor, and counting about 65 days from it lands you close to the birth, with most queens delivering in a ~61–70 day window.

If your vet timed ovulation, the due date is tighter — close to 63 days. Either way, the developmental milestones unfold on a reliable schedule: “pinking up” of the nipples around day 15–18, organs forming in week 4, skeletons calcifying by week 6, and nesting in week 9. The timeline above tracks where your cat is now.

How many kittens to expect

Most litters are 3–5 kittens, though first-time and older queens often have fewer, and some breeds have more. Age, genetics and nutrition all play a part, so treat any number before an X-ray as a rough guide.

The only reliable count is an X-ray from around day 55, once the kittens’ skeletons have calcified. Knowing how many to expect helps you — and your vet — recognise if a kitten is still to come during queening.

Cat pregnancy questions

How long are cats pregnant?
About 63–65 days (roughly nine weeks). Counted from the mating date it ranges from about 61 to 70 days, because cats can mate over several days and ovulate in response to mating.
What are the first signs a cat is pregnant?
The classic early sign is “pinking up” — the nipples turn pink and enlarge around day 15–18. A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound from about day 21, and by palpation a little later.
How accurate is the due date?
Close to a day or two if your vet timed ovulation; from the mating date alone, expect roughly a week-wide window rather than a single day.
How can I tell when she is about to give birth?
In the last day, many queens nest, go off their food and become restless. A drop in body temperature below about 99 °F (37.2 °C) usually means labour will start within roughly 24 hours. Call your vet if you are unsure.
How many kittens will she have?
Litters are usually 3–5 kittens, though first-time and older queens often have fewer. The only reliable count is an X-ray from around day 55, which also helps your vet plan for queening.

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