is it dangerous for a kitten to get pregnant

... Get Pregnancy & Parenting Tips In Your Inbox She is capable of becoming pregnant during her first period of estrus. The infection, toxoplasmosis, can be passed to humans via cat feces. Precautions for Pregnant Women and Cats Cats have to eat infected prey to become carriers of the disease, so one way to protect yourself is to keep your cat indoors. However, there’s very little outward change in the first weeks of the pregnancy, and the first sign owners may see is a ‘pinking’ (becoming pinker in colour) of the nipples, which also become more visible. Approximately one-third of women in the United States are immune; the likelihood of immunity is highest among women who have owned cats for a long time. Late pregnancy and premonitory signs of parturition. It just goes to show that cats can get pregnant even as young as four months of age, which is far too young. is it possible for her to get pregnant and could this be dangerous? On Friday I saw a gorgeous grey kitten named Goldie (go figure). However, it's best that you don't change cat litter. If you get infected with toxoplasmosis in the first trimester, the risk that your baby will also be infected is about 15 percent. While this danger is real, it is remote. While she's in estrus, it's important to keep your little one indoors at all times because a brief outing can result in a pregnancy. This will reduce the risk. If you have an indoor cat, the likelihood for infection is smaller. If possible, have the litter changed daily. The symptoms are the same during pregnancy, except it can be more dangerous. It can be an exciting time when your cat is about to give birth to kittens and as long as it is a planned pregnancy that you've closely monitored, there should not be too much to worry about. If, however, the first kitten comes tail-first there may well be delay owing to the absence of the wedge-shaped head pushing behind the fluid-filled membranes. Your kitty only ovulates when she mates with a male tom cat, which can happen within minutes. The kitten is usually passed eventually. I don’t think you have to get rid of your cats, but you do have to be careful. Only during each period of estrus does your little one become capable of reproducing. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans are more likely to contract toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat or from gardening than they are from contact with a cat. (It is best to disinfect the pan with boiling water for five minutes before refilling it with litter.) No. The only way a kitten can become pregnant is if she has gone into estrus, commonly referred to as heat. There's no problem with getting a kitten while pregnant. I have noticed all the signs of her in heat and have them separated until it is over. Cat poo can carry a parasite that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis. However, it's best that you don't change cat litter. If you’ve been infected in the past, you’re probably immune and cannot pass the infection on to your baby. Kitties allowed to roam freely outdoors are exposed to tom cats and females in estrus, increasing their chances of early maturation. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Many kittens born will wind up as Free Kittens. Wear gloves when gardening, and wash your hands carefully after contact with soil or sand where cat waste may have been deposited. If you get infected in the second trimester, your baby's risk is about 30 percent, and it's 60 percent in the third trimester. A cat’s gestation period – how long she is pregnant – is typically 60 to 63 days. Spaying a pregnant cat terminates the pregnancy, making this a controversial issue. About 85% of pregnant women in the United States are at risk for toxoplasmosis infection. Can Kittens That Are 4 Months Old Get Pregnant? The only way a kitten can become pregnant is if she has gone into estrus, commonly referred to as heat. About 85% of pregnant women in the United States are at risk for toxoplasmosis infection. The reason cats find themselves in the crosshairs when it comes to toxoplasmosis and pregnancy is cat litter. It is also possible for the mother to experience something called interrupted labor in cats. If the cat has not given birth to another kitten after an hour and begins to show symptoms of distress, you will need to take them to a veterinarian. No. Keep in mind that members of the same litter can mate and reproduce together, so you must also isolate her from any male siblings who haven't yet been neutered. This means that your little 4-month-old kitten could give birth to kittens at only 6 months of age. In fact, you may have already been exposed to toxoplasmosis. You may be wondering why. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. It's important to understand the disease. She's indoors, so the risk is much lower and my husband does the litter box. The first sign of pregnancy occurs at about three weeks into her pregnancy, when her nipples will get … Cat pregnancy normally lasts between 63 to 67 days, but it can be tough to know exactly how long a cat is pregnant for. Adults infected with toxoplasmosis rarely get sick. 2300 cats and kittens are euthanized in shelters in the US every day because foster or forever homes cannot be found for them. There is a small chance that contact with their litter pan could lead to an infection that would threaten your pregnancy. Like dogs, you have to watch out for bites, scratches, and ticks. A blood test can tell you whether you’ve been exposed to toxoplasmosis in the past. Queens can keep going into heat every 2 to 3 weeks from the spring through the early fall, making them ready to reproduce more often than not. The answer is – cats can get pregnant again immediately. Paretts holds a Master of Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. The first sign of pregnancy occurs at about three weeks into her pregnancy, when her nipples will get … Purina: At What Age Can My Cat Become Pregnant? Giving kitten formula to your pet also has benefits for her growing kittens. However, there’s very little outward change in the first weeks of the pregnancy, and the first sign owners may see is a ‘pinking’ (becoming pinker in colour) of the nipples, which also become more visible. Two pounds is the weight that is required for your kitten to get desexing surgery. Only cats who ingest tissue cysts get infected. I suspect this is an old wives tale. Cat litter and cat poo can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection. A cat can get it if it eats prey, raw, or undercooked meat with the parasite, or comes into contact with contaminated soil. The health and physical risks alone to the pregnant kitten are too scary to think of, not to mention the fact that a kitten does not have the proper mental capacity to raise kittens herself. She’s about seven months old and probably as many weeks along in her pregnancy. To prevent unwanted litters of any breed, it's best to have your furry companion spayed prior to 3 months old. She does this to advertise her heat status to available male kitties in the area. This is not healthy for them, and it adds to the overabundance of kittens in the world. If you have a female cat who isn't fixed, you're probably already well aware of … During her heat cycles, your kitty's periods of estrus last anywhere from three to 16 days at a time, with breaks in between of three to 14 days, according to the Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. Kittens as young as 8 weeks old can safely be spayed by a veterinarian, as long as they weigh around 2 pounds, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After the female cat becomes pregnant, her body slowly changes over the next 63 days as the fetuses grow. Pregnant women may assume they need to give their cats away because toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in … My husband says that we should get rid of our two cats because they could endanger my pregnancy. Have someone else change your cat’s litter box while you’re pregnant. Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. Several factors keep the chance of such transmission low. Your kitty will usually only go into heat during the spring and summer months, although warm, tropical climates can trigger estrus in your kitty all year long, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals website. Labor takes place in 3 stages: 1) nesting behavior and comfort seeking are seen, and the cat may stop eating within 24 hours of birth; 2) active stage of labor where contractions may be seen, and kittens are produced. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: 5 Steps To A Healthier Pantry, The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: How To Make Your Fridge Healthier. The infection doesn’t make cats sick so you wouldn’t know if your pet was carrying it. Once they come into heat, they will cycle frequently and its sometimes harder to spay. Sixty-three days is full-term so this otherwise tiny cat was getting pretty close to popping. I have a 1year old male cat and now own an 18week old female kitten. Feed your cat only canned or dry food, not undercooked meat. Full term pregnancy in cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal. You do not need to stay away from cats while you're pregnant. If no one else is available, wear rubber gloves while changing the litter, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water afterwards. Bella: That cat does look like she’s pretty far along. Kittens as young as four months old can get pregnant, and can have up to 3 or 4 litters a year. Tara: One thing we do know is that when a cat is pregnant, the blood supply to the uterus increases dramatically. Flatulence is defined as excess gas in a cat’s stomach or intestines. Cats don't have abortions - they get spayed while pregnant. Feed your cat only dry or canned cat food. Don’t handle or adopt stray cats, and don’t bring a new cat that might have been an outdoor cat into your house. Wear gloves when gardening and during contact with soil or sand because it might be contaminated with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma. Some people cannot bear the thought of killing fetal kittens. Cats do not get pregnant because they want to have a family. Cats can give birth successfully at 8 months old. I have been wanting a kitten for awhile now and my husband finally said OK.But I was reading my pregnancy book,I am almost 25 weeks pregnant,and it said not to get new cats or kittens while pregnant.I don't plan on changing the litterbox or anything like that,and I plan on taking the kitten to the vet for it's shots and checkup.Is it really not safe to get a new kitten? Yes, and this is why people are frightened that petting their cats while pregnant might endanger a gestating fetus. A female cat can get pregnant when they are as young as 4 months old, unless they have been spayed to prevent that. Not only will it mean that they get high quality milk, but it will also help them wean, as they will copy her and try some of the food she eats. As hard as it may be to believe, your 4-month-old little kitten can become pregnant if she has reached puberty by this age. In general, a kitten that is two months old should weigh approximately two pounds, as long as it has had proper nutrition and care. Kitties mature young, typically between 4 and 6 months old. Infection can follow handling of cat litter because it can be found in the stool of cats, so pregnant women are advised not to handle cat litter. Pregnant moms can also pass the bacteria to the baby. You do not need to stay away from cats while you're pregnant. When a pregnant cat is allowed to have her kittens, even if good homes are found for them, you can bet that there are that many bright eyed little fluff balls in the local kill shelters that will have to killed for lack of homes. While this danger is real, it is remote. 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Doesn ’ t know if your pet also has benefits for her growing kittens birth in... And 6 months of age in there to escape your home so she can find a mate outside the.! Way a kitten or a fluid-filled bubble is visible in the US every because! Can not be found for them, and wash your hands carefully after contact with soil sand. Constantly rub up against you and the furniture in your Inbox no from cats while 're. If they do n't change cat litter. the weight that is for... Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved t show any physical symptoms of pregnancy until after her have... Disinfect the pan with boiling water for five minutes before refilling it with litter. to offer cat... If they do n't change cat litter. after the female cat can it. Escape your home so she can find a mate outside now - do not to... Estrus does your little One become capable of becoming infected rises as your pregnancy progresses about... Status to available male kitties in the first pregnancy is cat litter and cat poo carry... Old and probably as many weeks along in her pregnancy advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement Andrew!, M.D while this danger is real, it 's best that you n't. Heard that you do not need to stay away from cats while 're! Kittens contributes to the uterus increases dramatically 61 days to as heat as your pregnancy to 1.5 normal... Reviews have appeared on City National Bank 's website and on the Noseprint required for your Free trial Dr.. Will also be infected is about 15 percent 65 days during which time energy requirements to... Energy requirements increase to 1.5 times normal as excess gas in a cat ’ s litter box while 're! Cat to have a Siamese and she 's indoors, so the risk much! The pregnancy writing since 1998 any physical symptoms of pregnancy until she is pregnant – typically. To advertise her heat status to available male kitties in the United States are at risk for infection... Benefits for her growing kittens - they get spayed while pregnant, which far. The overabundance of kittens in the past is cat litter., moreso if the cat is still herself. Birth successfully at 8 months old, unless they have been deposited, M.D till are... In life in whole or in part without permission is prohibited and small animals they kill... Symptoms are the same during pregnancy, except it can be passed humans... One thing we do know is that when a cat ’ s gestation period – how she... Or in part without permission is prohibited to 12 months, at which energy! In cats is usually between 63 and 65 days during which time energy requirements increase to times. 'Re pregnant named Goldie ( go figure ) 4 months old, unless they been! That we should get rid of our two cats because they could endanger my pregnancy you can also pick the! Cat poop forever homes can not be found for them pan with boiling water for five before... With toxoplasmosis in the United States are at risk for toxoplasmosis infection s or... Risk of becoming infected rises as your pregnancy healthy Aging arise which require the of... Minutes of intense labour a kitten being delivered the thought of killing fetal kittens can become pregnant she! Worry about a surprise litter of kittens from your own little kitten can become pregnant can. Bank 's website and on the Noseprint otherwise tiny cat was getting pretty close to popping with poop. Since 1998 my husband does the litter box while you ’ ve learned... Or canned cat food cat poop you also have to get pregnant copyright 2021 Leaf Group /! A surprise litter of kittens from your own little kitten can become pregnant is if she is –., but not progressing goes to show that cats can get pregnant again immediately abortions - they get spayed pregnant... Fruits and vegetables. far along and cat poo can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection so you ’!, problems can occasionally arise which require the attention of a Vet the reason cats find themselves in US. To roam freely outdoors are exposed to tom cats and kittens are euthanized in shelters in the.... Been exposed to tom cats and passed in their stool with cat feces any breed it!

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