Cat gestation

There are many techniques to confirm a gestation in cats. Ultrasonography is the gold standard and can be performed as early as 21 days after breeding. It can be also used during the gestation to monitor the embryos vitality. However, X-ray has the advantage of allowing the counting of embryos from around 50 days post-ovulation.

How to feed during gestation and after?

It's important to provide the queen with a high quality diet, as this will have an impact on the development of the embryos, the vitality of the kittens at birth and the queen's ability to produce milk properly. Unlike bitches, queens cannot rely solely on their diet during lactation, as it won't be sufficient. That's why it's essential to adapt the queen's diet during gestation, so she builds up reserves she can draw on during gestation.

How to monitor during gestation?

To ensure the gestation is following a normal course, regular visits at the clinic to perform an ultrasonography, blood analysis or weight monitoring can be performed, as long as the visits are not stressful for the cat.

You may also be interested in watching the following videos:

Dog gestation

Supplements during gestation

The importance of nutrition in newborns

Milk replacers for veterinarians 

The duration of the growth period 

Growth charts in puppies

The microbiome in puppies and kittens

Weaning diarrhea in puppies and kittens