When is My Cat Due?

Dr. Mary Sebzda Theriogenology Veterinarian KittenUnlike the dog, predicting the due date of a feline pregnancy by counting days from the breeding date, is fairly reliable.

Cats are seasonal in their mating behaviors- meaning that they are generally more fertile, and more likely to breed through April to September in the Northern Hemisphere.

Cats are also induced ovulators, meaning that a mating needs to occur before the female will ovulate. The actual act of mating stimulates a neuroendocrine reflex causing luteinizing hormone (LH) to spike  which stimulates ovulation in the female. If a fertile breeding occurs, length of pregnancy is 65 days from that date. If the queen is mated over 2-3 days, the last date of successful mating resulting in the queens’ after reaction (screaming at or striking out at the male, rolling over the floor) post mating is when you start counting the 65 days. 

If you have more questions about your cat’s due date please schedule a consult with our board certified theriogenologist, Dr. Sebzda, an expert in animal reproduction.