Question:
Hi everyone:)
As some of you know I went and picked up a cat for a now homeless family, I'm watching her for a few months until they get on their feet.
Well Nala has been eating a whole lot lately, so much in fact that I've had to double the food at feeding times. She's also put on some weight, but I figured it was due to the extra eating. Then yesterday I noticed her nipple were slightly swollen, and a very dark reddish pink. Do you think she's pregnant? Is there anything else it could be? I've heard of cats sometimes having false pregnancies, could this be the case? And if I find out she IS prenant, could you guys give me advice to keep her comfortable?
Thank you!
Answer:
When i was caring for a cat that was pregnant i didnt really notice much on an increase in appetite until later on in the pregnancy. If the cat is pregnant only the tummy will begin to get larger, the rest of the cat will stay the same. If you feel a pregnant cats tum it will be firm, whereas fat cats tummys are blobby.
Im not sure about the nipple thing, is it only one? If the rest of her nipples begin to do the same thing thats a sign she could be pregnant.
Do you have any idea how old the cat is?
Sincerely, Krystle.

Answer:
Oops, that was a typo, lol. I meant to say all of the nipples were a little swollen and a dark reddish pink. She's a DMH, so I noticed when I felt her nipples under her hair. I did feel last night her tummy was kind of firm i think, she's sort of vanished in the house somewhere, so I can't poke at her right now:)
I've had her about 2 weeks, and there's no way she could have gotten pregnant here. Her owner said she got out a few times about 2-3 weeks before I picked her up, so if she is she'd be probably 4-5 weeks along.
She's a year old, her owner thought she was too young to get pregnant.
Oh well. If she is pregnant when after the birth is it safe to have her spayed? as I have agreed to pay for it..
Answer:
chaoticborders wrote: If she is pregnant when after the birth is it safe to have her spayed? as I have agreed to pay for it..
Id say once the kittens are weaned, it should be safe. Ask your vet to be sure though.
Sincerely, Krystle.

Answer:
I know all too well that they can get pregnant before they are 1 year old
As for spaying the mama after birth, I just asked my vet that and he said as long as the mama is dry/isn't lactating, then it should be fine.
Answer:
Thanks for the replies:)
Her belly has grown tremendously in the past week, and she's eating anything she cat get her little paws on. I found out from her owner she's actually only 9 months old. Poor dear. I heard that at this young there's a greater chance of her abandoning the litter. Is this true?
Answer:
Yes ive heard that too. The cat i was taking care of was 10 months when she got pregnant and my god she has a rough time with the birth. She was having complications so we had to take her to the vet and the labor ended up taking 12 hours! The poor girl After she had this kittens it did take a while for her mothering insticts to kick in because she was so young, after a day or two of us encouraging her to stay with her kittens she got the point and became a very good Mum.
Sincerely, Krystle.