Cat Gestation Calculator

A queen carries her kittens for about 63 to 67 days, a little over nine weeks. Enter the mating or exposure date above for a due window, then use the notes below to set up a quiet nesting box. For any concern during pregnancy or labor, consult your veterinarian.

Cat gestation at a glance

Typical averages; individual queens vary, and larger litters can arrive a day or two early.

• Average length: 65 days
• Typical range: 63 to 67 days
• Roughly: 9 weeks
• Litter size: 1 to 6 kittens
• Common litter: 3 to 5 kittens
• Kittens born: blind and deaf
• Eyes open: 7 to 14 days
• Weaning age: about 8 weeks
• Female name: queen
• Male name: tom
• Baby name: kitten
• Induced ovulation: yes

Signs a queen is close to labor

Watch quietly in the final days; most queens manage labor on their own.

• Nesting behavior
• Seeking the nest box
• Drop in appetite
• Restlessness
• Pacing
• Increased affection
• Vocalizing
• Milk in the teats
• Body temperature dips
• Licking the belly
• Panting
• Straining begins

Frequently asked questions

How long are cats pregnant?

Cat gestation averages about 65 days and usually ranges from 63 to 67 days, a little over nine weeks. Queens carrying large litters sometimes deliver a day or two earlier, while a very small litter may go slightly longer, so use the calculated date as the middle of a window.

How many kittens are in a typical litter?

Most litters are 3 to 5 kittens, though a queen can have anywhere from 1 to 6 or more. First litters tend to be smaller. If labor starts and stalls, or more than a couple of hours pass between kittens with obvious straining, contact your veterinarian.

What are the signs my cat is going into labor?

In the last day or two a queen usually nests, grows restless, loses interest in food, and may become more vocal or clingy. A dip in body temperature and milk in the teats often precede labor. Once strong contractions begin, the first kitten typically follows within an hour.

When can I feel or confirm kittens?

A veterinarian can often confirm pregnancy by palpation from around three to four weeks and by ultrasound even earlier, with x rays late in pregnancy able to count skeletons. Home guessing is unreliable, so a vet visit is the safe way to confirm a litter and its size.