After mating, cat pregnancy symptoms become apparent because of the affect the hormone, progesterone. From the moment a mother cat appears pregnant (a few weeks after mating), until she weans her kittens around 8 weeks old, her behavior and temperament is strongly influenced by hormones.

If you've been a human mother, you know how much hormones take over your life during pregnancy. If your a human father, or even a casual bystander, you have probably experienced some of the more flaring affects of hormones on the mother-to-be.

There aren't many obvious cat pregnancy symptoms during the first 2-3 weeks of pregnancy. If you suspect a cat pregnancy, get down next to Sylvia's tummy and check out her nipples. In this case, Sylvia, is the suspect mother-to-be-cat. Doing this to your spouse or neighbor can result in far different responses.

If the nipples are a bright pink, the cat is probably 3 weeks pregnant.

Give your vet a call to confirm the condition and plan a 'pre' and 'post' natal wellness program for the mother and kittens. If he confirms the pregnancy, you have about six weeks to find 4-8 new homes for the kittens. During your pursuit of adoptive human families, take some time to observe Sylvia during her pregnancy.

First, the heat cycle stops, thank goodness.  She is calmer, less likely to fight, more relaxed and more affectionate towards her human family. She stops roaming from home, even for several weeks after birth, preferring to stay near her nest.

Progesterone relaxes her, suppresses her fears and makes her feel more secure. Don't be fooled by this. If a nursing mother thinks that her kittens are at risk from an intruder, she will warn the intruder. If it continues its approach she will launch the most terrifying attack, unrelenting until the intruder exists the area. There is no bluff in maternal aggression.

Cats really should be classified as a truly matriarchal species because the survival of each kitten depends solely upon females. The biological mother is primarily responsible for the care of her young, but other females will feed and protect the kittens when she is absent. The father of the litter, nor any other males will care for the kittens.

In the fifth week you can feel golf-ball sized swellings in her abdomen. Limit your prodding an poking. Use gentle hands as you can damage an embryo or cause a miscarriage.

In the sixth week you will notice her nipples are very large and they look full. They are. She is now storing milk in preparation for those hungry newborn felines.

During her pregnancy, allow Sylvia to lead a normal life. If she is an outdoor cat, let her venture out for a hunt. If she wants to climb, discourage her. She may think she's got it all under control, but the weight of her babies has changed her center of balance.

Growth of the cat from embryo to birth...

Its been nine weeks. You can hardly believe it. Your near full-term feline cat momma is now experiencing higher levels of estrogen. She starts to search for the nesting site. She starts to groom herself more frequently.

Its been 63 days. You realize you haven't seen Sylvia in several hours. You inspect her nesting area. Congratulations are in order!

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