Expert: Marcia Owen - 2/11/2008

Question
I have 2 females cats one dsh cat and one calico cat and they both appear to be pregnant at the same time. i was wondering how the mothers are going to act with both of them having kittens around the same time,also i was wondering if there is any way i can determine how far along they are. They both already have developed nipples is there any other way to tell?

Answer
You are in for a busy time by the sound of it.  

Its never easy to predict how two cats will relate to each other when they have kittens, once hormones kick in.  In the main though, mothers tend to like to be with each other and share the kitten responsibilities with the kittens having the benefit of two Mums.  However do keep an eye on them as if they are the other way, you may need to have them in separate rooms with their babies.

As far as how far along they are, difficult to say without seeing them.  At approximately 3 weeks of pregnancy, the teats become enlarged and pink, from then on they start to expand.  At around 6/7 weeks of pregnancy, you can visibly see the kittens moving when Mum is relaxed.  About a week or so before kittening you may see a waxy covering on the nipples which you can tease off quite easily.  You may start to see the milk glands filling too anytime in the last week, but more usually in the last 4/5 days.   Mum will start to get restless and start looking for somewhere to have her kittens.  When she has found somewhere I would suggest putting newspaper in there for her to tear up.  Some cats however don't look for somewhere until they start to kitten.

Good luck and enjoy the kittens.

Marcia.