Companion Animals

Cat Pregnancy and Kitten Welfare

Providing appropriate welfare support during cat pregnancy and the neonatal kitten period establishes foundations for lifetime health and welfare.

Key Facts

Cat gestation lasts 63-65 days with typical litters of 3-5 kittens
Pregnant queens require increased nutrition from week 6 of pregnancy for optimal kitten birth weight
Neonatal kittens cannot thermoregulate and require supplementary warmth from birth
Colostrum in the first 24-48 hours provides passive immunity essential for kitten survival
Socialisation from week 2-3 onwards shapes adult cat temperament and social confidence

Welfare Considerations

Kitten welfare begins during pregnancy with maternal nutrition and continues through the critical neonatal and socialisation periods. Good management during these stages establishes lifelong welfare foundations.

What You Can Do

Provide pregnant queens with kitten-formulated food from week 6 of pregnancy
Keep neonatal kittens at 29-32 degrees Celsius for the first three weeks of life
Begin gentle handling and socialisation from 2-3 weeks to build social confidence