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How long is a cat pregnant before giving birth?
A queen usually gives birth about 63-68 days after mating; feline gestation is 63-68 days. During pregnancy give moderate nutrition but don't overfeed — an overweight pregnant cat risks difficult labor. Cats are naturally timid, so avoid scares and don't change food or environment, to prevent stress harming mother and kittens.
How many times per minute does a cat’s heart beat?
An adult cat's heart beats about 120-180 times per minute; kittens beat faster. It slows when calm and speeds up after exercise or fright, normally returning to normal within a minute. Persistent fast beating may signal heart disease.
What Is a Normal Heart Rate for a Cat?
A healthy adult cat's heart rate is 120–160 beats per minute (kittens up to ~200; seniors and large breeds 140–160). Measure it via the inner foreleg pulse or a stethoscope over the left chest when the cat is calm. Persistently fast, irregular beats with coughing or low exercise tolerance can mean heart disease (e.g., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy); seek a vet if the resting rate stays above 180 or below 100.
Should Your Cat Be Vaccinated Before Spay or Neuter Surgery?
Vaccinating your cat before spay or neuter surgery is strongly recommended. The procedure briefly lowers immunity, and a clinic may expose the cat to other infectious diseases, so vaccines reduce surgical and post-op infection risk.
Why Cats Are Prone to Feline Herpes (Cat Flu)
Cat flu (feline rhinotracheitis) comes from feline herpesvirus and hits weak or young cats hard; strays are commonly infected. Signs are sneezing, eye/nose discharge, and fever. The FVRCP vaccine prevents it; isolate suspects and add lysine.
How to Choose the Right Cat Canned Food
Cat food comes in two main types — staple cans (complete nutrition, can replace dry food) and snack cans (treats only, often with palatants). When choosing a staple can, check that a named meat leads the ingredient list, crude protein is high, fat is moderate, and buy from reputable brands while avoiding grains, sugars, and questionable additives.
Can cats eat walnuts?
No. Walnuts are high in fat and can strain a cat's metabolism and cause obesity, and nuts can be toxic to cats. Walnuts are also a choking hazard, especially for fast-eating kittens, so a cat's diet should be built around cat food and the occasional plain treat.
Common Causes of Death in Stray Cats
Stray cats die from cars, fights with dogs, starvation, abuse, poisoning, and disease. Harsh living, no steady food, and weak immunity make illness often fatal, especially in winter and for newborn kittens. Don't abandon pets, and don't add to their struggle.
Can You Deworm a Pregnant Cat?
External (topical) deworming is generally safe during cat pregnancy, but internal deworming needs caution—avoid it in early pregnancy and, if truly needed later, use a vet-recommended pregnancy-safe product. Keeping the home clean with a cat-safe disinfectant lowers parasite risk in the first place.
Why Do Cats Purr
Most purring is normal — a sign of contentment, self-soothing, communication, and healing. But sick cats purr too, so watch for poor appetite or lethargy. Interestingly, a cat's purr can lower a person's blood pressure and stress.