Can Cats Actually Sense Pregnancy? Here Is How to Tell

Pregnancy and bringing a new baby home can be an exciting time. However, if you have a feline at home, you may wonder just how much that understands about you being pregnant. Below, learn more about whether or not cats sense pregnancy. Plus, learn about additional questions and tips for preparing your cat for a new baby in the household. 

Can Cats Tell If Someone is Pregnant?

Cats have up to 200 million scent receptor cells. This means their sense of smell is far beyond what is imaginable as humans. With a sense of smell up to 16 times greater than that of a human, it may come as no surprise that this sense is one they rely on for interacting with their world. As much as your cat knows you by your appearance or sound, they also know you by your scent. This means they can pick up even the smallest changes in your scent.

This leads back to the question of whether cats sense pregnancy. Even knowing the above information, answering can be tricky. This is because your cat may not immediately pick up on the fact that someone is carrying a child. Instead, your cat will pick up on the tiny changes in your scent as your body. This occurs as the body begins to produce different hormones. These are changes that our noses can’t pick up.

You see when a female mammal becomes pregnant, she produces a hormone that is found in virtually every other pregnant mammal: progesterone. Humans specifically will also produce what is known as the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG).

So, while your cat may not immediately understand that you are pregnant, they will understand that your body produces different hormones and smells. 

Can Cats Hear an Unborn Baby’s Heartbeat?

However, a cat’s sense of smell isn’t their only refined sense worth bragging about. Like other common pet animals, such as dogs, cats have a superior sense of hearing. Because of this, during the later stages of pregnancy, your cat will often be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat.

As a result, while your cat may not have understood the changes in smells as equal pregnancy, by this stage, once they pick up on the unborn baby’s heartbeat, they’ll often know. But does knowing you’re pregnant change how your cat acts around you?

Will a Cat Act Differently Around Someone Pregnant?

When it comes to how your cat will act towards pregnancy, it depends specifically on your cat and their personality. Some cats are more drawn to someone pregnant, while others may not exhibit any changes in behavior. 

How to Prepare Your Cat for a New Baby

Pregnancy and birth are such exciting moments that you may want the entire family to be involved in. This includes your furry family members, such as your cats. Although your cat may know that you are pregnant well before you do, it is important to take time to prepare them for the baby’s actual arrival. 

Steps to Take Before Your Baby Arrives

First, you must change your cat’s routine and life in the days and weeks before your baby’s arrival. Spending those last few days lavishing your cat with attention and extra cuddles can be incredibly tempting. However, your cat can become used to this. When this extra affection ends due to the new baby, they’ll feel sad. However, one change you most likely will need to make is in your scheduling: when you feed your cat, clean its litterbox, provide attention and affection, and do similar activities. The key is to slowly work towards changing when events occur in your cat’s life.

Next, you’ll want to introduce yourself to the nursery. This means letting your cat explore the crib, changing table, swing, and any other large objects that may be new in the house. During this time, reward your cat with treats for positive interactions. Once your cat has thoroughly explored the baby’s new items, covering the babies will help prevent your cat from thinking the comfy new crib or swing is for them!

Before your baby arrives, you should also desensitize your cat to all the sounds that come with a new baby. This ranges from crying to musical toys. Start with a low volume and gradually increase it as you reward your cat for positive interactions. If you already have any toys purchased, you can set them up and allow your cat to explore them just as you did with furniture. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lanova Daria/Shutterstock.com