Why is my cat showing pregnancy signs but has no kittens?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Maine Coon | Female | unspayed | 4 years and 6 months old | 11.7 lbs
What could cause a apparently healthy breeding queen to go through a full "false pregnancy" -- with all the signs of being pregnant (enlarged pink nipples, modest weight gain and actual dripping of milk from the mammaries on day 63) -- but no kittens! Also, we rebred the female but she is not settling. Any advice?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 28th, 2017
Hello and thank you for your question. This is a great question! False pregnancies in cats are very rare, although they can happen. False pregnancy symptoms can be nearly identical to actual pregnancy symptoms, so it can be hard to tell if she truly is pregnant just my physical appearance alone. If another week goes by and Linnie doesn't produce any kittens, I would see you local veterinarian. They may preform an ultrasound and run some blood work to rule out other more serious conditions (like a uterine infection) and/or confirm either a pregnancy or false pregnancy. The 60 day gestation is simply an estimate and can be shorter or longer depending on when exactly she was bred. If it is a false pregnancy, the exact cause may be hard to determine, however, false pregnancies can be related to a hormone imbalance she has along with being mated with an infertile male. After mating with an infertile male, she will ovulate and produce hormones required for pregnancy without actually conceiving. If false pregnancies reoccur, your veterinarian and you may decide to place her on hormonal therapy or have her spayed. Best of luck with Linnie!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 17th, 2018
If this kitty has been at the shelter for months, the vet will likely know she isn't pregnant because she wouldn't have had opportunity to mate with a male cat. Females and males will be kept separately to prevent them from mating and producing more kittens that need a home. Because a cat's pregnancy lasts 58-68 days, if she has been in the shelter longer than that, she won't be pregnant unless she had contact with a male cat. It could be she is experiencing a false pregnancy, which is when a cat appears pregnant but doesn't actually have kittens. It's thought that hormonal imbalance plays a role in this occurring. Good luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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