What are the symptoms of false pregnancy in cats?

The main symptoms of false pregnancy in cats include breast enlargement, abdominal enlargement, lack of exercise, refusal to allow other male cats to mount, and beginning to secrete milk, similar to pregnancy but without giving birth. False pregnancy in cats is usually caused by hormones, and owners can use ultrasound examinations to diagnose whether their cats are experiencing a false pregnancy. If diagnosed with a false pregnancy, cats can be given hormone medications under a veterinarian's advice to regulate the hormones.

1. Causes of false pregnancy in cats

There are three main causes of false pregnancy in cats:

• First, when a cat is not successfully mated, it may mistake the phenomenon for pregnancy.
• Second, abnormal and chaotic secretion of cat sex hormones, which is also the most common cause of false pregnancy in cats.
• Third, reproductive tract infections.

1. How to distinguish between a false pregnancy in a female cat

Distinguishing between a false pregnancy in a female cat can be done through abdominal palpation, X-ray examination, and ultrasound examination to diagnose whether there is a pregnancy phenomenon. If there is no pregnancy, it is a false pregnancy. During pregnancy, the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit in female cats decrease, but their absolute values remain within the normal range.

1. How long does it take for a cat to recover from a false pregnancy?

A cat with a false pregnancy usually takes 30-40 days to recover. When a cat shows symptoms of a false pregnancy, observe it for a few days. Generally, the symptoms will disappear after a few days. If the symptoms do not subside, it is advisable to take the cat to a pet hospital for a professional veterinarian diagnosis and treatment. If there is no requirement for breeding, it is recommended to have the cat spayed, which is also the fundamental measure to prevent false pregnancy.