How to Tell If Your Cat Is Pregnant: Tests and Scans

Name: How to Tell If Your Cat Is Pregnant: Tests and Scans
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-03

A cat pregnancy test at home cannot confirm pregnancy in cats. The only reliable ways to know are veterinary exams, ultrasound, and in some cases a relaxin blood test. Most vets can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound around day 25 to 35 of gestation.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Store-bought "cat pregnancy tests" for home use do not exist in a reliable form for cats. Human pregnancy tests detect a hormone cats do not produce in the same way.
Ultrasound is the most useful method for confirming pregnancy and checking fetal viability, and it works best at 25 to 35 days of gestation [1].
A relaxin blood test can detect pregnancy after about 22 to 27 days, based on the presence of placentas [1].
Abdominal palpation can feel fetal swellings early, but they become hard to feel after day 35 to 38 [1].
X-rays late in pregnancy (after 55 days) are the best way to count kittens [1].

How Do Vets Confirm Cat Pregnancy?

Veterinarians use a combination of physical exam, imaging, and sometimes blood testing. No single method works at every stage, so timing matters.

Physical Examination and Palpation

Your vet will start with a hands-on exam. In early pregnancy, the uterus develops small, evenly spaced swellings that grow quickly. These swellings double in diameter about every 7 days [1]. A skilled vet can sometimes feel them between roughly day 17 and day 25.

After day 35 to 38, those swellings become less distinct and palpation gets difficult. Later in pregnancy, the fetal heads and rumps can be felt as firm, nodular structures in the lower belly [1]. Palpation is an art, and results depend on the cat's body condition, how relaxed she is, and the vet's experience. It is not a stand-alone test.

Cat Pregnancy Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the go-to tool for most vets. It is safe, painless, and can be done in the exam room while you wait. The best window is 25 to 35 days of gestation [1]. Before 21 days, a scan can miss a pregnancy and give a false negative [1].

During the scan, your vet looks for fluid-filled uterine swellings, then for actual fetal structures. Once fetuses are visible, the vet can check for heartbeats and movement. That is the real advantage of ultrasound. It does not just say "yes" or "no," it tells you whether the pregnancy looks viable [1].

Ultrasound has limits. It is not good at counting kittens, especially in a large litter where fetuses overlap. It also cannot reliably tell you the exact gestational age unless your vet has a known breeding date to compare against.

Relaxin Blood Test

Cats produce a hormone called relaxin when the placenta forms. A commercial relaxin assay is specific and sensitive for detecting the presence of placentas, which means pregnancy, after 22 to 27 days of gestation [1]. This test is a good option if your cat will not hold still for a scan or if you want a simple yes-or-no answer.

The test is not perfect. It can miss a very early pregnancy, and it will not tell you how many kittens are coming or whether they are healthy.

X-Rays Late in Pregnancy

Radiography is not used for early diagnosis because fetal bones are not mineralized enough to show up. After day 55, X-rays become the best method for determining litter size [1]. Fetal dentition (teeth) becomes visible at term, and that finding can help confirm the fetuses are developed enough for an elective cesarean section when breeding dates are vague [1].

If you need to know how many kittens to expect, this is the test that answers that question. For more on what to expect across the whole pregnancy, see How Long Are Cats Pregnant? Gestation, Care, and When to Call a Veterinarian.

Cat Pregnancy Test at Home: What Actually Works

Owners often search for a cat pregnancy test at home because they want a quick answer without a vet visit. Here is the honest truth.

There is no reliable over-the-counter urine or saliva pregnancy test for cats sold in the United States. Human home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that cats do not produce in a way those tests can read. Using a human test on a cat will not give you a trustworthy result.

Some online sellers market "pet pregnancy tests," but these are not validated for cats in the same way veterinary relaxin assays are. If a product claims to detect cat pregnancy at home, treat that claim with caution.

What you can do at home is watch for signs. A pregnant cat may have pinker nipples, a rounder belly, increased appetite, and quieter behavior. These signs are suggestive but not proof. A cat with a false pregnancy, a uterine infection, or even a full bladder can look pregnant.

If you want a real answer, you need a vet. A cat pregnancy test done properly involves either ultrasound or a relaxin blood test.

False Pregnancy in Cats

False pregnancy, also called pseudopregnancy, happens when a cat shows pregnancy signs without carrying kittens. The queen may have a swollen belly, enlarged mammary glands, and even produce milk. She may nest and act maternal.

False pregnancy in cats is less common and less well understood than in dogs. The hormonal events that trigger it are not well established in veterinary research. What matters for you is that the signs overlap with real pregnancy, so you cannot tell the difference by looking.

This is one more reason at-home observation is unreliable. If your cat is showing pregnancy signs, a vet visit with ultrasound will sort out what is actually happening.

How to Prepare for a Cat Pregnancy Scan

Preparation is simple. Most vets do not require fasting for an ultrasound. If your cat is anxious in the car, bring her in a secure carrier with a familiar blanket.

Things to bring or know before the appointment:

The date or dates she may have mated, if you know them. This helps your vet interpret what they see.
Her health history, including any medications.
Whether she has been vomiting, eating less, or acting painful.
Whether she has any vaginal discharge.

If your cat is very stressed at the vet, tell the staff when you arrive. Some cats do better with a quiet room and a few minutes to settle. A calm cat is easier to scan and easier to palpate.

What Happens During the Exam

Your vet will begin with a general physical exam. They will check your cat's temperature, heart rate, and hydration. If you want to practice these skills at home, see How to Check Your Cat's Heart Rate and Pulse at Home and How to Safely Check Your Cat's Temperature at Home: What's Normal and What's Not.

For the ultrasound, your vet or technician will clip a small patch of fur on your cat's belly. They apply gel and move a probe over the abdomen. The whole scan usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Most cats tolerate it well, and many do not need sedation. If your cat is fractious, your vet may recommend a mild sedative, and they will choose the drug and dose based on your cat's weight and health.

For a relaxin blood test, your vet draws a small blood sample, usually from a leg vein. The sample goes to a lab, and results typically come back within a few days.

For X-rays, your cat will need to lie still on a table. Some cats need light sedation for good images. Your vet will explain the risks and benefits before giving anything.

Recovery Timeline and Home Care

Most cats go home the same day with no special recovery needs. If sedation was used, your cat may be sleepy for a few hours.

Time After Appointment	What to Expect	What to Do
First few hours	Normal behavior, or mild sleepiness if sedated	Offer water and a small meal. Keep her indoors and quiet.
24 hours	Back to normal	Resume her usual routine. Watch for any vomiting or lethargy.
1 to 2 days	Blood test results may arrive	Call the clinic if you have not heard back.
1 week	No lasting effects from the visit	Continue normal feeding and monitor for pregnancy signs.
Ongoing	Pregnancy progresses	Schedule follow-up visits as your vet recommends.

If your cat was sedated, keep her away from stairs and high furniture until she is fully awake. Do not let her outside unsupervised.

Possible Complications and Warning Signs

The tests themselves are low risk. Ultrasound and palpation are noninvasive. Blood draws can cause minor bruising at the site. X-rays involve radiation, so vets use them only when the information is worth it, usually late in pregnancy.

The bigger concern is what the tests might reveal. Problems during feline pregnancy can include fetal death, uterine torsion, and infection. One case report described a cat with uterine torsion in late gestation who had acute abdominal pain, lethargy, abdominal distension, and rapid breathing. Doppler ultrasound showed absent blood flow and no fetal heartbeats, confirming the fetuses were not viable [2]. Another report described a cat with a dead fetus who had lethargy, increased thirst, poor appetite, and bloody vaginal discharge, with X-rays showing gas inside the fetal heart and overlapping skull bones as signs of fetal death [3].

These are uncommon but serious. Call your vet right away if you see:

Labored breathing or rapid breathing
Severe pain when you touch her belly
Bloody or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Vomiting that will not stop
Collapse or extreme weakness
No fetal movement for more than a day in late pregnancy

Questions to Ask the Veterinarian

Write these down before your visit so you do not forget.

Is my cat actually pregnant, or could this be a false pregnancy?
How far along is she, based on today's findings?
How many kittens can you see, and will we need an X-ray later to count them?
What signs of trouble should make me call you right away?
When should I bring her back for a recheck?
What should I feed her during pregnancy, and how much?
Do you recommend any testing for infectious diseases that can affect kittens?

If you are also considering genetic testing for your cat, know what those tests can and cannot tell you. See Dog and Cat DNA Tests: What They Actually Tell You.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

Every test has limits. Palpation depends on timing and skill. Ultrasound can miss an early pregnancy before 21 days [1]. The relaxin test needs the placenta to be present long enough to detect [1]. X-rays only work late. No single test answers every question at every stage.

Contact your vet the same day if your cat has vaginal discharge, is eating much less, or seems uncomfortable. Go to an emergency clinic now if she is struggling to breathe, is in severe pain, or has collapsed. Schedule a routine visit if you suspect pregnancy and want confirmation, especially if you know or suspect a mating date.

Individual cases vary, and only your veterinarian can examine your cat and give you a diagnosis and plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a human pregnancy test on my cat?

No. Human tests detect a hormone cats do not produce in a readable way, so the result would be meaningless. A veterinary relaxin blood test or an ultrasound is the right approach.

How early can a vet tell if my cat is pregnant?

Ultrasound can often confirm pregnancy around day 25 to 35, and it may miss it before day 21. A relaxin blood test can detect pregnancy after about 22 to 27 days.

Can a vet tell how many kittens my cat is carrying?

Ultrasound is not reliable for counting. X-rays after day 55 are the best method for determining litter size.

What if my cat looks pregnant but the test says she is not?

She may have a false pregnancy, or the test may have been done too early. Ask your vet about repeating the exam or scan in a week or two.

Is an ultrasound safe for my pregnant cat?

Yes. Ultrasound is noninvasive and does not use radiation. It is the preferred imaging method for confirming pregnancy and checking fetal viability.

References

Pregnancy Determination in Bitches and Queens - Management and Nutrition. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Doppler Ultrasonography for Assessing Uterine Viability and Fetal Vitality in Uterine Torsion in a Domestic Cat (Felis catus): A Case Report. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2026.
Imaging diagnosis of intrauterine fetal death in a cat with singleton pregnancy. Topics in companion animal medicine, 2026.