Ragdoll cats are one of the best pedigree cats appreciated for their big size, divine mannerisms, and dainty beauty. They are highly graceful in manner and behavior and have some prominent features in their appearance.
Ragdoll cats have a varied range of coloration from blue to chocolate brown. These large, luscious, adorable fluffers are absolutely gentle and very patient.
With the right love and attention, they will be your perfect companions. In this article, let us take a look at everything you need to know when your ragdoll cat is about to give birth.
How many kittens can a Ragdoll cat have?
Ragdoll Cats, in general, have an average-sized litter of three to five cats. The size of the litter of Ragdoll cats typically depends on the mother’s age. Younger mothers tend to have smaller size litters, like two to three kittens, while older mothers have a bigger litter with 4 to 6 kittens.
Compared to other cat breeds, including stray cats, ragdolls are known to give birth to more kittens at once. The typical number of kittens in most Queens is 3 to 4. On the other hand, Ragdolls are known to give birth to 5-6 kittens at once.
As adorable as these semi-long-haired breeds are, these cats mature very slowly. They take up to three years to achieve full growth. The kittens are very similar to the mother cats.
They vary in coloration pattern, and their faces and ears are darker than the rest of their bodies. Besides their cuteness and appreciated looks, the kittens are relaxed and have a cool temperament.
Compared to other high pedigree cats like shorthairs and feral felines, these cats tend to bear a greater number of kittens, making them a prized possession even economically.
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How long is a ragdoll cat pregnant for?
The pregnancy of a ragdoll cat lies pretty much like other cats, for about 63 to 67 days. Depending upon the age of your mother cat and the number of kittens, the dates may vary from 61 days on the shorter side to 72 days on the longer side. It is hard to say the exact number of days.
Once your queen cat gets pregnant, she won’t show signs of pregnancy until a few weeks into the term. Once you see early signs of pregnancy, take your cat to the vet immediately to get better assistance.
If you want to detect your cat’s pregnancy by yourself, here are some physical symptoms that you will be able to notice after 2 to 3 weeks have passed.
The following symptoms are:
- After around 15-18 days into pregnancy, you will notice “pinking up” of the nipples of your cat. In this phenomenon, the cat’s nipples become red and enlarged.
- Equivalent to what morning sickness is among humans, your cat might start to vomit more than often. If you notice very frequent vomiting or if she gets unwell in any other way, contact your vet to be on the safer side.
- The tummy of your queen will eventually start to swell. But, to avoid hurting the mum or the baby, don’t touch it. Monitor your cat closely as other reasons can lead to swelling of the stomach as well. If you notice any problem at all, contact your vet.
- Depending on the number of kittens, expecting mom-cats will gain 3-4 kgs. This is a very strong and confirming sign of pregnancy. However, you will notice this well after she goes into the term.
- In the later stage of the pregnancy, queens tend to have an increased appetite. This also contributes to weight gain. However, monitor your cat carefully as increased appetite or change in food habits can also be a result of worms or other diseases.
- Your cat will start to act more maternal as she comes closer to her due date. This means she will purr more and cause more fuss, like wanting more attention from you, so give her all the love you have.
In some cases, vets use ultrasound to diagnose the pregnancy as early as 15 days into her term. They might also be able to give you an indication about how many kittens your queen is about to have by the 40 days mark.
Keep in mind that ultrasound cannot give the exact number of kittens that will be born. In some cases, larger kittens obscure the smaller ones in the womb, so it is very much possible for you to have more kittens than expected.
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Things to know before your Ragdoll cat gives birth
Complications are common during cat pregnancies, and with a breed as prestigious as Ragdoll, it is possibly more than you know.
So, make sure you know how to handle such complications; we have put together a list of things you need to know before your ragdoll cat gives birth.
These symptoms can indicate complications with your cat’s pregnancy. If you notice any of these problems, contact your vet immediately.
- Drop-in appetite prior to delivery.
- If she is visibly distressed, agitated, and crying more than usual.
- If you notice her licking her vulva without any sign of kittens.
- If you notice pungent-smelling vaginal discharge or any abnormal bleeding at any point of her pregnancy or labor.
- If she goes to the toilet more than often, close to her due date.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have briefed everything you need to know about the pregnancy of your ragdoll cat. If you are worried about overpopulating the feline or getting your cat bloodline diseases, consider spaying your cat.
Spaying helps with controlling the population of the breed.
After the first birth, you can get your cat spayed as it will help to make them sterile. Also, consider neutering your male cat as it is possible for a tomcat to father innumerable kittens. To conclude, ragdoll cats can have as few as 1 to as many as 6 kittens at once.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.