There isn’t a set rule for how many kittens a cat can have.
Normally, a cat will have around 4 to 8 kittens, but sometimes there can be fewer or more than 8. A cat having kittens for the first time usually has 2 to 3. The number of kittens can vary depending on factors like the mother cat’s size and breed.
Other external factors, including the cat’s health and their environment also play a part.
How Many Kittens Are Usually in a Litter?
Usually, a litter of kittens has around four kittens on average. But it can vary a lot, so there could be anywhere from one to 12 kittens.
The biggest litter ever recorded had a whopping 19 kittens! That happened in 1970, but sadly, four of them were born dead. Out of the rest, 14 were male and only one was female.
Factors That Influence the Size of the Litter
The number of kittens a cat will have can be influenced by different things like her surroundings, health, and genes. This makes it hard to guess how many kittens she’ll give birth to. But there are some things to consider if you’re thinking about breeding your cat.
- Age: When a cat has kittens for the first time, she usually has a small litter, maybe one to three kittens. But as she gets older, she might have smaller litters again. Young cats tend to have bigger litters.
- Breed: Some cat breeds like Siamese, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls usually have more kittens than others like Persians. The size of the cat also matters – smaller cats have smaller litters.
- Health: Cats can have fewer kittens if they’re not healthy. Certain illnesses can affect a cat’s ability to get pregnant and have healthy kittens. Poor health can also increase the chances of miscarriage or the kittens not developing properly.
- Nutrition: Cats that don’t get enough good food, like stray cats, usually have fewer kittens because the mom isn’t strong enough to support more babies. If you’re thinking about breeding your cat, it’s important to give her good food and make sure she stays a healthy weight throughout her pregnancy.
- Stress: Stress can affect a pregnant cat a lot, making her have fewer kittens.
- The Dad(s): The dad cat’s health, genes, and ability to have babies also affect how many kittens the mom will have. If a mom cat mates with more than one dad cat, she might have more kittens.
- Environment: Where a cat lives can affect her ability to have kittens. Cats usually mate between February and August, but indoor cats might mate all year because of artificial light. This could mean they have more kittens.
Read More: Are Indoor Cats Happier Than Outdoor Cats?
How to Tell How Many Kittens a Cat Will Have
You can expect kittens to arrive about 60 to 67 days after the cat becomes pregnant. But to know exactly how many kittens to expect, it’s best to consult your vet. The vet can confirm the pregnancy about 16 days after mating, and within a month, they can tell you the exact number of kittens expected.
There are different ways vets can estimate the number of kittens, like looking at the mom’s previous litter, feeling her belly, taking X-rays, or doing ultrasounds. It’s important to know the number of kittens expected because sometimes there could be problems, like if the kittens are too big to be born naturally or if some get stuck inside the mom. Knowing this beforehand helps you get ready for the birth.
Read More: Stages of Kitten Development: First Weeks & Months
Why do cats have many kittens at once?
It’s because the world can be tough and dangerous for them, especially for feral cats. There are a lot of dangers like sickness, not having enough food, other animals that might hurt them, and accidents that can make it hard for kittens to survive.
Cats want to make sure they have babies that will carry on their traits, so having lots of kittens at once increases the chances of some surviving and passing on their genes.
Kitten Survival Rates
A surprising study in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association revealed that only 25% of free-roaming domestic kittens survive. That means a whopping 75% of them either die or go missing before they’re six months old. While this doesn’t apply to kittens born indoors, their survival rates can still vary.
The number of kittens that make it out of a litter depends on whether they’re feral, domestic, purebred, or mixed. Feral kittens have a lower chance of surviving compared to domestic cats, while mixed breed kittens have a better chance because they’re less likely to have genetic diseases. Even orphaned kittens, even when looked after by humans, have lower survival rates.
About 5% of kitten deaths happen before they’re born. The mother might absorb the fetuses or they could be stillborn. Poor nutrition in the mother, illness, or genetic issues are reasons for these deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a cat litter?
The term “cat litter” likely comes from the idea that when a cat gives birth, she creates a nest or bed for her kittens, similar to how a litter is used for small animals like puppies.
At What Age Can Cats Get Pregnant?
Cats can become pregnant as early as 4 to 6 months of age.
How Many Kittens Can A Cat Have Throughout Her Life?
A cat can give birth to approximately 280 kittens in her lifetime.
When Do Cats Stop Reproducing?
Cats usually stop reproducing around 8 to 10 years old, but this can vary based on individual health and circumstances.
