Most responsible cat owners have their animals spayed or neutered, but accidents caused by timing or adoption do occur. At this point, some major decisions must be made as to whether to go ahead with the birth or to spay at this point. A talk with a veterinarian may make this an easier decision.

If the cat is in the early stages of pregnancy, the vet may advice that spaying is the best option. Usually, he is able to give a good idea about the length of the pregnancy if the owner does not know the last time the cat was in heat. The age of the cat is also a consideration as to whether the pregnancy should continue. Just like humans, very young cats or very old cats do not fair as well when giving birth.

Another factor to be considered is the health of the cat. If it is a stray or has not had nutritious feeding, its body may not be ready to support a pregnancy. The decision might also be influenced by whether the home is prepared for and willing to care for a litter of newborns. A quiet, comfortable place will be needed to keep the mother and babies safe until they can care for themselves.

If the decision is made to continue the pregnancy, then a number of questions arise. How many kittens usually make a litter? Well, the answer is anyone’s guess, but probably somewhere between one and ten. The average runs somewhere around four. How long will a cat carry the babies until she delivers? Most mother cats deliver in about nine weeks time. If money is no object, a vet can answer both of these questions pretty conclusively through the use of an ultrasound test.