Cat owner couldn’t figure out why their ‘pregnant-looking’ pet kept taking them to a birthing box — until the vet explained the heart-melting reason
A cat owner was left baffled when their cat, who appeared to be pregnant, began acting strangely. The feline kept bringing her owner to her birthing box for some reason, but the owner was not able to decipher it. The owner then turned to the internet for advice and asked fellow cat owners about their feline’s odd behavior. A veterinarian has shed light on the heartwarming reason behind the unexplained behavior of a pregnant cat inviting her owner to her birthing box.
In a viral Reddit post under u/SnooPears3163, the cat owner divulged that they were “not entirely sure” about their pet cat’s pregnancy. While it is almost always visible, the pet owner claimed her fur was too thick to discern the fact. “She’s very furry, so her fur makes it hard to see her belly (Though I am a good 80% sure),” read the post with 20,000 votes. The previous day, the owner recalled, their cat kept meowing and led them to her birthing box. She wanted the owner to pet her while she lay inside, which raised concerns in the owner’s mind. “Does this mean she’s close to labor?” the owner asked.
The owner included a few photos of their adorable cat snuggled in her birthing box, covered with blankets. They noted that the box was “soft on the sides and bottom” to offer comfort to the cat in case she goes into labor. The second picture offered a closer look at the cat’s pregnant belly under a layer of fur. Dr. Michelle Dulake, co-founder and CEO of Fera Pets, explained that the feline’s behavior was completely natural for a pregnant cat. "As their due date approaches, many cats begin to exhibit nesting behaviors, which include [sic] seeking out a safe, quiet, and private space to give birth,” Dulake told Newsweek.
The simple act of dragging the owner to the birthing box to be petted while the pregnant cat rested was a way of seeking “reassurance and comfort.” This occurs when the cat feels vulnerable and wants her owner nearby. “Cats can be very instinctive in their need for companionship when they're in a heightened emotional state like pregnancy," the vet added. Pregnancy is a stressful time for a cat’s emotional and physical health. It is common for them to seek comfort from their owners and exhibit nesting behaviors like appetite changes and increased vocalization. It is likely that the pet cat’s constant meowing to call her owner to her birthing box was a similar gesture for a safe space.
Later, the pet cat did go into labor and gave birth to kittens, the owner revealed in a follow-up, per the source. Several readers and fellow cat owners took note of the pregnant cat’s behavior and shared their heartfelt reactions. “I had a cat who wanted to give birth in my lap. I stayed next to her box with her,” recounted u/Moss-cle, while u/cicutaverosa answered the owner’s query, “Needs someone around her during labor.” An insight by u/aakaase said, “Yeah, she probably knows she's due!”