How many days after mating does a cat become pregnant? - briefly
On average, a cat becomes pregnant approximately 10-14 days after mating.
How many days after mating does a cat become pregnant? - in detail
The gestation period for cats typically lasts between 63 and 67 days, which is approximately nine weeks. However, it's important to note that the process of becoming pregnant starts much earlier than the actual gestation period.
When a cat mates, the sperm can survive in her reproductive tract for up to five days. During this time, they are actively trying to fertilize the egg. If successful, the fertilized egg will then begin its journey down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. This process takes around three days.
Once the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, which usually happens around day 10 to 12 after mating, pregnancy is confirmed. However, it's not always easy to detect pregnancy at this early stage without veterinary intervention, such as ultrasound or palpation examinations.
In summary, while the cat becomes technically pregnant around 10-12 days after mating, the gestation period, where she is visibly and physiologically pregnant, begins much later, around day 63 to 67.