Robert Brown|How long are cats pregnant? Expert tips for owners before the kittens arrive.

It's a kitten!

Learning that your cat is Robert Brownpregnant may come as a shock and a surprise. Adopting a pet is a lot of work, but this responsibility is likely not one you signed up for.

Still, as your cat's caring owner, ensuring their pregnancy is as healthy as possible is your job. This means taking your furry friend to the vet, learning about feline gestation and finding new homes for the kitties if you can't keep them. Approximately 3.2 million cats end up in U.S. animal shelters every year, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty says.

How long are cats pregnant?

Expect your cat to be pregnant for about two months. Cat pregnancies last between 62 to 70 days, and the average cat gestation is 64 days, says veterinarian Diana Watkins, who owns 143 Veterinary Services in Massachusetts.

How long after a cat starts showing will she give birth?

Pregnant cats start showing about halfway through their pregnancies, around 30 days. Every cat is different, however. Thin cats may start showing early on in their pregnancy. Owners of bigger cats may not even notice they’re pregnant until they're ready to give birth, Watkins says.

If you suspect your cat is pregnant, take them to see your vet. They can help you care for your cat while she’s expecting. It’s important they know she’s pregnant so they don’t give her the feline distemper vaccine, which protects against several infectious diseases but is unsafe for fetuses, Watkins says. Keep an eye out for these pregnancy symptoms:

• Distended, or swollen, belly
• Prominent nipples
• Nesting, or creating a cozy, quiet and safe spot to give birth

If you have an unspayed cat over four months old, it’s a good idea to take her to the vet if she gets outside, even if you’re not sure she’s pregnant. Cats are “really, really good at getting pregnant,” Watkins says, because they can induce ovulation at any time. 

Once you have the confirmation your furry friend is expecting, there are a few things you can do to keep them healthy and happy. To start, keep them indoors. You can also feed your cat kitten food, which has extra nutrients the growing babies need. Your vet can help you calculate the exact amount of calories they’ll need while pregnant, Watkins says. 

Provide access to a safe, comfortable area for birthing. This should be somewhere hidden and out of the way, like under a bed or in a closet. Provide blankets, towels and a box for nest-building.

When it comes time to giving birth, “they do it best on their own,” Watkins says. Keep your distance so you don’t stress them out but check in now and then to make sure the process is going smoothly. They’ll usually start nesting and disappearing from plain sight the day before they give birth. Labor may take around six hours, and they’ll typically birth one kitten every 30 minutes, Watkins says.

Can you pick up a pregnant cat?

You can still snuggle a pregnant cat, but take extra care. Try scooping her up from the bottom to avoid touching her sensitive belly, which might cause her discomfort, says Purina, a pet company.

Exercise caution around children, who may not understand how to handle animals gently.

How many kittens can a cat have in her first litter?

Cats typically birth between four and six kittens, though a cat who is giving birth to her first litter may have fewer kittens, Watkins says.

It’s important to be prepared for how many kittens to expect, whether you’re planning on giving them up for adoption or keeping them in your home. Vets can count the fetuses with X-rays over 45 days of gestation.  

How many times can a cat get pregnant in a year?

On average, cats can have about three litters per year since their gestation period lasts only two months. However, no more than once or twice a year is recommended to give the cat the necessary time to recover, veterinarians at PetCoach say.

How old is my cat in human years?:We illustrated it for you

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered.

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Why does my cat lick me?" to "How to trim cat nails" to "How long do cats live?"  – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.