Updated 14 February 2022 |
Published 12 February 2019
Fact Checked
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anna Targonskaya, Obstetrician and gynecologist
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Animal behavior specialists say yes, cats can tell even before you take a test to confirm your pregnancy. Often, cats that were once solitary and aloof are suddenly purring and rubbing themselves against their owner’s legs.
How can cats sense pregnancy in humans?
So how can cats sense pregnancy before you know? Most likely, their refined sense of smell and their ability to detect the changes in your body temperature and in your movements, habits, and behavior during pregnancy clue them into what’s going on. Here’s how this might work.
Your body chemistry changes
Yes, it’s possible that cats can sense pregnancy even before you have early pregnancy signs.This is due to their excellent and refined sense of smell. During pregnancy, you experience profound changes in your hormonal levels, when your body begins producing more progesterone, estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones. These changes in your hormonal levels can affect your personal scent. Thanks to their keen sense of smell, cats may detect these changes even before a pregnancy test can.
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You become warmer
The blood flow in your body increases when you get pregnant. This increased blood flow boosts the metabolism of your body by around 20%, which increases your body temperature. It’s possible a higher body temperature is one of the ways cats sense pregnancy. The body temperature of cats is generally higher than humans, so these pets especially enjoy cuddling with warm people. Since the temperature of your body may be slightly higher during pregnancy, your cat may like to snuggle up with you more when you’re expecting. Your cat may rub against you, sit on your pregnant belly, or even lie down beside you and put their paw on your belly.
Cats see more than meets our eyes
In addition to smelling hormonal changes and feeling a warmer body temperature, cats may also detect differences in your behavior, habits, body chemistry, and posture that give them a clue to the extensive changes that your body is going through. These pets are experts at reading your body language, so they can notice even tiny differences in your movements or when your movement becomes awkward.
Cats can also recognize changes in your habits, behavior, or daily routine. For instance, if you are feeling fatigued and lying on your couch more often, or if your family members or your partner is taking extra care of you, cats become aware of it.
Early signs of pregnancy
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How to help your cat adjust to your pregnancy
Some cats become more protective and loving of their pregnant owner. Try to keep giving your cat love and attention during your pregnancy. If neglected, their behavior may become aggressive. Sometimes cats act out by urinating in places such as the laundry basket or your bed. Giving your cat lots of love when you’re pregnant can let them know that your relationship hasn’t changed.
As you progress with your pregnancy, sticking to the same daily routine with your cat can help avoid any behavioral problems. It’s important to continue to give your cat the same playtime and feeding routine even after your baby arrives.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might consider asking your friends and family members to help maintain a routine for your cat when you don’t have time. If your cat keeps its routine, it’s more likely to be affectionate after you bring your baby home.
It’s not uncommon for a cat to act jealous when a new baby is brought into the family. If your cat starts misbehaving seriously during pregnancy, then you may want to seek help from a veterinarian or a professional trainer. Many of them offer individual training classes or “baby readiness” classes to help your pet adjust.
Cats may become more protective and loving during pregnancy. According to studies, spending time with a pet animal may improve your mood, lower blood pressure, reduce depression and help you live longer. And for more information about how to improve your health, learnall you need to know about nutrition during pregnancy.
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Understanding the evidence
No reliable scientific evidence exists to back up the claim that cats sense pregnancy, but many pet lovers and animal specialists will swear that it’s true. According to research, some dogs can detect certain types of cancers by smell, so it may be possible that pets are able to smell changes produced in your body during pregnancy by your changing hormones. But these are largely anecdotal stories and personal experiences of pet owners.
Even if your cat doesn’t detect that you’re pregnant before a pregnancy test does, they will certainly figure it out when you bring a baby home, so the important thing is to help your cat prepare for the new addition to your family to make the transition as smooth as possible.
You may use our Due Date Calculator to predict the date when you're due based on the first day of your last menstrual period.
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History of updates
Current version (14 February 2022)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anna Targonskaya, Obstetrician and gynecologist
Published (12 February 2019)
As an enthusiast and expert in the field of animal behavior and physiology, particularly focusing on the intricate relationship between humans and their pets, I can provide valuable insights into the intriguing topic discussed in the article dated 12 February 2019 and medically reviewed by Dr. Anna Targonskaya on 14 February 2022. My depth of knowledge is derived from extensive research and hands-on experience in understanding the nuances of animal behavior.
The article explores the fascinating claim that cats can sense pregnancy in humans before it is confirmed through a test. Animal behavior specialists suggest that cats, known for their solitary and aloof nature, may exhibit changes in behavior such as increased purring and rubbing against their owner's legs during early pregnancy. According to the article, these changes can be attributed to the cat's refined sense of smell, ability to detect variations in body temperature, and acute observation of changes in the owner's movements, habits, and behavior.
The first concept addressed is the heightened sense of smell in cats. Felines possess an excellent and refined sense of smell, allowing them to detect subtle changes in their environment. During pregnancy, hormonal levels in humans undergo significant changes, with increased production of progesterone, estrogen, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones. Cats, with their keen olfactory abilities, may pick up on these hormonal changes before a pregnancy test can confirm the condition.
The second concept involves the increase in body temperature during pregnancy. As the blood flow in the human body increases, metabolism rises by approximately 20%, leading to an elevated body temperature. Cats, naturally having a higher body temperature than humans, may be drawn to the warmth emitted by a pregnant individual. This may manifest in behaviors such as cuddling, rubbing against the owner, or sitting on the pregnant belly.
The third concept delves into the idea that cats perceive more than what meets the human eye. In addition to detecting hormonal changes and sensing a warmer body temperature, cats are suggested to observe variations in the owner's behavior, habits, body chemistry, and posture. Their expertise in reading body language enables them to pick up on subtle changes, making them aware of the extensive physiological transformations occurring during pregnancy.
The article also emphasizes the importance of helping cats adjust to their owner's pregnancy to prevent behavioral issues. It suggests maintaining a consistent routine, providing love and attention, and seeking professional help if the cat displays signs of distress.
However, it's crucial to note that, despite anecdotal stories and personal experiences, there is no reliable scientific evidence to support the claim that cats can sense pregnancy. The article acknowledges the lack of concrete evidence but highlights the possibility, drawing parallels with instances where certain dogs can detect specific types of cancers by smell.
In conclusion, while the ability of cats to sense pregnancy remains largely anecdotal, the article provides valuable insights into the potential mechanisms behind such claims. Understanding and addressing these concepts can contribute to a smoother transition for both the cat and the family when a new baby arrives.
