“I’m Pregnant, and It Was My Cat Who Told Me!”Many people have had a similar experience: their cats seem to be able to sense when they’re pregnant! When you share this, it might sound a bit mystical, but it’s not just a wild claim. While there aren’t definitive experimental studies proving this, many zoologists and doctors believe that cats can indeed detect early changes in the human body, like pregnancy. So, here’s the question: how do these little felines know, when they don’t even come equipped with a “stethoscope”?
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Detecting by Smell
How powerful is a cat’s sense of smell? I’m sure you already know! When a person becomes pregnant, their hormone levels change dramatically, which in turn causes subtle shifts in body odor. Cats are incredibly sensitive and can pick up on these tiny changes, helping them sense that something is “different” about you.
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Sensing Through Behavior
Your cat, who spends all their time with you, has already memorized every movement you make, even the frequency of your footsteps. So, when you start adjusting your routine because of pregnancy—walking more heavily or experiencing mood swings—your sensitive cat will immediately notice: something’s not quite right with you anymore.
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Feeling Through Touch
During pregnancy, a person’s body temperature often rises by about 0.5°C. While you may not even notice, your cat, who loves to snuggle up to you, will definitely feel it right away. In fact, during the later stages of pregnancy, your cat might even hear the baby’s heartbeat or feel the baby’s movements when lying close to your belly. After sensing these “changes,” many cats respond in unique ways. Some might become more caring, like Luna, preparing a cozy “birthing area” for you. Others might become more alert, worried that you could be hurt. Some may even get curious about your belly, occasionally trying to “play” with it. Of course, some cats may feel stressed or anxious during this time, but it’s not entirely their fault. Much of this is caused by their owners suddenly becoming distant or showing less affection due to pregnancy.
If your cat hasn’t shown any signs of knowing you’re pregnant, don’t be too quick to question your little furball’s intelligence. It’s quite possible that your cat simply isn’t curious.And here’s something important to remember: a properly vaccinated and dewormed cat won’t affect your pregnancy, nor will it pose any risk to your baby’s health! In fact, it will provide your baby with a loyal guardian angel! Looks like there’s one more reason to have a cat — “Our little kitty is even better than an ultrasound!”
