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My pregnant cat has milk but no labor signs. Should I be worried?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed

It’s been over 3 weeks since my pregnant cat started producing milk. Will she have her kittens soon and is there any concern that she hasn’t had them yet? She isn’t showing any other signs of labor.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 22nd, 2018

Some cats start producing milk one day before giving birth, and others start 2 or 3 weeks before. She is already very "round" and should have them in the next few days. As long as she appears happy and healthy, eats drinks, poops and pees, there is no problem. Once she starts going into labor, she should have the kittens within a relatively short time. If you see her straining for more than 1/2 hour without producing a kitten, it is time to take her to a vet. If she has a discharge that smells bad, there is a problem and she should also be seen by a vet. Any discharge near, during and after giving birth should be odor-less.

23Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on May 9th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Onyx is very close! Milk can appear in the mammary glands 24 hrs to 1 week before labor. Cats are pregnant for 60-63 days. I can not tell you a date range with out knowing the breeding date, but I suspect she will give birth in the next few days.

I wish Onyx the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 23rd, 2018
Hello. Many cats will begin looking for out of the way places to have their kittens, a closet, a pile of laundry, or under a bed or bureau. But I have also known of cats having their litters right in the middle of the owner's bed. You might notice a slight mucoid discharge that may be a little bloody, but cats are so fastidious you may not notice this. If your cat seems a bit distracted or disinterested in things, has a loss of appetite or may be a little grumpy, she is probably getting close to her time. If you know the breeding date, count approximately 63 days & that should give you her due date. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on January 25th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Lovely may be about to go in to labor. Cats are pregnant 60-63 days. The clear discharge could be her water breaking. I would keep the room quiet and not allow a lot of people in the room. Cats can delay labor if stressed. I would check on her every 2 hours.

I hope this helps and I wish Lovely the very best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on November 21st, 2017
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Cats are pregnant for 60-63 days. When cats are pregnant they tend to be friendlier. Sadly there are no specific signs to indicate labor until Stage 1 starts, which is nesting. I would keep her indoors and consider keeping her in a separate room. Cats like privacy and can delay the birth of kittens after some are born up to 24 hrs. Keep people and other animals out of the room once she starts going in to labor. Milk can appear with in the mammary glands up to a few days to 1 week before labor.

I hope this helps and I wish Macka the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My cat is 64 days pregnant with no labor signs. Should I be worried?

Gestation is about 63-65 days, so you should be seeing signs of labor soon. If your timing is right, it should be any day now. You may be slightly off on your timing and maybe she has been pregnant for less time than you think? Look for signs of labor such as nesting behavior, vocalization, being more affectionate, licking the vulva and a change in appetite. Cats do not always give clear signs of labor like dogs so it can be tricky sometimes to notice when a cat is in labor. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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My pregnant cat shows labor signs, then stops. Is this normal?

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My pregnant cat has signs, when will she deliver her kittens?

Cats are pregnant for about 60 days. You will start to. It’s e her mammary glands fill with milk around the 7th week of pregnancy. Their temperature will drop when it gets within 48 hours of labor and their appetite can decrease then. It is not uncommon to see a clear mucous discharge in the urine around a week before labor. Without knowing when she was in heat and bred these signs are the best guide to let you know about delivery.

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Pregnant cat has discharge, no kittens or milk. What should I do?

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My pregnant cat has pink discharge and is eating. Is this labor?

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My pregnant cat has clear discharge. Is this a sign of labor?

Hello. A cat is pregnant an average of 63 days. A mucous or slightly discolored discharge could very well indicate that your cat is in the early stages of labor. She may still be a day or so away from actually delivering her kittens, but it should be soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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My pregnant cat is sleeping a lot. Is she going into labor soon?

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