Can cats sense pregnancy? Feline myths and facts

Has your cat been acting strange lately? Always curled up on your lap, gently pawing at your belly, purring like a truck...Then, you remember that old wives' tale about cats sensing pregnancy, and as you gaze into your cat's eyes, you can't help but wonder...

A lot of people claim cats behave differently around those who are pregnant. Is this claim true?

So, can cats sense pregnancy in humans? No, not really.

There is no hard scientific evidence that changes in your cat’s behavior are an indication that they think you’re pregnant.

Your body does go through many changes in early pregnancy, and cats are notorious for paying attention to the smallest changes in their environment. So if your furry friend is acting odd, it’s definitely not weird to wonder if they’ve noticed something you might not have.

What cat behaviors hint at you being pregnant?

Ever wondered if your feline friend knows your secret? A secret you may not even know about yourself? Some people swear their cats knew there was a bun in their oven even before they did. The common stories depict cats exhibiting behaviors like increased clinginess, gentle belly nudges, gift-bringing, or sudden changes in their demeanor. But as intriguing as those anecdotes are, the jury's still out on whether that means cats can sense when you're pregnant, or they are simply acting strangely...and like cats. So, do cats really have a sixth sense about pregnancy, or are they just being their usual mysterious, sometimes cuddly, sometimes aloof selves?

Can my cat smell pregnancy?

Despite possessing a significantly more sensitive sense of smell than humans – with 200 million odor-sensitive cells in their noses compared to our mere 5 million – there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats can smell pregnancy.¹ Once a fertilized egg is implanted, it will start producing increasing amounts of the human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, which keeps your estrogen and progesterone levels high. This prevents your uterine lining from shedding. However, there are no studies that prove increased levels of hCG will make you smell differently to a cat.

So why do cats get clingy when you’re pregnant?

While it's fun to think cats can sense pregnancy, their behaviors are likely just coincidental. The truth is that while pregnancy might be the reason for those extra snuggles, their increased affection is likely due to a simple biological preference for warmth. As your body temperature rises slightly during pregnancy, your cat may seek you out for extra warmth. Your basal body temperature (BBT) is the temperature of your body at rest. Some women track BBT to better understand the pattern of their fertile days in each cycle. The average normal body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius.² After you ovulate, you can often expect a slight increase (0.5 degrees to 1 degree F) in BBT.³ If your BBT rises and stays that way for 18 days or more, it could be an indicator of pregnancy.

So, how do cats react to pregnancy?

Is your kitty a mind reader? Probably not (but just in case, keep your thoughts cat-friendly). Cats are highly attuned to their humans, so their behavior might be changing due to shifts in your behavior. A 2019 study looked at the attachment bonds between domestic cats and humans and found that cats “display distinct attachment styles toward human caregivers” and that we may even have been underestimating cats’ socio-cognitive abilities.⁴ In the first few weeks of pregnancy your daily routines and habits may change even if you don’t know you’re pregnant yet. What might your cat take note of? Here are some examples:

• You may be more tired. Your cat may be displeased to notice that you’re not playing with them as much as you used to. On the flip side, your cat may be enjoying more time with you on the couch or in bed.
• You may be experiencing morning sickness. This could mean you’re staying home more than usual, or they’re attempting to follow you into the bathroom more often.
• You may have food cravings or aversions. This could affect your daily eating habits. As a result, you may be cooking more or less, affecting the smells in your home and the time you spend there.
• You may have a heightened sense of smell. You may not be able to stand the smell of wet cat food or the litter box (we’ll talk more about kitty litter and pregnancy later), and letting someone else in the house handle your cat’s needs may shift the relationship dynamics a little.

Any of these small changes at home could give your cat a reason to act differently, but none are a direct response to detecting a pregnancy.

Still think your cat’s a pregnancy prophet?

Do yourself a favor and take a pregnancy test. With an early detection pregnancy test, detectable amounts of hCG can be found in your urine a few days sooner than your missed period — depending on the product, this could be up to 6 days before your missed period (5 days before your expected period).⁵ And if you’ve already missed the first day of your period, properly-taken home pregnancy tests will be almost 99% accurate⁶— and all tests from Clearblue® will be over 99% accurate.⁷

Can pregnant women be around cats?

Absolutely, yes – so long as there is no other reason for them to avoid contact with kitties (like allergies, for example). You can always seek medical advice if you have any doubts.

Having a cat in the house and kitty-cuddles don’t become a problem just because you’re trying to conceive or you’re already pregnant.⁶ So, if having a cat around isn’t a problem when you’re pregnant, why do people even ask this question? It’s probably because there is one very real pregnancy health rule to follow and (lucky for you!) it involves staying away from the litter box.

Pregnancy and cat litter don’t mix.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if you have a cat that spends anytime outside, it’s best to steer clear of the kitty litter if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive.⁸ The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) research states that cat feces can carry a parasite called Toxoplasmosis gondii which can cause infection.⁹ If your cat is allowed outside, ask someone else to clean the litter box.⁸

While the risk of Toxoplasmosis gondii is low for indoor cats8, the CDC recommends avoiding changing cat litter altogether, if possible.⁹ If you don’t have help, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water when you’re done. Also, make sure someone is cleaning the litter box daily. Additionally, it’s recommended to keep outdoor sandboxes covered and wear gloves when gardening, as both sand and soil could be contaminated with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma as well.⁹

So, do cats know when you are pregnant? Probably not, but if your kitty is being extra cuddly just enjoy the snuggles…and if you think you might be pregnant, then take a pregnancy test.

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