Although it is more common in female dogs, cats can also have a psychological pregnancy. When the animals are not neutered or sterilized, every time they are in heat they will try to reproduce by all means, and they will do whatever - I insist, whatever - to achieve it, even being a little aggressive or for on the contrary, elusive with the family.
In the case of females, hormones sometimes make you think that they have been mated, and that they are expecting puppies, although this is not true. But, What are the symptoms of psychological pregnancy in cats? And what can be done?
Symptom
Symptoms can vary from cat to cat and depending on the "severity" of the psychological pregnancy. Females may appear pregnant as they may experience physical changes, such as swelling of the abdomen, increase in breast size, ... there are even some that they produce milk. But psychological changes also occur, which are mainly two:
- Adoption of another animal or stuffed animal that he will treat like a puppy.
- Preparing the place for delivery.
What to do?
Well, the first thing to keep in mind is that it is not a disease, but a hormonal imbalance. In mild cases, in which the cat simply experiences the psychological changes but leads a more or less normal life, it will only be necessary to remove the stuffed animal that she has "adopted" and it will go away. Now, in more serious cases, in which the cat really thinks she is pregnant and that even her body makes her notice it, you will need veterinary help especially if the breasts produce milk, as it could suffer mastitis.
Anyway, you have to know that psychological pregnancy in cats can be avoided. For it, I recommend that you have your friend castrated at 6 months of age (or 8 if she is large), before she has the first heat. So you won't have to worry 😉.