Has a pregnant stray cat suddenly started hanging around, and you’re unsure how to help her?

Or have you noticed a community cat is looking particularly fat, and you’re wondering if she could be pregnant?

While birthing and raising kittens is a natural process for stray Thai cats, it can be an incredibly stressful time for them.

Not only do they have the stress of safely giving birth, but they must then keep their babies hidden and protected from predators.

So, if you encounter a pregnant stray cat in Thailand, know there are ways to help.

The best way will depend on the cat and the circumstances, so let’s discuss this further…

What Does A Pregnant Stray Cat Look Like?

• Hard, swollen belly
• Enlarged, pink nipples
• Increased appetite

In the first half of a cat’s pregnancy, you might not notice they are pregnant. Cats typically don’t start showing until around the halfway point, when you will notice they have a swollen belly.

When a cat is pregnant, her belly will hang low, but not in the same way as when a cat is fat.

A pregnant cat will have a full, rounded, and swollen belly.

A fat cat’s belly is squishy rather than swollen, and she will have additional fat on her neck and legs.

Enlarged, pink nipples are another sign of pregnancy in a cat. When a cat is between 2 and 3 weeks pregnant, her nipples swell and become dark pink.

However, the first indicator of pregnancy in a stray cat could be a change in her eating habits. When pregnant, cats have an increased or decreased appetite; in most cases, it’s the former.

If you’re unsure if a cat is pregnant, you can take them to a vet clinic. Here, they can confirm pregnancy by physical examination or ultrasound.

Where To Take A Pregnant Stray Cat In Thailand

Unfortunately, most animal rescue centers and shelters in Thailand do not have the capacity to take in pregnant stray cats.

That’s not to say it’s impossible; I certainly recommend you contact your local shelters to ask, but also ensure you have a backup plan.

You might also have some luck finding a private rescuer or fosterer who is willing to take in and care for the cat. It is well worth posting in some local Facebook groups and asking around.

If you find someone to take the cat, please donate toward the cat’s (and kittens) care, as private rescuers do what they do using their own money.

How To Help A Pregnant Stray Cat In Thailand

If you cannot find anywhere to take the pregnant cat, you will have three remaining options:

1. Foster the pregnant cat and kittens yourself
2. Take care of the pregnant cat on the street
3. Consider spaying the cat before she gives birth

As these involve some big decisions, let’s explore each one further…

Can A Pregnant Cat Be Spayed In Thailand?

While it is possible to sterilize a cat while she is pregnant, the process does involve terminating the pregnancy.

Therefore, like in many countries, the question of whether you should spay a pregnant cat is very controversial.

Pet euthanasia is not explicitly illegal in Thailand, but it isn’t expressly allowed either.

Euthanasia also goes against Buddhist beliefs. So, most vets in Thailand will refuse to engage in it in any way, including terminating a pregnancy.

That being said, you can sometimes find a vet or animal clinic that sterilizes pregnant cats if they are stray or feral, especially if you have already caught them.

In Phuket, iRak Pet Hospital offers this service, albeit for an increased price.

Along with some vets, rescue organizations in Thailand may support spaying pregnant cats. Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket is one such organization that you can contact for assistance.

Is It Cruel To Spay A Pregnant Cat?

Everyone has their own opinion on this, so the answer is not black and white.

For example, several rescuers I’ve spoken to about it feel that it depends on the stage of pregnancy.

If the cat is less than halfway through the pregnancy, they would be more inclined to proceed with the sterilization than if she was in the late stages.

In terms of risk, there is a slightly increased risk of internal bleeding when you spay a cat while pregnant. The incision will also be larger, so the recovery time will be slightly longer.

I have personally decided to spay pregnant cats, and this is why…

The pregnant cats in question were from a colony where kittens were born every few months.

Almost all of these kittens died before they reached just two months old. The only one who did survive was involved in a traumatic incident that resulted in losing half a leg.

Therefore, I knew what the fate of these unborn kittens would likely be. Knowing they would have such little chance of survival, it made sense to prevent them from the inevitable suffering.

Caring For A Pregnant Stray Cat

Although I have spayed pregnant cats before, this is not necessarily my default option. My course of action depends on the specific case.

For example, if the pregnant cat was very friendly and I could foster her and her kittens, I would do so.

Or, if the cat was feral and visibly days away from giving birth, I would let her have the babies on the street.

Then, once the babies were of weaning age, I would trap both mum and kittens, spaying the mum and finding homes for the kittens.

So, if you don’t feel comfortable spaying the cat while pregnant, these are the two other options you can consider.

Fostering A Pregnant Stray Cat

If you’re staying in Thailand long-term and have the space, why not consider fostering the cat while she raises her babies?

I recommend this option if the cat is friendly, as some feral cats will get extremely stressed confined in a small space. But friendly cats are more likely to relax and adapt to temporary indoor living.

Fostering a pregnant cat is a pretty big decision, as it means you will need to ‘house’ the cat and her kittens until they reach weaning age (6-8 weeks old).

You’ll then need to sterilize the mum and try to find homes for the kittens, which can be challenging.

That being said, fostering a pregnant cat can be incredibly enriching. So, in my opinion, it is well worth the effort!

But what about if you’re traveling in Thailand for just a short time? Or if your accommodation isn’t pet-friendly?

In this case, I recommend contacting locals and expats in the area through community Facebook groups.

While it might seem like a long shot, there is a good chance someone will volunteer to foster the kitty while she has her babies.

Caring For A Pregnant Cat On The Street

An alternative to fostering is caring for the cat on the street.

This is usually the best option if the cat is not so friendly. It also requires less time and commitment than fostering.

Typically, you’ll just need to check in regularly with the mama cat, bringing her lots of tasty food and water.

However, this is the critical part…

Once the kittens are weaning (eating solid food), trap and sterilize the mama cat before she gets pregnant again.

Without prompt sterilization, she will end up having back-to-back pregnancies, as cats can get pregnant again just a few weeks after giving birth.

You’ll also need a plan for the kittens. Either catch them and find them homes or sterilize them when old enough to prevent the reproduction rates from increasing further.

Final Thoughts

To recap, if you find a pregnant stray cat in Thailand, there are a few options you can consider.

You can foster her, allow her to have the babies on the street and then sterilize, or find a vet who is willing to spay her while she’s pregnant.

Note that all options end with sterilizing the cat to prevent future pregnancies. Sterilization is crucial to reducing the ever-increasing cat population AND improving the life and health of stray cats in Thailand.