Can Cats Sense Pregnancy?
How can cats sense pregnancy in humans?
For any expecting mothers out there, you may have noticed your cats acting differently towards toward the last few days. Only to find out you are pregnant!
So how can cats sense pregnancy before you know? Most likely, their refined sense of smell and their ability to detect the changes in your body temperature and in your movements, habits, and behavior during pregnancy clue them into what’s going on. Here’s how this might work.
Your body chemistry changes
Yes, it’s possible that cats can sense pregnancy even before you have taken a pregnancy test or have any early pregnancy signs. This is due to their excellent and refined sense of smell.
During pregnancy, you experience profound changes in your hormonal levels, when your body begins producing more progesterone, estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones. (Remember, the hCG hormonse is the one that tells you you’re pregnant, in very nonmedical terms.)
The thought is that these changes in your hormone levels can affect your own personal scent. Thanks to their keen sense of smell, cats may detect these changes even before a pregnancy test can. So maybe they can’t quite tell that you’re pregnant, but your smell is certainly off.
You become warmer
For most women, your blood flow in your body increases when you get pregnant. This increased blood flow boosts the metabolism of your body by around 20%, which increases your body temperature.
It’s possible a higher body temperature is one of the ways cats sense pregnancy. The body temperature of cats is generally higher than humans, so these pets especially enjoy cuddling with warm people.
If you notice your cat getting much snugglier with your around when you are expecting, that could be a sign that you are pregnant. Since the temperature of your body may be slightly higher during pregnancy, your cat may like to snuggle up with you more when you’re expecting. Your cat may rub against you, sit on your pregnant belly, or even lie down beside you and put their paw on your belly.
Cats see more than meets our eyes
In addition to smelling hormonal changes and feeling a warmer body temperature, cats may also detect differences in your behavior, habits, body chemistry, and posture that give them a clue to the extensive changes that your body is going through.
We have to remember that a long, long time ago cats were wild animals. Which means they are keen at reading body languages and understanding things that we don’t often understand.
These pets are experts at reading your body language, so they can notice even tiny differences in your movements or when your movement becomes awkward.
Cats can also recognize changes in your habits, behavior, or daily routine. For instance, if you are feeling fatigued and lying on your couch more often, or if your family members or your partner is taking extra care of you, cats become aware of it.
>> You May Also Like: 10 Ways Your Cats Show Their Love For You
How to help your cat adjust to your pregnancy
Some cats become more protective and loving of their pregnant owner. Try to keep giving your cat love and attention during your pregnancy.
If neglected, their behavior may become aggressive or jealous. Sometimes cats act out by urinating in places such as the laundry basket or your bed. Giving your cat lots of love when you’re pregnant can let them know that your relationship hasn’t changed.
This is also especially true to remember when you bring home your new baby. Just like with kids, you want your cats to understand they have not been replaced. Their home is just growing.
As you progress with your pregnancy, sticking to the same daily routine with your cat can help avoid any behavioral problems. It’s important to continue to give your cat the same playtime and feeding routine even after your baby arrives.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might consider asking your friends and family members to help maintain a routine for your cat when you don’t have time. If your cat keeps its routine, it’s more likely to be affectionate after you bring your baby home.
Cats may become more protective and loving during pregnancy. According to studies, spending time with a pet animal may improve your mood, lower blood pressure, reduce depression and help you live longer.
Understanding the evidence
Now, it is important to remember that cats are not this all knowing being that can sense you are pregnant the moment it happens.
There is truly no reliable scientific evidence that exists to back up the claim that cats sense pregnancy. However, there are many pet lovers and animal specialists will swear that it’s true. According to research, some dogs can detect certain types of cancers by smell, so it may be possible that pets are able to smell changes produced in your body during pregnancy by your changing hormones. But these are largely anecdotal stories and personal experiences of pet owners.
Even if your cat doesn’t detect that you’re pregnant before a pregnancy test does, they will certainly figure it out when you bring a baby home, so the important thing is to help your cat prepare for the new addition to your family to make the transition as smooth as possible.