Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How many kittens can a cat have in a single litter? You might be surprised

Number of kittens in a litter - how many is normal?

How many kittens can a cat have? Let’s find out. Dr. Elsey’s informs us that kitten season occurs each year between April and October. While cats can give birth any time of the year, more kittens are born during kitten season than during any other time. The vast majority of kittens are born to stray and feral cats, but all unspayed cats — known as queens — are more likely to give birth during these months. Few things in the world are as adorable as kittens. Read on to learn more about them.

Three brown tabby kittens cuddling.

How many kittens are in a cat’s first litter? 

A healthy cat’s gestational period lasts roughly 63–65 days, and queens may have an estrus cycle within four weeks of giving birth — even if they’re still nursing. A healthy queen can potentially give birth to three litters per year, each containing up to 12 kittens. Because cats are such fertile breeders, one single unspayed female can produce 20,000 descendants over just five years. Fortunately for pet parents, the average size of a single litter is much smaller. Most litters have between four and eight kittens, though the size of each litter may vary from one kitten to over 10 kittens per litter.

However, first-time litters are typically smaller, usually containing around two or three kittens. Litter size also depends on your cat’s pedigree. Some purebred cats, such as British shorthairs, have an average of four kittens per litter. On the other hand, Siamese cats and similar breeds, like Balinese and Tonkinese cats, may produce as many as 12 kittens per litter.

A striped mama cat with her two kittens.

How many kittens can a 1-year-old cat have? 

The average kitten reaches puberty between the ages of 5 and 9 months old, although some mature a little faster or a little slower. Once a kitten has reached sexual maturity, she’s able to give birth after she has her first estrus — also known as a reproductive or heat — cycle. Estrus first occurs when a kitten is roughly 6 months old. Cats are also seasonally polyestrous, meaning they have multiple estrus cycles during breeding season, which usually peak between February through March and May through June. Where you live can affect your cat’s heat cycle. Cats who live in warm, tropical climates may go into heat throughout the entire calendar year. 

How can you tell how many kittens a cat is going to have?

Finding out that your cat is expecting kittens is an exciting time, and you’ll probably want to find out just how many tiny furballs you’ll be welcoming into your home. Unfortunately, taking an accurate headcount isn’t as easy as you might expect. A well-trained vet will be able to gently palpate your cat’s abdomen and guesstimate the number of kittens in her belly, but you won’t be able to know for certain until your cat’s pregnancy is almost over. While ultrasounds can confirm pregnancy, only an X-ray can give you an accurate number of how many grand-kittens you’re expecting. Kittens’ bones form and become visible on X-ray around the 54th day of your cat’s pregnancy. Up to that point, your vet will be able to give you only a rough estimate based on average litter size and whether this is your cat’s first pregnancy. 

Two orange tabby kittens with pink noses sleep hugging each other.

Why you should spay your cat after she gives birth

While some people consider it cruel to put cats under the knife, spaying your cat can help prevent behavioral problems and even health conditions like uterine infections and feline breast cancer. Even if your fur baby stays indoors, cats are escape artists, especially when they’re in heat. Cats may wander off in search of a partner, putting them at risk of crossing busy streets and running into predators. Additionally, there are always some risks involved when a cat becomes pregnant. Spaying your cat removes future labor-related risks, yet another way having her fixed can increase your fur baby’s life expectancy in the long run. Lastly, overcrowding in animal shelters is more problematic than ever. Every year, 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters in the United States alone. No matter how tempting the lure of kittens might be, doing your part to reduce overpopulation and overcrowding in shelters by spaying and neutering your pets helps save lives. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
What you can do to help your cat after surgery and show your pet how much you love them
Here's how to keep your kitty feeling safe, comfy, and calm post-op
A cat at the vet

You love your kitty. Sometimes, that means agreeing to send them in for cat surgery. Whether it’s a standard spay or neuter procedure, necessary dental work, or something more worrisome like removing a cancerous tumor, you’ll want to ensure you give your furry friend some extra TLC post-operation.

Your feline friend may also need you to be patient with them. Cat behavior after surgery can vary from pet to pet, but they may be slightly shyer, lethargic, or easily irritated for a while. The good news is that your cat should go back to normal — and hopefully wind up as an even healthier version of themselves soon. Knowing what to prepare for can ensure your cat feels safe, loved, and comfortable after surgery.

Read more
Why cats can’t resist knocking things over and driving you crazy
If you're asking yourself 'why do cats knock things over?' start here to find out
Kitten sitting on the edge of an office desk

Cats are agile, acrobatic, and so incredibly aware of their surroundings; yet chances are you've also watched your destructive cat knock numerous items all over the floor. These furry scalawags seem to get a kick out of knocking items over, but when those items are breakable or cups full of water, this feline habit can become frustrating.

So why do cats knock things over, and what can you do about it? Scolding them only deters them for a moment, but this kind of chaos can't go on forever. Luckily, we're here to help. According to the Metropolitan Veterinary Center, there are three main reasons behind this destructive behavior -- so identifying which one you're dealing with is the first step toward finding a solution.

Read more
If cats had New Year’s resolutions, here’s what they would be
Here are the funniest New Year's resolutions for cats
An orange tabby sitting on a green chair. a woman with a white sweater is looking on

Cats: We can't live with them, and we definitely can't live without them. Although we could do without the early morning yowling for food, the shedding, and the occasional hairball, our fur babies bring us a sense of joy and wonder that makes every day feel like a holiday.

But we can't help but wonder, "What would my cat's New Year's resolutions be?" While our cats are perfect as they are and most likely have no desire to change, that doesn't mean we can't have a bit of fun imagining what resolutions they might make if they weren't already the flawless and fabulous companions they are today.

Read more