Have you ever noticed how animals seem just to know things? Those little shifts in their behaviour feel almost magical as if they can sense something you can't. If you've ever been around a cat and a pregnant woman, you might wonder, can cats sense pregnancy? It's one of those mysterious things that make you pause and think. How do they know when something profound is happening?

Let's dive into this little mystery and explore whether cats can truly sense pregnancy—and how they might know long before we do.

Can Cats Sense Pregnancy?

We all know that cats have a very refined sense of smell. They have up to 200 million scent receptor cells, which makes them detect the earliest hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy. Their number of receptor cells is way more than that of humans, so they can detect pregnancy before humans can. 

The drastic change in hormones like Estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) leads to a change in human body odour. That's how your cat detects your change and starts being more clingy and touchy with you. 

So, it's no longer a mystery how cats can detect pregnancy before you even take the home pregnancy test. 

Not only does the odour change, but the body temperature also rises during pregnancy. Even though the change in temperature is very small, humans can easily detect it. This change can also trigger emotions in the cats, and they can feel the difference. 

Well, cats can't specifically know that someone's pregnant, but they feel the difference in the smell and temperature of the body. So, it's not that cats have a sixth sense to detect pregnancy. They can detect and react to their pet parents' body changes.  

Do Cats Act Differently Around Pregnant People?

Well, yes, cats do act differently around pregnant women, but not all cats behave the same way around pregnant ladies. Their behaviours depend on their individual personalities. Some cats become more affectionate towards pregnant women, while others feel curious and more alert around expecting women. Hence, the change in your cat's behaviour is directly proportional to the changes in your body. 

If you don't want your cat to be anxious or upset, continuing your routine with them is better. Try to be more affectionate towards them so they don't feel left alone and can build a connection with the little ones to come. Cuddle them more often so your little paws know that the changes in your body will not change your relationship with them. They will feel safe and connected to you. Try showing your baby items to your cats to introduce them to the new change. Doing this will let you bond with your cat on another level, and they will enjoy your pregnancy journey with you. 

Take your cat on a walk with you. It will help you connect with your cat better while taking care of your baby in the womb. Following these little tips will make a huge difference in how your cat reacts to your pregnancy.