The thought of cats being able to sense pregnancy has been a topic of debate for centuries. Some people swear by the idea, claiming their cats have displayed unusual behavior in the presence of a pregnant woman, while others dismiss the notion as mere superstition. But what does the science actually have to say about this mysterious connection between cats and pregnancy?
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the myths and facts surrounding this fascinating topic to uncover the truth. Join us as we explore the research behind the mysterious connection between cats and pregnancy and discover the answer to the age-old question: Do cats really sense pregnancy?
Myths and facts surrounding cats and pregnancy
The first step towards answering the question do cats sense pregnancy is to explore the myths and facts surrounding the subject. This can help us to understand the current state of research related to cats and pregnancy. Here are some of the most common myths associated with this topic.
Myth 1: Cats can sense when a woman has conceived.
Myth 2: Cats can smell the pregnancy hormone in the woman’s breath.
Myth 3: Cats can sense changes in their heartbeat.
Myth 4: Pregnant women are more susceptible to feline infections.
Fact 1: Cats can smell the hormone progesterone in your blood, saliva and urine.
Fact 2: Cats have a very keen sense of smell, which is why they may react to changes in your heartbeat. –
Fact 3: Pregnant women are more susceptible to feline infections due to the lowered immune system caused by the pregnancy hormone progesterone.
What does science say about the connection between cats and pregnancy?
Based on the research surrounding the subject, it appears cats can absolutely sense pregnancy. In fact, they can even determine the sex of the unborn child by detecting hormones in the blood of the pregnant woman.
This is thought to be achieved by the pregnant woman’s increased blood flow which causes her veins to dilate, making her blood vessels more visible. Another theory suggests pregnant women exhale more hydrogen sulfide, which can be detected by cats through smell.
The unborn baby also excretes hormones into the bloodstream of the mother, including estrogen, progesterone, and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). These hormones are detectable by cats due to their highly-sensitive olfactory system, as well as their heightened sense of smell during pregnancy.
How do cats react to pregnant women?
Cats can sense pregnancy via their sense of smell, as well as changes in their heartbeat. Cats are naturally curious creatures and are known to investigate anything new. If a cat encounters a pregnant woman, they may investigate her by rubbing, licking, or biting her.
Some cats will also paw at the abdomen or lay their head on the stomach. This can often be misinterpreted as the cat being aggressive when it’s actually just curious. Cats may also respond to the pregnancy hormone by becoming more affectionate with their owners or even more aggressive.
In order to determine whether a cat is being affectionate or aggressive, it’s important to understand the context of the situation. For example, if a cat is rubbing against your leg, biting your arm, and then licking your hand, the behavior may be aggressive. However, if the same cat is lying on its back with its belly exposed and its legs in the air, it is likely affectionate.
How can cats sense pregnancy?
Cats can sense pregnancy via their heightened sense of smell, as well as changes in your heartbeat. The heightened sense of smell can be attributed to the fact that pregnant women have increased blood flow. This causes the veins in the body to dilate and become more visible.
Cats can also identify the pregnancy hormone hCG in the blood of pregnant women. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone that is only produced during pregnancy. It has been discovered that pregnant women’s blood has three times as much hCG as non-pregnant women’s.
This can be detected by cats via smell, as well as their heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. The increased blood flow and a heightened sense of smell are likely what allows cats to determine the sex of the unborn child.
How soon can cats sense pregnancy?
It is believed that cats are capable of recognizing when a woman is pregnant as soon as three or four weeks after conception!
Are there any risks associated with cats and pregnancy?
While there is no evidence to suggest that cats can harm a pregnant woman or her unborn child, it’s important to be cautious when handling your cat. The following are some tips to help you stay safe while pregnant and around cats:
Avoid handling feral cats: If you do choose to adopt a stray cat, make sure to wash your hands to reduce the risk of infection.
Avoid being scratched: Cats are notorious for scratching and biting, especially if they are in heat. To reduce the risk of being scratched, don’t try to handle the cat while they’re sleeping.
Stay away from litter boxes: Clean out the litter box regularly to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid cleaning the box when you’re pregnant if at all possible.
So, do cats sense pregnancy?
Based on the research surrounding this topic, it appears that cats can absolutely sense pregnancy! In fact, they can even determine the sex of the unborn child by detecting hormones in the blood of the pregnant woman.
There is no doubt that cats have an uncanny ability; they are not going to provide any insight into the gender of an unborn baby. Despite that, we must concede that cats are truly remarkable creatures!
