Both male and female cats have nipples, but only female cats use them to feed kittens. When a female cat is going to have kittens, her nipples change to get ready for nursing the babies. This helps her feed many kittens at one time. That’s why it’s helpful to know the difference between normal cat nipples vs pregnant ones. If you see changes in a female cat’s nipples, it could be a sign that she is expecting kittens!
Normal Cat Nipples Overview
Cats have several nipples on their belly, usually 6-8, they are arranged in pairs. Some cats may have more or fewer. Both male and females have nipples, so you can’t tell if a cat is a boy or a girl by looking at nipples.
How do Cats Nipples Work?
Each nipple on a cat is connected to a mammary gland. The gland makes milk only when needed, usually when a female cat is pregnant. Milk travels through a small tube and comes out of the nipple. Unless a cat has health problems, milk is only made during pregnancy.
Cat’s nipples are small and firm until she is not pregnant. You can’t notice them until you look closely. If the cat’s fur is thick and long, nipples can be hard to see, so you might need to gently feel them.
Do male cats have nipples?
Male cats have nipples just like female cats because nipples form before their bodies develop into male or female in the womb. But, in male cats nipples don’t have a use. They stay small and firm and generally don’t change during their lives. However, male cats can still get breast cancer, so if you see any changes in their nipples, it’s important to take them to the vet. A lot of people ask, do boy cats have nipples? So, yes they do!
Can Male Cats Produce Milk?
Male cats can not produce milk, because their body doesn’t have the right hormones or developed milk glands. The nipples will always be there but they do not do anything or have a use. If you ever see any discharge coming out of male cat’s nipples, take them to the vet, to see if everything is okay.
Overview of Pregnant Cat Nipples
You might start to see a cat’s nipples change just a few weeks after she becomes pregnant. These changes help the mother’s cat body get ready to feed her kittens after their birth. The nipples change during pregnancy and change again after the kittens are born.
Changes in Early Pregnancy:
About 2-3 weeks into pregnancy a cat’s nipples start to change. They get bigger and turn pink or red, it’s known as pinking up. The nipples usually become double in size and become easier to see, with the fur around them thinning.
Changes in Late Pregnancy:
By the end of pregnancy, nipples are already as big as they get before birth and the area around them may look more noticeable. You might see discharge from nipples about two weeks before kittens are born, this is normal and depends on the cat’s health.
Changes After Pregnancy:
After the cat gives birth, she makes milk to feed her kittens, which makes her nipples bigger. Her nipples stay large and pinkish red while she is nursing. When the kittens start drinking less milk and eating solids, the mother’s nipples slowly get smaller and get back to normal.
The table below will help you easily understand the difference between normal cat nipples vs pregnant cat nipples.
| Normal Nipples | Nipples in Early Pregnancy | Nipples in LatePregnancy | Nipples After Birth | |
| Color | Skin | Pink | Dark Pink | Dark Pink |
| Size | Small | 2-3 times bigger | 4 times bigger | Round and Big |
| Discharge | No | No | Milky or Clear | Large Quantity of Milk |
| Surrounded Area | Coated in fur | Growing hairless area | Growing hairless area | Spread |
In short, a pregnant cat’s nipples change a lot. They grow larger, turn pink and get ready to make milk for the kittens. A normal cat’s nipples are smaller and not noticeable. After the kittens are born, the nipples help the mother give milk and care for them.
How many nipples do cats have?
Most cats have six to eight nipples, but some may have more or fewer. So, don’t be surprised. A cat will have the same number of nipples their whole life, although some might be small or hard to see. Each nipple has its own supply, while a cat is nursing.
Conclusion
Pregnancy in cats is an amazing and special experience for cats owners. However, the true question is how Normal Cat Nipples vs Pregnant cat nipples look? One important part of this journey is how a cat nipples change throughout pregnancy. These small parts of the body go through big changes to get ready for feeding kittens. The nipples grow larger, darker in color and produce milk. Knowing the difference between normal and pregnant cat nipples helps us understand and appreciate how amazing a mother’s cat body is!
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