Yes, your cat can tell you're pregnant and here's how they understand

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Apr 8, 2026 8:45 AM EDT

It might not be just a coincidence that your cat got clingier recently, they could be telling you something you don't even know yet.

Cats are much more purrceptive than we give them credit for. Dogs usually get all the fame and spotlight when it comes to understanding things about us hoomans, but cats just communicate it in a different way. One of the biggest ways cats communicate with us is through physical actions, and if your cat all of a sudden becomes awwdorably clingy, they might smell some hormonal changes you're not even aware of yet.

They don't understand pregnancy the way we do - if they saw you with a giant, round belly, they would probably just think you're a giant, chonky cat, not a pregnant one. But, cats can smell when your body starts pumping out a whole lot of estrogen in order to move the pregnancy along, meaning that they can actually smell your pregnancy without ever seeing it. You also produce more body heat, and we all know how much cats love warm things. It's not uncommon for cats to start sleeping on your pregnant belly for warmth and comfort.

Don't take every time your cat starts cuddling with you as a sign you might be pregnant, but sometimes, it might not hurt to check. Although it wouldn't be the first time that we found out by surprise! Check out these wholesome stories below of women who went through pregnancies with their cats, and how they adorably responded to the idea of a new hooman sibling.

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  • 01
    BING 이
    via tanya6k
  • 02
    Since I've gotten pregnant, my cat has been more clingy. today marks the first time she's laid her head on my belly. Do you think she knows about the new creature that slumbers just a few centimeters away? 34 weeks and 5 days for those who are curious.
    via tanya6k
  • 03
    LumpyInterest2266 Absolutely. They can hear the extra heartbeat and feel the change in temperature. You've been promoted from owner to a heated nesting spot!
    via LumpyInterest2266
  • 04
    Sky14318 I adopted a feral stray years ago. Named her Nova. She and I were pregnant at the same time. And she absolutely KNEW I was pregnant. When she went into labor, she wouldn't stay in her chosen spot (in my closet drawer) unless I laid on the floor and kept my hand in there with her.
    via Sky14318
  • 05
    One time, when I was about 6 months along, I passed out on the bathroom floor. (Ended up having to be hospitalized). Nova was pawing and fr king out at the closed bathroom door then went to my husband outside, started yowling at him, pawing at him and led him straight back to me.
    via Sky14318
  • 06
    She was always semi-wild and could NOT be contained. When my son was born, I was sitting on the front porch and he started crying in his crib. As I stood up to go to him, I suddenly heard crashing and a bunch of noise coming from several streets away. It was Nova jumping fences and whatnot... RACING to get to
    via Sky14318
  • 07
    the baby. I couldn't believe it. Nova was the most amazing cat I've known in my whole life. She was such a blessing that just walked into my life one day.
    via Sky14318

  • When we had our first daughter, our cats were always by her side. They used to love their own space, but as soon as she came home, they slept in her room and gave you evil stares if you dared make any noise that might wake her up. It was the cutest thing in the whole world!

    When she cried, they would run to try and comfort her. Our cats, who are normally terrified of loud noises, would sit patiently and purr to try and soothe her, no matter how loudly she screamed. If we picked her up to try and bounce her, they would nearly trip us trying to stay as close to her as pawssible.

  • 08
    Mister_Reous 100%. They can smell the change in your pheromones, and know what it means. They can sense that your behaviour (walking, sitting etc is slightly different, your temperature is probably a bit different and then (cats have exceptional hearing)/they will
    via Mister_Reous
  • 09
    hear the heartbeat. She knows .The fact that your cat is so bonded to you is good when the baby comes. She won't see it as competition, but as another member of her family group.
    via Mister_Reous
  • 10
    LadyJ... My cat knew I was pregnant before I did!! I would get home from work exhausted, lay down on my stomach for a nap and one day he started napping on my back whenever I did it. Found out 2 weeks later.
    via LadyJane17
  • 11
    And he was OBSESSED with my belly. Would sleep with his head on it whenever he could. I miss my sweet old man! He lived to be almost 23 and d d when my son was 4. Zeus was such a good boy <3
    via LadyJane17
  • 12
    Delicious_Parsnip_86 Yep, you smell different. It will be cool to see the relationship with the baby arrives.
    via Delicious_Parsnip_86
  • 13
    Possible-Classic6105 Yeah she definitely knows. That's her baby now too
    via Possible-Classic6105
  • 14
    PancakesanSyrp When I was pregnan, my cat would constantly be near me. This is him on the morning I went into labor, he kept nervously checking the windows and door like he was waiting for someone to show up. When we did come back from the hospital he stayed as close to the baby as we would let him for weeks. I miss him so much..
    via PancakesanSyrp
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10621482752
    via PancakesanSyrp
  • 16
    SHE COULD BUT SHE WAS Cally tireen SHE DIDN'T juni_equo_МО||ӘЛ
    via YellowTonkaTrunk
  • 17
    I have almost the same picture with my boy he has been OBSESSED with me since I got pregnant. He's always been cuddly but he's been super clingy and he seems to get clingier with every week that passes.
    via YellowTonkaTrunk
  • 18
    ModeratelyAverage6 Yes. My cat sat on my belly from weeks 6-40 like he was trying to hatch me. He would not sleep anywhere else either. It always had to be on me.
    via ModeratelyAverage6
  • 19
    daisylady4 They know And they become extra clingy
    via daisylady4
  • 20
    sanedragon Yep cats and dogs can tell. My pets got SUPER concerned when I went to the hospital in labor. Like, why are you taking her from her nest?! We can help! Lol.
    via sanedragon
  • 21
    My late Max Power loved the babies. Such a good kitty. baby goal
    via sanedragon
  • 22
    Sea-Command3437 There was a pregnant woman online a few years ago whose female cat had made a nest for her like the one she'd made for her own kittens, and kept showing it to her with a proud expression.
    via Sea-Command3437

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Babies pregnancy cat mom cat owners pregnant Cats animals
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