Sad News at Treska Maine Coons...
When There Are No Kittens: Understanding Pseudopregnancy in Cats
Sometimes, even when everything seems to go perfectly, nature has other plans.
This week, we confirmed that Stevie was not expecting kittens. After weeks of watching for every little sign, hoping for good news, and counting down the days, her X-ray showed no kittens. While it was heartbreaking, it also gave us the answer we needed.
One possibility in situations like this is pseudopregnancy, also called a false pregnancy.
What Is a Pseudopregnancy?
Cats are induced ovulators, meaning ovulation usually occurs after mating. If ovulation happens but fertilization does not, the queen can experience hormonal changes that closely mimic a real pregnancy. These hormones can cause her body to behave as though she is expecting kittens, even though no pregnancy has developed.
Common Signs
A queen experiencing a pseudopregnancy may show many of the same signs as a truly pregnant cat, including:
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Increased affection
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More frequent purring
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Mammary development
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Weight gain
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A rounder abdomen
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Changes in appetite
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Increased grooming
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Sleeping more or seeking quiet places
Because these signs overlap so closely with a true pregnancy, it can be impossible to know the difference based on behavior alone. Stevie was displaying so many of these signs.
Why Imaging Matters
One lesson I will absolutely carry forward is the value of diagnostic imaging.
An X-ray or ultrasound performed at the appropriate time, as recommended by your veterinarian, can provide answers that observation alone simply cannot. While imaging cannot predict exactly when labor will begin, it can confirm whether kittens are present and help estimate litter size.
In our case, the X-ray brought clarity. Although the news was disappointing and broke my heart - both for myself and all of you - knowing the answer allowed me to stop wondering and begin moving forward.
Moving Forward
Breeding is filled with incredible highs—but it also comes with disappointments that aren't always talked about. Every responsible breeder experiences moments that don't go according to plan.
My Stevie is healthy, happy, and very loved. That is what matters most.
We'll continue working closely with our veterinarian, learn from this experience, and look forward with hope to the future.
The hardest part of breeding for me is the waiting, the uncertainty, and accepting that not every planned litter becomes a reality.
Thank you to everyone who has followed Stevie's journey, shared in our excitement, and offered encouragement along the way. We truly appreciate your kindness and support, and we're looking forward to brighter news in the future.
Thankfully, we know this is only a temporary setback. Stevie has already proven herself to be a wonderful mother, having delivered and raised a healthy, beautiful litter in the past. That gives us every reason to be optimistic about the future. For now, we'll simply allow her body to return to its normal cycle, wait patiently for her next estrus, and, with guidance from our veterinarian, try again when the time is right. Breeding is a journey filled with both joys and disappointments, and while this chapter didn't end the way we had hoped, we're looking forward to the next opportunity with hope, patience, and excitement.
Please stick with us as we patiently wait for Stevie's next litter. Your encouragement means more than you know, and I promise the wait will be worth it. Often times, the best things are worth waiting for. We can't wait to keep updating you on Stevie's journey and her future kittens.
With a little sadness, but a lot of hope,
— Julia
Treska Maine Coons
Stevie enjoying snack time with Nora
Stevie showing me once again, just how beautiful she is.
Stevie showing off her good side.
Stevie relaxing with her son, Danny (She claimed the top spot this time!). Look at those ears!! Danny looked soaking wet earlier this week after the bath Stevie gave him.
Night Shift for opossum watch. Stevie never let's the boys block her view.
Stevie & Versace's Breeding
I'm sure you're wondering whether we will repeat this pairing, and the answer is YES! Stevie and Versace have already produced one exceptional litter together, and because we know they are capable of producing healthy, beautiful kittens, we plan to repeat the breeding when Stevie is ready. As always, her health and well-being will come first, and we will work closely with our veterinarian to determine the appropriate timing. While this attempt didn't result in kittens, it doesn't change our confidence in this wonderful pairing or our excitement for what the future may bring.
What Colors Can We Expect?
Based on Stevie and Versace's genetics, we expect all of the kittens to be tabbies, because Versace is homozygous for the agouti (tabby) gene and Stevie also carries the agouti gene. We may see a beautiful variety of colors and patterns, including brown tabbies, brown silver tabbies, brown patched tabbies (torbies), and silver torbies (female), as well as red or red silver tabbies in males. Because both Stevie and Versace carry the dilute gene, approximately 25% of the kittens may be dilute, producing blue tabbies, blue silver tabbies, cream tabbies, cream silver tabbies, and blue-cream tabbies. (The little cream boy in this picture - he's dilute! That means he is red but carries the dilute gene so that makes him look cream.)
Of course, Mother Nature always has the final say! We never know exactly how many kittens Stevie will have —or whether they'll be boys or girls—until birthing day arrives. Part of the excitement is watching each kitten make its grand entrance and discovering the unique colors, patterns, and personalities that nature has in store. Stick around and find out when she'll be pregnant again!
First Litter
Stevie and Versace's first litter exceeded every expectation we had. They produced healthy, beautiful, affectionate kittens with exceptional size, structure, and personalities, and we couldn't have been more proud of the results. Watching those kittens grow and join their forever families only reinforced what a wonderful pairing they are. We have every reason to believe that when the time is right, their next litter will be just as extraordinary. Sometimes the best things are worth waiting for, and we truly believe these kittens will be no exception.