Last Updated on January 9, 2021
If you ever asked a question concerning your cat’s nipples, you will find the answers here. You may be wondering… “Who the heck would be talking about cat nipples!?”. Well, I guess I am and plenty of people are curious! I know it is a funny subject but you may learn something new. So here are the most common questions asked on Google about feline nipples! Woo!
Do Male Cats Have Nipples?
Yes! Like other male mammals, male cats have nipples too! It is believed that the nipples are developed in the womb of mammals before the sex is determined. This is why males have nipples, even though they don’t really have any purpose.
How Many Nipples Do CATS HAVE?
There isn’t one set answer for this. Cats almost always have an even amount but cats have been known to have odd amounts as well. As for the number, cats can have as little as 4, but as many as 10! The average number being 6. Yes, this includes male cats as well! Some kittens from the same litter may have different amounts. You can have 2 kittens with 6 nipples and 4 kittens with 8 nipples. Sex doesn’t change the number, but purely genetics.
Is Nipple Size a Sign of Pregnancy?
Sure is! When a female cat is pregnant, much like other mammals, her nipples will change. Around 35 days, her nipples will become bright pink and larger. This is because the breasts are preparing to feed the kittens. Everything swells up and becomes sensitive.
Think your cat is pregnant? Check out Is My Cat Pregnant? for information on what to do next!
Where Are Cat Nipples Located?
When looking for a cat’s nipples, you have to look on the belly. Unlike humans, cats have nipples below the chest area. You will find them in even rows an inch or two away from the pelvis. Because of fur, it may be hard to find all of them but two can be found on the fine fur lining of the lower belly.
Some cats do have balding around the nipples making them very visible but this is completely normal and nothing to worry about. If you notice the bald spots are getting larger and they are becoming uneven in shape (often caused by excessive licking), it could be a sign of an infection or skin irritation on the nipple. If you notice any swelling or discharge and your cat is not pregnant, take them into a vet ASAP.
Shaved cat belly showing the nipples
Photo Credit: The Mad Cat Lady
Do Cats Leak Milk? Is It Normal?
Just like pregnant women, pregnant cats can leak milk just the same! This is actually quite common and normal. You may see her licking it off but do not worry, it is perfectly fine. She likely doesn’t like her fur being wet. Leaking nipples doesn’t necessarily mean your cat is close to giving birth. It can happen anytime throughout the pregnancy but it is more likely to happen the closer to birthing she is.
Did My Cat’s Nipple Fall Off?
The short answer to this is no. To learn more, please read our article Did My Cat’s Nipple Fall Off?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/39ed661044ed6a770f9c7f738907d073d9774e8c38dbd048b2bc74d0463d48ff.jpg Ok so baby kitten is now grown up cat had a home at 8 weeks old the owner past away unfortunately and his girlfriend gave her back to us he was a good family friend anyway she’s around two years old moms been fixed since that litter as soon as all kittens were adopted however they remember eachother went wild to see eachother again and now big cat baby is nursing again on mom and mom is fixed it’s cute n cuddly to see but rly odd she’d go back to nursing at this age should I be worried or just let it go. I have had cats before just never rly herd of this
Thanks for your comment Crystal Rose. She more than likely isn’t producing milk but they enjoy the bonding that comes with nursing. Some cats who remain with their mothers will do this for the first few years of their life. As long as she is not hurting her (the mom), there is not harm in it. Some kittens from the same litter have been known to suckle on each other when adopted out together. It isn’t common but it does happen.
Do you get upset or bothered that there are careless pet owners who don’t know how to look after a pregnant mama cat and/or her feeding kittens?
I read the comments. It’s so sad that some people don’t know how to care for another living animal.
Anyway, I’m glad I can across this site. Makes me think that men have nipples the same reason as male cats. Development prior to sex. Very interesting.
Male cats don’t even care if you touch their nipples, well at least from my experience. Is it true for all male cats??
Thanks for your comment Sarit Glazier. People come here because they at least are seeking answers. It is better than not asking at all and just assuming! Belly areas on cats depends on the individual cats personality. Most cats (not just male) don’t like to be touched on their stomachs. I can’t say I ever touched my cat’s nipples but I know neither one of my boys likes their bellies touched.
When pregnant do all the nipples elongate at the same time? My Persians nipples have elongated but only the last two closer to her end. They haven’t gone pink yet but her stomach seems bigger and she’s been eating more.Usually she is extremely picky and only plays with food I throw her but went for a few hamburger pieces I threw her way. She couldn’t get enough of it. A https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7113682502ed7d7a05445a0e218a319e02255565af9c53d77e059b0c5687e746.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6ecabe1886b593662fd59000f1c5b9f403e631c0b56dd3efa85be2cede5475d0.jpg lso been chasing her Persian significant other around a bit aggressively.
Thanks for your comment Sardine! You should take her in to a vet to make sure but from what you are saying, I would guess she was. The nipples don’t always all change in color and size. An increased appetite, bigger belly, and some swelling in the nipples almost always indicates pregnancy in unspayed female cats.
my daughter brought a female cat they told us she had kittens but then had her spayed but were not sure if she is pregnant again as her nipples are still quite large do they stay bigger all the time when they have had kittens
Thanks for your comment Tracey. Depending on how long it has been since she gave birth, they can still be a bit more pronounced. They will always be more noticeable because of the previous nursing she did with her kittens. They can also swell up from time to time due to hormone fluctuations. If she was recently spayed, this can be causing a hormone fluctuation. As long as they are not overly swollen, tender/painful to touch, red, or showing other signs of an infection it is completely normal.
We have a 14 month old female who isn’t fixed yet..but an indoor cat. We took on an unfixed male for our son and kept them seperate until we had him fixed. They were introduced around 2 days after his surgery. My female now has 2 nipples where as we never felt any before. Could she be pregnant if he was only fixed shortly before they were introduced?
Thanks for your comment Jo Sheronick. You will have to get her checked by a vet to know for sure. There is a chance that the male could have had sperm still and was able to impregnate her. Just like when male humans get a vasectomy, there is a waiting period to ensure he doesn’t get a woman pregnant. The sperm count has to be at 0. If the male has had sex with a female already, he would likely try even after he has been neutered.
Thanks for your comment Gabbadoo! If she was spayed there is no way she is pregnant but yes, false pregnancies are absolutely possible. She can also be reacting to the other kittens being around her if they are young enough to still be feeding from the mother. Some females can even produce milk from just being around other newborns but this is very rare once they have been spayed. My guess is it is a false pregnancy from being around the other mother’s babies.
I have 7 stray (feral) cats, Five I have fixed 4 females and 1 male, the others are kittens. My question is Mama Kitty who was spayed last August appears to be very pregnant. She has a huge belly, she is short haired and her nipples are tiny and pink. Is is possible for her to be pregnant? Could this be a false pregnancy, does that happen in cats? She is 4 years old and has had several litters.
Hi, I have a beautiful ragdoll line cat and very likely to be pregnant. Just above 2 of her nipples, she has tiny other nipples, a few mm. above her nipples. Is that normal? I have had many cats but never seen this. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment Jp. Are these second “nipples” lined up the same on each side? Sometimes hormone fluctuations can cause benign growths that look like nipples but aren’t. Have you taken her in to see the vet to make sure she is pregnant?
My male cat gained weight and his nipples seemed to enlarge. Now just a few weeks later it seems as though they have disappeared……???
Thanks for your comment Angela! He could have had an infection or a rash of sorts. How old is he? Sometimes when a cat plays, they will slide on the floor and it can cause the nipples to get “rug burn”. Also, if he had laid on anything damp for a long period of time, it can make them raw. The weight gain shouldn’t have anything to do with enlarged nipples unless he has an underlining illness in which case, if you believe this is a possibility, he should be taken to the vet to get checked out.
I can’t believe I just read a whole web page about cat nipples. I can’t even remember how I got to this part of the internet. I’m afraid that if I go any deeper, I may never return…
Thanks for your comment Julia! Many people search for information on cat nipples, you are not alone! haha
My daughter just got a 6 month old kitten. We didn’t know she was pregnant. She had 2 kittens. One died and we don’t now why. They both had trouble feeding. We think the mother is inbreed due to her extra toes and we know the kittens are inbreed. I tried to get the survivor to suckle today, but it had a long time finding a nipple, maybe ten minutes, even when I put her at a nipple. Is there something I could put on the nipple to help her find and suckle better, like they put on humans when the baby has trouble? I was wondering why the kitten has such a hard time even at 4 days old. We think the other wasn’t suckling and that is why it died. I have seen in the past inbreed kittens die, because of an incomplete digestive system. I was wondering if you had any idea why these kittens are having trouble nursing. We don’t want to lose the second kitten.
Thanks for your comment concernedmindy. I think it is best to just put the kitten on formula. A 6 month old kitten having kittens poses a lot of risks to the babies. That is likely why you lost one. The mom may not be producing enough milk, if any at all. Her nipples should be bright pink and swollen if she is lactating. They should not be hard to find.
How will you know if your cat’s nipple has a milk? Months ago, two kittens died, they kept on sucking but there was no milk going out on the nipples
Thanks for your comment Red. The mother likely was not producing milk and the kittens died from dehydration and starvation. You should always monitor the mother and that she is producing milk. Lack of nutrients in her diet, lack of hydration, illness, and stress can cause her to not produce. You should have gotten a supplement and took over feeding for her. I am sorry for you loss of the two kittens.
Can my fixed cat still have breast because I don’t think she does
Thanks for your comment ASHLEY. Yes, when a female cat is spayed, nothing is done to her nipples. It is very rare for a cat to not have any at all. Are you sure they are not very small? They can vary in size depending on age, weight, and breed.
How will my cat be able to nurse with no nipples to feed her babies
Thanks for your comment Crystal. I am not sure how to respond to this. Are you sure she doesn’t have nipples? It is extremely rare for a cat (male or female) to not have any/ They may be buried beneath fur or very small. If this is the case and she doesn’t have any, you will have to help her by feeding the kittens formula. I always recommend KMR powder over the liquid, it lasts longer and you get more for your money. You can purchase a feeding kit as well that has a bottle with nipples.
My cat just gave birth to 3 kittens, she seems to have only 2 nipples , two look like they have milk but kitten will not lack on, any ideas would help
Thanks for your comment Heather. She likely has another set that is further up her stomach you may not be seeing. Sometimes the spacing is wider on some females. If the kittens aren’t eating and you know they aren’t, I would advice you to get some kitten formula. Kittens can’t go long without milk as that is their only source of liquid as well. I have used the KMR powder formula with a litter of kittens who’s mother was hit by a car. They took to it really well. They do need to eat often so it is best to check them for feeding every time they wake up from a nap. Also, check to see it the mommy is leaking. She may not be producing enough milk so be sure she is eating well and drinking water.
I have a kitten who might have been in heat about a month ago and now her nipples are swolen and her stomuc is round but her nipples are normal color and someone told me it wasn’t the right season to go in heat.also she is only avout 6 months old now. Can a cat go in heat any time they are ready or does it have to be a certain time of the month also do you think she might be pregnant?
Thank you for your comment Alyssa Britt. I wrote an article about quick facts with “going into heat”. You can read that here: https://purrfectlove.net/2015/06/love-is-in-the-air-when-do-cats-go-into-heat/ – As for your cat being pregnant, there is a chance. She will need to be looked over by a vet to know for sure. There is no “right” season for heat. It goes by age and location (where you live).
I need help my kitty is about 3 4 weeks pregnant & her nipples are so swollen the skin is almost clear!!! She doesn’t seem to be in any pain but it looks like she may explode. I know it’s not normal for her to be so swollen & I’m not too sure as to what to do help. I’m not new to this I have had cats my whole life but this is different as she’s so young she’s only 4 months old 🙁
My cat bites me when i search for them and my cat nipples are big and she is not pregnant or breeding ?? how they are so big that they are 2 under he front legs?
Thank you for your comment ameer. I am not quite sure I understand your question. Her nipples can go all along her underbelly if she has multiple pairs of them. Has she had kittens in the past?
My cat is two years old and she’s been done and never been around another cat anyway so I know she’s not pregnant. So why is the fur around her last two nipples thinning out making the nipples very obvious??
Hey my mums friend told me my cat was definitely pregnant just over 4 weeks ago (she’s very smart when it comes to animals) and if I lightly feel her belly I can most definitely feel one of her kittens and I’m guessing she’s really close cause I had a feeling that she was pregnant before my mums friend told me she was so I’m guessing she’s 5-6-7 weeks along but her nipples aren’t pink and swollen like if u look closely there a little pink but only the slightest bit,we you by any chance know why
Thank you for your comment Katelyn. A cat’s typical pregnancy lasts around 63 days, or 9 weeks. If this happened 4 weeks ago and your mother’s friend could tell she was pregnant, she must have been at the very least, 3 weeks along. This would put her at 7 weeks, about 50 days. The normal timing is about 35 days which is why I would imagine you are worried. Some cats do not start showing enlarged nipples till they are nearing labor. This means that she may not show any change in her nipples for another week. It is important to take her to a vert to make sure the kittens are okay. If she is not showing enough signs she is pregnant, that can mean stillborn kittens are possible which can be scary and very hard on her. The best advice I can give you is to take her in to get a proper vet check up from a doctor. There is no way I can tell you if there is something wrong or not without being able to see her.