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?
My nursing cats nipples are small and kitten won’t suckle is there any sggestions please
Thanks for your comment Keith. You can gently rub one of her nipples between your thumb and index finger to stimulate milk and try to gently latch the kittens on one by one. If they are having trouble latching on, it is best to use kitten formula (KMR) until they are able to prevent starvation and dehydration.
Hi there, my cat delivered 4 healthy babies on 27.04, but 2 days later 2 out of her 4 feeding nipples are white at the top and I think that 2 of the kittens are not getting enough milk as a consequence. We are going to the vet tomorrow, but how can I ease her pain in the meantime, please?
Thanks for your comment Mona. It sounds like they may have dried up and the skin has “clogged” the opening. Use a warm wet washcloth and gently wipe her nipple area to clean it. You can use a small amount of pure coconut oil on them to help with the pain/discomfort and to hydrate the skin. Just be sure to do this after the kittens have fed. It can give them diarrhea if they eat any. She should clean it off after you apply it herself. It only needs to be directly on the skin for a few minutes to soak in.
My cat’s 3 kittens died at 3 weeks old. She’s in pain full of milk. How can I help her
Thanks for your comment Beverly. She will stop producing milk soon. Mother cats only produce it so long as they are feeding kittens. Usually within 10 days of not feeding, it dries up. If she is in good health, you can contact a shelter and offer her milk to orphan kittens. This will relieve the swelling an also help a litter who lost their mother. The shelter would likely have you keep the kittens in your home till they are fully weaned.
I have been feeding a stray/feral? cat that showed up in our neighborhood. Turns out it’s a female and pregnant. My daughter noticed about 2 weeks ago that she looked really round. Fearing that she may be pregnant and not wanting to contribute to the problem of homeless animals we trapped her. We have brought her in the house (basement) in a secluded separate room away from our other 3 indoor cats and 6 little dogs. We have spent a lot of time making friends and she has went from biting my husband twice to letting us rub her belly and snuggling with us. Her room is all decked out with toys, nice beds etc….good kitten food since she is pregnant. We have taken her to the vet twice. Last time was just yesterday, everything seems to be going fine and the vet guesses she will probably have somewhere between 4-6 kittens. She also said that she wouldn’t be surprised if she had the kittens by tomorrow (Wednesday) but no later than next Monday due to her size. She mentioned yesterday that her nipples (mammary glands) are swollen but feel dry…she didn’t seem to think anything of it and I didn’t know to ask any questions. She obviously wasn’t concerned. I’m not sure what she meant as “dry” because the skin on her nipples look dry but she also isn’t producing/leaking any milk from them yet. Is that normal to be so close to a due date and no milk production yet or does that all kick in after birth? Some of her nipples look to me as if they aren’t protruded enough for the kittens to latch on also (definitely not an expert…have never dealt with a pregnant cat before). Any thoughts? Will all this change after birth? I have bought KMR kitten milk replacement and ordered “miracle nipples and syringes” from Amazon as well as a regular kitten bottle feeding set just in case I need to help supplement the kittens. Also, if this helps she is still eating LOTS and I haven’t noticed any nesting behavior, she has lots of options in the room but haven’t noticed her taking to a particular one, she is sleeping a lot more now and does seem to be more affectionate, however, since we just became friends I’m not sure what her normal behavior is. (When she was outside she never let us around her and ran off if she saw us ) I am sleeping in the same room with her (we have a bed in the room) since the vet says she is so close to delivering. She sleeps in the bed with me and I gently rub her belly throughout the night. She’s become a little spoiled rather quickly. Thanks Jessica
Thanks for your comment Jessica. I first want to say you are doing a wonderful thing for her. Not many people would take in a stray pregnant cat. She clearly has grown to trust you and your family, that is very impressive! As for the milk, there are a few things that can be going on. She may be leaking and cleaning it off herself which would show no evidence of her producing milk. Another thing that can be happening is the milk is leaking and drying on her nipples. It would appear and feel like dry skin. This would prevent her from leaking further. There is also a chance she needs stimulation to produce milk. This will happen when her kittens suckle from her after they are born. If you believe they are dry, you can rub some coconut oil on them and her belly area but be sure it is absorbed or she has licked off any excess before the kittens feed. A small amount can give them diarrhea. I am very glad you took her to the Vet as that is a very important step to rule out things like FeLV and FIV and to ensure the babies will be born safely. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
Hello ,I’d really like to know if you guys’ve know anything about sphynx cats biting /pulling their nipples while grooming themselves?Is it alright or should something be done about it ?I’m afraid she’s going to bite them off completely
Thanks for your comment Vicky. How much is she biting/pulling at them? Sometimes this is a result of dry skin. You can try coconut oil as a moisturizer. Just rub it on her belly and nipples. She may lick it off but it is 100% safe for cats. If it is down to dry skin, this should help.
She’s only biting at them occasionally while grooming her belly ,I was thinking she just doesn’t understand their purpose . Thank you for your advice ,I will definitely try it out .
I have a Tortoise female that has TWO sets of eight nipples. I know that that has to be pretty rare, do you have any info on this. Thanks
Thanks for your comment Sandy. Are you saying she has 16 total nipples?
Yes. I’ve never seen it before. It looks like this. . . . . All the way down. 4 x 4. Does that make sense?
I have heard of some cats having as many as 10 but never more. It could be a genetic mutation and not all of the nipples are actually functioning. Very rare indeed!
Jock, my first cat had 14 nipples. But he was a large cat (tall and long in the body) as well as a bit tubby at 7.5-8kg. His father was a British Short Hair, mum was part Persian. His full brother had 12. All of my cats since have had eight nipples but they are no relation to Jock or his brother
Thanks for sharing about this Shelly!
Hello, I’m concerned about my kitten. She is five months old and seems to have swollen mammary glands. It feels like a raised, almost bubble-like area the size of a dime on each nipple. I’m pretty worried about it. She isn’t yet spayed, which I think may be the cause of it, but would love some advice.
Thanks for your comment Kate. Your kitten is still within the age for spaying where health issues would not be a concern. Mammary gland hyperplasia is a possible cause here but she will need to be examined by a Vet as soon as possible to rule out infections and possible health threats.
Curious as to why 4 nipples would not be working, two more are questionable, and two nipples are in full production to feed her 4 kittens. Kittens weights are good, and nothing nipple wise is swollen or discoloured. Kittens are now getting supplemental bottle feedings every 3-4 hours as she won’t be able to continue to fully feed the 4 growing kittens and have them gain as they should. But why would they NOT work is the question…
Thanks for your comment Denis. The glands that lead to the nipples are likely not producing milk or the ducts that carry the milk are not functioning as they should. This can happen because of vitamin/mineral deficiencies in the mother or just be down to genetics. You are doing the right thing. You can also try supplementing the momma with some kitten formulated (“for kittens”) wet or dry food to give her an extra boost of nutrition while she is still nursing.
Thank you so much! Two more quick question… When can you safely hold the kittens after they are born so as to make sure the mamma will not push them away or stop caring for them and at what age do they open there eyes? My cat just had 5 babies (her first litter) about 15 hrs ago? Thanks so much!
You can pick them up and move them around but you should wait to actually handle and hold them (for cuddles!) until they leave the nesting area. That is usually about 4 weeks. Kittens will start opening their eyes within the first week to 10 days.
My cat is about 3 years old and a female. She had a litter of 3 about two years ago. They no longer live with us but I have noticed one of her lower nipples sags while the others don’t. Is this normal?
Thanks for your comment Brittany. This could be from it getting used a lot during nursing or she may have snagged it on something while they were still swollen. Once a female has a litter, they will never be as small as they once were. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. If you notice it changing in color, scabbing, or any discharge she should be taken to a Vet.
Thank you so much!!
Can a cat have a litter of 8 and only have 6 nipples?
Thanks for your comment Christal. Yes. The number of nipples doesn’t account for how many babies a female cat can or will have. Some have at little as 2 and some have larger litters of 10+.
Are there always enough nipples for every kitten she delivers? Can she have 8 kittens but only 6 nipples?
My cat Boomette gave birth a week ago and has been doing GREAT but her nipples look very red and raw, is it safe to put unrefined virgin coconut oil on them without harming the kittens? Also, if so how often should it be applied.
Thanks for your comment Tyler. If the kittens digest any, it can cause diarrhea. You can apply coconut oil to her nipples in small amounts between feedings. Boomette should lick most of it off as well which will help. You can apply it 3 or 4 times a day just be sure to do it after the kittens have fed from her.
My cat is very close to having a litter of kittens and today I noticed a very strange bump on her stomach that looks like it may potentially be on or near one of her nipples. it’s a dark red swollen bump that’s squishy and she seems a bit sensitive when it is touched. i’m worried about what it could potentially be, but i am not sure about taking her to the vet right now as she will probably have the babies overnight and do not want to separate newly born kittens from their mother.
Thanks for your comment Josie. Have you ruled out that it isn’t her nipple? Sometimes pregnant moms can catch their nipple on something and tear it or get a burn on them from rough playing. They are not normally as large as they are whilst pregnant. I can’t say what it is without seeing it but if it does not appear to be going away in a week or so, she needs to be taken in to see a Vet.
Hello, our mom cat is nursing 4 kittens and 2 of her nipples are darker and she seems to kick the kittens away from them while allowing them to nurse from the others that are pink. Should I be concerned…?
Thanks for your comment Michael. It is hard to say what the issue can be without seeing them. They might have scabs on them or possibly dried milk irritated them. Take a washcloth with warm water and gently wipe the area and see if the color changes. To be on the safe side, she should be looked at by a Vet asap. Not having all of her nipples available to the kittens can lead to one or more of them becoming malnourished.
My cat had kittens yesterday but on the chest were they are nipples it is very hard should i be worried.
Thanks for your comment Donna. Are you asking about the stomach area being hard or the nipples themselves? Mammary ducts under the nipples can become firm from milk supply, similar to how women have firmness and pain when breastfeeding.
How to multiply cat’s milk? Like what should i give or feed to my cat? My cat does not have big nipples. I think it not enough for her many kittens.
Thanks for your comment Moore. So long as she is on a balanced wet food diet and getting plenty of water, she should be able to produce enough milk. If you feel the kittens are underweight, you can supplement them with kitten formula while they still feed on their mom to ensure they are getting enough food and nutrition.
I want to clarify that it is not some of the nipples themselves that are swollen, but rather the mammary glands under the nipples….
Hi, we have a 6 month old female cat that is pregnant, I think by about maybe 3 weeks. One of her nipples is swollen and hard- maybe the size of a large marble. A couple of others are also swollen and hard, although not a large. The others appear small and normal. Is this unevenness normal? Thank you!
Thanks for your comment Nathan. It sounds like this may be due to Mammary fibroepithelial hypertrophy or possibly an infection of the mammary glands. She should be examined by a Vet asap. Because she is very young, there are risks for her with this pregnancy.
I’m not sure if my cat is pregnant, her belly is bigger and her nipples are swelled and are white crusty looking . Can someone tell me if she is pregnant or not
Thanks for your comment Jennylynn. It sounds like she may be pregnant but you will need to take her in to see a Vet to be 100% certain. No one online will be able to tell you if she is indeed pregnant or not.