Can Cats Have Phantom Pregnancies?

I know that dogs get phantom pregnancies - but can cats? (Connie Spink - Michigan)

Cats have a different type of reproductive cycle and therefore the conditions under which phantom pregnancies occur are different. In cats, an episode can follow on from a sterile mating, spontaneous ovulation or death of kittens in the womb. This causes a release of the hormone progesterone, as in early pregnancy. After about 40 days, the levels of this hormone decline and the female cat usually returns to her normal cycles.

It may also be that the symptoms your cat is displaying is not related to a phantom pregnancy. For example, if you are noticing a swollen abdomen, this can be caused by conditions such as tumors, heart problems, liver disease and other causes. This is why you should take your cat for a thorough examination from your vet.