Breeding cats

Breeding cats. Where to find a male cat for a female. Sexual behavior of cats during mating.

If you plan on breeding, it’s useful to know that female cats reach sexual maturity at 7-12 months, while males at 10-14 months. For most breeds, having more than one litter per year is not desirable. Siamese cats are an exception, as they can have litters without harm to their health every 7-8 months.

Breeding cats. How to find a worthy male cat for breeding.

If you are a owner of a pedigreed cat but a novice in cat breeding, it is necessary to entrust this matter to a specialist. This can be a veterinary clinic or a breeder of pedigreed cats.

What you need to know.

• A responsible breeder has a specially designated space for the male and female cats.
• The space should be warm, cozy, secluded, and clean.
• All animals have the appropriate health certificates for their pets (be prepared to provide such a certificate yourself).
• Using the male for breeding will require payment to the owner. In case the first mating is unsuccessful, the second time the female will be bred for free.

Breeding cats. When can a cat become pregnant?

The sexual cycles of a cat are seasonal, most often starting in January, reaching their peak in March-April, June, and September. They usually don’t occur from October to December, although exceptions do occur. Sexual cycles depend entirely on the length of the day, so for cats that do not go outside, sexual cycles are present year-round under the influence of artificial lighting. Each phase of sexual activity lasts for 2-3 cycles, lasting for two weeks. Estrus (heat) lasts for 2-4 days.

Sexual behavior.

A cat’s posture indicates its readiness to mate. The cat raises the hind part of its body and moves its paws at the same time.

Breeding cats. Sexual intercourse.

Ejaculation occurs immediately after the introduction of the penis into the vagina and is often accompanied by the short, piercing meowing of the cat. After separating from the female, the male cat moves away and observes her. The female at this time rolls on the floor, stretches out, and spreads her legs. She sweetly releases her claws. The mating process is repeated after 5-10 minutes. Mating can occur several times a day.

Breeding cats. Courtship.

Even if the female cat is fully ready to mate, she often resorts to a certain ritual, driving away the male and rejecting his courting. She hisses and releases her claws. The male cat perceives such aggression passively: he does not give up, but dodging the blow, he resumes his attempts at courting.

The cat begs for a mate with mournful meowing and waits for a more acceptable response from the female. This game continues until the cat softens to the beckoning meows and turns its back to its suitor, signaling the start of mating.

Returning home:

When you bring the cat home, it may still be in heat, so do not let it out of the house. If the cat demands a mate again after some time, it means that fertilization did not occur and you will have to lead the cat back to the male again.