Cat Reproduction Flashcards
Myth: I can make lots of money selling kittens
Few responsible breeders make money
Myth: My children should see the miracle of birth
Many animals give birth at night. Queens can delay parturition somewhat, so they may wait until people are not around
Myth: I will get another cat just like this queen
Each animal is a unique individual and may not resemble the mother
Myth: I can find a good home for the kittens
There are not enough homes for all the kittens produced
Myth: Related cats won’t mate with each other
Cats don’t recognize relationships
Myth: Queens should have a litter before being spayed
Queen is healthier if spay is done before having a litter
Why it is best to alter your cat
- Females yowl and wander
- Males spray, get into fights, leave home for days
- Altering makes both sexes less likely to roam
- With proper diet, weight can be controlled
- Parts of Europe think this is mutilation - some countries outlaw it
Puberty
Normally queen reaches puberty between 7 and 12 months
Toms about 9 months and start showing Flehmen response
Female Cycle
Cats are seasonally polyestrous - one cycle after another (long day breeders):
* Cycle about every 2-3 weeks
* Normally start breeding 20 days after the winter solstice (shortest day light period), thought temperature can also have an effect
Around fall, a long anestrous period (stops cycling)
Some cats cycle year-round (with indoor lighting for example bc exposed to lighting artificially)
Behavioral Changes with Estrus
- Constant calling (especially Siamese)
- Rolling, rubbing against objects
- May spray urine
- Licks genital area
- Crouching position (lordosis) - with reference to at you may see term “swayback”
- Lasts an average of 9 days
Induced Ovulation
- Queen must be induced to ovulate (don’t suffer from aplastic anemia)
- Physical act of mating causes this
- Multiple matings will increase LH surge
- If mating does not occur, follicles will regress
If you elect to breed your cat
- Best choice is selective breeding
- Animals selected for breeding should be excellent representatives of the breed, free of hereditary defects
- May still be in estrus when you get her home, so be careful
- Can have kittens from different toms in the same litter - not unusual
Artificial insemination
Not common in domestic cats
Signs of Pregnancy (early to mid gestation)
- Cycles stop (annoying noises stop)
- “Pinking-up” reddening of nipples in about 3 weeks
- Weight gain up to 2 lbs. Not unusual
- Swollen abdomen
Care of Pregnant Queen
- Handle gently, especially instruct children on this
- Feed pregnant cat well (but don’t overdo) and allow ample exercise
- A few days before birthing the queen will search for a nest
BIRTHING (kittening)
- Prepare a box - line with rags, old towel or shredded paper
- Should be in dark, warm place, out of traffic
- If these conditions are not provided she will likely move them
- Gestation can be from 58-70 days (from mating)
- Best to leave her alone, but if she has not delivered any kittens after 4 hours of labor call a vet (may need Cesarean birth) - the queen will normally do just fine
- Be sure that each kitten born is followed by its placenta (mother will eat the placentas)
- Process normally takes less than 6 hours
Symptoms when ready to give birth
- Nesting
- Milk leaking from nipples
- Restless pacing, panting, excessive grooming
- Temperature drop
- Contractions
Colostrum
Important because of passive immunity - passes maternal antibodies
Care of New Mother
- Feed the queen as much as she wants while nursing
- Little or no care is required for queen will clean the kittens and take care of their waste
Kitten Development
- Kittens will open their eyes in about 10 days - altricial
- Double their weight in first 2 weeks
- Ears will open in week 3 - will become more erect
- Teeth may start to come in
Start to move around week 3 or 4 - some ppl will start litter training here
Can offer feed, queen may start weaning kittens
Often deworm at 6 weeks
7 weeks - first vaccinations are common
Importance of socialization
Weeks 5 and 6 - a lot of socialization between kittens, and with humans
* Very important (to have tamer adults)
Expose kitten to many different things
Teach good habits
* Don’t allow biting, scratching hands
Spend time with the kittens
Age to spay/neuter
Can be done before 4 months of age
Some suggest 5-7 months
* Easier for anesthesia
* Risk of early pregnancy
