Cat Reproduction Flashcards
Most cats should not be used for ____
- reproduction
Can you make lots of money selling kittens?
No, few responsible breeders make money
T/F: My children should see the miracle of birth
Many animals give birth at night. Queens may delay parturition somewhat, so they may wait until people are not around.
Can you replace your queen cat?
No, each animal is a unique individual and not resemble the mother
high confidence that you can find a good home for the kittens?
There are not enough homes for all the kittens produced.
Related cats won’t mate with each other.
False; Cats don’t recognize relationships.
Queens should have a litter before being spayed
False; Queen is healthier if spay is done before having a litter.
Unless wanna show or breed cat professionally, likely best to have your cat ____________. Why?
Altered.
– 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
Queen and Tom reaches puberty when?
Queen: 7-12 months (4 months at youngest)
Tom: 9 months, start showing Flehmen response.
Cats are seasonally polyestrous
long day breeders
start breeding ___ days after winter solstice (shortest day light period) though temperature may also effect
20 days
Reproduction cycle every ____.
2-3 weeks
A long _____ period
anestrous
T/F: Some cats cycle year round
True
Behavioral changes with Estrus
- Constant calling (especially Siamese)
- Rolling
- Rubbing against objects
- May spray urine
- Licks genital area
- Crouching (lordosis)
- Lasts an average of 9 days (3-16 days)
Queen must be ___ ut ovulate.
induced
What causes ovulation induction?
physical act of mating
multiple matings will increase ___
LH surge
Im mating doesn’t occur, what happens?
follicles will regress
Can a queen have kittens from
different toms in the same litter?
Yes
Superfecundity
Occurs up to 70% of the time in urban
environments, according to one study
Best choose of breeding?
selective breeding
Animals selected for breeding should be excellent
representatives of the breed, free of _______
heredity defects
When breeding, may still be in _______ when you get her home, so be CAREFUL!!
estrus
Artificial insemination
- Not common in domestic cats
- Can be done
- Logistics may be more difficult
Signs of Pregnancy
- (early to mid gestation)
– Cycles stop
– “Pinking-up” Reddening of nipples in about three weeks
– Weight gain up to 2 lb. not unusual
– “Swollen” abdomen
Care of Pregnant Queen
- Handle gently, especially instruct children on handling a pregnant queen
- Feed pregnant cat well (but don’t overdo) and allow ample exercise
- A few days before birthing the queen will search for a nest.
Which is true?
A. I have seen a queen give birth to kittens.
B. I have not seen a queen give birth to kittens.
B
Steps of birthing (KITTENING)
Prepare a box - line with rags, old towel or shredded paper
- Should be dark, warm, out of traffic.
- If these conditions are not provided, she will likely move them.
Signs of Ready to give birth
- Nesting
- Milk leaking from nipples
- Restless pacing
- Panting
- Excessive grooming
- Temperature drop
- Contractions
When kittening, ensure what?
Ensure that each kitten born is followed by its placenta
Notify Vet if any of this occurs:
- You cannot remove a kitten from the birth canal.
- Labor is strong and persistent for 30 minutes without a
birth. - Labor is weak and intermittent for 5 hours without any
results. - There is a dark, vaginal discharge, and no labor or births
have occurred within 3-4 hours. - The pregnancy lasts more than 67 days.
– www.cpvh.com/2011/07/27/gestation-in-cats/
Colostrum
the first secretion from the mammary glands after giving birth, rich in antibodies
Feed the queen as much as she wants while _____
nursing
Little/no care is needed for queen will __________
clean the kittens
Kittens open their eyes in about
10 days
kittens double their weight in the first ___________
2 weeks
Kitten ears open in week ___
week 3
Kitten ears will become more ___
erect
Kitten start to move around week _____
week 3 or 4
T/F: should litter training when kitten in development ?
T
T/F: can offer feed to kittens?
T, but queen may start weaning kittens
What happens at Week 5 and 6?
a lot of socialization between kittens and with humans
Kittens deworm when?
in 6 weeks
Vaccines for kittens are common when?
Week 7
Why is Socialization important to kittens?
- Expose kitten to many different things
- Teach good habits
Ex) Don’t allow biting, scratching hands
– Spend time with the kittens
Sapy/ neuter
- Can be done before 4 months of age
- Some suggest 5-7 months
– Easier for anesthesia
– Risk of early pregnancy
Why is 5-7 months suggested for spaying and neutering?
- easier for anesthesia
- risk of early pregnancy
