Cat Reproduction

Question 1

Most cats should not be used for ____

Answer 1

• reproduction

Question 2

Can you make lots of money selling kittens?

Answer 2

No, few responsible breeders make money

Question 3

T/F: My children should see the miracle of birth

Answer 3

Many animals give birth at night. Queens may delay parturition somewhat, so they may wait until people are not around.

Question 4

Can you replace your queen cat?

Answer 4

No, each animal is a unique individual and not resemble the mother

Question 5

high confidence that you can find a good home for the kittens?

Answer 5

There are not enough homes for all the kittens produced.

Question 6

Related cats won’t mate with each other.

Answer 6

False; Cats don’t recognize relationships.

Question 7

Queens should have a litter before being spayed

Answer 7

False; Queen is healthier if spay is done before having a litter.

Question 8

Unless wanna show or breed cat professionally, likely best to have your cat ____________. Why?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Queen and Tom reaches puberty when?

Answer 9

Queen: 7-12 months (4 months at youngest)

Tom: 9 months, start showing Flehmen response.

Question 10

Cats are seasonally polyestrous

Answer 10

long day breeders

Question 11

start breeding ___ days after winter solstice (shortest day light period) though temperature may also effect

Answer 11

20 days

Question 12

Reproduction cycle every ____.

Answer 12

2-3 weeks

Question 13

A long _____ period

Answer 13

anestrous

Question 14

T/F: Some cats cycle year round

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Behavioral changes with Estrus

Answer 15

• 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)

Question 16

Queen must be ___ ut ovulate.

Answer 16

induced

Question 17

What causes ovulation induction?

Answer 17

physical act of mating

Question 18

multiple matings will increase ___

Answer 18

LH surge

Question 19

Im mating doesn’t occur, what happens?

Answer 19

follicles will regress

Question 20

Can a queen have kittens from
different toms in the same litter?

Answer 20

Yes

Question 21

Superfecundity

Answer 21

Occurs up to 70% of the time in urban
environments, according to one study

Question 22

Best choose of breeding?

Answer 22

selective breeding

Question 23

Animals selected for breeding should be excellent
representatives of the breed, free of _______

Answer 23

heredity defects

Question 24

When breeding, may still be in _______ when you get her home, so be CAREFUL!!

Answer 24

estrus

Question 25

Artificial insemination

Answer 25

* Not common in domestic cats * Can be done * Logistics may be more difficult

Question 26

Signs of Pregnancy

Answer 26

* (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

Question 27

Care of Pregnant Queen

Answer 27

* 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.

Question 28

Which is true? A. I have seen a queen give birth to kittens. B. I have not seen a queen give birth to kittens.

Answer 28

B

Question 29

Steps of birthing (KITTENING)

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Signs of Ready to give birth

Answer 30

* Nesting * Milk leaking from nipples * Restless pacing * Panting * Excessive grooming * Temperature drop * Contractions

Question 31

When kittening, ensure what?

Answer 31

Ensure that each kitten born is followed by its placenta

Question 32

Notify Vet if any of this occurs:

Answer 32

* 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/

Question 33

Colostrum

Answer 33

the first secretion from the mammary glands after giving birth, rich in antibodies

Question 34

Feed the queen as much as she wants while _____

Answer 34

nursing

Question 35

Little/no care is needed for queen will __________

Answer 35

clean the kittens

Question 36

Kittens open their eyes in about

Answer 36

10 days

Question 37

kittens double their weight in the first ___________

Answer 37

2 weeks

Question 38

Kitten ears open in week ___

Answer 38

week 3

Question 39

Kitten ears will become more ___

Answer 39

erect

Question 40

Kitten start to move around week _____

Answer 40

week 3 or 4

Question 41

T/F: should litter training when kitten in development ?

Answer 41

T

Question 42

T/F: can offer feed to kittens?

Answer 42

T, but queen may start weaning kittens

Question 43

What happens at Week 5 and 6?

Answer 43

a lot of socialization between kittens and with humans

Question 44

Kittens deworm when?

Answer 44

in 6 weeks

Question 45

Vaccines for kittens are common when?

Answer 45

Week 7

Question 46

Why is Socialization important to kittens?

Answer 46

- Expose kitten to many different things - Teach good habits Ex) Don’t allow biting, scratching hands – Spend time with the kittens

Question 47

Sapy/ neuter

Answer 47

* Can be done before 4 months of age * Some suggest 5-7 months – Easier for anesthesia – Risk of early pregnancy

Question 48

Why is 5-7 months suggested for spaying and neutering?

Answer 48

- easier for anesthesia - risk of early pregnancy