Feline reproduction Flashcards
repro and development in queens
-sexual maturity between 5 and 12 months
-body weight is the most important factor in determining age at sexual maturity
-females are capable of breeding at approximately 2.5kg
-can have litters till 8-10
reproduction in toms
-males reach maturity about 1-2 months later than females
-body size of 3.5kg is considered sexually mature
typical breeding season for wild cats
-January/February in the northern hemisphere
-kittens ready for when there’s good food and weather
typical breeding season of domestic cats
feb-october
-the natural pause can be counteracted by providing artificial illumination
cat heats
-females show recurrent estrus at intervals 12-22 days if not bred
-mat pause for months and have heat(s) again in the late summer
-polyestrous
feline reproduction things unique to cats
-induced ovulators
-eggs are released from ovary as a result of nervous stimuli produced by coitus
-~4 matings to induce ovulation in the queen
-queen not induced to ovulate by breeding will come into heat every 2 to 3 weeks (or sooner) until breeding and ovulation occurs
feline estrous cycle
proestrus
estrus
diestrus
anestrous
proestrus
-1-2 days
-female becomes very affectionate and demands attention
-rolling, rubbing
-vocalizations, howling or calling
-differences in different breeds (siamese)
estrus
-4-8 days
-the behaviour of proestrus continues
-treading and adoption of coital crouch (flattening of back and raising of the hind quarters)
-female is now receptive and mating can occur
diestrus
-after ovulation
-pseudopregnancy 40 days
-pregnancy 60 days
anestrous
-4-3 months
-quiescent (inactive) stage, period of no sexual activity
mating in cats
-females and males often lie side by side for some time before mating
-queen may go on a “flirt walk” and he follows closely
-copulation is short
-queen screems, spins around, and strikes out at the male
review hormonal changes of the queen
