Childbirth in a Bengal cat - how not to miss the beginning and help your pet?

General information about pregnancy in Bengals

After the mating season, which for this breed lasts from five to eight or nine days (cats successfully become pregnant, according to statistics, in 90 percent of the total number of matings), the time comes to bear offspring. Special blogs offer descriptions of how a cat’s appearance changes from week to week in pictures.

Is your cat pregnant or is she imagining it?

After lovemaking, fertilization may occur, but it may turn out to be a false pregnancy. One of the reasons for the phenomenon is sterile sexual intercourse. At the same time, a false pregnancy, like a real pregnancy, is accompanied by the same initial symptoms. Estrus stops (a rather indirect indicator), behavior changes:

- the animal loses its appetite, which is soon restored with double force;

- the cat becomes cautious, usually moves less, lies more calmly;

- slightly, but the mammary glands still swell.

After the period of imaginary pregnancy, the female prepares for childbirth and worries about the “nest.” There is no point in dissuading the animal - we must allow her to make all the preparations. Usually, after a week, the failed mother calms down and the signs disappear on their own.

Diagnostics

Even before an enlarging belly is visualized, pregnancy in a Bengal cat can be diagnosed not only by the signs listed in the previous section. Moreover, you should not rely only on the changed behavior or psychological state of the expectant mother. When diagnosing pregnancy, all these are secondary signs. For example, very young “ladies” can continue to frolic, being in an “interesting” position. Veterinary science has more definitive evidence indicating that fertilization has occurred. The clinic specialist relies on external examination (palpation), laboratory tests, and ultrasound.

Palpation of the peritoneum

Palpation can be carried out not only by a veterinarian, but also by the cat owner himself. For convenience, place the pet on the table, calm it down by scratching it behind the ear or stroking it. Then, placing your palms on both sides of the spinal column, you need to carefully and slowly bring them together under the lower back. Having knowledge, some experience, as well as good tactile sensitivity, you can feel a nut-sized formation next to the ampoules of the uterine horns 3-4 weeks after mating. In the later stages, the embryos are also palpated, and even later you can feel the movement of the fetuses inside the abdomen.

Tests and ultrasound

Blood and urine testing of Bengal cats is carried out in the laboratories of veterinary clinics. The birth of a new life and subsequent development in the womb are processes that cause strong changes in the body. They are recorded by analysis of the physical and chemical parameters of the cat’s biological fluids.

The ultrasound method is based on recording the fetal heartbeat with a device and direct visualization of kittens inside the uterus. At the examination site, the cat's hair is trimmed to make the scanner easier to move.

Bengal women with fair skin may experience pregnancy pigment spots in the mammary glands. This is due to the large amount of placental hormones wandering through the blood. After an increase in volume, a visible change in the configuration of the abdomen, the milk bags swell so much that with light pressure, a whitish liquid emerges from the pinkish nipples - colostrum.

In later stages, the female, experiencing pressure from the enlarging uterus on the bladder, often visits the toilet.

Offspring

Newborn Bengal kittens resemble leopard cubs in appearance. From the 8th week to the 16th week, the color of the kittens will change greatly (phasing stage). The kitten becomes grayish and the spots begin to fade. This is not a pathology, but a genetic program of mimicry. From four months the kitten will begin to look prettier and the final color will appear after a year. If the parents have a bright and clear color, then their offspring will be the same. Try to choose nicknames for your baby in accordance with his character, color and appearance. Professional breeders give their pets long and original names for their passports. Each owner will want to name their pet briefly and affectionately.

Take a close look at the baby and the nickname itself will come to your mind.

Basic information about the characteristics of fertilization that lead to problems

As veterinary medicine has established, the stage of a cat's reproductive cycle (estrus) occurs in a special way. The time of ovulation, that is, the release of an egg in search of a sperm into the abdominal cavity, in cats occurs after, and not before mating. Not all eggs mature at the same time, but remain capable of fertilization for 12-48 hours. In this case, sperm inside the female’s body can be viable for 4-5 days. Therefore, embryos in the womb may develop with some lag from one another - the duration of gestation, therefore, may fluctuate. Moreover, if a cat walks uncontrollably, then already being pregnant, she can conceive again (scientific definition of superfetatio, additional fertilization, superfetation). There are known cases where a low level of progesterone provokes estrus in an already pregnant cat. As a result, new sexual activity will be triggered between the third and sixth weeks. An additional pregnancy cannot be ruled out if the groom is nearby. Then problems cannot be avoided - either one of the litters will die, or the cat will give birth again after a few weeks of full-term second kittens. It will be difficult for such a mother to feed and raise many children on her own. So it is better to monitor your pet during the period when she becomes pregnant.

Formation of a parent fund

Be sure to prepare for the purchase of your first kittens, which will become the basis of your future business. To do this, give preference only to completely healthy animals, without visible defects. It is best to buy them in specialized nurseries.

If you don’t know how to choose a Bengal cat for breeding, you can get advice from a specialist, or even better, use his help at the moment. Be sure to check the pet's pedigree, its origin, health status, availability of documents, vaccinations.

Remember, if this is a representative of a family in which the parents participated in exhibitions and received awards, the cost for the animal will increase significantly, but this will also be the key to a good breed. When purchasing, it is very important to ensure the purity of heredity. Any mixing with dubious representatives reduces the quality of the future offspring and its cost.

Course of pregnancy

The duration of the period from mating to the birth of kittens is from 64 days (that’s nine weeks plus or minus two to four days). Now there is such an Internet feature as a pregnancy calculator. This calendar also applies to the Bengal cat breed. However, the birth calculator may not “guess” how long pregnancy lasts in cats, since it is impossible to accurately determine on which day of the love date fertilization occurred. Bengal litters are small - no more than five kittens, more often - from two to four. All these weeks of natural physiological state require special attention.

Food for a pregnant Bengal cat

By the end of the second week of gestation, the cat begins to eat intensively, significantly exceeding the daily norm. But you should not increase the norm in the first weeks by more than 10%. You need to give food more often - your pet has a small stomach, and digestion is difficult due to the growing uterus. Owners need to take a closer look at the balance of the food offered. The best thing to do is to purchase special dishes for a pregnant Bengal cat. The amount of necessary vitamins and microelements in such industrial products is ideal, calculated by specialists. With natural feeding, the expectant mother needs, like people, more calcium in the first weeks (fermented milk products), more protein in the second half of the term. It is unacceptable to forget about supplements containing microelements. You should not overfeed so that the cat does not become obese and the kittens are not too large - this will significantly complicate the birth. Starting from the seventh week, a pregnant woman eats less, and if she begins to refuse food, childbirth is approaching. Complete nutrients necessary for the proper development of the fetus and proper feeding are the key to healthy offspring.

How long does pregnancy last in cats and what kind of care does the pet require?

Pregnancy is a crucial period for both the cat and its owner. In order to control this process, a person needs to know how long pregnancy lasts in cats and what kind of care the pet needs throughout the entire period.

Gestation periods in cats vary from 58 to 72 days. The duration of pregnancy is influenced by various factors.

• Breed . Cats with short hair or hairless bear kittens for a couple of weeks less, in contrast to long-haired representatives.
• Number of kittens . The number is inversely proportional to the gestational age. That is, the more kittens, the shorter the pregnancy. Therefore, if 70 days have passed and no birth has occurred, it is likely that a small number of kittens will be born.
• Climatic conditions . Cats, like pregnant women, react acutely to changing weather conditions. Changes in temperature and pressure can trigger premature birth.

During this period, the cat requires careful care and attention from the owner, especially in the last weeks. If the animal’s health is unsatisfactory or the gestation period is prolonged, you should immediately go to the veterinary clinic.

Remember: a prolonged pregnancy can cause serious complications during childbirth.

Symptoms of pregnancy in a cat

Typically, signs can be seen at 3 weeks, and closer to 6 weeks, pregnancy becomes obvious and noticeable to everyone. In most cases, already at 6-7 weeks you can feel the babies moving if you put your palm on the cat’s belly.

1. Swollen nipples indicate the arrival of milk.
2. Change in cat behavior: from calm and drowsiness to irritation.
3. Increase in abdominal size.
4. Depressed state: vomiting, poor appetite.

Attention: a day or two before the day of birth, the cat's activity increases, she becomes uncharacteristically restless and begins to prepare her place. Usually it becomes a secluded corner. For example, a closet with clothes or space under the bed.

Caring for a cat during pregnancy

In order for a cat to bear healthy offspring, it is necessary to create comfortable living conditions for it.

• First of all, a calm atmosphere at home and stress negatively affect the health of the expectant mother.
• Mandatory control by a veterinarian. You can get advice from him about the diet of a pregnant cat. After all, it should contain a lot of vitamins and microelements.
• The cat will rest most of the day, so the place to sleep should be soft and comfortable.

During this period, there is no need to create any supernatural conditions, and every owner can surround the cat with care and affection.

Scottish cat pregnancy

The gestation period for kittens is approximately 65 days. Previously, it was believed that fold-eared cats remained in a state of pregnancy much longer. However, this opinion is wrong.

Symptoms of pregnancy are the same as in most cats:

• Swelling of the mammary glands closer to 24-25 days;
• Abdominal enlargement after 30 days;
• Increased drowsiness;
• Change in appetite;
• Vomiting is possible in the morning.

It is strictly forbidden to: palpate or press on the abdomen, such actions increase the risk of injury to babies.

What signs indicate pregnancy in Sphynx cats?

An attentive owner will notice a change in the cat's habits. She can become either aggressive or overly affectionate and picky. Pregnancy lasts on average 60-63 days. The first symptoms, as in all cats, appear closer to 3 weeks. The first thing that catches your eye is the cat's nipples.

More precisely, a change in their color from pale to pink, and they swell, and the surrounding fur thins. Childbirth can go quickly, or it can drag on for a day; the process depends on the individual characteristics of a particular cat.

Usually, childbirth in Sphynxes goes smoothly and the cat can cope quite well on its own.

Duration of pregnancy in British cats

The duration of gestation in cats of this breed varies from 62 to 70 days. You should sound the alarm only after 70 days. After all, at the end of this period, there is a high probability of sick kittens being born, and besides, long walking around has a negative impact on the cat’s health.

Features of gestation in the Maine Coon breed

Cats of this breed are distinguished by their friendliness and unusual beauty. Unlike other breeds, they bear kittens longer. On average, 9-10 weeks, that is, a cat can give birth at either 65 or 72 days.

Maine Coons are known for their multiple births. They usually give birth to 4-6 kittens, with cases of 8 kittens being born. The process of childbirth is a difficult test for them; it is advisable that the birth take place under the guidance of an experienced veterinarian.

Bengal cat pregnancy

The average gestation period is 64-67 days. The main difference between this breed is its unquenchable desire to play. The owner must take care of safety: physical activity should be moderate, it is better to avoid jumping from any height.

Childbirth takes place calmly and quickly, about 5-6 hours. In most cases, 3-4 kittens are born. A healthy cat is able to cope with childbirth on its own. However, if something doesn’t work out or your health worsens, you should always be on the alert and come to the aid of your pet.

Siamese cats and childbirth

Siamese cats are one of the most inquisitive, energetic and loyal felines. They require constant attention and care from their owner.

They belong to the category of multiple-fertile cats, because they can give birth to 7-8 kittens at a time, although the average is 4-6. The gestation period is much shorter than that of other breeds - 55-65 days.

How to prepare for the birth of a cat?

It is advisable to arrange a bed for childbirth. An ordinary box with low sides is ideal, otherwise the kittens may fall out. You can cut an entrance for the cat.

For convenience, the lid should be easily removable, this will provide the opportunity to monitor the birth and, if necessary, provide assistance. The nest should be as comfortable and spacious as possible, able to freely accommodate the mother and all born babies.

Most likely, in the last week the cat will choose a place for itself where the owner will need to place the prepared box. The cat's attention will be attracted to its usual bedding.

In addition to space, you need a first aid kit with useful contents

• Waterproof diapers. Will come in handy at the time of childbirth. When finished, you need to replace the litter with a dry and clean one.
• Sterile cloths. They will help wipe off newborn kittens.
• Soft warm fabric. Will protect newborn babies from the cold.

Helpful advice: you should definitely consult a veterinarian and be prepared for a force majeure situation. You can stock up on drugs that stimulate labor or painkillers, but do this under the guidance of a doctor.

Source: https://okotikah.ru/prodolzhenie/skolko-dlitsya-beremennost-u-koshek.html

Preparing a Bengal cat for childbirth

In addition to such tasks for the period of gestation of kittens as providing a complete diet, vitamins and peace of mind, owners must take care of the physical activity of their pet and access to fresh air. It is necessary to ensure that she is not injured or overtired.

Organization of a maternity nest

Towards the end of the nine-week period, it is time to provide a place for birth - instinctively, the Bengal will definitely look for a nest for her cubs in the last week or even two. A closed cardboard box with a hole and holes for ventilation is best suited for a Bengal cat. It is important that she recognize this place as suitable in advance, and not look for another, more inaccessible one. You should lay a diaper on the bottom, and prepare several soft natural sheets in reserve.

A Bengal cat gives birth independently and calmly, usually without complications. However, in case of problems that occur with firstborns, it is worth enlisting the support of a veterinarian, an experienced breeder or an amateur who has already delivered a cat.

Bengals usually have two to four babies in a litter (the record is 6), the weight of newborns is approximately 80 to 130 grams. Cats of this breed are caring, intelligent mothers. How many times a year a cat gives birth is decided by the owner. But without harming the health of the animal, once every 10-12 months is enough. It is important for the owners to provide the right conditions - then there will be no problems with pregnancy or childbirth, and the reproductive period of Bengal cats will be quite long - cases have been recorded when the female gave birth to offspring at a very advanced age.

Read all about the Bengal breed in the Main article

What does it look like

Photo: this is what a Bengal cat looks like.
Bengals are distinguished by their special grace and unusual shine of their fur. They combine the wild nature of their ancestors and the friendliness of a domestic cat.

Thanks to this friendliness, they are able to make friends with other pets living in the apartment, even getting along with a dog.

They are not alien to the features of other representatives of the cat family:

• communication and games with the owners,
• trust and responsiveness,
• curiosity and observation,
• communication in one’s own language, the ability to make sounds of different tones.

There are also distinctive features that distinguish this breed:

• love of water and bathing: when a Bengali sees a bath of water, he will immediately jump into it,
• ability to get accustomed to using a home toilet,
• desire to get the owner's attention,
• lack of aggression.

Caring for them is simple: you need to regularly comb the fur and trim the animal’s claws. They will always reciprocate your feelings and are a very loyal breed.

The Bengal will try to build a close and lasting relationship with his owner.

Documentation

Be sure to complete all paperwork appropriately. To do this, it is enough to register as an individual entrepreneur (IP) or create a limited liability company (LLC). For a small nursery, the first option is considered more optimal.

The tax system may be simplified, which will require you to pay 6% of the income received. Be sure to properly obtain veterinary passports for each pet, give them vaccinations, and obtain documents confirming their pedigree.

Financial part

The difference in the profit received can be significant, as well as the money spent on purchasing kittens. For example, a Bengal cat costs 5,000 rubles, if it does not have confirmation of a good pedigree or has any defects. At the same time, if there is appropriate documentation, awards, and a mature breed, the price for a kitten increases to 30-40 thousand.

To start a business at a high level, you need to choose only the best and healthiest representatives. Therefore, you should not save on the parental fund. Any marriage is inherited. Such kittens will be unclaimed or their value will have to be reduced.

To calculate the profitability of a business, you need to take into account many costs. The first of these is the start-up investment.

Thus, from 15 females in a year you can get about 60 kittens. If each of them is sold for 40 thousand rubles, then the revenue will be within 2,400,000. The net profit will be 793,000. And this will help to achieve full payback in 1.5 years. That is, the profitability of the project is quite high. And if you love cats and are willing to devote enough time to them, such a cattery can become your main source of income.