When can you breed a cat after giving birth: expert opinion

There is no definite answer about when to breed a cat after giving birth, and how many times a year she can give birth without harm to her health. This issue must be considered individually in each specific case, taking into account the age, breed, constitution and physiological state of the female. The number of kittens in the litter and the duration of breastfeeding also matter.

Time of puberty - how and when it happens

Sexual and physiological maturity of a young kitten occurs between 6 and 9 months of life. An animal can reach maturity two months earlier or later, depending on the breed, conditions of detention, nutrition and characteristics of the body. The time of the first heat is not recommended for mating a cat with a male cat for the first time. During this period, the body continues to actively grow and develop, and a sudden pregnancy can harm the health and well-being of the pet.

The optimal period to bring a cat together for the first time is the age range from one to one and a half years. At this time, the female will be completely ready to become pregnant and give birth to kittens.

If the cat is titled and takes part in exhibitions, then before breeding it with a cat, it must have a rating of at least “very good”, otherwise breeding animals is not allowed. In the future, according to the rules established for purebred animals, it is necessary to bring a female to a male at least once or twice a year. You can bring an untitled female cat together with a female male during seasonal heat.

Cat mating is a natural and obligatory physiological process that ensures calm behavior, good health and a healthy future for pets.

The estrus period takes several days - usually from 5 to 10. During the first few days the cat behaves restlessly and it will not be possible to calm her down. In the following days, the cat begins to behave more calmly, she takes positions that are convenient for mating. It becomes much easier to match a cat with a cat on the 3-5th day of estrus.

Timing of puberty

Before allowing an animal to mate, its owner must ask the important question of whether his pet is mature enough to participate in sexual intercourse.
The onset of puberty in most cats occurs in the eighth month of life (however, this figure may vary depending on the breed). However, it is important to remember that puberty precedes physiological maturity. Therefore, not all young cats that have just begun to come into heat can benefit from mating

Puberty in cats often goes unnoticed by their owners.

Physiological maturity implies the final completion of all maturation processes and occurs in different breeds between one and two years (most often within a year and a half). And if this criterion is not so important in relation to males, then mistakes cannot be made with females. The fact is that a physiologically immature body is not ready for pregnancy, so mating can lead to various complications and the birth of weakened kittens.

Signs of puberty

Puberty is not always noticeable - some owners do not even notice when their pet crosses the line between a kitten and a mature cat. Much depends on the cat itself, its temperament and habits. In addition, the level of hormones in different animals can be different, which also affects the behavior of our pets.

Cats continue to search for a partner even if this desire is impossible to fulfill.

In males

The most striking manifestations of maturation in males include the following behavioral features:

marking the territory;
increased level of aggressiveness towards other animals in the apartment and even towards the owner himself;
loud meowing and other screams that are unusual for a cat in its normal state. Often such “chants” occur at night;
refusal to eat or severe loss of appetite;
attempts to escape outside. In its desire to fulfill its sexual needs, the cat strives to go free and find the cat. Many owners take such a gesture as ingratitude, but this is absolutely not the case.

Cats mark their territory to attract females with a strong scent.

In females

Sexual arousal in females is rarely accompanied by aggression, unlike males. Cats tend to show their willingness to mate in a softer and more subtle manner. Signs indicating puberty in females include the following:

expressed affection. During the period of estrus, cats can actively caress not only males, but also the owner himself, sometimes causing him tenderness due to ignorance of the reasons for such behavior. The pet can also rub against inanimate objects - table legs, door frames, etc.;
mucus discharge from the reproductive organs. In most cases, these allocations are so small that they are not any useful criterion;
meowing, purring and other signals given to males;
vaginal swelling;
lack of interest in food.

Arching of a cat indicates readiness and need for mating

Females - preparation, mating process

To breed a cat for the first time, you need to wait until she has gone through 2-3 heats. If you reduce it earlier, your pet’s health and well-being may suffer. The optimal time for the first mating occurs at 10-15 months of the animal’s life, when the body is stronger and fully formed. To remain healthy and beautiful, a cat should not become pregnant or give birth more than twice a year.

What happens if you bring a cat and a cat together later?:

disruption of the female's estrus cycle;
inflammatory processes in the genital organs;
the occurrence of polycystic disease or other diseases.

Delayed mating is a severe stress for the animal, which is fraught with exhaustion, deterioration in behavior and well-being, the formation of cysts and the risk of false pregnancies. The use of hormones is not permissible, as this can disrupt hormonal levels and ruin the animal’s metabolism.

Can a pet become pregnant while nursing?

Feeding offspring is not an obstacle to pregnancy in an animal.
Often a nursing cat begins to walk within a month after giving birth. Some owners believe that due to an excess of the hormone prolactin, ovulation does not occur, but this opinion is erroneous. Already from the first months after the cat was able to give birth, the eggs mature and the animal can go on a spree and become pregnant again without any problems. However, if there is no postpartum rehabilitation period, the next conception negatively affects the cat’s health, leading to the development of such dangerous diseases as:

metritis;
eclampsia;
congestive mastitis;
osteoporosis;
arthritis, arthrosis.

Mating of males - what owners need to know

The male's reproductive system is completely ready to bring him together with a female by 8-10 months of his life. In different breeds, the state of readiness for mating can be shifted closer to one and a half years of the animal’s life. During this period, it is permissible to start mating for the first time. Males are ready all year round so that they can be mated with a female.

Features in behavior indicating the onset of puberty in a cat in order to bring him together with a cat:

activity and aggressiveness, increasing in the evening and at night;
frequent secretion of a special secretion with a pungent and strong odor;
postures and actions indicating a desire to mate.

Experienced breeders recommend choosing an older and more experienced partner for the first mating, then a positive result will be achieved much faster and easier. Before a male reaches eight months, it is not recommended to castrate or breed a cat for the first time; this can have a detrimental effect on his health and further sexual activity.

Basic information

Puberty for the average cat begins at approximately 6-7 months. During this period, the female goes through her first heat, but the animal is not yet ready for mating. In order for a pet to become pregnant and bear healthy kittens, it is necessary to skip two or three heats. By this time, the animal’s body will be fully formed and will be ready for fertilization and pregnancy.

Veterinarians and breeders believe that the optimal age for the first mating of a cat is one and a half years (for a male - one and a half to two years). If the pet is untied at an older age, this may negatively affect the course of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as its health. A cat that was first brought together with a cat after two or three years may develop polycystic ovary syndrome and other serious diseases associated with hormonal instability.

First mating - features and rules

To breed a cat for the first time, you need to properly prepare the animal for a meeting with a cat.:

Anthelmintic measures must be carried out 14 days before the expected date.
In pedigree breeding, the search for a partner occurs among professional breeders interested in preserving the breed and the quality of future offspring.
The use of any hormonal drugs that inhibit or stop estrus is prohibited.
Animals must have all necessary vaccinations. Vaccinations against chlamydia and lichen are considered desirable for implementation, but are not included in the list of mandatory ones.
To prevent animals from injuring each other during the mating process, their claws are cut.
Before mating a female with a male, it is not recommended to bathe them, since hygiene products can eliminate or significantly reduce the natural odor of animals, which helps awaken instincts.
A virgin cat can be mated with a cat who already has experience in insemination.

Note to breeders! Animals planned for mating must be healthy, well-fed and well-groomed.

The mating process is controlled by the owner of the male; he takes responsibility for both animals, their health, physical condition and life.

What to do if a nursing cat becomes pregnant again

If the owners do not breed offspring, it is recommended to sterilize the animal. For most breeds, the optimal time for the procedure is 6-12 months. It is possible to perform surgery on a nursing mother to prevent unwanted fertilization.

Contrary to misconceptions, a nursing cat can become pregnant

In addition to surgical intervention, you can give your pet medications based on medicinal herbs (for example, Fitex). It is necessary to monitor your pet's behavior, especially if she goes into heat after giving birth.

The most successful option is to exclude the female from communicating with cats.

Important! Do not use alcohol tinctures or valerian. These remedies do not calm the cat's desire, but only intensify it.

Useful tips for owners

To avoid disagreements, owners of purebred animals should conclude an agreement among themselves, which specifies all the conditions and circumstances of mating:

actual regalia and achievements of pets;
data on health status and vaccination dates;
the time range of the female’s stay in the male’s territory;
consent of the male owner with responsibility for the life and health of the female;
terms of payment for the transaction and distribution of kittens;
resolving possible conflict situations.

The choice of a male to breed a female with is important. The manifestation of the breed, the success of mating, the health and genetic characteristics of the offspring, and their number in the brood depend on this. When a cat mates again, you can ask to look at previous litters to be more sure.

Advice from experienced breeders:

If there is any doubt about the health of one of the animals, an additional independent examination and examination by a veterinarian may be requested before bringing them together.
In order to successfully pair a cat with a cat, you need to give her the opportunity to get used to the environment, sniff, get comfortable and hide if necessary. She should get out of the carrier on her own.
It is better for the cat to be in the cat’s house with its own hygiene and toilet items and eat its usual food.
When meeting a cat, the owner must be prepared for aggressive behavior of animals. To breed overly aggressive individuals, special enclosures are used, from where the animals get to know each other, and then go out and mate on their own.
It is better to leave partners with full confidence in the established mutual understanding and agreement between them.
After fertilization, the male loses interest in the female; from this behavior you can understand that the cat can already be taken home.
If after the first mating the cat fails to become pregnant, then the mating should be repeated when a new heat occurs.

In order to successfully match a cat with a cat, it is necessary to exclude some points and features - the discrepancy in the size of the animals, when it is difficult for them to have sexual intercourse with each other from a physiological point of view. This feature is often possessed by males of the British breed, which are much more massive and larger than females. It will not be possible to breed a cat with a male if the female representative suddenly loses signs of heat, or she completely stops flowing at the time of mating.

It can be very difficult to match a cat with a cat, but intuition and love for animals will help you successfully cope with the task. A worthy reward for complex and responsible work will be the birth of high-quality and healthy offspring!

Cat wedding

How to match a cat with a cat for the first time

If you decide to introduce and bring together your cat with a cat in order to produce offspring, then be prepared for the fact that you will certainly not be bored for several days in your house. The behavior of newlyweds can be the most unpredictable, regardless of their character and temperament, or even the time of day. Be prepared for a showdown both day and night, especially if the cat and cat are meeting for the first time and have not met before.

In addition, you must be very attentive and caring towards the guest or guest, depending on whose territory the wedding will take place. Therefore, if you have planned this magical event, this article is for you!

The behavior of animals will depend, first of all, on who (a cat or a male cat) stays at home, that is, on its territory, where the environment is familiar to the animal and it feels like a master. Someone who is invited to a date in someone else's home will naturally feel insecure, experience some stress, and perhaps be defensive or hide.

If there is a cat at home, and the cat is invited as a groom, then be prepared for the fact that on the very first day the modest gentleman, having received a punch in the face, in the literal sense of these words, will hide under the sofa or closet. Most likely, he will sit there until the obstinate lady herself takes the initiative to get acquainted and makes contact.

Until this time, be sure to take care of your guest and provide him with a separate bowl of food and water. It is advisable if these bowls are his own, brought by the cat’s owners along with him. The cat will eat from its own dishes more confidently on foreign territory. And, if he is hiding somewhere, then food and water need to be placed where the cat is sitting, since he himself will never come to the food. But keeping a guest hungry is impolite and not good!

If the gentleman turns out to be brave, then, having received a couple of scratches on his nose, which, by the way, is quite normal on the day of meeting, he, however, will quickly come to an agreement with your favorite.

When the owner of the territory is a cat, the invited bride can even hiss and scratch at him at first. This reaction is explained, first of all, by the fact that the cat feels unprotected on foreign territory. She, as in the case of a modest groom, must be provided with all the comforts and good food, given the opportunity to sit in a chosen secluded place and calm down, after which she will begin to be more interested in the cat’s advances and will soon cease to be afraid of him.

Very often, cats, during sexual heat, may partially or even completely refuse to eat. In fact, there is nothing wrong with this. It’s just that another natural function of the body comes to the fore, and appetite decreases or disappears for a while. The main thing is that the refusal of food does not last more than one or two days, and does not cause significant harm to the health of the future mother cat. A gentleman can also refuse food for the same reason.

One way or another, when this necessary and, most often, short period of acquaintance between the bride and groom ends, wise nature will still take its toll. Then your pets will move on from hissing, scratching and playing hide and seek to expected activities. All you have to do is feed them well, especially the cat, since now her body will need much more nutrients than before. In addition, you need to prepare in advance a large and comfortable house for the expectant mother with kittens. And after a while, you can happily wait for a new addition to your happy cat family!

How to breed cats

When deciding to get a cat, you must immediately decide whether the animal will bear offspring or not. If there is no desire to breed cats, then it is better to sterilize her. But those owners who dream of tinkering with kittens need to familiarize themselves with all the nuances of this matter.

For the first time, a cat comes into heat at 7-8 months, but it is still too early to introduce her to a cat; let her finally become stronger by the time she is 1-1.5 years old and her pelvic bones will be formed. This will allow you to avoid miscarriages and the birth of defective kittens in the future. If you have never had a cat, then it is better to forget about kittens; a late pregnancy will only be harmful.

A cat's desire to reproduce is demonstrated by estrus. The name comes from the leakage of bloody discharge during heat. Estrus in cats changes the animal's behavior. The cat becomes especially affectionate; it rubs its legs for a long time, rolls on the floor and very often licks its genitals. When stroking, she arches her back and takes a position characteristic of mating.

Estrus in cats lasts 8-15 days, but you can bring a cat together with a cat only when she herself shows a desire for this by meowing invitingly. Sometimes cats may not allow the male at all, this is a consequence of her memories of a previous mating without her desire (rape).

In general, cats are very capricious and capricious. If she doesn’t like the cat or the situation, she will instantly turn into a hissing, toothed and clawed beast. Next time, you should introduce the animals in advance, try not to change the cat, since many cats are monogamous. It is advisable to mate a cat in a familiar environment and deliver it to the groom without stress. But never force a cat to accept a cat!

Finally, everything turned out well. The cat is favorably disposed towards the cat and after some time lets him in. He grabs her by the scruff of the neck with his teeth and mates. Sexual intercourse occurs very quickly. The cat begins to purr angrily, breaks out and scratches. The cat’s penis has sharp jagged edges and causes pain to the cat, but nature intended it to be this moment that provokes ovulation. For 100% fertilization, animals are kept together for 2-3 days.

how to breed cats correctly

How to breed cats

How to determine pregnancy

The main symptom is the immediate disappearance of sexual heat. If the estrus does not stop, the cat does not become pregnant.

An indirect indicator is behavior change. The cat stops screaming, becomes affectionate, rubs against its owners all the time and demands attention. But it is only possible to determine conception in the early stages with high reliability using ultrasound.

From the third week, some external changes appear: the nipples swell and acquire a bright pink color. The cat eats a lot and with appetite, gains weight and sleeps constantly.

A pregnant cat moves little and sleeps a lot

In the fourth week, you can carefully palpate the lower part of the tummy. Small lumps can be felt there

This procedure should be done as gently as possible so as not to cause pain to your pet.

Possible difficulties

Each cat has its own character. Features of behavior: fearfulness, aggressiveness, arrogance - can interfere with successful mating.

If the cat is afraid of the cat and wants to hide, you can leave them in a room where there are no hard-to-reach places, and put a carrier in which the cat will feel safe and calm.

The size of the partners matters. If the cat is much larger than the cat, and he has short legs, he will not be able to jump on her or reach the vaginal opening.

Cats tend to fall over on their side at the most critical moment, and it is more difficult for the cat to cover it.

If the owner is present during the mating, he can try to hold the cat, but this must be done carefully so as not to scare the cat away

It happens that during mating, the denticles on the cat’s organ tear out the hair from the cat’s body and fall into a ring. Usually the cat is a good licker, but sometimes he cannot remove it himself, and this makes copulation difficult. The owner must ensure that this does not happen and remove the ring of hair himself or contact a veterinarian.

In some cases, partners simply don't like each other. If a cat had a bad experience with a cat of a similar color, or such a cat scared him in childhood or scratched him, then by association he will not want to make contact. There are cats that choose one partner and refuse to mate with others. You can try to choose a cat with a similar exterior, but it is not a fact that the idea will lead to the desired result.

An inexperienced cat may not be able to complete sexual intercourse the first time - you need to leave the couple together for a longer time. The same method helps when a cat goes into heat due to stress when moving to a male cat. Just give it some time and the cycle will resume.

During the first heat of the year (late winter - early spring), cats rarely ovulate, even if the cat successfully ovulates it. Therefore, pregnancy does not occur. It is better to wait a few weeks until the second wave of sexual conscription.

To perform sexual intercourse, the cat needs to feel confident and be in a familiar environment, otherwise he will not be able to perform coitus.

The reason for refusal on the part of the cat is low levels of hormones. This is a rather rare case, since cats do not lose the ability to copulate even when their hormonal levels are reduced by half.

False pregnancy

A false pregnancy is a condition in which a cat exhibits symptoms similar to a true pregnancy, but conception has not occurred. The reasons may be mating with a sterile cat, a malfunction in the female’s body, or being near a pregnant or lactating cat. In the latter case, the causes of false pregnancy are psychological, due to the instinct of reproduction.

Ovulation occurs, in place of the egg a “corpus luteum” is formed, which provokes hormonal activity and preparation for the birth of offspring: appetite increases, the belly grows. After two months, milk will be released from the mammary glands, and if there are kittens from another mother nearby, the cat will feed them. This phenomenon is aimed at increasing the survival of the species in the wild, and is more typical of school animals, so it is not as common among cats as in dogs.

False pregnancy is not a disease. Manifestations are mitigated by sedatives and mild hormonal medications prescribed by a veterinarian. However, regular symptoms negatively affect the cat’s psyche and character, as well as healthy hormonal levels. Therefore, in such cases it is worth considering complete sterilization.

Rules for mating a cat with a cat

A cat can be mated with a cat only when the cat reaches sexual maturity and can become pregnant and give birth to kittens without risk to its health. It is better to skip the first two heats and call them off on the third, but some breeders skip only one. According to the rules of many clubs, mating of cats is allowed with a rating of at least “very good” received at a cat show, and cats with Champion titles and above can be mated without having to undergo exhibitions before mating. Cats should not give birth to kittens more than three times a year.

The first mating of a cat should be done before the age of one and a half years. If the cat was not untied, i.e. there were no kittens under two years old, then problems may arise, so if you decide for yourself that you want to breed your cat, then you should do it correctly. Usually cats, not getting a cat during the onset of estrus, move on to the next active phase - they scream day and night, preventing their owners and their neighbors from sleeping. Owners, unable to withstand such torture, often resort to advertised hormonal drugs, after the use of which hormonal disorders occur in cats, causing severe diseases of the reproductive system - infertility, endometritis, pyometra (“purulent uterus”), malignant neoplasms, deformities of offspring, etc. .d.

Before breeding a cat, you must prepare it for this, get all vaccinations against infectious diseases: rhinotracheitis, rabies, calicivirus infection and panleukopenia (included in the complex vaccination), + against chlamydia and lichen (stamps in the veterinary passport no more than 1 year from the date first vaccination and at least 1 month before mating). The cat must be dewormed 7 days before mating (deworming). Usually, conscientious cat owners warn you about this and require a veterinary passport, not because they think that your treasure may be sick, but so that the cat does not get sick during pregnancy (cats have weak immunity).

How do you know when a cat is in heat: it begins to purr, becomes overly affectionate - constantly demands attention to itself, rubs against all objects and your legs, if you, stroking its back, reach its tail, it falls off its tail, the tail at the same time trembles, and the cat begins to stamp its hind paws. Immediately pick up the phone and call the cat’s owners and arrange a mating.

The cat should be brought in on the second day of estrus for several days (1 to 3 days). The cat should have with itself: a tray, litter if it is used to it, bowls for water and food, a supply of usual food for two days, a copy of the pedigree. Be sure to trim the cat’s claws on the front paws, the cat’s owners usually warn about this, do not ignore their warnings and ask if the cat’s claws are trimmed. The cat should look well-groomed, well-fed, clean, without streaks under the eyes, with clean ears, and of course, without fleas.

Mating of two healthy animals usually occurs without any human assistance, so we will only note a few non-standard points. Some cats get so excited when they enter unfamiliar territory that they forget the purpose of their visit. Some cats may stop estrus due to stress and only return a week later. Sometimes cat owners make the mistake of assuming that she is in heat. However, the cat detects this instantly. As soon as the cat is released from the carrier and the cat sniffs her tracks, it immediately becomes clear from his behavior whether she is in heat or not. The cat either gets excited and announces in a loud voice that he is ready to reciprocate, or indifferently turns away from the guest and leaves, or even demonstratively goes to bed in her presence. Then you will have to take the failed bride home. Please note that in such a situation your cat begins to get nervous (new environment, new people, and even a cat nearby). She becomes aggressive or, conversely, becomes depressed. This, of course, adds trouble and inconvenience to the groom’s hosts.

If everything is in order, the cat is in heat, the cat has shown interest in her and began courtship, then you can leave the bride and groom alone. Most often, the first mating occurs at night, when all the people have dispersed, the sounds have died down, the lights are turned off, and no one bothers our couple. As a rule, the next morning it is already clear that the wedding has taken place: the cat’s behavior changes, she no longer hisses at the cat, allows him to lie next to her and even lick her fur coat. Despite the fact that the cat is tamed and itself calls the cat for the next mating, each time, after the end of the action, she ritually hits the cat with her paw. Therefore, cats' claws should be trimmed at home, before going to the wedding. There are cases when a cat did not have time to jump away and received an eye injury. It is believed that the cat experiences pain at the moment of copulation, which is why it screams terribly and attacks its lover with “cuffs.” Experienced cats quickly recoil to a safe distance until the cat calms down. The pain subsides after a few seconds, and then the cat, having put herself in order, begins to roll all over the floor with pleasure, and the cat watches her carefully. A cat can sit for a whole day without letting the cat near. There are calm, “compliant” individuals, and there are extremely aggressive ladies. There are also impudent ones who come to the cat’s territory and behave as if at home. And there are cowardly cats that try to hide and hide in any dark corner.

The cat first tries to approach the cat, but, as a rule, gets hit in the impudent face. And then the persuasion begins. The cat sings songs, periodically uttering a questioning question: “mur”? The cat hisses at the cat and waits just as long as it considers necessary so as not to lose its dignity. Each cat has its own ideas about this time. There is no general rule here. It is interesting that the same cat with different cats can behave differently. If the cat is timid and shy, then the cat can play along with her and pretend that he himself is afraid of her, then the cat becomes bolder and begins to flirt with the cat herself. If a cat behaves defiantly, the cat may come up, slap her in the face and grab her by the scruff of the neck. The cat reflexively goes limp and mating occurs. Such matings can occur 10-15 or more in one day. It all depends on the cat’s health and how sexy he is.

After a day, sometimes after two days, the cat loses interest in the cat. The cat can still “ask for a cat” for a few more days. This is not at all a sign that the cat is not mated. She simply cannot stop at the “motor” level. And the cat has already realized that he has fulfilled his marital duties, apparently because the cat’s smell that attracts his attention disappears.

Now count 65-66 days from the first day of mating and wait for the birth. If the cat does not become pregnant, you will understand this after about three weeks, or when the next heat begins. Be sure to inform the cat's owner about this in order to comply with formalities - after all, the unsuspecting cat will be expecting children and, accordingly, its owners - payment for mating.

Should you give your cat birth control?

This is a very important issue that requires separate consideration. Many cat owners consider such medications to be an alternative to sterilizing their animal, but this is not true: contraceptives cause irreparable harm to your pet! In particular, they can cause:

the appearance of neoplasms in the uterus,
the occurrence of ovarian cysts,
hormonal imbalances.

In this case, pathologies of the reproductive system can occur only after a few years, when the cat is already elderly, and you will have to either decide on a risky operation or euthanize the animal. Therefore, if you do not want to endure regular heat and the cat’s behavior after mating, it is better to immediately sterilize your pet, which will not only save you from the hassle of organizing mating, but will also protect your cat from serious and dangerous diseases.

How do you mix a cat with a cat?

In order to have a cat and a cat, you must follow certain rules. First of all, it is worth noting that animals should be mated only after they reach one and a half years of age.

This is especially important for females, as pregnancy at an earlier age can cause serious problems to their health. This is due to the fact that the fragile spine of a young cat may not be able to cope with the load placed on it, which can ultimately lead to disability.

A partner for mating must be found in advance. What's the best way to do this? You can find a partner by visiting a cat show or advertising. In addition, the cat club will help you find a suitable groom.

How can a cat-to-cat accident occur so that the consequences of this completely natural process do not harm your pets? First of all, it is necessary to check both animals for the presence of infectious, viral, fungal, invasive and other diseases.

Markers: In addition, two weeks before mating, it is necessary to deworm the animals. To prevent cats from injuring themselves during mating, their claws should be trimmed. Under no circumstances should you bathe a cat before mating. The fact is that bathing neutralizes the natural smell of a cat, which is so attractive to a cat.

Mating should take place in the cat's territory. If the cat is aggressive, then it should be isolated for some time in a secluded place in order to allow it to get used to the new environment. Under no circumstances should you immediately treat a scared cat.

How to bring a cat together with a cat, what is the best time to choose for this? The meeting between male and female cats is usually scheduled on the third to fifth day of estrus. In order to make it easier for a cat to stay in an unfamiliar place, you need to take its food, bowl, and toilet with you. A cat's readiness for mating can be seen by its behavior. She will begin to flirt with the cat and thereby take the initiative on her own. The cat, at first, will pretend that the cat is not interested in him. This kind of play will continue until the cat loses its vigilance.

Mating itself is a very short process, lasting, on average, about half a minute. At this time, the cat purrs expressively, and the cat screams. Fertilization occurs within 24 hours after mating. Mating occurs until the male cat gets tired of it (usually six to eight times). A single mating is most often not effective. After mating, the cat lies on its back, rolls on the floor, and the cat licks itself thoroughly.

At first glance, there is nothing complicated about mating cats. However, it is not. Before making your beloved cat a mother, you need to learn everything about this process, how to prepare the female for this and fulfill some requirements.

If your pet is sexually mature, this does not mean that he is ready to become a parent; the physiological development of the animal also plays a huge role in this matter. It is after this full maturation that the cat can start a relationship with a male.

If you breed a cat at the right moment, she will easily become pregnant, give birth to healthy kittens, and remain healthy herself.

Elite cats are often bred for breeding. Such persons can also take part in exhibitions. If at one of them your cat receives a “very good” review, then after that she is allowed to have relationships with elite cats. Well, if your lady reaches the level of a champion, then, naturally, you do not need such permission. Usually, purebred males will find you themselves and will offer their services to the champion lady.

Experts say that purebred cats should not give birth to kittens often, for example, only 3 times in 2 years.

As long as the female has no health problems, the first mating should be carried out in her first year and a half. It doesn't depend on her being in heat. Since it can begin at a very young age of the cat, therefore, not getting what it wants, the animal can become aggressive.

What is this? Damage to furniture or clothes of the owners, loud screams, especially at night. It is these reasons that sometimes force owners to buy hormonal pills for kittens. But, if you look from a physiological point of view, it is better not to do this. They are the ones that can harm your cat's health.

Such diseases include:

endometritis;
purulent abscesses on the genitals;
oncological diseases;
pyometra.

In addition, if a cat was on pills and then conceived offspring, then all this can affect the kittens. They may be born weak, immobile, easily affected by viruses, and also live much shorter lives than their peers.

Drugs to protect against pregnancy

Pregnancy can be prevented with pills or injections.

Injections stop estrus for a period of six months to a year. They must be administered before the cat asks for it.

Important! Any medical procedures must be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.

The advantage of the injections is that the ability to become pregnant is only blocked and after a while, the pet will be able to become a mother again. Such drugs are easy to get at a pet store.

Despite the positive aspects, injections can cause side effects, especially in animals older than 5 years.

Popular products in this category include:

Depot Promon. This drug blocks the onset of estrus by acting on the brain centers. As a result, hormone production decreases and ovulation does not occur.
Covinan - eliminates estrus for a period of 4 to 6 months. You should not waste your time with this drug, as it will not be able to protect against pregnancy if it is administered late. The injection is given before the onset of estrus to prevent its onset and reduce the cat's desire.
Depo Provera is a synthetic drug designed to interrupt estrus, and accordingly protects against pregnancy. Compared to other contraceptives, Depo Provera has virtually no side effects.

In addition to injections, pregnancy can be prevented using tablets of natural or chemical origin.

Natural formulations include herbal ingredients that minimize the risk of side effects. The disadvantage of tablets is their short duration of action.

Chemical-based medications are more effective, but often have a negative impact on your pet’s health.

New generation of contraceptives for cats

Experts identify a number of the following birth control pills for cats:

Libidomin - eliminates estrus and ovulation, reduces the animal's desire, has a quick effect.
Gestrenol - prevents unwanted pregnancy and reduces sexual desire.
Sex barrier - eliminates sexual desire and blocks the possibility of getting pregnant.
Counter sex - reduces the production of hormones and removes sexual arousal.
Antisex - prevents the onset of estrus, blocks ovulation and excessive excitability.

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Preparing for a “date”

Before breeding even with an elite male, it is necessary to clarify whether both cats are vaccinated. They must have routine vaccinations against shingles, rabies and chlamydia. Be sure to show and specify the date of such vaccinations in your passport. See also - how often can you breed a cat?

Because if the vaccination was done almost a year ago, then it is better not to risk the health of your pet. It is also advisable to prevent worms for your animal ten days before mating.

If the cat has already mated, but the time for her vaccination has already approached, then the injection can be done only a month after mating.

Many people are also interested in the question: will I understand that the cat is in heat? But all this is not as difficult to determine as it might seem at first glance. Even if you have a cat for the first time in your life, you can understand this by its behavior. The female will become softer and more affectionate, she will rub against everything and purr; when you want to pet her, her tail will tremble, and she will lift it or throw it to the side; you can also observe how the animal nervously moves its hind legs.

When you find out that the cat has entered her second heat, it is at this time that you can look for a groom. However, take this issue seriously and in advance. Because if your cat is purebred, and even more so participates in exhibitions, then a relationship with any cat can harm both its appearance and future offspring.

Naturally, every owner wants kittens to be born not only healthy, but also beautiful and suitable for sale. To avoid all this, you need to know thoroughly about your chosen one. Ask not only about vaccinations, but also about his pedigree and who else he had connections with. It is this kind of knowledge that will help you understand what kind of offspring you should expect and whether, in general, it is worth mating your fluffy beloved cat with this animal.

When the first day of the second heat has begun, then prepare your female for a date. Inform the male about this as well. Be sure to take good care of your cat so that it looks appropriate. It is imperative to cut your pet’s claws so that there are no wounds on the body of your chosen one. Since with trimmed claws, the cat will pester the cat more persistently, and if you don’t trim it, then he may not mate at all (see how to trim a cat’s claws correctly). When the third day of estrus arrives, you can safely go to the male for mating.

What to do if a nursing cat becomes pregnant again

If the cat turns out to be pregnant again, there are several options for the development of events:

You can not terminate the pregnancy and let the cat lamb. If the owners do not want to accept kittens in the future, then the pet should be immediately taken to the veterinarian, where the sterilization procedure will be carried out.
Have an abortion. It is done no later than the 5th week of pregnancy. In this case, an operation is performed during which the embryos are removed through an incision in the uterus.
Contact your veterinarian to have the embryos immediately removed and sterilized.
Medical abortion using medical drugs. It should be remembered that medications must be prescribed by a doctor.

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Complications during mating

When estrus has begun accurately, and your pet is healthy and full of energy, then during mating everything goes as usual. But, if the owners of the lady somehow made a mistake in her behavior, and she is not in heat (i.e. false heat), then the male will not be fooled by this. By sniffing it, he will be able to determine this for sure. If she is, then the male will be active and begin to take some actions, but if there is no heat, then he can simply turn around and leave his betrothed.

If this happens, then there is no need to force animals to produce offspring. In this case, it is better to take your lady home and wait for the next heat.

Also, when mating there are incidents. For example, it is precisely because of the stress of moving, the new environment in the apartment and the presence of an unfamiliar cat that a cat may stop estrus (see how long a cat's estrus lasts). For this reason, even the young lady herself will refuse sexual services. And there are such faithful cats who do not cheat on their chosen ones.

And it happened that if his cat died, he didn’t want to have any connection with anyone else. It has happened that the owners of such an animal choose a completely similar lady for him, but it is very difficult to fool him. In this case, it is not possible to mate two pets.

More difficulties may arise due to the specific character of the cat. Some behave impudently, despite the unfamiliar surroundings, while others hide and hide in some corner. That is, some can be aggressive and arrogant, while others, on the contrary, can even be kind and affectionate. In the same way, the character and mood are transmitted to the cat. He can put an aggressive cat in its place and be harsh with it, and seeing a cowardly one, he himself can become neat and gentle.

When the pet is no longer able to produce kittens

Having dealt with the question of how often cats give birth, it is necessary to determine the age at which mating should be stopped. The behavior and body characteristics of animals allow them to give birth throughout their lives.

A kitten can be born even from an old cat. Usually in this case the number of cubs is no more than 2. Despite the high fertility, it is not advisable to breed a pet that is more than 7 years old. When this age is reached, the animal is sterilized to avoid unnecessary problems.

Pregnancy is a difficult test for the body of an adult cat. Therefore, there is a risk of not only harming the pet’s health, but also producing weak offspring.

Every owner is interested in the question of how the pet’s pregnancy is going, how long it will take for her to have kittens again, and also how to choose the optimal period for breeding. Knowing the nature of cat health, owners will be able to create comfortable conditions for the animal’s life, and also prevent the appearance of unwanted offspring.