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Mating

The queen's heat cycle is greatly affected by the ratio of daylight to darkness and by temperature. In cat colonies, for example, with 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness, as well as constant temperatures, female cats will be in the breeding cycle year-round.

The female is able to bear young as early as 7 to 9 months of age and is fertile another 7 to 9 years. Usually after that, the cat can no longer bear kittens, although there are exceptions. Like the male, the female should come from a good-sized, healthy litter with a mother that delivered with ease and showed regular heat cycles. A good history should be obtained and a complete physical exam performed in order to help detect genetic disorders or illness.

In about 20 percent of females, the actual heat is preceded by a period of up to 2 days where the cat does things like rubbing herself against objects, persistent meowing, treading in place and rolling on the floor. However, she won't let the tom mount her. In unsuspecting owners, the cat can seem to be in pain, when in fact, it is just raging hormones and no pain is involved.

The heat cycle in a cat lasts between three and 20 days, on average, 5 to 8 days. The interval between the end of one heat and the beginning of the next heat lasts 3 to 14 days in general, with an average of 10 days. In other words, the female cat cycles every 12 to 20 days during breeding season.

There are certain hormonal changes in the cycling queen until she mates. Estrogen is responsible for the queen's going into heat and progesterone is necessary for pregnancy. When the estrogen concentration rises, the queen goes into heat, and when it drops, the heat ends. Until the queen is mated, this rise and fall of estrogen will continue.

Male cats are more successful breeders in familiar surroundings. Therefore, it is preferable to take the female to the males home for breeding. Most female cats require 3-4 breedings within a 24 hour period for ovulation to occur. When your female returns home, care should be taken to keep her away from any entire male, as she could still be in heat.

Ages of queen and stud at which to start breeding? A female cat (queen) should not be used for breeding before she has attained her adult size, this should be 12-24 months depending on which breed she is. A male should be 12-18 months of age, this period will give you time to asses his health and suitability for breeding. Temperaments are passed to the offspring, as are genetic diseases.

Before breeding with a queen or stud, both should be tested for FeLV and FIV before each breeding session. Both should be healthy and free from ear mites, fleas, and ringworm.

What Occurs During Mating?

The queen will signal her willingness to mate with a unique posture: head down, forelegs bent, rear quarters raised to expose the vulva (this raised posture is called lordosis), with the tail raised and held to the side of the body, all designed to accommodate entry by the tom cat's penis. Her rear legs will tread rhythmically, as if walking in place.
The tom cat will mount the female from the rear, holding her on the back of the neck with his teeth. This biting behavior may in part be to ensure cooperation, but may also stimulate a part of the female's brain that induces ovulation.

Whole male cats have barbed penises (much like a fishhook), and upon withdrawal, the female cat will often scream (whether from ecstasy or pain is questionable). It is also believed that the barbed penis stimulates ovulation. In fact, breeders sometimes use "Teaser Toms" to stimulate ovulation and end the estrus cycle in queens which are not yet ready for breeding. Teaser Toms are neutered by vasectomy, leaving the barbs on the penis to stimulate ovulation.

Breeders have always been faced with the dilemma of controlling oestrus (heat) or stimulating sterile ovulation in the pedigreed cat. The Teaser Tom is the answer to a breeder's prayer.

The Teaser Tom is an entire male cat who has been sterilised surgically by vasectomy by a veterinarian, and can start working approximately five to six weeks after vasectomy.

Hormones to control oestrus in the feline species have been a tremendous help to harassed breeders. Ovarid (megestrol acetate) and injectable hormones have been widely and successfully used, however, the prolonged use of Ovarid can and does cause pyometra and pyometra can be fatal. Also, keeping a cat confined, and if allowed to call incessantly can ultimately lead to further complications such as polycystic ovaries which will ultimately be followed by spaying anyway.

However, it is advisable and recommended for queens to have at least one full free call before being mated and bred after their use.

Crude methods of stimulating ovulation ranged from the use of thermometers to ear buds. The Teaser Tom is the Natural way.

How Soon After Mating Does Conception Occur?

Ovulation will usually occur within 20 to 50 hours after mating, and the eggs are viable (capable of being fertilized) for approximately one day. The eggs are fertilized in the oviduct, and then make their way to the uterus via the uterine horn, implanting in the uterine lining within 10 to 12 days.

Can a Litter Contain Kittens from Multiple Sires?

Yes. On the street, a queen may mate with two or more tom cats over the length of the estrus cycle - up to 21 days, with an average of seven days. Although genetics of the queen may come into play, multi-colored kitten litters will often vividly demonstrate multiple mating. Some breeders of pedigreed cats keep the queen and chosen tom together for multiple matings to ensure that pregnancy will result.

Can Cat Become Pregnant While Nursing?

Unfortunately, yes. For that reason, it is critical to keep her indoors and separate from any whole mates in the house. Once the mother cat starts to wean the kittens, she should be spayed to prevent further litters. In addition, the kittens should be spayed/neutered, whether kept in the original home or placed for adoption.

How Early Can a Cat Become Pregnant?

Although female cats generally mature sexually anywhere from five to twelve months, it is not unusual for a cat to start the estrus cycle as early as four months. If she is allowed to become pregnant at this age, the result will literally be a case of a kitten birthing kittens, dangerous to both the mother and the kittens. Many veterinarians are now practicing early spay and neuter to prevent tragedies of this sort.

If this article seems to be a thinly disguised spay and neuter message, it is intentional. Spaying your female cat will not only help the overpopulation problem, but will make her a happier and healthier pet in the long term.