Mating, or mating of males and females, is an important process necessary for breeding a breed. The production of healthy offspring is ensured by compliance with a number of rules governing the preparation of animals and the preparation of documents. If the pet is not yet untied, it will most likely need the help of its owner. Knowing the basic nuances will help resolve any emergency situation during mating.
When to prepare for mating
The first mating between a cat and a female cat should occur during the period of physiological maturity. This moment occurs shortly after puberty. The optimal age depends on gender and breed.
Optimal age for a male
It is recommended to breed a male after 1 year, but it is better to wait until 1.5 years. For large breeds, the threshold rises to 1.8-2 years. Mating immediately after puberty (7-8 months) is considered dangerous. The pet may become infertile.
Puberty in a male is accompanied by the following signs:
- increased aggression;
- placement of scent marks using a stream of urine;
- decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat;
- loud meowing at night;
- frequent escape attempts.
After complete physiological maturation, the pet can be mated throughout the year, but not more than 2-3 times a month. Despite this, breeders prefer to do this in early spring, since sexual desire increases in March-April.
Optimal age for a female
For females, the optimal age is similar, but more individual. In their case, they also rely on the number of heats. The third is considered the safest for mating.
Puberty in pets changes their behavior. They become more affectionate and talkative, often roll around on the floor and arch their backs, moving their tail to the side - this is estrus. It is recommended to skip the first two, but you can knit the third.
Is it possible to breed a cat during her first heat?
If the animal is in heat for the first time, the animal's reproductive system is still developing. Mating cats too early is fraught with infertility, miscarriages and other complications, including death.
Cat behavior after mating
It is interesting to observe how the owner’s pet behaves after the end of the process - impatient owners want to quickly understand whether their cat is pregnant?
In the first days after mating, the pussy may continue to ask the cat, scream and seem restless: even if everything was successful, the body does not rebuild itself in a day, and hormones continue to play in the pet’s blood for some time. This will pass in 2-3 days.
Sometimes after the beauty is brought home, she hides in a corner and is sad, sleeping a lot. The lethargy of the expectant mother is explained by fatigue from the stress she has experienced and the estrus itself.
It happens that a cat refuses food for several days, only drinking water - this is simply the consequences of stress.
Features of the first mating
The first mating between male and female cats is carried out with an experienced partner. This is equally important for both males and females, since the lack of experience affects the result. Be prepared to face difficulties the first time. In the event of force majeure, you will have to help your pet cope with stress or sudden aggression.
In the future, males and females are mated up to 3 times every 2 years. More frequent births are dangerous for the female’s body. The first 6-8 years of life are also considered the optimal time for pregnancy. After this age, females are sterilized and excluded from breeding. A frequency limit is also imposed on cats, since too frequent sexual intercourse reduces the quality of sperm, which means the kittens will be born weaker.
Optimal time for first mating: puberty of males and female cats
The first estrus in females is recorded at the age of seven to nine months; in some breeds, puberty occurs a year or later. At this point, the cat’s body has not yet prepared for full bearing of offspring. Therefore, experts do not recommend breeding a young female during her first heat.
Consequences: difficult birth, death of the offspring, further infertility. Puberty occurs after one and a half years; it is at this time that the first mating is recommended.
Males show signs of sexual heat a little earlier; by the age of seven months they begin to actively look for a partner, but by this moment they are still growing and their skeleton is not fully formed. The cat is completely ready for breeding when it reaches one year of age.
How to prepare an animal
Before mating, male cats are vaccinated and treated against helminths and external parasites. Anti-worm medications are given once a quarter, but no later than 10 days before the meeting of the animals. Vaccination is carried out annually, but no later than 14 days before mating.
The main condition for a favorable mating is the absence of diseases and strong immunity in both partners. To do this, owners protect their pets from infections and strengthen the immune system with a balanced diet and vitamins.
female
The rules for mating cats and female cats provide for the creation of safe and favorable conditions. Before meeting, the owner of the female must:
- Avoid swimming in the last 5 days. Water washes away pheromones that attract males.
- Take care of the length of the claws. This condition applies to both animals, as they may accidentally or intentionally scratch their partner.
- Make sure there is heat. Artificial stimulation is not allowed. The use of hormonal drugs is fraught with cancer.
- Avoid sedatives. Do not try to eliminate stress with valerian or other popular drugs. A drowsy and apathetic state will cause even more problems. Favorite toys that have a familiar smell will help you cope with stress in a new place.
Mating of cats and cats occurs in the territory of the male. For your pet's comfort, take care of a basic set of necessary things. She will need water and food bowls, a litter box, food and a carrier.
Male
The owner of the male is the receiving party. He needs to take care of comfort and safety. The room chosen for the meeting will have to be cleared of foreign objects and equipped with an anti-slip coating.
If you don’t yet know how mating occurs in cats, then the cat’s first time should happen with an untied partner. The male will gain confidence no earlier than the second mating.
To prepare your pet, follow the basic rules - cut the claws and do not give the cat any medications. Remember that your main task is to control the animals during and after mating. Responsibility for the partner will lie with the receiving party until she is returned to the owner.
Maintenance and nutrition of the cat after surgery
Within two days after the procedure, the animal needs to be created as comfortable as possible. It should be placed in a warm, safe place and covered with soft bedding. You should not place the rookery on a hill, because after anesthesia the animal’s coordination of movements is impaired and the cat may fall and be injured.
As for feeding, it is prohibited to feed the animal twelve hours before the operation and one day after the procedure. Starting from the second day, they begin to give the pet food in small portions.
It should also be taken into account that castrated cats have a tendency to obesity and the development of urolithiasis, so animals should not be overfed and limited in fresh water. The best option would be to use balanced food for neutered cats.
Similar actions are permissible in relation to cats - they can also be sterilized, that is, deprived of reproductive function. But when making such decisions, it is necessary to think through everything carefully, because it will no longer be possible to correct the situation.
How does the mating process occur in cats?
The main difference between mating cats and cats from the dog family is the duration of the process. Dogs only need a couple of hours, but cats need several days. For a successful result, you need to understand how cats mate. The process takes place in several stages:
- Acquaintance
. The female is released from the carrier and allowed to explore the new territory. Having become accustomed, she begins to flirt with the male by meowing, but when he approaches, he hisses and runs away. Give the animals time to get used to each other. It is recommended to place them in a separate room so as not to embarrass you with their presence. A more experienced partner often misses this point and immediately moves on to mounting.
- Sadka
. The cat presses his partner to the floor and grabs her scruff with his teeth, ending up on top. Sexual intercourse takes less than a minute and ends with a uterine sound from the female trying to throw off her partner. After this, it is recommended to take the pet away to prevent injury from an aggressive partner.
- Fertilization
. If the outcome is successful, the female turns over on her back and begins to roll on the floor, and the cat begins to indifferently lick her genitals. Soon she lets the male in and they lick each other.
It is recommended to repeat the mating of a cat and a cat to increase the likelihood of fertilization. To do this, the female is left on the male’s territory for a few more days. Subsequent sexual intercourse goes more smoothly, as the animals get used to each other and begin to feel sympathy.
What can I do to stop my cat from wandering?
Some owners do not plan to breed their pet and, so that it does not disturb the calm atmosphere in the house, use special preparations. Today, there are various pills for cats against walking that regulate the processes of sexual arousal, prevent unwanted pregnancy, calm the animal and make behavior normal.
But opinions differ regarding the safety of using such drugs. Some people believe that it is necessary to use anti-festival pills if mating is not planned. Others are confident that hormonal pills or drops for cats during estrus are harmful to the health of the pet. If, nevertheless, the owner is going to give drugs for estrus, only an experienced veterinarian should prescribe the drug.
Properly selected, suitable drops or tablets will gently normalize hormonal levels and will not harm the animal.
Manufacturers offer many drugs to solve problems with increased sexual activity in cats. For example, Gestrenol tablets are quite effective and gentle on the body. The product contains analogues of natural hormones. In addition, with o, the reproductive function is restored after a couple of months.
Among the effective contraceptives one can also name “Anti-sex”, “Contra-sex” and “Sex barrier”. But these drugs are hormonal. To quickly calm a cat, Covinan injections are used. The reasonable price of Covinan for cats makes this drug quite popular among owners of representatives of the cat family. But it is worth remembering that this drug, like any other hormonal drug, has contraindications. For example, it is not recommended for young individuals and those over 5 years of age to use Covinan injections.
Help from the owners
Understanding when your help is needed is quite simple. Most often, breeders are faced with 4 problems that require their intervention.
When a cat rolls over on its side
If the cat has fallen over on its side, do not rush to intervene. Experienced males solve this problem on their own even in such an uncomfortable position. If mounting still does not occur, carefully approach the animals and support the female. Remember that human intervention makes cats nervous and is only necessary as a last resort. While supporting, do not touch the animals' genitals.
If your cat behaves aggressively
Prolonged aggression on the part of a pet is a reason for refusal. Otherwise, mating will end in a fight and injuries for both partners. It’s safer to find a new “groom.”
If the breeding value of the found partner is high, breeders resort to a probe. This device is inserted into the female's vagina. She stops resisting and allows the male to approach her. It is better to entrust such manipulation to a veterinarian.
If the sizes of partners do not match
Disproportion between partners is rare, since animals of the same breed usually have similar dimensions. A male that is too large can injure the female, so it is recommended to avoid such mating. The reverse situation is safer. During mounting, the cat will rest against his partner's back, so you will have to help him with direction.
With a sudden cessation of estrus
A sudden change of environment is stressful for the animal. Fright may cause the female to stop estrus. This is not something to be afraid of, as it returns immediately after the condition returns to normal. Leave her at your partner's house for a couple of days to let her get used to him and the new place.
How to determine pregnancy
Note that if a cat, after being at home, continues to behave as if in estrus, this does not mean that pregnancy has not occurred.
The first signs of pregnancy are visible after about 3 weeks:
- redness and swelling of the nipples;
- rounding of the sides.
Depending on the number of kittens, the time until birth can be from 55 to 68 days. The more kittens, the sooner the cat can be freed from the burden.
Note that indicators of pregnancy can also appear in the presence of a false version. In this case, it is better to show the animal to a veterinarian.
Also read the article on how to find out if your cat is pregnant and how long pregnancy lasts in cats.
Basic breeder rules
Mating of purebred cats and cats is a labor-intensive process that requires an understanding of selection and jurisprudence. Inexperienced breeders make their first mistake when searching for a partner.
How to choose a “groom” or “bride”
In a future partner, not only health is important, but also color and blood type. When incompatible blood types are mixed, kittens may be born dead or defective. In the second case, the animals will not have breeding value and will receive no higher class than pet. This will reduce the cost and eliminate them from breeding.
For the safety of your pet and future offspring, it is recommended to contact felinological clubs. Here you will find several suitable partners. This will eliminate downtime until the next heat due to an unsuccessful encounter. If the pet is not delighted with the “bride” or “groom”, you can immediately arrange a meeting with the new applicant.
Mistakes are often made when mating Scots. Within the breed there is a division into “straights” (straight ears) and “folds” (fold ears). Crosses within one group are unacceptable, as they are fraught with defects in future offspring. All these nuances can be learned during a consultation at a specialized club.
Paperwork
Before mating a cat and a cat, their owners draw up an agreement. The document specifies the basic rules, obligations and rights of the parties, controversial issues, type of payment and pregnancy support. To confirm the breed and health of partners, their pedigrees and veterinary passports are checked.
Most often, the owner of the male accepts payment in the amount of the cost of one of the kittens. The first part of the money is provided before or immediately after mating, and the second - after childbirth.
When to take your pet home
After fertilization, the female remains in the male’s territory for up to 5 days. The exact number of days is specified in the contract. During this time, several sexual acts occur, increasing the likelihood of conception.
The host owner takes care of his pet's partner until the specified time. After that, he returns her home. It is the responsibility of the female owner to notify her of successful fertilization.
What to do if a cat yells when it wants a cat?
A cat that wants a cat makes everyone in the house nervous. She screams so loudly that it is impossible to ignore her screams. Often the owners do not even manage to fall asleep. What to do in this case? There are several ways to solve the problem:
- castration;
- use of special drugs;
- mating with a cat.
The choice of method depends on the breeder's plans. If the animal is not intended to reproduce, castration is the best solution. Otherwise, unwanted symptoms can be combated with sedatives or hormonal drugs, if mating is not planned during this period.
Sedatives for cats
The safest for cats' health are sedatives. They help reduce the female's arousal and reduce the intensity of estrus symptoms. To correct your pet’s behavior, the following medications are used:
- "Cat Baiyun". Available in tablets and liquid form. It is used in cases where cats are stressed, as well as to suppress sexual heat.
- "Fitex". A sedative in drops. The medicine is based on extracts of various plants that have an anti-stress effect.
- Cat mint. The smell of this herb calms cats. It can be placed in places where the animal spends most of its time. Catnip is also available in spray form.
- "Stop stress." A powerful sedative for cats. Available in tablets and drops. The medicine quickly suppresses sexual desire and reduces the cat's activity.
Determination of pregnancy after mating
After mating, owners wait 3 weeks until the first signs of pregnancy appear. If your pet is pregnant, you can easily recognize this by its rounded sides and swollen red nipples. Also, successful conception is accompanied by premature cessation of estrus.
For a more accurate diagnosis, make an appointment at the veterinary clinic 20-25 days after sexual intercourse. Pregnancy is confirmed using blood tests, ultrasound and x-rays. All these procedures are necessary to exclude false pregnancy, which is fraught with the development of oncology.
Once you figure out how to properly breed males and females, you will easily find your way even in the event of force majeure. In most cases, the process occurs naturally and does not require additional assistance.
If you do not plan to participate in breeding the breed, take care of castration or sterilization of your pets in advance. This will protect them from prostatitis, inflammatory and cancer diseases.
The article is for informational purposes only. Contact your veterinarian!
Castration and indications for surgery
Castrating a cat means depriving it of its gonads, that is, completely removing the testicles through surgery. Together with the gonads, the cat loses the ability to reproduce; testosterone stops being produced.
The best time to castrate a cat is when it is sexually mature and ready to breed - from eight months to one and a half years. A cat’s readiness to mate can be determined by smell, because during this period the animal begins to mark its territory. The operation itself is quite simple, does not threaten the health of the pet and does not require special postoperative care. But before the procedure, you should decide where to castrate the cat, undergo an examination and pass the necessary tests, including tolerability of anesthesia.
You can castrate a cat for several reasons:
- Medical indications - for injuries, pathologies, orchitis.
- Reduced aggressiveness during sexual hunting.
- To eliminate or prevent an unpleasant odor from a cat in an apartment, because a cat without gonads will not mark its territory.
Experts recommend castrating those cats that will live in city apartments and will not have the opportunity to walk on the street and satisfy their sexual needs. This often applies to purebred animals from which they do not plan to have offspring. This procedure will help owners avoid the consequences of a riot of hormones: the appearance of a cat's smell, escapes and attacks by the pet. It is also useful for the animal itself: the cat will not suffer from unsatisfied sexual desire and will avoid the development of prostatitis, prostate tumors and adenoma of the anal glands.
If the cat has the opportunity to move freely and satisfy its needs, then castration is undesirable, because the animal becomes passive and will not be able to fully defend itself. And this can lead to injuries from domestic relatives during walks.
