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Breeding Cats and Queening
Breeding cats and raising kittens can be an extremely rewarding experience or it may produce frustration and failure. The following information is provided in order to increase your chances of success.
How often does a female cat come into heat?
The female cat (queen) comes into heat (estrus) many times each year. The heat period lasts about 2-3 weeks. If she is not bred, she will return to heat in 1-2 weeks. This
cycle will continue for several heat cycles or until she is bred. The period of time that she is out of heat will vary depending on geographic and environmental factors, such as temperature and the number of daylight hours.
What are the signs of heat?
The signs of heat are different in felines as compared to dogs. Cats have minimal vaginal bleeding, usually unseen by owners. Their change in behavior is the most notable sign. Cats become very affectionate, rub against their owners and furniture and constantly want attention. They roll on the floor. When stroked over the back, they raise their rear quarters into the air and tread with the back legs. They also become very vocal. These behavior changes often become obnoxious to owners and may be interpreted as some unusual illness. In addition, queens in heat attract unneutered male cats. Tomcats that have never been seen will appear and attempt to enter the house to mate with the female.
What should I do to be sure that breeding cats is accomplished successfully?
Male cats are more successful breeders in familiar surroundings. Therefore, it is preferable to take the female to the male's home for breeding. The timing for breeding cats is not highly critical or complicated because cats are induced ovulators. This means that the act of breeding stimulates the ovaries to release eggs. Therefore, the female's eggs should be released from the ovaries when the sperm are deposited in the reproductive tract at breeding. Most female cats require 3-4 matings within a 24 hour period for ovulation to occur. Once ovulation has occurred, the female cat will go out of heat within a day or two.
What should I expect during pregnancy?
Pregnancy, also called the gestation period, ranges from 60 to 67 days and averages 63 days; most felines deliver kittens (queen) between days 63 and 65. The only way to accurately determine the stage of pregnancy is to count days from the time of breeding. If possible, the breeding date(s) should be recorded. The mother should be examined three weeks after breeding to confirm her pregnancy.
A pregnant feline should be fed a kitten formulation of a premium brand of cat food for the duration of the pregnancy and through the nursing period. These diets are generally available through veterinary hospitals or pet stores. Kitten diets provide all the extra nutrition needed for the mother and her litter. If the mother is eating one of these diets, no calcium, vitamin, or mineral supplements are needed. The kitten diet is necessary to provide the extra nutrients needed during pregnancy and nursing.
During pregnancy the mother's food consumption will often reach 50% more than her level before pregnancy. By the end of the nursing period, it may be more than double the pre-pregnancy amount. Do not withhold food; increasing the number of feedings per day is helpful in allowing her to eat enough for her needs and those of the kittens.
What should I do to prepare for the kittens birth?
From the time of breeding, many cats show behavioral changes. Most develop an unusually sweet and loving disposition and demand more affection and attention. However, some may become uncharacteristically irritable. Some experience a few days of vomiting ("morning sickness") followed by the development of a ravenous appetite, which persists throughout the pregnancy.
During the latter stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother begins to look for a secure place for delivery. Many become uncomfortable being alone and will cling closely to
their owner. At the onset of labor, many nervously seek a place to make the "nest" or birthing place. If the feline is attached to her owner, she will not want to be left alone at the time of delivery. If left alone, she may delay delivery until the owner returns.
Prior to the time of delivery, a queening or birthing box should be selected and placed in a secluded place, such as a closet or a dark corner. The box should be large enough for the cat to move around freely, but have low enough sides so that she can see out and so you can reach inside to give assistance, if needed. The bottom of the box should be lined with several layers of newspapers. These provide a private hiding place for the expectant and delivering mother and will absorb the birthing fluids. The upper, soiled layers may be removed with minimal interruption to the mother and her newborn kittens.
What happens during labor and delivery?
Most cats experience delivery without complications; however, first-time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two kittens are born. If these are born quickly and without assistance, further attendance may not be necessary, although it is desirable. If the owner elects to leave, care should be taken so that the cat does not try to follow and leave the queening box.
The signs of impending labor generally include nervousness and panting. The cat will often quit eating during the last 24 hours before labor. She will also usually have a drop in rectal temperature below 100ºF (37.8ºC). The temperature drop may occur intermittently for several days prior to delivery, but it will usually be constantly low for the last 24 hours.
Delivery times will vary. Shorthaired cats and cats having slim heads, such as Siamese, may complete delivery in one to two hours. Domestic body type cats (having large, round heads) generally require longer delivery times. Persian and other domestic body type kittens tend to be very large and have sizable heads that make delivery more difficult. It is not unusual for Persians to rest an hour or more between each kitten. Rarely, a cat may deliver one or two kittens then stop labor for as long as twenty-four hours before the remainder of the litter is born. However, if labor does not resume within a few hours after the delivery of the first kittens, examination by a veterinarian is advised. If labor is interrupted for twenty-four hours or more, veterinary assistance should definitely be obtained.