Pre-puberty spaying is advocated for the great majority of female pet cats who are not a part of breeding operations. Estrous cycles, commonly referred to as heat cycles, begin as a person reaches puberty. Although domestic cats in the Northern Hemisphere often go through heat cycles from February to October, indoor cats can experience them at any time of the year.
Estrus, or the period of receptivity to mating, will happen every two to three weeks until she marries or is spayed, upsetting both the queen and her canine companions. Queenie will be fully focused on mating with an intact male housemate during this time, or she will leave the house to do so. In order to get a chance to meet one of the rowdy feline Romeos who will gather close to your home and compete for the right to bear your queen, she will vocalize (call) loudly, skulk close to doorways, and be obsessive in her desire to mate.
Estrus
The time of a woman’s cycle when she is most amenable to sexual activity is referred to as “estrus.” During this time, the ovarian follicles release estradiol, a kind of estrogen. Cats rarely show vulvar enlargement or discharge when they are in heat, in contrast to dogs.
Being induced ovulators, female cats cannot ovulate on their own; this includes during mating. The hormone levels will progressively decrease if the female cat chooses not to mate while in estrus, and the estrous cycle will start up again in another two to three weeks.
Mating
The queen will adopt a certain stance to indicate that she is ready to mate: her tail will be tipped to one side to reveal the vulva, her forelegs will be bowed, and her rear quarters will be raised ( this posture is called lordosis). Her back legs are constantly moving, giving the impression that she is immobile.
The tomcat will mount the female and frequently grip her by the neck with his teeth while slipping his penis through her vulva.
The female cat frequently screams when the male cat withdraws because intact male cats have barbed penises. The barbed penis is meant to cause ovulation. Actually, breeders occasionally utilize “Teaser Toms” to bring queens who aren’t quite ready for reproduction through their estrous cycle and trigger ovulation. Teaser Toms undergo vasectomy neutering, but the barbs on their penis are left in place to promote ovulation.
Conception
Typically, it takes between 20 to 50 hours from the time of mating until the time of ovulation, and the eggs are viable (able to be fertilized) for approximately a day after that. The uterine horn takes the fertilized eggs to the uterus, where they embed in the uterine lining in around 12 to 13 days. The eggs are first fertilized in the ovary.
Typical Questions
Can kittens from various sires be in the same litter?
Yes. A queen may mate outside with two or more tom cats at any time during her estrous cycle, which can last up to 21 days on average. Multicolored kitten litters frequently clearly show multiple mating, even though the queen’s genetics may be at work. For several matings, some breeders of pedigreed cats keep the queen and selected tom together to guarantee pregnancy.
Can my cat conceive when I’m still nursing her?
absolutely, regrettably. She must be kept inside and away from any complete boys in the house as a result. The mother cat should be spayed as soon as the kittens are weaned to stop future litters. Whether the kittens are kept in the original household or are given up for adoption, they should also be spayed or neutered.
Can my cat still be spayed if she is pregnant?
Neutering pregnant cats is generally safe, though veterinary practitioners disagree on some specifics.
How old can a cat give birth?
Although some female cats’ estrous cycles can begin as early as four months, sexual maturity usually happens at around six months. It would literally be like a kitten giving birth to kittens if she were allowed to get pregnant at this age, which is risky for both the mother and the newborns. To avoid catastrophes of this nature, many veterinarians now urge early spay and neuter procedures.
You are correct if you think that this post is aiming to promote spaying and neutering. In the end, spaying your female cat will not only assist with the overpopulation issue but also make her a happier and healthier pet.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your family pet, know the pet’s health history, and may make the best recommendations for your pet.
Wondering about 6 Ways to Tell If Your Female Cat Is in Heat? Check it out on our latest post!
