Maybe your cat just gave birth to kittens. Right now, your house is interesting and busy. While she is focused on raising her children, mom’s body will go through hormonal changes to prepare for her next menstrual cycle.
You may have heard that nursing female cats are unable to become pregnant. Multiple recurrent pregnancies with close gaps between births can be harmful to a cat’s health.
Most cats start their estrus cycle, commonly referred to as their heat cycle, around four weeks after weaning their kittens if it is still breeding season. She can be on her menstruation and still nursing.
The term “estrus” refers to the period of a woman’s cycle when she is most receptive to sexual activity. Estradiol, a kind of estrogen, is produced by the ovarian follicles during this period. Although occasionally there may be mucous flow, it should not be confused with human female menstruation. You very rarely, if ever, see any traces of blood.
When Can Cats Have Another Litter?
Ovulation cannot take place in female cats without mating or an external trigger since they are induced ovulators. If the female cat doesn’t mate at that time, the estrus cycle will finally cease and won’t begin again for another two to three weeks. She can readily become pregnant during her first estrus cycle following delivery if she mates.
The time between mating and ovulation is usually between 20 and 50 hours, and the eggs are viable (able to be fertilized) for about a day after that. The eggs are fertilized in the ovary, where they are subsequently transported by the uterine horn to the uterus where they embed in the uterine lining within 10 to 12 days. Cats may mate multiple times prior to the completion of ovulation, and a female cat’s litter may include kittens from different sires. For the duration of the estrus cycle, which can last up to 21 days on average, a female cat in estrus may mate with two or more male cats on the street.
Because both male and female kittens can reach sexual maturity between the ages of four and six months, it is very possible for a cat to impregnate his mother. This could put female cats and their young at danger. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. During pregnancy, delivery, and feeding, a cat’s physical resources might be depleted, leaving her undernourished and exhausted.
Responsible breeders of purebred cats limit the number of litters a given female cat will have and maintain a fair interval in time between litters since complete weaning of her kittens and regaining full health are crucial. After a certain period of time, the female cat will be retired, at which point she will be spayed to stop any further pregnancies and let her to enjoy her golden years, which she so richly deserves.
If your cat has had kittens and is not a good breeding cat, it is advised to have her spayed after the kittens have been weaned. In the interim, make sure she doesn’t have access to the outside or intact male cats.
Cat spaying and neutering reasons
Unless your cat is a purebred, there is no reasonable reason to allow her to continue having kittens. Despite advancements brought about by public education regarding the importance of spaying and neutering pets, the truth is that there is still a significant pet overpopulation problem in the United States.
Due to the popularity of kittens, more people will adopt kittens than adult cats. The elderly cats will be abandoned and at danger of being put to death since they have no homes. As more kittens become available, adult cats are at greater risk of being put down.
A female cat should ideally be spayed after giving birth and weaning her kittens. All kittens should have had spaying or neutering by the age of four months. Keep in mind that kittens can and will mate with other members of their litter once they achieve sexual maturity. Sanitizing them in advance of that is crucial. It can be dangerous for young cats to become pregnant.
If you spay or neuter your cats, they’ll be happier and make better pets in the long run.
READ NEXT: How Many Times Can a Cat Become Pregnant?
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 How to Bottle Feed Your Newborn Kittens? Check it out on our latest post!
