Page 84 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Breeding and pregnancy

The idea of your cat surrounded by cute kittens may be appealing, but
breeding is a serious commitment. As well as providing extra care for
the mother, you will have to plan ahead for the kittens’ future.

Planned breeding The females, known as “queens,” several days. She could still be
Do not consider breeding from your come into season in cycles of 14–21 in heat and attractive to non-
cat unless you have good reason to days, mainly during spring and pedigree local toms.
believe that you will be able to find summer, with each season lasting
a home for every kitten. Many for three or four days. When a Signs of pregnancy
kittens end up in rescue shelters queen is ready to mate, or “in heat,” The average length of pregnancy
or are put down because they are she will show obvious signs, in cats is between 63 and 68 days.
unwanted. If you own a pedigree including constant calling, lying The first sign that mating has
cat of a popular breed you may find down with her rump raised, and been successful will be a slight
a ready demand for her kittens, rolling or rubbing herself against reddening of your cat's nipples,
82 although you should never be the floor. The scent of her urine will which appears around the third
motivated by profit (and the also attract any toms in the area. week of pregnancy. In the
expenses involved in breeding can queen to the breeder, where following weeks, the queen will
This is the time to take the
steadily gain weight and her shape
be considerable). Should you decide
Breeding to let your pedigree have a litter, she and the stud tom you have will change as her belly swells. The
chosen will be placed in adjacent
kittens she is carrying can be easily
you will need to do some research
to find a reputable breeder with a
about the fifth week. Never try to
advances to her prospective mate,
suitable stud tom. pens. When she starts making felt during a vet's examination after
the two cats will be allowed access carry out any kind of investigation
Mating to one another. Mating usually yourself. Unskilled handling of a
Unneutered cats are considered occurs several times, so it is
mature enough for planned common practice to leave the
breeding by about 12 months of pair together for at least a day ▽ Expecting
A pregnant queen will become a little less agile
age, although they can become or two. Once home, keep the as she grows larger, but if she is in good health
sexually active before then. queen confined to the house for she will still enjoy her usual activities.

△ A suitable mate
When choosing a pedigree mate for your
cat, find out about the stud cat's health and
ancestry. A reputable breeder should be
prepared to answer any questions.

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