What to do if a cat asks a cat?

Those cats that the owners allow to go outside and bring kittens several times a year do not show concern. But the owners in such cases should take into account that too frequent births adversely affect the health of the pet. In addition, if the kittens are outbred, they are difficult to attach.

To knit or not to knit?

The best option is mating no more than once every 12 months.

If the owner decided not to breed a cat, then he should not resort to the use of hormonal drugs without consulting a doctor. It must be understood that these drugs can cause disruptions in the cat’s body, up to the formation of cancerous tumors in the genitals or mammary glands.

Veterinarians also warn against using medications that delay an animal’s menstrual cycle by six months or a year. Their use is fraught with a powerful hormonal disruption in the cat’s body, which undermines health and leads to changes in behavior.

Sometimes, infusions of herbs or just a leaf of catnip are used to calm cats during estrus. Some cats react positively to herbs, but this method only works for a couple of hours, and then anxiety torments the cat again.

What do you need to know about sterilization?

To rid the animal of constant anxiety, estrus and possible pregnancy, there is an effective way – sterilization. There is a common misconception that this procedure will cripple the animal, but doctors say the opposite is true: the operation is harmless and will save the cat from several problems at once. This is especially true if the owners are not going to breed.

Starting from the moment when the cat has reached the age of nine months, the operation can be performed without fear. It is important to know what they are doing a couple of days after the end of estrus.

There are the following types of sterilization:

1. Ovariectomy. Suitable for never giving birth cats and is a complete removal of the ovaries;

2. Ovariohysterectomy. It involves the removal of not only the ovaries, but also the uterus, it can be performed on cats older than 12 months;

3. Tubal hysterectomy and occlusion. Modern veterinarians do not recommend it. During the operation, the ovaries are not removed. This means that the cat will not be able to have offspring, but will not lose the natural desire to reproduce.

Usually, puberty in cats is completed by 6-8 months, in rare cases it lasts up to 12 months. It depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Breeders of purebred cats should take into account that mating up to a year is undesirable. The body is not yet ready for either gestation or childbirth, the animal may simply not be able to cope. It’s better to skip a couple of leaks. In some cases, the period of recommended abstinence is close to one and a half years. Each breed has an individual reproductive age that is ideal for it; to find out, you should consult a doctor or an experienced breeder.

Mating is best done 2-3 days after the onset of estrus. It is better if this is the territory of the cat, adapted for the mating period: there are no fragile or breakable objects, the windows are closed, access to the gaps between the furniture is blocked.

After a successful mating with a cat, the cat’s behavior becomes quieter and calmer. This condition persists throughout pregnancy and, most often, during the feeding of kittens with milk. But it is important to note that even after successful mating, sexual behavior in cats can persist for several more days, and this does not mean that pregnancy has not occurred.

July 5 2017

Updated: 19 May 2022