When are cats sexually mature? Anyone who takes in a kitten experiences an unforgettable time with countless funny, heartwarming and surprising moments, which, however, seem to rush by in a flash.
Because already in the At the tender age of about five months, female cats can reach puberty and become sexually mature. At about six to ten months, tomcats are a bit slower in their development.However, there are some big differences due to the breed: While Siamese or Abyssinian cats sometimes already start to heat at the age of four months, Maine Coon or Persian cats sometimes take more than Months until they can even become pregnant.For most female cats, the average value for reaching fertility is between the 6th and 9th month of life. The heat or snarl shows Loud meowing Cooing vocalizations Rubbing on furniture, human legs, tree trunks, etc. Rolling and rolling on the floor Decreased appetite Great attachment, increased need to be stroked When touched, the posterior is raised and the tail snapped to the side Increased marking behavior Great urge to get outside This behavior of the cat in heat lasts for a period from about five to ten days . If an unneutered tomcat lives in the household or if the young cat is allowed to go outside, you should prevent it in good time by castration if you do not want to have an unexpected addition to the family.For a planned first pregnancy, the cat should be physically mature, which is the case after 1 – 1.5 years at the earliest, depending on the cat breed. Is my cat pregnant? Signs of a pregnancy in a cat You can tell that a cat is pregnant first by looking at the teats. They get bigger and turn pink After a planned mating of your cat, you naturally want to know as soon as possible whether it worked and your cuddly toy is really in “expectation”.The probability is high, since all healthy cats are very fertile and under favorable circumstances can have kittens up to three times a year. These signs indicate that a cat is pregnant:
After about 10 to 22 Days, the teats swell and turn pink. The cat has more appetite than usual. Some velvet paws suffer from nausea and vomiting at the beginning of pregnancy. The waist circumference is slowly increasing. The body weight is increasing. The pregnant cat is moody, sometimes in need of cuddles, sometimes very repellent. However, all of these symptoms could also have other causes, so if in doubt, a visit to the veterinarian who will use Ultrasound from about 24. day.You should under no circumstances feel the stomach of your cat yourself, as this could easily lead to injuries in the developing kittens or miscarriages, especially in the first half of the pregnancy. Gestation period: How long are cats pregnant? The gestation period in cats is about nine weeks, with individual variations between 48 and 72 days can give.As an approximate rule of thumb you can assume that larger cats are more likely to be pregnant a little longer than a very small, petite cat mom. If the date of mating is not known exactly, it can be difficult to calculate the approximate date of birth. How many kittens can cats have? The number of kittens born in a litter depends on many factors. The age, size and breed of the mother cat play a role.On average, cats have three to six babies per litter, but there are also litters with only one or two kittens, as well as those where seven, eight or even ten siblings see the light of day.Pregnant cats usually give birth at a very young age age, fewer young animals than those that have already had several pregnancies. But here too, as with all statistical values, exceptions prove the rule. A (theoretical) calculation makes it impressively clear what unplanned cat offspring and uncontrolled reproduction can do: If a pair of cats has offspring twice a year and If three kittens survive, that makes six more cats, of which statistically at least three will become sexually mature themselves within the first year.If you continue this story, then over the course of seven years, the original two unneutered parent cats can produce far more than 969 become animals! Therefore, given the countless cats that live miserably on the street or longingly wait in the many animal shelters for a loved one who will finally adopt them, have your own cat or tomcat neutered in good time , if you do not want to specifically breed with them: },”classic_row_gap_tablet”:{“unit”:”px”,”size”:””,”sizes”:},”classic_row_gap_mobile”:{“unit”:”px”,”size”:””,”sizes”: }}” data-widget_type=”posts.classic”>
How often cats can become pregnant? In the example calculation just used, two pregnancies per year are assumed for a cat. Due to the so-called seasonal polyestrous cycle of our velvet paws, however, even a third litter cannot be ruled out, especially in animals that no longer have sexual dormancy in the dark winter months due to artificial indoor lighting. 68 Other interesting facts about pregnancy in cats Decisive for the sexual maturity of a cat is not only its age, but also the Body weight, the approx 75% of the expected final weight must have been reached before the first heat begins. Therefore, large, heavy cat breeds mature later than small, slim animals. The readiness to mate depends on the length of daylight – therefore cats are in heat especially in spring and autumn, and the condition lasts about a week each. Between October and December there is usually a period of dormancy in sexual activity. Indoor cats that are exposed to an artificial lighting rhythm can be in heat more frequently or even if pregnancy does not occur. One Ovulation usually occurs in cats only during mating. The more often the animal is mated, the safer the ovulation, so cat and tomcat should have enough time for their lovemaking. If a cat in heat is not mated, the next heat can start after just over a week. If ovulation occurs but no fertilization, it will take about five to six weeks until the next mating. Even after the mating act has taken place, the cat can continue to be in heat for a few days – if it encounters a tomcat again during this time, it is possible that another mating will take place and the kittens will therefore have different fathers. From around the sixth week of pregnancy onwards one X-ray showing the number of kittens are counted by their skeletons. During a normal pregnancy a kitten takes about 29% gain. On average, this corresponds to about 1-2 kilograms, depending on the size of the cat. A cat can interrupt a birth for up to 29 if it is disturbed or feels stressed. A cat can already be ready to mate two to three weeks after birth. A pregnant cat needs extra human care Tips for pregnancy in cats Pregnancy is a special time for every mother-to-be, and pregnant cats are no exception. Your velvet paw needs a lot of devotion and attention from you, but at the same time she often wants to be left alone. It is best to respect her needs and give her the opportunity to fulfill them.You should avoid big activities, boisterous celebrations, parades or other unusual events in the immediate vicinity during this time in order not to stress the cat unnecessarily. During pregnancy, the cat does not only eat for its own energy needs to be met, but at the same time also has to provide their unborn kittens with nutrients . At the latest from the middle of pregnancy the need for high-quality food increases by about half. Wet food with high-quality proteins meets these requirements particularly well. Since a lot of energy is also needed during breastfeeding , the feeding of the mother cat should only be reduced to the original level after the kitten has been weaned.The bigger the cat’s belly gets, the less she wants or can eat, so she should be offered many small portions throughout the day. Fresh, clean drinking water must be available at all times.
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Species-appropriate cat food from ANIfit – 91% meat in Swedish food quality, without harmful additives. Try the feed change package now! Exclusive % discount voucher for new customers: Code Copied! Complications during recognizing the pregnancy Even if problems during pregnancy are rare with cats, you should react quickly if you notice anything about your cuddly tiger or something strange. It is best to save the telephone number of the veterinary practice in your address book so that you do not have to search for it for long in an emergency. Pay attention to the following warning signs: Severe restlessness Indifference Significant behavioral changes Painful expressions (meowing, licking, Panting) Food Refusal Trouble defecating or urinating Bloody or mucous discharge If you inform the veterinarian in good time about the pregnancy of your cat and also present the animal to check-ups, you already contribute a lot to a normal and healthy course of the pregnancy and in case of doubt you can turn to the doctor with confidence. Preparation of the whelping camp Calm and cuddly: Prepare a whelping bed for your cat Usually a pregnant begins e cat builds nests in different places in the last one to two weeks before the birth.
It is therefore advisable to prepare one or better several suitable places in the apartment for the forthcoming cat birth and rearing of the kittens at an early stage. Then the mother-to-be has enough time to choose a whelping box , to get used to it and set it up. Suitable whelping boxes are, for example, baskets, crates or a larger cardboard box. A newly purchased litter box with roof and entrance can also be easily converted into a litter camp. Cave-like constructions are usually preferred, but a lid or roof should be able to be opened from above for emergencies. The entrance should have a slightly raised edge to prevent the newborns from accidentally crawling out of the whelping box or falling.Baskets, wooden or cardboard boxes are first sealed with a water-impermeable layer (e.g. plastic tarpaulin) at the bottom. This is followed by a layer of absorbent material about one centimeter thick, such as old newspapers or cellulose, before a cozy bed is created with soft blankets, towels or even discarded clothing.The environment is also important: A quiet, draft-free place, where the cat mom can feel undisturbed, makes it easier for her to decide to accept the whelping bed. Food and water bowls should be set up in the same room as the litter box, because especially in the first few days after the birth, the mother only leaves the kittens for a short time and wants to be able to keep an eye on them.However, despite all the good preparation, you should expect that your velvet paw will make a different decision shortly before the birth and prefer to use its own nest. And even if it’s your basket with the fresh laundry, you shouldn’t intervene in this phase so as not to disturb the birth process. You can wash the laundry again, and once the kittens are born, you can carefully move the little family into the whelping box. Health tips for pregnant cats The best prerequisite for a problem-free pregnancy and birth in cats is good health of the mother. So if you are planning to have offspring, you should have all the important preventive examinations and prophylactic measures carried out by the veterinarian before mating. This includes all recommended vaccinations, because if the cat is already pregnant, many medications cannot be administered. The feline leukemia virus, for example, can already be transmitted from the mother to the kittens in the uterus. Instead, a regularly vaccinated cat gives its babies a good level of immunity on their way into life.Regular treatment of the cat against endoparasites (worms) is also important, since some types of worms can also be passed on to the unborn kitten before birth. After the birth, mother and kitten should be treated with further worming according to veterinary recommendations. Are you looking for suitable names for the kittens? Look here:
},”classic_row_gap_tablet”:{“unit”:”px”,”size”:””,”sizes”:},”classic_row_gap_mobile”:{“unit”:”px”,”size”:””,”sizes”: }}” data-widget_type=”posts.classic”> ) Newborn kittens are freed from the amniotic sac by the mother and cleaned. The mother also bites through the umbilical cord herself. About nine up to ten weeks after mating it is now time for the kittens to see the light of day. The forthcoming birth and thus the end of the gestation period is announced by several notices. Signs that your cat is about to give birth Look for these signs that your cat is about to give birth: The cat’s teats and milk ridges swell significantly again. The first droplets of milk may appear. The mother animal builds several nests and collects blankets, pillows or clothing for them. The appetite decreases a few days beforehand, the cat drinks more instead. Restlessness, frequent meowing, special attachment may occur. Increased cleaning and licking, especially of the genitals, can be observed. ) The pressure on the pelvis and bladder often makes the cat go to the litter box. You should make these preparations for the birth Even though cats are usually very good at managing a birth on their own, you as a cat owner should also think about good birth preparation: Make sure you take the time to be there for your cat during the birth and don’t leave them alone. First-time mothers in particular should be supervised. However, you should not harass the animal either, otherwise it may feel stressed, so it is best to watch from a distance and ensure a quiet environment. Have the telephone number of the veterinary practice ready just in case. Ideally, you should call the doctor to let them know you’re about to start contracting. Prepare soft, clean cloths, a pair of disposable gloves and possibly a small nasal aspirator if you need assistance (here, too, the veterinarian can advise you well in advance). A heat lamp, at least a hot water bottle or a grain pillow are useful to keep the newborn nice and warm. The ambient temperature of the whelping box should be around 13 degrees. A small supply of special rearing milk for cats, along with a bottle and teat is helpful in case the cat mom doesn’t accept the kittens or develops health problems. The three phases of cat birth 1. Opening phase The opening contractions widen the birth canal, the cervix opens and the fully developed fetuses are successively brought on their way. The so-called mucus plug loosens and can be seen as a viscous discharge from the vagina. In the cat, this phase is shown by strong restlessness, meowing and accelerated breathing . The body temperature drops slightly below 38 degrees. Especially with a first birth, this phase can be 14 to 25 hours. 2. Expulsion phase: One kitten after the other is pushed out through the birth canal. If amniotic fluid is leaking, the first kitten should be born within to 15 Minutes to be born. Between the individual births it usually takes about 15 to 55 Minutes in which the mother lovingly takes care of the young that have already been born, carefully licking them and warming them. The individual umbilical cords are bitten through with the teeth. 534 3. Postpartum phase During development in the uterus, each kitten has its own fruit covering and a so-called placenta (= placenta), through which it was supplied with nutrients. This placenta is excreted as a so-called afterbirth either immediately with the baby or a few minutes later. It is important that the same number of placentas as kittens are passed, because a so-called retained placenta can lead to serious infections in the mother cat. Since cats usually eat up the afterbirth, you have to pay close attention to whether a placenta comes out after each kitten. Depending on the number of kittens, a normally uninterrupted cat birth can between 2 and 20 hours hours. Warning signals during or after the Birth Even though our house cats usually manage the birth of their kittens without help and instinctively do everything right, there can still be complications where You should intervene or call the veterinarian: Pulse contractions for more than Minutes without a kitten being expelled Procrastination with several hours between births Leakage of fetid amniotic fluid ) Heavy bleeding from the cat After birth retention Apathy or fever in the mother cat Tenorches that are too weak Stillborn or malformed kittens During and after the birth you have to keep a close eye on the cat mom and her little ones You have to pay attention to this in the first time after the cat’s birth Once the little kittens are born, you should pay close attention to how the mother cat behaves. For example, if she is very weak and cannot free the newborn from the amniotic sac, you have to help her by carefully rubbing the little ones with a clean cloth and, above all, ridding the nose and mouth of mucus and amniotic fluid. You should use a fresh, clean cloth for each kitten. “>Now it’s time to watch out for possible complications after the birth: Eats and drinks Is the mother enough? Is there enough milk for all kittens? Are the kittens strong enough to find and drink the milk source themselves? The first mother’s milk in particular contains valuable nutrients and defense substances for the little ones. Is the cat behaving normally or is it very weak or even apathetic Is it? Are you bleeding? Is there any abnormal discharge from the vagina? Are your urination and defecation normal? Is the milk line soft and pale pink? In case of reddening, hardening, purple or blue discoloration immediately to the vet! If everything works fine and the new mother takes care of her babies devotedly, you too can slowly relax. Make sure that it is pleasantly warm in the whelping box and give your velvet paw fresh food and water after the strenuous hours. And then the small family should have enough time and peace to get to know each other first.Kittens are blind and deafup to the age of nine days, only then do the eyelids open and the little animals also perceive their environment acoustically. The remnants of the umbilical cord dry up and fall off on their own after about a week. The daily weight gain should be around 000%, so it is important to weigh the little ones daily.To ensure that both the cat as soon as the kittens have survived the birth well and are developing properly, you can have the animals examined by the veterinarian within the first few days. He will also give recommendations about the necessary worming treatments.The small milk teeth start to break through at about four weeks. This phase is again tricky for the mother, as small injuries to the teats can lead to inflammation. From the fifth week of life, the kittens already show interest in the food that the cat mom eats. Wet food can be added from the sixth week. At around eight to ten weeks, the kittens are weaned and eat on their own.Time for the first vaccinations it is in the 8th week of life, and from then on the little ones can already be placed in their final homes. If you want to avoid further cat offspring, now is the best time to have your velvet paw castrated by the veterinarian. FAQ – Frequently asked questions on the subject ) When does a pregnant cat’s belly grow? From the 5th week of pregnancy, the cat’s belly begins to grow significantly. Important: Do not feel the cat’s stomach yourself, this can lead to damage to the unborn kitten! ) How does birth begin in cats? The first phase of a cat’s birth, the opening phase, can be recognized by the cat’s behavior: it is very restless, meows a lot and breathes faster than usual. There may also be some discharge from the vagina. 916698 When can you touch the kittens? During labour, you may need to help your cat clean up the newborn if she seems very exhausted. After that, you should leave the little ones alone. From the 5th day you can gently lift and pet them. But leave them in the whelping box, they need warmth and closeness to their mother. 6783427 Can you do a pregnancy test on a cat? Yes, there are pregnancy tests for cats. As with humans, the cat’s urine is tested here, so a urine sample is required. The level of the hormone progesterone allows the test to indicate your cat’s pregnancy. 0407965 How much does an ultrasound of a pregnant cat cost? The costs for a pregnancy examination with ultrasound are set out in the fee schedule (GOT). The simple sentence for this is 28,88 €. Before the exam, ask your vet if they charge the single, double or even triple rate! 6783427 Image sources: Posted image (g top): Smile14 / Shutterstock.com2. Faroe / Shutterstock.com3. Natalya Erofeeva / Shutterstock.com4. OlgaBartashevich / Shutterstock.com5. Goldziit Photography / Shutterstock.com6. Digital dreamer M / Shutterstock.com
