Effective Cat Breeding Methods
The decision to breed your cat should be made fully understanding the rather large commitment that comes along with it. A female cat, commonly known as the queen, requires precise care before, during and after her pregnancy. Likewise, each newborn kitten needs to be properly cared for, and eventually placed in good home. It is for this reason the decision to breed should not be taken lightly, and be well thought out prior to beginning the process.
First and foremost, both cats involved should be of appropriate age before breeding. This means they have reached adulthood, which is between 18 and 24 months for a female, and about 18 months for a male. It is also important for the female to reach her ideal adult weight, as this aids in all stages of the breeding process, from conception to giving birth (queening).
It is important to schedule an appointment to visit you veterinarian for a complete health evaluation prior to breeding season. It is crucial that the cat be examined completely, and be free from ear mites, ringworm, parasites and fleas. Both the parents should be tested for FIV (feline HIV) and FeLV (feline leukemia) and be current on all of their vaccinations. In addition, there are other genetic conditions that can be of concern, and should be appropriately discussed and tested for prior to breeding.
A queen will be in heat (polyestrous) during certain times of the season and will generally cycle several times if she does not breed. They are also reflex or induced ovulators, meaning they need to breed in order to stimulate ovulation. At the commencement of her estrus cycle, the queen may become vocal and crave attention, or roll around and knead her paws. Shortly after this stage, the queen should be taken to her mate for breeding. After the initial breeding she will become aggressive toward the male, who should be provided with a safe place to retreat. She will then begin to groom herself and reject advances from anyone, eventually displaying receptive behavior and starting the mating process once again.
Studies show that a queen that has been bred three times daily for the first three days of her estrus cycle commonly has a 90% chance of ovulation. Since a queen will sometimes breed with more than one male while in heat, it is advised that you carefully monitor her activity. Not only will this prevent the litter from potentially having two or more fathers, but it will help you to better determine her due date. If breeding was successful, her pregnancy will last approximately sixty-three days. Subsequently, the queen’s estrus cycle will return approximately three weeks after she ceases nursing her kittens.