Mating of male and female cats

Sooner or later, every pet owner faces the moment when their beloved cat needs a partner, and then the issue of male and female mating arises. Unless you're a veterinarian or trained in felinology, you certainly can't know all the intricacies and nuances of mating. How does it work? Should owners be prepared for this process? How can they avoid mistakes? And if animals don't mate, what could be the cause? This article will help you resolve many issues and come to your pet's aid in a timely manner.

Age suitable for mating

Many cats reach maturity by seven months of age, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're ready to mate. If the animal is calm, there's no reason to worry, but if behavioral changes are observed, it's a sign that they're ready to mate. What exactly indicates that your pet is ready to mate?

• The cat began to mark his territory in various places;
• Began to actively show aggression, which was not noticed before:
• You regularly hear his long howl;
• Your pet is trying to sneak out into the street;
• Soft toys began to act as sexual objects.

With female cats, things are a little different. They mature at the same age as male cats, but their hormonal system isn't fully developed until they're eighteen months old. Therefore, it's best to wait until then, even if your pet has already begun to show signs of being ready to conceive. The following symptoms indicate sexual maturity in cats:

• A mournful and sometimes continuous persistent meowing;
• The cat often rolls on the floor, arching its back;
• She loses interest in the owner and refuses food;
• A previously affectionate pet becomes aggressive;
• And vice versa: a previously active cat becomes apathetic.

Preparing a cat for mating

When it becomes clear that it's time for your cat to go on a "date" with a male cat, you should take the necessary steps to properly prepare your pet for her meeting with her "groom." What nuances should you consider before giving her up for mating?

1. If mating is planned, do not give the cat any hormonal drugs, as they have a negative effect on the body and can harm the reproductive system.
2. Make sure that the female has received all her vaccinations and is free of any illnesses, as these may affect the birth of sick kittens.
3. It's best to mate in the cat's territory—the male will be less nervous in his familiar surroundings. Don't forget to prepare a comfortable carrier in advance.
4. Keep in mind that the "bride" will become aggressive toward the "groom" and may scratch him. Therefore, before mating, be sure to trim the cat's claws slightly.
5. Never wash the female before a “date,” as the shampoo will mask her natural scent and the male will simply not perceive her as a potential bride.

What do you need to take with you?

Simply taking your beloved cat to the mating grounds isn't enough; you need to take care in advance to ensure a successful cat "wedding." Remember that the female will be entering a foreign territory, where she should feel more or less comfortable. To help calm the cat down, don't forget to bring her sleeping mat; the familiar scent will have a soothing effect on her nervous system. It's also a good idea to bring her favorite food, a brush, and, if possible, a litter box. You can also bring a favorite toy to distract the "bride." As for the male, he'll need a rubber mat to prevent his paws from slipping during mating.

How do male and female cats mate?

When meeting in person, the animals begin to get acquainted. Usually, the male is the first to show interest and diligently "courts" the new female. He shows her all sorts of attention, trying to attract her interest. In most cases, the females are initially aggressive, but usually calm down quickly. And this is just the beginning of their acquaintance; a rather lengthy "foreplay" awaits them, which can last up to several days.

The mating itself occurs quickly, lasting from ten seconds to three minutes. The female arches her back and the male pulls her underneath him, holding her by the scruff of her neck with his teeth. Don't be alarmed if your pet screams loudly during this process; this is a normal reaction. After the mating is over, the female calms down, and some cats even tolerate the "act of love" with indifference. One mating is usually enough for conception, but for greater success, experts recommend leaving the female with the male for a few days so that the mating can occur again.

Help from the owners

Mating is a natural process, but despite this, animals require their owners' attention. To avoid wondering why the male cat isn't mating with the female cat, the mating process should be supervised. Remember, this process requires extreme patience.

1. Show concern. Don't rush your favorites or push them toward each other—that will only make things worse. The "newlyweds" need to reach a certain point on their own.
2. Never raise your voice at your pets if you see they're unable to reach an agreement. It's quite possible they simply couldn't "come to an agreement."
3. If you see that potential partners have already started to argue, you can end the meeting. You can't count on them getting along.
4. If intimacy occurs, remain in control of the situation. The female may need your assistance if she begins to roll onto her side, restricting her partner's access.
5. After the successful completion of the "date," carefully examine the female for wounds, since the male, in a fit of passion, may accidentally leave scratches on the cat.

Why doesn't pregnancy occur?

Unfortunately, it can happen that even after several encounters, the female is not fertilized. This could be due to the male cat's infertility, but if he has successfully mated before, the female cat needs to be examined. What are the possible results?

• The cat either obesity, or exhaustion;
• Obvious problems with the reproductive system;
• Stress that becomes chronic;
• Some viral diseases are possible;
• Deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the diet:
• Failure in the body's hormonal system;
• The mating was simply done at the wrong time.

Can a neutered male cat mate with a female cat?

Some owners are surprised to discover that their pet, even after neutering, continues to show interest in the opposite sex, sometimes even attempting to mate with a female cat. How can this be possible if the surgery was specifically performed to render the male indifferent to females? In fact, it's not uncommon for a neutered male to mate with a female cat, but only if he's already experienced this. That is, if the pet has already experienced "love" before the surgery and now does so more out of habit. But, of course, he will never have any offspring.

If a male cat was neutered before his first mating, mating with a female is impossible. This is primarily because the male cat simply doesn't know what it is or why it's necessary. It also happens that a beloved pet continues to persistently ask for a female cat after the surgery. Don't be surprised or panic; the cat's testosterone levels haven't dropped yet. With a little patience, this will soon pass. This condition won't last long; it's a side effect of the surgery.

What to do if a neutered male cat asks for a female cat?

A cat's subsequent behavior after surgery depends on its age and the number of matings it had before neutering. If the cat had regular "dates," it will remember what it was like and may attempt mating again. Sometimes neutered cats succeed, and even experience pleasure. But over time, such desires fade, as the body no longer requires them. If a cat underwent surgery at a young age, before it had time to experience the "taste of love," but for some reason still asks for a female, it means the hormone responsible for sexual desire still remains in its body. Whether a neutered cat will be able to mate with a female depends on its past "experience." If it has something to remember, the "date" may well take place, and there's no need to worry. This is because the cat is doing it "out of habit," not out of desire. Some catteries even keep such "loving" cats specifically for cats whose owners do not want to mate them, but bring them to a neutered male cat for "reassurance."

Will a spayed cat ask for a male cat?

After spaying, a female retains her gonads, but loses reproductive function, meaning she becomes sterile. A female cat will no longer be able to produce kittens, but she will still go into heat, and therefore, she will still desire close contact with a male cat. This procedure is ideal for females who enjoy the outdoors—they will "meet" males but will not become pregnant. However, if a female cat is indoors and never goes outside, it is best to castrate her—a surgical procedure that removes her ovaries. After this, the female will no longer go into heat and will no longer desire to "date" with males. A spayed female cat will not ask for a male cat, even if she has already given birth. A spayed female cat, however, will occasionally show interest in the opposite sex and mate with males, but without any consequences. In either case, a female who has undergone the procedure, whether spayed or neutered, will no longer be able to produce offspring.

Any questions? You can ask our website's staff veterinarian in the comments below, who will answer them as quickly as possible.

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