How to Choose Breeding Cats?

Before considering cat breeding, it is essential to ensure optimal health. Several factors must be considered:

• Physical condition: The cat should not be underweight or overweight.
• Temperament: Select cats with balanced personalities to avoid passing undesirable behaviors to offspring.
• Genetic health: Review pedigrees to exclude hereditary diseases (heart murmurs, dysplasia, etc.).
• Infectious disease screening: Tests should be performed to prevent transmission of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
• Vaccination and deworming: Both parents must be vaccinated and dewormed at least two weeks before mating.

Note that if a female cat encounters multiple males, kittens from the same litter can have different fathers.

Mating in Cats

Breeding can begin once the female reaches 1½ years old.

Key points about feline reproduction:

• Ovulation is induced by mating, meaning females release eggs only after mating occurs.
• Signs of heat: intense meowing, raising hindquarters, and exposing the vulva indicate the ideal time for breeding.
• Biting during mating: males often bite the female’s neck during mating.

Pregnancy in Cats

Pregnancy lasts an average of 66 days.

Diet During Pregnancy

• Up to day 50, provide high-quality adult cat food.
• After day 50, gradually transition to nutrient-rich kitten food over a week to prevent digestive upset.

Recommended Veterinary Monitoring

• Ultrasound at day 21: confirms pregnancy and fetal heartbeat.
• Second ultrasound at day 35: checks fetal development and rules out fetal resorption.
• X-ray between day 50-55: determines litter size and evaluates if natural delivery is possible.

Signs Before Labor

A few days before birth, the cat may show several signs:

• Nesting in a quiet location.
• Restlessness, panting, discomfort.
• Swollen vulva a few days before labor.
• Passing mucus plug approximately 24 hours before contractions.
• Loss of appetite 24 hours before delivery.
• Milk production between 24 hours and one week before birth.

The Birth Process

Birth usually lasts around 12 hours and typically requires no assistance. Discreet observation is recommended.

Stages of labor:

• Strong contractions begin.
• Kitten enters birth canal and is expelled head or hind legs first.
• Mother cat breaks fetal membranes, licks the kitten dry, and cuts the umbilical cord by chewing.
• Placenta is expelled after each kitten, though not always eaten by the mother.

If the mother does not care for the kittens, intervention is required by removing fetal membranes and gently stimulating the kittens with a towel to encourage breathing.

When to Consult a Veterinarian?

Certain signs indicate possible complications needing veterinary intervention:

• Strong contractions lasting 30 minutes without kitten delivery.
• Four hours pass without contractions despite remaining kittens.
• Two hours of weak contractions between kittens.
• A kitten or placenta stuck in the birth canal for more than 20 minutes.
• Severe pain or excessive licking of the vulva.
• Greenish discharge more than 2 hours after kitten birth.
• Pregnancy exceeding 70 days without signs of labor.
• No progress 24 hours after a drop in body temperature.

Caring for Newborn Kittens

• Feed kittens every 3 hours in the first week, gradually extending intervals.
• Stimulate kittens’ genitals with a damp towel after feeding to encourage urination and defecation.
• Keep kittens warm with heating pads or lamps, as they cannot regulate temperature until 3 weeks old.

Developmental Milestones

• 0-21 days: kittens are blind and deaf at birth.
• 10-14 days: eyes open.
• 13-17 days: ears open.
• 18 days: start regulating temperature, walking independently.
• 21 days: steady posture, stable walking.

Weaning and Adoption

• Introduce solid food from 4 weeks.
• Weaning starts at 6 weeks and finishes around 8 weeks.
• Kittens can be adopted from 8 weeks, ideally one week after their first vaccination.
• Deworming: begins at 4 weeks, repeated monthly until 6 months.
• Vaccination: first dose between 6-8 weeks, booster one month later.

Stopping Lactation

Weaning kittens gradually reduces milk production:

• Separate kittens one by one every 24-48 hours.
• After the last kitten is weaned:
  • Day 1: 24-hour fasting, no food or water.
  • Day 2: offer 1/3 of usual portion.
  • Day 3: increase to 1/2 portion.
  • Day 4: return to normal portion.

If mammary glands become swollen, apply cold compresses twice daily for 5 minutes without massaging, as massaging could stimulate milk production.

Conclusion

Cat breeding requires careful preparation and attentive monitoring to ensure the health and welfare of parents and kittens. Regular veterinary follow-up ensures a safe pregnancy and delivery.

For more information about cat breeding, contact our veterinary clinic.