Breeding or multiplying? About how many times a cat can give birth

Owners of purebred cats often ask veterinarians how many times a year a pet can kitten. Kittens give birth every 1-2 days. at 12 months. But between pregnancies a recovery period is needed (8-12 months), after which you can breed the cat again. To regulate offspring, various hormonal agents are used that dull sexual desire. But you should not abuse them, so as not to disrupt the functioning of your pet’s body.

Duration of pregnancy

A cat's pregnancy lasts on average about 9 weeks. A more accurate period depends on many factors such as age, weight and breed characteristics. For example, owners have found that the process of bearing offspring in short-haired females lasts 58-68 days, in cats with long and medium-length hair it lasts 63-72 days.

How many kittens can a cat give birth to?

The length of pregnancy is also affected by the number of babies inside the womb. The more there are, the earlier the due date will come. Females bearing one to two kittens are able to walk for as long as possible before giving birth. In addition, their health depends on the number of cubs. Statistics show that babies from multiple litters are weaker and sicker.

For your information! In one litter, a female can bring from 2 to 8 kittens, the exact number of which depends on many factors.

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Cat pregnancy by week

0th week

Conception occurs and the embryo exits into the uterus. There are no signs of pregnancy.

1st-3rd week

The fetus attaches to the walls of the uterus. The aqueous, vascular and urinary membranes of the fetus and the placenta are formed. Organs are laid, species outlines begin to take shape, the size of the fetus reaches 1 cm. The cat’s behavior changes: appetite is lost, drowsiness appears, vomiting and nausea occur. At the end of the 3rd week, the cat's nipples turn pink and begin to peel. Embryos at this stage can already be palpated.

4-6 weeks pregnant cat

The fruits increase to 4-6 cm, species characteristics are finally formed, and the first hairs of fur appear. The uterus fills with fluid, the fetuses cannot be felt. The cat eats more, its belly enlarges, rounds (especially sharply at 6 weeks) and takes on a pear shape. If there are few fruits (1-2), the increase in the cat’s abdomen is almost imperceptible even in the later stages.

7-9th week

The fruits complete their formation and turn into fully furred kittens (with the exception of kittens of hairless breeds) 8 cm long and weighing 100 g (approximately). The kittens begin to move, you can feel their heads. The cat's nipples swell, the mammary glands enlarge, colostrum and clear/white discharge from the vulva appear. The cat loses its appetite and becomes inactive - it just lies down. 3-5 days before giving birth, the cat becomes restless, searches for and arranges a nest, and begins to follow the owner’s heels.

Necessary preparation

After successful conception, the formation of future kittens begins, which takes 60-65 days. During this time, it is recommended to find a veterinarian who is ready to provide emergency medical care at home in case of complications.

Arrangement of the place

During and after birth, the cat will need a secluded corner. It is better to prepare it in advance. Otherwise, the pet will hide under the sofa, which will prevent free access to her and the kittens. To build and equip a “maternity hospital” you will need:

• Big box. Make sure that it will accommodate not only the new mother, but also her offspring.
• Soft bedding or blanket. Place a disposable baby diaper under them to prevent the cardboard from getting wet.
• Bowls for water and food. You also need to add a tray. After giving birth, the cat should rest and not run to the other end of the house to relieve itself.

The constructed space must be accessible and spacious. Isolate it from possible threats (children, other pets, drafts) by choosing the quietest and most secure room in the house.

What materials, tools and medications may be needed

A week before the onset of a responsible time, prepare an “alarm suitcase”. He must be kept close until contractions begin. The content should be as follows:

• antiseptics and Oxytocin;
• small syringe;
• cotton pads and gloves;
• water container;
• separate box for newborns;
• clean towels or cotton fabrics;
• sterile threads and napkins;
• warmer;
• pipette and rubber bulb;
• scissors disinfected with alcohol;
• dry milk mixture.

All these things should be stored in one place. The number of tools and materials needed depends on the severity of the lambing.

What not to do

Cats usually give birth when it's late afternoon or even night. During this time, the pet should not be left alone. Take care of completing all the tasks in advance and give your pregnant pet maximum attention.

In case of complications, contact your veterinarian immediately. Trying to fix the problem yourself can kill the animal. Also, avoid using Oxytocin until the last minute. This drug is used to stimulate labor strictly in the presence of certain factors. If the process takes too long, but is not accompanied by complications, be patient. The body will cope with the birth of babies on its own at a pace that is convenient for it.

Preparing for childbirth

How to help a cat during childbirth?
Prepare in advance for childbirth. For this you will need:

• The nest can be an exhibition cage made of dense material (the most convenient option) or a spacious box (in a small, cramped one, the cat can crush the baby with its body). Make sure that there is a warm mattress at the bottom and cover it with medical oilcloth, which, after the birth is over, replace with a diaper (preferably from a baby flannel - the kittens will be comfortable on it and it will not cling with claws)
• Washed and ironed cloths for wiping and massaging newborn kittens. It is most convenient to use old terry towels for this.
• Medicines - gamavit, oxytocin (in a “human” pharmacy), calcium gluconate, traumatine, Vaseline oil (in case the kitten gets stuck in the birth canal), brilliant green for cauterizing the umbilical cord.
• Scissors (it is better to put them in a jar with potassium permanganate or ignite them)
• Jar for afterbirth
• A heating pad (or preferably a small electric heating pad)
• Syringes (preferably insulin, with a thin needle)
• Phone number of a veterinarian (preferably more than one), just in case.

What determines the number of kittens a cat has?

Can a cat give birth to one kitten or not all at once?

The number of future offspring is influenced by a number of conditions.

One of the factors influencing the number of kittens in a litter is the breed of the mother

Maternity age and number of births

A young cat who becomes pregnant for the first time carries fewer babies compared to a mature female. Usually in her first birth she brings 2-3 kittens. But there may be exceptions, for example, if a cat is pregnant at 5-6 months, she may give birth to 1-2 kittens, which most likely will not be viable.

Each subsequent pregnancy increases the number of fetuses. Once a cat reaches 8 years of age, the number of fetuses gestated decreases, since the elderly body is no longer able to cope with such a load. Veterinarians do not recommend giving birth to cats that have reached this age.

Genetic predisposition

The fertility of the pet is passed on from mother to kitten. Therefore, if a mother cat brought 4-5 kittens at a time in a litter, then her daughter cat will most likely give birth to the same number of babies. Conditions of detention and state of health, of course, should be the same for the mother and her offspring.

Living conditions and food

Animals that have not received a sufficient amount of essential microelements and vitamins during the period of active growth and development are able to bear no more than 3 kittens. The same applies to adults with little or unbalanced nutrition.

Important! Weakened and exhausted females are not able to bear and give birth to viable babies.

How many kittens a cat gives birth to on average also depends on the cat, more precisely on its age and state of health. The presence of cryptorchidism, immune diseases and other problems reduces the number of offspring. The quality of nutrition, quantity and frequency of mating are also important, since frequent mating affects the quality of the seminal fluid.

How many litters can a cat give birth to in a year?

Many owners ask us how many times a cat can become pregnant in a year. Well, if you decide not to spay your cat and she is now pregnant, the only thing you can do is continue the pregnancy, find a safe shelter for the kittens, and then have her spayed once the kittens are weaned.

However, it is important to know that a cat's gestation period is much shorter than that of a human, and this makes her prone to multiple consecutive pregnancies within a year, which can sometimes become a serious problem.

Knowing the stages of your cat's fertile cycle will help you consider spaying before an unexpected pregnancy occurs. Unfortunately, cat overpopulation is a growing problem around the world.

The problem arises not only from unneutered animals roaming the streets, but also from a combination of short gestation periods and large litters. If you love your cat and are unable to care for a litter, neutering should be a priority.

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Mother cat - how many times a year can she have kittens?

How many times a cat gives birth a year depends on the conditions of its existence (for “wild ones”) and the characteristics of its maintenance (for domestic ones). If she “walks on her own,” then she obeys the call of nature and often engages in sexual intercourse. On average, cats produce 2-4 litters per year. Maximum - 5 times. They carry their offspring for 9 weeks (from 58 to 72 days).

On a note! Theoretically, a cat can become pregnant 2 weeks after giving birth. In practice, there are individuals that are ready for fertilization already on the third day. If they live in rhythm with nature, they can give birth every 2 months. But this is extremely undesirable!

Responsible owners control the mating of a domestic cat and organize mating no more than 1-2 times within one year (every other heat).

On a note! With age, the intervals between births should be longer, because the animal needs more time to restore its body after bearing and giving birth to babies!

How many times can a cat give birth?

Frequent suppression of sexual desire in an animal through medication will certainly affect its health.
Estrus usually occurs 1-2 r. per year, but some animals are able to give birth 3-4 times. Some owners believe that this is too often for their pet, and she needs to rest after giving birth. In reality, the recovery period between kittens is 8 months, after which the cat can give birth. Some individuals can lamb only after 14 months. If you ignore sexual estrus and give birth control pills, this will negatively affect the health of the animal.

Frequent childbirth also has a bad effect on a cat’s body: necrosis, curvature of the spine, and diseases of the respiratory system can occur. Therefore, after giving birth, it is advised to give a break. During this period, it is recommended to feed the cat with special dry food to restore health and give it vitamins. If your pet gives birth infrequently, but has a hard time with this process, then it is better to undergo sterilization or castration.

How to determine the number of cubs

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Today, there are three methods by which you can determine how many kittens a pregnant cat gives birth to:

• The genetic method is based on the fertility of the pregnant female's mother. If a mother cat on average gave birth to 5-6 kittens per litter, then her female cubs will also bear 5-6 babies. If a female gave birth to 2-3 kittens, then the future offspring are unlikely to have a larger litter.
• The folk method is based on many years of observation of owners of cats of various breeds. The number of cubs is equal to the difference between the swollen mammary glands of the female during pregnancy minus two. The result is not 100% guaranteed, but in most cases it turns out to be correct
• The scientific method is considered the most accurate of all existing ones and is carried out a week or two before the upcoming birth using ultrasound equipment.

The most accurate method for determining the number of kittens is ultrasound

Important! It is strongly not recommended to palpate the belly of a future mother, as such actions can damage the soft bones of unborn kittens and put the cat in a stressful state.

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Features of some genera

Knowing only in general terms how cats give birth is not enough. For effective home care, it is recommended to delve into the possible nuances of different animals.

In purebred cats

British and Scottish women cannot do without veterinary care. These representatives often encounter problems when trying to push out an overly large fetus on their own. Veterinary obstetric assistance is required for safe passage through the birth canal.

In a primiparous cat

The first time a cat gives birth takes longer and is more difficult. It will not work to sit on the sidelines, reducing all help to approving words and strokes. The young pet experiences more than its owner. The first birth of a cat is characterized by weak contractions with a long break between them.

Premature birth

If kittens were born prematurely (50-55 days), then this is considered normal only for long-haired breeds. Early contractions in other representatives are caused by serious problems:

• non-viability of offspring;
• internal injuries;
• placental abruption.

In these situations, some babies are stillborn. If the number of stillborns is no more than one, then there is a chance to save the remaining fetuses. To do this, it is recommended to undergo a full examination at a veterinary clinic.

Late labor

The absence of labor for more than 70 days is caused by a false or frozen pregnancy. In the second case, the entire litter dies inside the womb. Advanced decomposition processes are fraught with infection and damage to the uterus. The animal requires urgent surgery.

How do you know if your cat is pregnant?

The fact that the cat had sexual intercourse also says that she will soon become a mother. The owner cannot independently diagnose pregnancy, due to his lack of the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Owners may only notice a visual increase in the abdomen, but by this time the pet is already preparing to give birth.

A veterinarian at your nearest clinic can determine the presence of fetuses in the early stages using laboratory diagnostic methods.

Remember! Even a veterinary clinic will not be able to help you immediately after sexual intercourse. Only after 20-25 days after mating can you seek help from a veterinarian.

In the later stages, palpation, ultrasound, and radiographic diagnostic methods are used to diagnose pregnancy.

Is there any way to increase the number of kittens in a litter?

Owners of purebred cats who bear 1-3 kittens at a time may face a similar question. The number of kittens can be influenced with the help of medications.

For example, in advance of the planned mating and pregnancy, special preparations of a hormonal or homeopathic nature are added to the pet’s diet. Hormonal medications are prescribed only by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the cat’s health.

It is important to follow the regimen and dosage of taking hormones, otherwise you can provoke a hormonal imbalance in the female’s body. Homeopathic medicines such as “Gamavit” and “Ovariovit” allow the ovaries to recover and produce healthy, high-quality eggs in greater quantities than before starting the course of taking the drug.

Vitamin E and selenium in small doses have a positive effect on the reproduction of the cat's body.

Important to consider! Only a veterinarian can calculate the correct dosage, taking into account the physical characteristics of the cat, so it is not recommended to do this yourself, so as not to harm the health of the pet.

Is it possible to influence the number of kittens?

This question is usually asked by cat breeders who sell kittens. After all, not only the expected profit directly depends on the number of offspring, but also covering the financial resources that were spent on mating with a good sire, tests, treatment, nurturing and feeding the future “money bag”.

Depending on the regalia of the male, the cost of mating can reach 10 thousand rubles. In most cases, owners of inseminators do not try to in any way influence the male health of their charges. Like we get money for mating, and then your problems: whether you got pregnant or not, how many kittens were born - it doesn’t concern us. This attitude is fundamentally wrong, and both sides should be interested in the offspring. Therefore, before you give money, ask:

• how often is a cat used for mating;
• is he eating well?
• does he have any diseases of the genitourinary system;
• how many kittens other cats bring from him;
• Does he suffer from cryptorchidism?

To increase fertility, many professionals advise injecting cats with:

• Ovariovit is a homeopathic drug, its action is aimed at restoring ovarian function, regulating the reproductive cycle and increasing fertility;
• Gamavit is an anti-stress, immunostimulating drug that supports the vitality of the body, and has a positive effect on eggs;
• Vitamin E – prevents infertility, has a positive effect on the reproductive system.

There is even a special scheme designed for 10 days:

• Ovarium (stimulates the protective function of the reproductive system) - half a cube is administered subcutaneously once a day;
• Ortilin (reduces the risk of inflammatory processes in the uterus) – one tablet twice;
• Ovariovit one tablet twice;
• vitamin E capsule twice a day;
• Gamavit one cube a day subcutaneously;
• Catozal (to normalize metabolism, increase immunity, resistance to stress) one cube per day subcutaneously.

Before putting any regimen into practice, consult your veterinarian!

Why does this work?

• Treatment may worsen estrus symptoms and increase hormone levels.
• At the same time, the cat becomes more attractive to the inseminator and is ready to attack the future father.

By the way, you can “stimulate” the cat by injecting him with B vitamins a couple of days before mating, which have a beneficial effect on the body’s endurance and activity.

Regarding the opposite effect (low fertility), there are no proven schemes as such. For example, there is an opinion that if after giving birth a cat with multiple births is left with only two kittens, then a certain switch is triggered in the body and the next time the animal will bring exactly two kittens. Although in practice, I personally have never observed such a phenomenon.

You can also do the opposite:

• poorly fed;
• keep under stress;
• exploit more often, forcing her to become pregnant every time she is in heat;
• periodically use hormones that inhibit the functioning of follicles.

In such living conditions, the body will quickly become exhausted and the cat will definitely stop giving birth a lot, if at all.

Lambing four times a year! Why is this dangerous?

Many felinologists believe that the optimal interval between births in cats should be 8-14 months. When pregnancies follow one after another, the animal begins to lose weight. The cat's body wears out quickly. This leads to early aging and a decrease in overall life expectancy.

Dangers of high fertility in cats:

• sudden depletion of the animal's body;
• decreased immunity;
• exposure to infectious diseases;
• the risk of developing various diseases (necrosis, goethitis), pathologies of the respiratory system, reproductive system;
• nervous system disorder;
• rachiocampsis.

Short intervals between births have a bad effect not only on the health of the furry mother. One litter can have 2-8 cubs. If a cat becomes pregnant every time she comes into heat, there is a danger that the kittens will be born weak. Some of them do not survive, while others are susceptible to disease.

Birth rate and its impact on health

In the absence of control over mating on the part of the owners, cats give birth frequently. On average, a cat can give birth 2 to 4 times a year. Maximum - 5 times a year. The high frequency of births and the lack of a normal period of time between pregnancies negatively affect the health of furry mothers.

Often, cats that give birth have an exhausted body that does not have time to recover and turns out to be susceptible to various types of infections. An animal can lose a lot of weight, develop a curvature of the spine, and acquire pathologies of the nervous system, respiratory tract, and reproductive organs. Hepatitis and necrosis are possible in cats. In general, continuous pregnancies and childbirth lead to a general deterioration in health, rapid aging of the body, and a reduction in life expectancy.

A cat gives birth for the first and second time: how many kittens will there be?

It is usually important for owners to know how many kittens will be in the litter. Thanks to a preliminary forecast, you can immediately solve a lot of practical problems.

The place, with what parameters to prepare for a cat with kittens, what kind of assistance should be provided to a woman in labor during the lambing process, how many kittens should be distributed.

It is almost impossible to find out exactly how many kittens a cat gives birth to the first time and the second time. There are unspoken “calculators”, but they rarely work.

On average, the first and second litter can produce from 4 to 6 kittens.

The number of kittens can be more than 10 or less than 4 - it all depends on many factors:

• Too young, old cats produce up to 4 babies in one lambing. The maximum number of offspring is between the ages of 3 and 6 years.
• Heredity and the breed of the animal significantly influence the number of kittens. The rarer the breed, the fewer kittens the female will give birth to at one time.
• The conditions in which the female is kept, nutrition and care all significantly affect pregnancy and the process of conception.
• Male genetics, sperm quantity, quality of sexual intercourse.
• Hormonal background of the female at the time of conception, previous diseases.

Several of the above conditions may simultaneously affect the quality and quantity of future offspring.

How to regulate animal reproduction

During pregnancy, the owner should pay maximum attention to the condition of his pet. It is important to provide proper care for the expectant mother, especially if giving birth for the first time. Taking into account her well-being, a further strategy for reproductive behavior is developed.

If a cat easily tolerates pregnancy and childbirth and, conversely, suffers from empty heat, it is worth giving her the opportunity to give birth more often. When childbirth is difficult, and pregnancies are accompanied by pathologies, it is better to resort to sterilization. This gentle option will avoid unnecessary worry and suffering for the animal. In addition, a simple operation helps prevent the development of malignant tumors on the reproductive organs. The cat becomes calmer, its health improves.

To regulate sexual desire, experts advise using non-hormonal remedies, primarily homeopathic ones.:

These medications are sedative. They have a beneficial effect on the emotional behavior of cats, relieve nervous tension, but do not depress the nervous system. The presence of natural plant components in medications (mint, thyme, oregano and others) provides a gentle effect on the body.

The use of drugs such as “Contrasex” is extremely undesirable. These are contraceptives made on the basis of chemical synthesis and cause severe hormonal imbalance.

A planned, desired pregnancy will please the owners and will not harm the pet. The cat will be grateful for the care and attention shown to it during the difficult prenatal period.

Source

Is it possible to sterilize a cat after giving birth?

Sterilization is carried out no earlier than 2-4 months after lambing. During this period, blood circulation in the pelvis is normalized and the uterus gradually returns to its original size.

Exceptions are allowed if emergency intervention is necessary, typical for:

• uterine ruptures;
• the appearance of malignant tumors on the external or internal genital organs;
• abnormal location or damage to the placenta;
• postpartum hemorrhage.

In such situations, surgical intervention is justified. The danger of postoperative risks is inferior to possible complications.

Providing first aid for lambing is much easier in practice than in theory. The missing experience comes over time, so each time the process becomes easier. For the first time, it is recommended to agree with the treating veterinarian on the date and time of lambing. In this case, you will be insured in case of complications.

The article is for informational purposes only. Contact your veterinarian!

How often can you give birth?

A sensitive issue that worries good owners concerns how often a cat can give birth. There are several opinions that differ significantly.

Note! When making a decision, it is worth considering the cat's health characteristics.

Veterinarians and professional breeders of certain breeds give different recommendations regarding the frequency of lambing.

Fans adhere to completely different norms, dosing cats with hormonal pills at the time of estrus to stop the process.

How often can a cat give birth:

The cat gives birth too quickly

When kittens are born too quickly, the birth is called precipitate. Note that rapid labor is more dangerous than prolonged labor, although it passes much faster. Usually, with rapid labor, all kittens are born in less than 1 hour.

The cause of rapid labor may be stress or miscarriage. In rare cases, rapid labor is a hereditary factor. When labor progresses too quickly, the cat experiences severe pain as the intervals between contractions become shorter. Hormones are released into the animal's blood, allowing the cervix to dilate as quickly as possible and expel the litter.

In rapid labor, kittens are born literally one by one, the cat does not pay attention to licking the babies, often does not gnaw the umbilical cord, but can eat the placenta...or the kittens themselves. This picture indicates the non-viability of the offspring, which often occurs during a miscarriage. Your task is to open the bubbles as quickly as possible, remove liquid from the kittens’ respiratory tract and wipe them with towels.

Some cats, even after a rapid birth (if the kittens survive), accept and begin to feed the babies. Wait until the pet comes to its senses a little and try placing the kittens on the nipples. Carefully monitor your cat's behavior; if she growls and hisses when she hears kittens squeaking, do not try to place them under her nipples! The only way out in this case is artificial feeding... but you must understand that the kittens' chances of survival are minimal.

Source

How to come to an agreement with nature? Ways to regulate a cat's basic instinct

When the time comes, the cat doesn’t just ask for a cat, she demands it. The cat literally goes crazy and does not allow all the inhabitants of the house to live in peace. If the owners for some reason do not want her to become a mother, then they will have to resort to medication.

To suppress sexual desire, but not harm the cat’s health, use (after consulting a doctor!) non-hormonal products that contain herbs (thyme, mint, oregano). These drugs include: Stop - stress, Kot Bayun, Mating-minus. They calm the animal and reduce sexual desire.

If having kittens is not part of your plans, but you want to keep your pet healthy, then do not give her contraceptives that grossly interfere with the hormonal balance and disrupt it (Contrasex, Ex, Sex Barrier).

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When determining the frequency of birth in a cat, focus on its well-being and listen to the opinion of the veterinarian. It is optimal if she gives birth once or twice within 12 months. But if your pet experiences difficulties during delivery, recovers slowly after the birth of kittens, or gives birth to non-viable offspring, then it is better to take pity on her and sterilize her!

Regulation of reproduction

Your pet's heat cannot simply be ignored. This leads to the development of pathologies of the reproductive system and negatively affects her mental state. To suppress sexual desire, cats often use hormonal agents: “Cat Bayun”, “Stop-stress”. Such medications contain natural ingredients and calm the cat. But if the owners do not plan to breed animals or see that the pet does not tolerate pregnancy well, then it is better to sterilize it.

Number of heats per year

Estrus in an animal is a natural and individual process for each individual. The duration of estrus and the frequency of cycles per year depend on a number of factors:

• hereditary characteristics;

• breed affiliation;

• complete nutrition;

• features of keeping (presence of a male);

• light mode.

The average duration of estrus is 1 - 2 weeks, sometimes the process can drag on for up to 3 weeks. The period consists of proestrus (preparation for mating). At this moment, the cat’s body is preparing for the upcoming fertilization: the external genitalia swell, the hormonal status and behavior of the pet changes, it becomes more affectionate and sociable.

After 1 - 3 days, the estrus (estrus) phase begins. This period is characterized by the characteristic behavior of the animal. The cat screams loudly, loses its appetite, tries to leave the room, leaves marks on furniture and objects, and takes a characteristic pose. If mating does not occur, this phase lasts 10 - 12 days. Then comes a period of calm (intersestrus), the animal’s behavior returns to normal.

The duration also depends on the breed. For example, in Maine Coons the phase takes 3 - 4 months, and in Abyssinians only 3 - 4 days.

In the event that estrus is empty, interestrus is significantly reduced, and the period between estrus can be only a few days. In this case, the animal may come into heat every 3 weeks. This greatly exhausts the pet.

The duration of the resting period is influenced by the length of daylight hours. Thus, in the autumn-winter period, hormonal activity fades and estrus becomes less frequent. In the spring-summer period, as the duration of daylight increases, the interval between heats decreases. However, in apartment conditions with artificial lighting, this factor is of little importance.

Cat pregnancy: physiological characteristics and duration

A pet's first heat can begin as early as 6 months of age. It is advisable not to mate animals during this period, as this may harm the cat's health.

It is better to breed purebred cats starting from 1 year of age, when several heats have already passed and the pet’s body and psyche have become stronger. Domestic cats usually retain the ability to give birth until they are 15 years old, but it is better to stop mating already at the 8th year of life: the older the animal becomes, the weaker its kittens are and the greater the likelihood of diseases in the offspring. It is impossible to diagnose pregnancy immediately; for this you need to wait 20-25 days. A veterinarian will help you accurately determine that your pet is pregnant after an examination at the veterinary clinic.

Abyssinians carry slightly smaller offspring than long-haired beauties.

Cats that walk outside have a higher chance of becoming pregnant than other pets. But owners who want to breed kittens recommend monitoring the mating: casual sexual intercourse leads to a deterioration in the genetics of the offspring, and kittens are born with congenital pathologies. Pregnancy lasts on average up to 9 weeks, but the duration depends on the cat breed: short-haired individuals (Abyssinian, Russian Blue) bear kittens for 58-68 days, and long-haired individuals (Persian, Siberian) - 63-72 days. During this time, the animal should be given special dry food for pregnant cats and a complex of vitamins.

Your pet's food should contain the following nutrients:

• proteins;
• amino acids;
• carbohydrates;
• vitamins.

Reproductive age

In order for a beloved animal to delight with its presence for as long as possible, the owner must understand that the cat’s reproductive age must be limited. A young female should be mated no earlier than 7–8 months, and a purebred female should be mated even later, at the age of 1–1.5 years. By this point, 2-3 heats will have passed, the hormonal status will reach the optimal level, the animal will become physically stronger, and the psyche will become resistant to stress. Pregnancy, childbirth, and feeding newborns do not pass without leaving a mark on the cat’s physical condition, so you should not breed her during her first heat.

The duration of reproductive age is a very individual indicator. Some individuals retain the ability for fertilization, normal gestation and childbirth without complications for 15 to 20 years. But this is rather an exception to the rule. Most animals accumulate health problems as they age, and pregnancy and childbirth aggravate the situation.

However, a cat continues to go into heat throughout her life, but the interval between them increases. Therefore, the animal retains the ability to fertilize and can give birth until a very old age.

What to do if your cat is kittening at an advanced age? Experienced and responsible breeders recommend finishing the reproductive function of a pet at the age of 7-8 years and removing it from breeding. By this age, the genetic load increases, the likelihood of obtaining low-quality offspring appears, and the chance of complications increases sharply. If an animal is not valuable for breeding work, it is advisable to castrate it and not subject it to unnecessary testing.

How does childbirth take place and how many hours?

In order for your cat to lamb without complications and for all the kittens to be alive and healthy, you need to help your pet.

Every pet owner should provide assistance correctly and efficiently, and know the main stages and features of childbirth.

To cope with childbirth in a cat, it is enough to familiarize yourself with the process using special literature.

If an animal develops complications before or during birth, you should definitely call a veterinarian.

How does childbirth occur in a cat?

• The first stage is determined by the beginning.
  Contractions can be determined in accordance with the behavior of the animal. The female begins to look for a suitable place, constantly hangs around the owners and becomes noticeably nervous, experiencing painful sensations.
• After the end of the first stage, which lasts from 12 to 24 hours, the time comes for the second.
  At this moment the attempts begin. The cat no longer moves, the amniotic fluid is leaking. At this moment, it is advisable to stay near the pet for as long as possible.
• The cat does not need help during the birth process.
  It is enough to accept the kittens and lay them down so that the new mother cannot crush or injure the babies. If the kitten walks not with its head, but with its legs forward, then the animal needs help: slightly pull the kitten by the paw forward, and then down.

Lambing will end in about 1-3 hours. The young mother will begin to lick and feed her offspring. To prevent the animal from getting up again, you need to place food and drink nearby.

For the first 3 days, it is worth closely monitoring the health of the female and the offspring. During this time, problems or pathologies will appear that may affect the further quality of life.

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Obstetrics

Childbirth begins with contractions, weak at first - when the cat’s cervix opens and the kittens “line up”, taking the necessary positions. During this period, a cat (especially a primiparous cat) may begin to frequently run to the litter box.

Now is the time to give your cat injections:

• Gamavit injections. Gamavit is a complex of biologically active substances, which, in this case, works as a stimulator of the birth process. It is injected into the withers, subcutaneously, in an amount of 1 ml, 1-2 times during childbirth.
• If the cat is weak, hyperexcited, afraid, screaming, then inject her with the homeopathic drug Travmatin - it anesthetizes the birth process and regulates the strength of pushing. It is also injected into the withers, the dosage is the same - approximately 1 ml (depending on the size of the cat).
• Calcium gluconate injections. During pregnancy, the calcium content in a cat's body decreases greatly (it goes into the structure of the kittens' skeletons and milk production), which can lead to inertia of the uterus during childbirth and even to an acute nervous disease - eclampsia. Calcium gluconate is injected intramuscularly into the hind leg, always in a warmed state (to body temperature), carefully and slowly inserting a needle into the muscle - 1 ml.

The amniotic fluid recedes and pushing begins - wave-like contractions of the abdominal muscles, pushing the kitten out. Usually, the kitten goes in a bubble and, under no circumstances, should the cat be allowed to bite through it. The kitten can come out in 2 positions - head first (diver position) or hind legs forward. If the kitten has a hard time coming out, you can help him. If the kitten walks with its legs, wait until the body is pushed out as much as possible and tightly grasp the body and legs with a gloved hand or a rag and hold it so that they do not go inside again when the fight ends. Next, wait for the next attempt and try to stretch the body as far as possible, be careful with the birth of the head, it is the largest, and the cat must give birth to it itself. If the kitten walks with its head, then you should wait until the cat gives birth to its head and only then grab the head and shoulders (or by the scruff of the neck) and then independently pull out the body. During the period when the pushing stops, stop pulling the kitten, just hold it so that it does not go back into the birth canal.

Take the born kitten in your hand, placing it vertically, and break the bubble above its nose, free it from the membranes and cut the umbilical cord at a distance of approximately 3 cm, having previously pushed its contents back into the tummy with your fingers, and burn it with brilliant green. Then take the kitten’s body in your hands, clasping the head with your thumb and forefinger, shake it like a thermometer, holding the head, clean the mucus from the mouth and nose with a soft napkin (or gauze), open its mouth slightly and take a light breath into the nose to open the lungs. Rub the baby with a soft cloth, lightly massage his chest and give it to the cat so she can lick him - this is also a massage. If the cat is experienced and has already given birth, she can adopt the kitten herself - gnaw the umbilical cord and lick it. If the kitten is weak, born without signs of life, we rub it thoroughly again, massage the chest, it helps a lot to put it in a warm (40-50 degrees) bath for a second or two. A placenta comes out behind the kitten, one or two should be given to the cat so that she can eat them - they contain substances that stimulate labor and the flow of milk to the mammary glands, make sure that the number of placentas matches the number of kittens.

Now - about oxytocin. This hormonal drug has saved more than one cat from caesarean section. But it must be handled very carefully, it causes strong contractions of the uterus and, if the kitten is in the wrong position, it can jam the entire birth process, again leading to a caesarean section.

It is used in cases where labor pains are weak and the cat cannot push the kitten out of her. But it can be injected only after the birth of the first kitten, when it is obvious that the uterus is already open or when the kitten’s head or paws are already visible in the loop, in this case, injecting oxytocin (at the withers - 0.2-0.3 ml) gives a positive The result is that after 2-3 attempts the kitten comes out. If labor is weak, the injection can be repeated after 20-30 minutes.

After the birth of the first kitten, as a rule, the cat rests - place the born baby on her nipples.

When repeated attempts begin, put the born babies aside in a warm place (preferably on a heating pad) so that the cat does not crush them.

The normal period between the birth of kittens is considered to be up to 12 hours; after this period the situation can be considered pathological. In general, each cat can have its own, specific break in the birth of kittens, sometimes they are born almost immediately, one after the other, after 20-30 minutes, and sometimes the cat gives birth to each next one after 4-5 hours, and oxytocin injections have no effect .

How many times a year does a cat give birth to kittens?

So, how many times a year does a cat give birth? Adult cats that have reached childbearing age at 1-2 years, due to their physiological and anatomical-morphological characteristics, are capable of giving birth up to 3-4 times a year.

It is a proven fact: purebred animals living in an apartment, basking on warm radiators, give birth more often than outbred stray brothers, who are forced to look for food and shelter from the cold and unfavorable environmental conditions.

After reading this information, do not rush to breed your pet immediately after birth. The desire of owners to get more purebred offspring from cats is understandable and predictable, but fundamentally wrong.

At such rates of reproduction, the animal’s body is exposed to a considerable number of stresses, the level of metabolic processes is disrupted, tissue permeability and blood supply deteriorate. The tissues become thinner, and pathologies of the internal organs arise.

Therefore, after giving birth, it is necessary to allow the pet to rest, restore the body’s strength and resources, and prepare for a new reproduction. Normally, between births there should be from 8 to 13-14 months.

This is not a forced necessity, but rather a recommended period of recovery. Animals that give birth excessively often become seriously ill within 2-3 years of this rate.

The number of babies that pets are able to bear and give birth to at one time varies from 2 to 9.

The average is only 4-6 kittens.

The number of newborns is largely determined primarily by specific breed and individual characteristics.

Also, the number of kittens is directly influenced by the day of ovulation, when sexual intercourse occurred. At the initial stages of ovulation, fertility is higher, and when it ends, the number of cat “babies” is small - 1-2 individuals.

How long does pregnancy last in cats of different breeds?

A cat's fertility largely depends on its lifestyle. If she has free access to the street, then the frequency of sexual intercourse increases. This means that the probability of becoming pregnant will be higher than for a pet spending its life in isolation at home.

A purebred animal should not be allowed to engage in promiscuity. This will negatively affect the genetics of future offspring and can lead to pathologies in kittens.

Pregnancy in domestic cats lasts an average of 9 weeks. The timing of gestation differs depending on the breed:

• for short-haired breeds (Abyssinian, Burmese, Russian Blue, Egyptian Mau, etc.) - 58–68 days;
• for long-haired breeds (Siberian, Persian, Norwegian Forest, etc.) - 63–72 days.

In addition, the duration of pregnancy is influenced by the physiological and individual characteristics of the expectant mother.