Estrus in British cats - duration, signs, solutions

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Estrus in British cats is the first problem that everyone who decides to have this breed faces. In such a situation, pets can easily cope on their own, of course, if there are no deviations.

Estrus for all cats begins at approximately the same period and progresses almost the same. Therefore, you should not panic and just contact your veterinarian for help. He will provide you with advice and recommendations on all issues that interest you.

When does puberty begin in cats?

The onset of puberty usually occurs at 6-8 months. At this point, the first heat is often observed. At the same time, there can be no question of any mating. Although, if you don’t have a good cat in mind yet, then it’s worth starting an active search. In order to bear and give birth to healthy offspring, the cat must become stronger and “formed”. This is possible no earlier than the animal is one to one and a half years old . Some owners rush, but in vain, because then dead kittens are born, and the cat begins to get very sick.

It is better to skip the first 4-5 heats in British cats and only after that think about offspring.

As for cats, their puberty period is 7-8 months. Although the male feline will also not be ready for fatherhood at this age. It is recommended to wait at least up to a year.

Recovery period between births

To prepare for the next pregnancy and bearing offspring, the animal’s body must recover after childbirth. A purebred cat can give birth no more often than once or twice in a year to a year and a half; at least 6 months must pass between litters. Yard cats breed every time they come into heat, and intercourse is very frequent. The first two months after giving birth, the mother cat devotes herself entirely to feeding her kittens. At the end of this period, the cat is again ready for mating. The following cases are exceptions:

• previous births were complicated;
• the pet’s body is exhausted;
• pussy suffered a serious illness;
• the last litter included stillborn babies.

In healthy cats, all biological processes occur regularly, so the owner can prepare in advance for the pregnancy of his furry pet. A potential father of the family must be found long before mating begins. During an empty heat, the cat should take sedatives and receive attention in the form of a massage or play. Females not intended for breeding should be neutered.

Download the cat mating agreement with the act of mutual settlement in Word

When to think about mating

Most owners of four-legged cats do not know when to breed a British cat. People are afraid of making mistakes, so they delay the process.

Characteristic signs of a cat are:

1. Loud and constant shouting. This is how the pet tries to call the cat to her.
2. Constantly rolling on the floor and licking your genitals.
3. A sharp change in mood - the animal can either be too affectionate, or, on the contrary, show unreasonable aggression.
4. While stroking, the pet arches and raises its tail. In this way she shows that she is ready to meet the cat.

For a cat, things are a little different:

1. Animals begin to actively mark all corners in the house. Attempts to scold the cat do not lead to anything good; he tries even more actively to show what he needs.
2. The cat rubs against sharp objects or those that interest him. Often people observe some kind of friction, body movements are directed towards the thing that the pet is interested in.
3. Pets change dramatically. Some people do not recognize cats as their four-legged companions.

Important! There is no need to try to calm or scold the animals at this moment. Instincts that are higher than everything “awaken” in them.

If the pet is already ready, then it can happen to someone; if offspring are not included in the plans of the owners, then it is more humane to perform sterilization so as not to torture either yourself or the pet.

Preparing for mating

An experienced cat owner is looking for a mate through an organization of felinologists. If the bride is purebred, the lady’s owner should check the groom’s package of documents: titles, judge’s scores, medical reports on the absence of infections and genetic pathologies. The bride must have permission to breed and have a vaccination record (at least a month before the date of the meeting with the groom). If you vaccinate the pussy immediately before fertilization, this can lead to the birth of sick offspring. Preventative treatment against worms should be carried out and the tips of the claws should be trimmed to avoid injury. Bathing procedures should not be carried out.

Mating cats basic rules for owners

Mating of British cats should be carried out based on several rules.

They are as follows:

• Mating usually takes place in the male's territory. The reason is that cats take much longer to get used to a new place. In addition, they first mark the territory, and only then begin to settle into the apartment. In practice, there were enough cases when a cat recorded the entire house and things didn’t go further than that.
• By sending your cat to a cat, you should make her stay much more comfortable. Having your own house, you must take it without fail. The same applies to the food bowl, water plate, as well as the food to which the pet is accustomed. If the cat is very picky, then you will also need to take a tray. With these items the animal will feel calm and protected, which will help it adapt better and faster.
• Before the trip, you need to cut your cat's nails so that it does not scratch the cat, and also vaccinate your pet. It wouldn’t hurt to “drive away” fleas and worms. When fulfilling all these points, it is recommended to hint about them to those owners to whom the cat will go. Otherwise, instead of the expected result, you may catch some disease or return home scratched.

How often do British cats come into heat?

A British cat's heat begins no earlier than 6 months. Breeders note that this can happen at 5 months, but only if there is also a male living in the house with the pet. Then the pets grow up much faster. This process is also influenced by the season of birth of the animal. Veterinarians say that those born in the spring begin to walk several months later than those born in the summer or autumn.

In addition, the animal's temperament can also affect estrus. It is not uncommon for the first rumblings to begin only at the age of one. And this is the norm. As for the frequency, this is all individual. About 20 years ago, spring was considered an active period, when nature woke up and animals “woke up” with it. Today, heat can occur at different times in different ways. In spring, the frequency is observed every 3 weeks, in summer – once every 2 months. A cat may ask to go for walks at least six times a year.

Deviations from the norm

The owner needs to carefully monitor the seasonality, duration, and nature of estrus in order to record anomalies. A long absence of the active phase, its frequent occurrence, pain, sluggish response to treatment, yellowish discharge with an unpleasant odor, bloody inclusions indicate endocrine disruption and more serious health problems. If the first rut does not occur for too long, when estrus lasts longer than two weeks, consultation with a veterinarian is required. Signs of ill health must be combated with means recommended by specialists.

Prolonged heat

In this state, the duration of the physiological phases of the process increases. The continuous rut ​​lasts more than two weeks, causing discomfort to the pet. A characteristic feature is the continued appearance of mucous discharge, accompanied by manifestations of aggression towards the male. Mating does not occur, fertilization does not occur, the mustachioed beauty remains excited. Prolonged stress makes the situation worse.

Anaphrodisia

This is the name for the condition of a fluffy beauty who is of childbearing age, but does not show any signs of sexual desire. Anaphrodisia (acyclia) is a characteristic sign of delayed puberty. If the female is not intended for breeding purebred offspring, she may not need treatment. The veterinarian examines the animal to rule out hyperfunction of the thyroid gland or adenohypophysis. If pregnancy is necessary, combination therapy with follicle-stimulating hormones is carried out: choriogonadotropin, folliculin, estrone.

False pregnancy

Only a veterinarian can accurately diagnose this condition. It is characterized by the same symptoms as for normal pregnancy:

• increased appetite;
• increased thirst;
• finding a secluded place;
• increased attention to small soft objects;
• swelling of the mammary glands;
• increase in abdominal size.

The problem is considered psychological and is seen as the result of prolonged stress. The sad result is purulent mastitis and similar diseases. Sphynx cats have an innate tendency to show signs of false pregnancy.

Empty heat

Lack of fertilization is not considered a normal condition. If your pet does not become pregnant, the body experiences unwanted hormonal stress. The situation is complicated by the substances that caring owners give to calm the cat at this time. In the future, there is a high probability of developing dangerous diseases: mastitis, hyperplasia, cancer, ovarian cysts, polycystic disease, endometritis, purulent inflammation, etc. If you do not plan to get offspring from a cat, timely sterilization will be a choice in favor of her health.

Frequent heats

The average norm is two to four rutting periods per year, although much depends on temperament, breed, and genetic characteristics. It happens that the re-rut occurs too often, literally every week or two. This dangerous condition cannot be ignored. If mating is not planned, you need to show the animal to a veterinarian. Perhaps this is a manifestation of a serious gynecological disease, for example, polycystic disease. Treatment with hormones can be effective. If the problem is not resolved, castration is the next appropriate step.

Bloody issues

The appearance of blood in mucous secretions indicates the presence of a serious pathology. It is impossible to determine the cause “by eye”; a serious examination by an experienced veterinarian is necessary: ​​standard tests, histology, cytology, ultrasound, studies, the decision of which is made by a specialist. Some diseases develop rapidly. If you have bloody discharge, the most sensible step is to visit the clinic immediately.

How long does a British cat go into heat?

A British cat can only be mated when she is in heat. However, the problem is that not everyone understands when the process began and how long it will last. It can be assumed that the first day is considered to be the one when the pet’s behavior changes dramatically. Most people wait for the cats to scream, not suspecting that the countdown must begin from the moment when the behavior of the four-legged animal changes.

She begins to fawn over her owner (which is usually uncharacteristic of British women), licking herself longer than usual. This does not last long - one, and sometimes two days. The next stage can make the owner nervous, because it lasts about a week and is characterized by the cat’s yelling, as well as all the other nuances that were described above. Afterwards everything ends. That is, in general, cats walk for about 7-10 days. The first time, this period is much shorter and amounts to no more than three to four days.

gestational age

How long a feline's pregnancy lasts depends on the breed and number of babies. The pregnancy of a British cat lasts 63-64 days, cubs born before 60 days are considered premature. Girls with a small weight can give birth to kittens at 60-61 days; large representatives (5-6 kg) often overstay their due date. Fold representatives walk as long as British cats do for the first time.

First weeks of pregnancy

At 3 weeks of pregnancy, the cat vomits and taste habits change. The animal eats little. During this period, the already capricious British become mischievous and offended. The previously active baby stops playing, hides from people, and looks for secluded places.

Second half of pregnancy

At the beginning of the fifth week, the cat develops an appetite. Small lumps can be felt in the abdominal cavity. At the end of the 7th week, active movement is observed. The fluffy ward is gaining weight, her gait becomes slow.

The animal sleeps long and often, prepares for childbirth, arranges a place for babies, and purrs loudly. The cat finds a suitable “nest” and begins to remove everything that bothers it. If a mother takes a fancy to a closet, she will throw out clothes and books from it. Or, on the contrary, it will crush rags.

Selection of a partner

Not every cat will have a cat for a walk. Therefore, choosing a partner is an important point that should be given maximum attention. In addition, you need to pay attention to the color of the animal. If the owners are going to breed babies for sale, then they should look for a cat based on the shade so that they get what they want.

So, white British people cannot be mixed together, because the offspring may turn out to be deaf. When you want to breed a tabby, it is better that the partner is blue or black. At the same time, brown or chocolate shade is not an option at all. If the cat is light cream or black, then you can choose a cat of the same color.

When choosing a male, you should also pay attention to his health and appearance. Strong cats are the guarantee that babies will be born healthy and strong. When mating with a British cat for the first time, you need to choose an experienced animal. Otherwise, both she and he will start hissing at each other and fighting. If the cat is more courageous, then she may not even drive the male into a corner and not let him out until she is taken away. Therefore, special attention is paid to this nuance.

Mating cats: basic rules for owners

During mating, a number of simple rules should be followed. This is the only way to get the result you expected.

These rules are:

1. If the cat is already more than one and a half years old, the first signs of estrus have become noticeable, there is no need to wait any longer. It’s bad to bring animals in early, but you shouldn’t overexpose them either. A nulliparous pet may experience problems in the reproductive system. Some beauties cannot bear offspring, others' babies are stillborn, some have to undergo surgery to get kittens. In a word, it’s bad to start mating early, but there’s nothing good about mating too late.
2. After bringing the cat to the cat, you need to observe the animals for some time. Sometimes there is such strong aggression on the part of one that the four-legged animal is ready to kill if only it would be spared from the company of a stranger.
3. During mating, it is better not to be near the cats, because people can distract them from the process.
4. You should leave the cat with the cat for no more than 2-3 days. Firstly, after this time, males lose interest in females, and secondly, a large amount of “ovary” will lead to the fact that some kittens will be born premature and weak.

Reasons for lack of estrus

Among the reasons for a long-term lack of desire to mate are:

• predisposition caused by genetic breed characteristics;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• endocrine shift;
• pathological condition of the ovaries;
• hermaphroditism, etc.

There are emotional factors that cause sexual dysfunction. Lack of hunting is observed in individuals that are kept indoors, do not have contact with other representatives of their species, and do not observe normal sexual behavior.

Purebred females over one and a half years old who are involved in breeding require treatment to restore the normal functioning of the reproductive organs. Pets kept for pleasure do not need such treatment. The veterinarian will examine the pet; if other pathologies do not appear, treatment is not necessary. Periodic preventive examinations will be required.

How does mating work?

Having noticed that the cat has changed in behavior, you need to observe it for a couple more days, and then you can take it to the cat. This is usually done 3-4 days after the start of the party. It is better for the cat owner to prepare in advance the room where the animals will live for these couple of days. First, a cat is brought into the room, which must get used to it a little, and only after that can a male be introduced. If the male representative does not show interest in the lady, you should wait a little.

Some breeders recommend raising the cat's tail and holding the cat up to it so that he can smell the scent. If the cat is indifferent to its partner, there is no need to rush; perhaps it has not yet gotten used to it. There are times when animals begin to fight and hiss at each other. Having noticed active aggression, it is necessary to stop everything.

Inexperienced pets may not understand what to do and may grab incorrectly. If this is the case, then you can give the cat a little encouragement and help him (but inactively) in carrying out this process. The fact that everything went well is evidenced by the cat’s screaming, its rolling on the floor, as well as its active licking of its genitals. When a cat hides or hides in a corner, this is a sign that the male did not please her in some way. In this case, it is also not recommended to “insist” and it is better to take the pet home.

Characteristic symptoms

Any pathological discharge from the genitals of an animal requires a visit to the doctor and finding out its cause.
It is impossible not to notice the signs of heat in a cat. If before this the animal was affectionate, kind, and flexible, then once the hunt begins, it is almost impossible to recognize it. From the first day, the pet has a clear, colorless and unpleasant odor discharge from the genitals. If the mucus is yellow-white, brown like menstruation, or bloody, this is a pathology and a reason to immediately visit a veterinarian.

Other signs by which you can understand that a cat is asking for a cat are:

• frequent urination;
• lack of appetite;
• constant concerts accompanied by heart-rending meows;
• excessive affection, especially towards a male owner;
• tail abduction;
• the desire to sneak out of the house to find a gentleman.

Non-standard situations that may occur when mating cats: rules of conduct for owners

Sometimes not everything works out the way you want. Therefore, you need to be prepared for this, and also know what to do in such situations.

The rules are simple:

1. If the cat is smaller in size than the cat, which happens in some cases, then he will not be able to grab the female’s withers and then perform a love act. That is, there will seem to be an act, but there will be no contact of the genitals. In this case, a person can take the pet by the withers so that the cat grabs the skin below. This way the organs will be at the same level and the problem will go away.
2. When a cat does not let the cat near her either for the first time or during the next heat, this is a reason to contact the veterinarian. The doctor will insert a four-legged special probe into the vagina, which will solve the problem. Sometimes a special drug should be administered to “awaken” the cat’s instincts. However, this is up to the veterinarian to decide.
3. Some cats fall on their side during mating and it is difficult for the cat to start the process. There are people who try to force a cat onto a female and do everything themselves, but this is stressful for both animals. Breeders note that the partner will be able to penetrate the cat in this position, so it is better not to interfere.
4. When pets enter a new home, they often forget about the purpose of their visit, their character changes, and they become indifferent. In this case, it is better to wait a little. If the four-legged pet does not get used to it, then there is only one thing left to do - postpone mating until another time.

Important! Animals, like people, also have their own preferences. Therefore, if a cat is indifferent towards each other, there is no need to try to force them to “marry”. This could end badly.

Negative consequences

The pussy cannot tell its owner about its problems. Therefore, the owner must be extremely attentive to symptoms that may indicate the onset or worsening of the disease.

Idle cats in heat are fraught with purulent inflammation of the uterus, leading to rapid death. If there is a hormonal imbalance, it is better to have the pussy castrated immediately, even at an early age.

The increased duration of the period of sexual heat (longer than a week) cannot be stopped by taking hormonal drugs. Menstruation in cats, unlike menstruation in women, is not painful. There are only two ways out of this situation: mating or castration.

Painful discharge or vomiting is a real reason to seek help from a doctor.

What to do if there is no heat

In order to breed a purebred cat, you need to ensure that the female is ready for fertilization. Measures that breeders recommend to prepare a cat for mating:

• make a girlfriend. Pussies often show readiness to mate at the same time.
• invite a cat to visit. The smell of a sexually mature cat awakens the reproductive instinct.
• Use homeopathic remedies and vitamins. You can induce a healthy female to mate by including drugs in the diet: vitamin E, catozal, gamavit, ovariovit, ortilin.

Signs of pregnancy

Signs of pregnancy can be observed by the cat's behavior. Two weeks after mating, the animal becomes calmer and sleeps a lot. In addition, you may notice that the pet loses its appetite, sometimes it feels nauseous and vomits. From the third week, the nipples turn pink and enlarge. And after another week, the fluffy begins to eat a lot. An enlarged belly is observed in the fifth week. Considering that a cat is pregnant for about 65-67 days, you can monitor the animal’s behavior from the first day of mating. If after three weeks no changes have occurred, then you need to wait for another heat.

If everything worked out, kittens appear after two months. The next mating after birth can be planned no earlier than 7-8 months later.

Sterilization and ovariohysterectomy

Nowadays, sterilization is used extremely rarely, since ligation of the fallopian tubes does not inhibit sexual desire and does not guarantee protection against pathological inflammation of the uterus. A more reliable operation is ovariohysterectomy - removal of the uterus and ovaries at the same time.

The time for sterilization is outside the heat period, two weeks before or after the onset of estrus.