How to Raise Cats

Determine your cat's fertility period. Cats are typically fertile during spring and summer, although indoor cats exposed to artificial light may remain fertile year-round. Cat ovulation occurs post-mating, and if ovulation fails, the fertile cycle may repeat. Some cats may not exhibit signs of fertility in the owner's presence, so observe neighborhood tomcats—they'll gather when a female is in heat. The estrous cycle stages, except for the infertile winter period, include:

• Proestrus - lasting from one to two days (or as short as an hour), not universally seen in all cats. During this stage, she may call for the tomcat, roll, and rub on the ground, yet reject the tomcat's advances.
• Estrus - usually a week-long period when the queen should mate with the tomcat. The primary sign is her vocal call to the male, a specific yowl. This yowl is typically a short, plaintive, hollow sound resembling “aah-roo-ugh?” (though it varies by breed, consult breeders familiar with your breed) accompanied by the cat's attempts to reach any tomcats nearby.
• Interestrus - if ovulation doesn't occur, this phase lasts about a week before the estrous cycle restarts. During interestrus, there are no signs of reproductive activity.

Understand the mating process. Typically, the stud owner handles these arrangements, but being informed is wise. A reputable stud owner will share all preparations with you, ensuring they are well-versed in the process.

• Provide the tom with an escape route immediately after mating, as the female may react aggressively.
• Expect to hear the female emit a loud, piercing shriek - this is normal.
• Following mating, the female will likely groom herself frantically for about an hour, during which she may be inaccessible. The estrous cycle will then continue as before mating until its natural conclusion.
• Ensure the cat mates multiple times during estrus, as ovulation doesn't occur until mating. Three breedings daily for the first three days of estrus yield a 90% chance of ovulation.

Prepare for potential second mating. If your cat doesn't conceive on the first attempt, consider these scenarios:

• Ovulation didn't occur; she'll become fertile again in approximately a week.
• Ovulation happened, but pregnancy didn't ensue - known as metestrus, lasting 5-7 weeks without reproductive activity.
• If pregnancy failed, she'll become fertile 2-3 weeks post-kitten loss.

Avoid multiple mates for your cat. When in heat, your female cat will attract any nearby male and attempt mating. However, letting her choose her mate isn't advisable, as it leaves you unaware of the father's health or genetic issues. Even after breeding, she may seek other mates during estrus, potentially resulting in varied offspring.

Select your desired cat breed. While shelters offer numerous kittens, breeding purebred cats ensures unique qualities. Opt for breeds in demand locally if adoption concerns arise. Choose a preferred breed or explore popular ones lacking representation in your vicinity.

Expand your connections. Many breeders prefer selling cats with breeding potential to individuals with prior experience in cat breeding and showing. Attend cat shows to network and gain insights into the breeding community.

Select a queen (female) thoughtfully. Beyond good health and appropriate breeding age (usually 18-24 months), consider these factors:

• Adherence to breed standards
• Proper documentation of ancestry
• Breeding authorization
• Familial history of pregnancy complications
• Show performance, if applicable
• Temperament and sociability (hereditary traits)

Find a suitable stud. Look for qualities similar to those sought in a queen: temperament, appearance, breed status, and health. Utilize reputable stud services with documented health and breed status. Avoid using pet cats as studs due to potential behavioral issues post-neutering.

Schedule a pre-breeding vet appointment for your queen. Ensure both cats are healthy before breeding. Have the vet conduct checks for:

• Up-to-date vaccinations
• FeLV and FIV tests
• Common ailments like ringworm, ear mites, and fleas
• Stool examination for internal parasites
• Screening for genetic diseases and breed-specific conditions

Establish a budget. Raising kittens incurs expenses. Consider costs such as:

• Veterinary care, including pre-breeding check-ups and potential emergency procedures like C-sections
• Quality nutrition for the queen during pregnancy and kittens during weaning
• Registration fees for breeding and pedigree documentation
• Heating costs, particularly in winter, to maintain optimal warmth for kittens

Reflect on your decision. With numerous unwanted kittens in existence, ensure you genuinely desire to breed more cats before proceeding. If your primary motivation is simply to have kittens for companionship, consider volunteering at your local animal shelter instead, where trained volunteers care for rescue kittens until they're ready for adoption. Other factors to contemplate include:

• Financial considerations - Can you afford the expenses of raising kittens if you don't turn a profit from selling them?
• Time commitment - Breeding cats and raising kittens demand significant time investment. It's crucial not to leave expectant mothers or young kittens unattended for extended periods.
• Finding suitable homes - Is there a demand for bred cats in your area? Are you prepared to undertake the necessary marketing efforts to find good homes for them? Ensuring responsible adoption is essential to prevent cats from being abandoned due to behavioral issues or owner dissatisfaction.
• Ethical concerns - While some individuals seek specific traits found only in purebred cats, consider whether your kittens might find equally loving homes as rescue cats. Each year, 1.4 million adoptable cats in the US are euthanized in shelters due to a lack of suitable homes.

Determine if your cat is pregnant. Unlike humans, there's no early diagnostic test for feline pregnancies. Pregnancy confirmation is possible around day 15 using an ultrasound. Methods for diagnosing pregnancy in cats include:

• Abdominal palpation from day 20 - to be done by experienced individuals to avoid causing harm. Kittens feel like evenly spaced swellings approximately the size of unshelled peanuts.
• Ultrasound - fetal presence can be detected after 15 days, with heartbeats appearing at day 20.
• Relaxin hormone test - detects pregnancy after about 25-30 days.
• Morning sickness during the 3rd or 4th week - not experienced by all cats, but includes apathy, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
• X-ray after day 43 - reveals kitten bone structure and aids in counting the number of kittens.
• External signs - visible nipple changes, abdominal enlargement, and mammary gland development in the last two weeks.

Anticipate the birthing timeframe. Cats' gestation period is typically 63-69 days. If intentional breeding occurred, calculating the due date should be straightforward. If not, alternative methods for estimating the birth date include:

• Veterinary consultation for an accurate due date determination, often based on diagnostic methods.
• Observing signs of impending queening, such as vomiting, vocalizations, nesting behavior, and increased grooming.
• Recalling the timing of the last mating call, indicating the fertile period and likely conception time.
• Monitoring neighborhood tomcats - their reduced presence around your home likely coincides with the cat's pregnancy onset.

Consult with your veterinarian. Schedule a vet appointment 2-3 weeks post-mating, or upon suspecting pregnancy if more than a month has passed. Obtain recommendations for maintaining your cat's health during pregnancy, and plan for a final visit about a week before the expected birth to ensure kittens' health and discuss post-birth care.

• If the pregnancy progresses normally, one more vet visit about a week before birth is sufficient. The vet will assess kittens' health and provide guidance on caring for them after birth.

Assist your cat during birth. Cats typically prefer solitude during labor but may find comfort in your presence nearby. Ensure the nesting area meets her needs by providing easy access to food, water, and a litter box, positioned in a quiet, dimly lit corner with minimal traffic. A cozy box lined with blankets is ideal, ensuring it's secure to prevent newborn kittens from wandering. If your cat selects a different spot, respect her choice to avoid stress.

Recognize signs of complications. If your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms, seek immediate veterinary attention:

• Yellow-green or bright green discharge
• Bloody discharge
• Failure to expel placenta after each kitten's birth
• No kittens born after 3-4 hours of labor
• Distressed behavior or excessive licking of the vulva without producing kittens

Monitor kittens during birth. After birth, the mother should lick each kitten to remove the embryonic sac, stimulating breathing and movement. If she doesn't, use sterile hands and a clean towel to assist. If the mother ignores a kitten and it appears cold, gently dry it with a towel to elicit a response.

Prepare to care for the kittens. Newborns require frequent feeding, especially if they're weaker or excluded by the mother. Watch for signs of inadequate milk supply and consult a vet if necessary. Consider surrogate mothers or hand-feeding with kitten-specific milk formula if needed, following veterinary guidance.

Socialize the kittens. While kittens should remain with their mother until weaned, you can still interact with them cautiously. Ensure the mother trusts you and avoid distressing her. Be vigilant to prevent kittens from falling off high surfaces due to their lack of depth perception.