All hail the queen!
The gestating or lactating mother needs
more energy.
20-30% more during last 2-3 weeks
gestation
Up to 100% more during peak lactation
Look for this label:
"Complete and balanced nutrition
for all stages of a cat's life or for
reproduction."
Contains extra vitamins and minerals
Kittens need special care
Provide 2-3 days colostrum if queen is not
available.
Colostrum gives extra nutrition and
temporary disease immunity.
Feedings start at every 3-4 hours.
Eventually feed 3 times daily
until 8 months old.
Wean at 6-8 weeks.
Reproduction
Toms - male cats
Queens - female cats
Puberty reached at 4-12 months
Females mature earlier than males.
Varies by breed
Reproductive behaviors
may include:
Restlessness, yowling, scent marking
Estrous cycle
Queens are seasonally polyestrous
Heat (estrus) occurs at certain times of the
year.
Tied to longer daylight/higher temperatures
Heat lasts 3-6 days.
Estrous cycle lasts 15-21 days.
Induced ovulators - egg released after
being bred, then heat ends
Gestation is 63-67 days.
Parturition … hurrah, it's
kittens!
Queen chooses quiet, remote spot
Time between births from 15 minutes to 2
hours.
Queen licks newborn kitten to stimulate
activity; removes embryonic sac
Litter size: averages 4-6
Kittens born helpless, with eyes closed
Castration/spaying
Castration = removing male testicles
Spaying = removing female reproductive
organs
Why do it?
Overpopulation
Resolves problem mating behaviors
Questions
1. How long is a cat's estrous cycle?
2. A male cat is called a __________ and
a female cat is called a __________ .
3. Cats can learn to be vegetarians. TRUE
or FALSE?
4. Kittens should receive at least two days
of __________ , the queen's first milk.
5. The gestation period of cats is
__________ to __________ days.