Reproduction in Cats
Introductory Comments
Feline Reproduction is very similar to canine reproduction in these ways:
1. pregnancy lasts about 62 days plus or minus 5
2. cats are prone to all the same potential medical problems during and after pregnancy as dogs.
3. we can't tell with much accuracy that cats are pregnant by ultra sound until at least day 14, by palpation until at least day 25, and by radiographs until day 42
But Feline Reproduction is different from canine reproduction too:
1. Cats can go into heat at any time of year, just like dogs, BUT are much more likely to go into heat in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall as they are influenced by the length of daylight.
2. Cats will stay in heat about 5-15 days ... but unlike dogs will keep going back into heat every 1-3 weeks until they ovulate.... and cats are unlikely to ovulate until there is penetration. (simulating penetration will usually stop your cat from cycling BUT without anesthesia your cat will bite and scratch the tar out of you.)
Proestrus
This first stage of heat lasts 1-3 days. You might notice that the vulva is slightly swollen. She will probably have the "munchies", be more affectionate in general, and meow more.
Males will be attracted and "court" the female but she will likely play "hard to get".
She may urine mark around the house.
Estrus (Heat)
This lasts about 4-6 days. Cats in heat make more noise and her meows are louder and more frequent-eventually becoming almost constant. She becomes much more affectionate toward people, weaves in and out of their legs, rubs against them, shakes her pelvis, and rolls about on the floor, and "flags" her tail. If picked up when rolling, she may grab at your arm or even bite.
