The reproductive cycle of cat is the same yet different in humans. They are the same as the male has a penis and a vagina, female and the female has cycles or times where it may or may not become pregnant. Cats produce eggs in their ovaries and the young are carried in the womb or uterus.
Where cats are different is that the woman is what is called ' induced ovulators ' which means that it produces an egg in response to the Act of copulation. We human beings of the female variety produce one egg (or sometimes more) each month.
A cat is said to be ' in heat ' which is the period when your body changes and she is able to become pregnant. She has a cyclic reproductive period of four phases. The first phase is called proestrus and is the beginning of when she goes into heat. Their behavior will begin to change, and if she is allowed outdoors, she'll start looking for a mate. The second phase is called estro which is when ovulation occurs and the cat is really ' in heat '. If the cat does not get pregnant during this cycle that she will move to the third stage called metoestrus. This is a time of normal behavior that can last two or three weeks before the cat goes back to the first phase of beginning to come back into heat. The final phase of the cycle is called Calved and which is characterised as a period of inactivity sex happens after several cycles of metoestrus.
For a few days before the cat really comes into heat, there will be a swollen vulva and she will become more restless. Your appetite may also increase at this time. Over the following few days, she will probably become more affectionate and rubbing against you more than usual. You may notice a discharge from the vulva, but as cats are extremely demanding on how keep clean, don't be surprised if you don't see this. She will get ' call ' or ' wailing ', depending on the breed. This call will increase during the next few days and your cat will try to escape outside to find a mate. Pregnancy may occur 4-5 days later she comes into heat and duration being in heat is usually 4-6 days, although this can vary depending on the breed.
If you don't want your cat to become pregnant and don't want to have her sterilized for whatever reason, it is advisable to keep it in a closed room or to make sure that there are always two ports between inside and outside, when she is in heat. This could be making sure that the cat is never near the front door, unless you have a veranda or balcony, or maybe the door to the laundry must be closed before opening the door. A cat in heat moves incredibly fast if she feels free.
If the cat does not get pregnant, you should be aware that it can be in the heat again in less than two weeks. This means that she is able to become pregnant for about 7 days almost every 2-3 months during the year.
Because cats are induced ovulators ' and ' release the egg during copulation, your cat will be able to mate with more than one tomcat during each cycle. I wasn't aware of it while my cat was producing kittens, but she always had a mix of ginger, tabby, black and white, as well as turtle puppies in each litter.
Pregnancy in cats usually lasts for nine weeks, although some cats will give birth earlier than that.
Unless you plan to breed your female cat, I suggest having your sterilized. This will stop the cycle of reproduction of your cat and the need for you to keep it within each time she is in heat. Kittens are cute, but it is necessary that you find caring homes for them.
Kathy Robinson has written articles about cat problems and the care of cats on your Web site http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com to a number of years. Why not download your free copy of the joy of owning and Caring for a cat when you sign up for your newsletter cat care in http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660free
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