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Breeding cats. Cat genetics and breeding

Every owner british cat or a cat, sooner or later, must make a decision: does he need mating of the animal, and if so, how best to carry it out? To organize this process correctly, you must know how it happens puberty in cats and female cats, in order to understand whether they are ready for mating, and also to study all the rules for organizing mating and preparing the animal for it.

When does puberty begin in cats?

For owners of females, the problem of mating their pet becomes relevant already at 6-7 months of their pet’s life: it is at this time that the cat begins her first heat. Of course, cats should not be mated at this moment, because the animal is still developing (and puberty and physical maturation are not the same thing!), but even then you need to think about future searches for a partner.

The situation is similar for owners of males: cats mature by 7-8 months, but if at this age castration is quite appropriate, then cats do not yet need mating: the animal is not yet ready for it!

If you don't know how old your pet is, the onset of puberty can be determined by certain changes in his behavior.

In cats this manifests itself in:

- the appearance of more characteristic behavior(If formerly kitten was affectionate and gentle, but now he can become a little aggressive),

- attempts to mark territory,

- attempts to adapt various soft things for your sexual needs.

The signs of maturation in a cat are as follows:

- loud calling meow,

- changes in gait (during estrus, the cat raises its tail and arches its back),

- rolling on the floor,

- changes in character - some cats become more aggressive, and some, on the contrary, become affectionate.

When should you think about mating?

A young cat can be mated with a male cat when the cat reaches puberty and is strong enough to become pregnant and give birth to kittens without risking her health. It is better to skip the first two heats, and untie them on the third. According to the rules of most clubs, mating of cats with a rating of at least “Very Good” received at a cat show is allowed, and cats with Champion titles and above can be mated without having to undergo exhibitions before mating. According to the same rules, a cat should not give birth to kittens more than three times every two years.

The first mating in cats is easiest before the age of one and a half years. If the cat was not untied (she did not have kittens) before two years, then problems may arise.

Remember two rules:

Mating cats should not be carried out during the first heat, even if it comes late (this can end very unfavorably for the animal!), two weeks before mating the animal should not be given any vaccinations.

Also, you should not delay with the mating itself: this can lead to various anomalies (exhaustion of the animal, disruption of the estrus cycle, or even the development of polycystic disease), so it is better to take care of selecting a partner for your pet, regardless of whether you want to do it!

Mating cats: basic rules for owners

First of all, you should remember that you should not abuse drugs that suppress or stop estrus. Most often, their use for their intended purpose is not effective, but it can lead to hormonal imbalance in the animal’s body or cause serious illnesses. Therefore, it is best to immediately realize that you will need mating between a cat and a cat, and you need to prepare for it according to special rules.

So, cat owners should remember that:

A suitable partner for your pet must be found in advance (those involved in breeding will need to look for him in the appropriate club, and those who need a regular mating can do this through advertisements or at cat shows; if suitable partner if you can’t find one right away, consult cat clubs where they can help you find a match for your cat);

Before mating, the cat must be vaccinated against the main infectious diseases: rhinotracheitis, rabies, calicivirus infection and panleukopenia (included in the complex vaccination), and if mating conditions require it, additionally against chlamydia and lichen (stamps in the veterinary passport no more than 1 year from the date of the first vaccinations and at least 1 month before mating).

The cat must be dewormed 14 days before mating (to remove worms) (the cat should be checked in the same way!);

Before the mating process itself, the cat (and male cat!) needs to have its claws trimmed so that the animals cannot injure each other;

It should be remembered that preparing a cat for mating does not involve washing it, because this can destroy its natural scent that is attractive to the cat.

Mating cats: basic rules for owners

They are the ones who must control the mating process and help the animals if necessary;

The cat owner will have to ensure that two “untied” animals do not mate - this can cause mental and physical trauma to them;

The owner of the cat accepts the cat on his territory, so he must provide it with the opportunity to independently get out of the carrier and get acquainted with the cat, and, if necessary, take refuge in a secluded place where a scared or aggressive cat can “sit out” for a while and get used to the changes in its life.

Preparation for mating during breeding

Owners of breeding animals should also remember special rules: before breeding a cat, they must agree on the terms of payment (if necessary), as well as the duration of the female’s stay in the cat’s owner’s house. It is advisable to do this in writing, and in this case, a cat mating agreement can help, which professional breeders can help draw up.

In addition, serious breeders are sure to collect as much information as possible about the origin of the cat chosen to pair with their pet. This assumes:

- identification of possible genetic defects in the animal ( malocclusion, bad wool, uncharacteristic colors, etc.),

- examination of kittens from other litters of the cat (if the cat has already had offspring),

- checking whether the cat is prepotent - that is, whether he can pass on to his offspring good qualities and signs.

If you find any deviations that suit the owners of the cat, you should definitely include all the data about them in the cat mating agreement. Only this will save their owners from subsequent proceedings.

How is the mating done?

The first signs of estrus: the cat begins to purr, becomes overly affectionate - constantly demands attention to itself, rubs against all objects and your legs, if you, stroking its back, reach its tail, it rolls its tail to the side, the tail trembles, and the cat begins to stamp his hind legs. Immediately pick up the phone and call the cat’s owners and arrange a mating.

It is best to schedule a “meeting” between male and female cats on the 3rd-5th day of the cat’s estrus. At this time, mating will be most effective, although in some breeds of cats ovulation may not occur earlier than the 9th day. As a rule, mating takes place on the territory of the cat, where all conditions for mating cats must be provided.

However, the owner of the female will also need to prepare by taking with him:

- pet's toilet

— supply of food and water for 1-3 days

- bowls for food and water

- a carrier that the cat is accustomed to; if necessary, the animal can hide in it and rest.

- a copy of the pedigree

The cat's front claws need to be trimmed. The cat's appearance should not confuse the cat's owners - the cat should look well-groomed, well-fed, clean, without streaks under the eyes, with clean ears, and of course, without fleas.

You can recognize a cat’s readiness for mating by its behavior: it begins to flirt with the cat itself, initiating sexual arousal in him. At the same time, when the cat tries to approach, the cat begins to show dissatisfaction, and the male has to recoil and pretend that his partner is not at all interested in him. This should be repeated several times, but sooner or later the cat will lose vigilance, and then the cat will sit down. If this is the first mating of a cat, and the animal is nervous, its owner should calm it down if possible and make sure that the cat does not cause any injury to the cat.

If everything is in order, the cat is in heat, the cat has shown interest in her and began courtship, then you can leave the bride and groom alone. Most often, the first mating occurs at night, when all the people have dispersed, the sounds have died down, the lights are turned off, and no one bothers our couple.

As a rule, the next morning it is already clear that the wedding has taken place: the cat’s behavior changes, she no longer hisses at the cat, allows him to lie next to her and even lick her fur coat. Despite the fact that the cat is tamed and itself calls the cat for the next mating, each time, after the end of the action, she ritually hits the cat with her paw. Therefore, cats' claws should be trimmed at home, before going to the wedding. There are cases when a cat did not have time to jump away and received an eye injury. It is believed that the cat experiences pain at the moment of copulation, which is why it screams terribly and attacks its lover with “cuffs.” Experienced cats quickly recoil to a safe distance until the cat calms down. The pain subsides after a few seconds, and then the cat, having put herself in order, begins to roll all over the floor with pleasure, and the cat watches her carefully.

A cat can sit for a whole day without letting the cat near. There are calm, “compliant” individuals, and there are extremely aggressive ladies. There are impudent ones who come to the cat’s territory and behave as if they have always lived here. And there are cowardly, frightened cats that try to hide and hide in any conceivable or inconceivable crevice.

The cat first tries to approach the cat, but, as a rule, gets hit in the face. And then the persuasion begins. The cat sings songs, periodically uttering a questioning “mrr”? The cat hisses at the cat and waits just as long as it considers necessary so as not to lose its dignity. Each cat has its own ideas about this time. General rule not here. It is interesting that the same cat with different cats can behave differently. If the cat is timid and shy, then the cat can play along with her and pretend that he himself is afraid of her, then the cat becomes bolder and begins to flirt with the cat herself. If a cat behaves provocatively, the cat may come up, slap her in the face and grab her by the scruff of the neck. The cat reflexively goes limp and mating occurs. Such matings can occur 10-15 or more in one day. It all depends on the cat’s health and how sexy he is.

After a day, sometimes after two days, the cat loses interest in the cat. The cat can still “ask for a cat” for a few more days. This is not at all a sign that the cat is not mated. She simply cannot stop at the “motor” level. And the cat has already realized that he has fulfilled his marital duties, apparently because the cat’s smell that attracts his attention disappears.

Now count 65-66 days from the first day of mating and wait for the birth. If the cat does not become pregnant, you will understand this after about three weeks, or when the next heat begins. Be sure to inform the cat's owner about this in order to comply with formalities - after all, the unsuspecting cat will be expecting children and, accordingly, its owners - payment for mating. Usually in such cases the cat is brought to the next heat for re-mating under the same conditions.

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

Unfortunately, just like humans, cats and kittens can also experience incompatibility. Sometimes its manifestations are easily overcome, but there are times when this can lead to additional problems, so you need to initially be prepared for this and know how to help animals if necessary.

Situation #1: animals do not match each other in size (a cat is larger than a cat)

In this case, the cat, grasping the withers of the female with its teeth, cannot fertilize the cat, because rear end his torso falls on her back. In such a situation, the owner must help the cat by grabbing the withers with his hands and giving the male the opportunity to grab the skin below the withers.

Situation No. 2. The cat falls on its side during mating.

In such a situation, mating of cats should occur with the constant support of the owners, who must put the animal in the right position. However, some cats can impregnate cats even if they are lying on their back or side.

Situation No. 3. The cat won't let the cat near.

The most severe case, which most often requires the intervention of a specialist, is the one who must insert a special probe into the cat’s vagina, after which the animal will let the cat in on its own. IN in rare cases The situation can be saved by stroking the cat's tummy or injecting a drug that causes ovulation (the drug for the injection should also be selected by a veterinarian!).

Situation No. 4. Some cats, finding themselves in an unfamiliar place, on foreign territory, “forget” about the purpose of their visit.

Don’t rush things and let the animals get used to it; usually mating of two healthy animals occurs without any help from humans.

Situation No. 5. The cat's owners are mistaken in assuming that she is in heat.

However, the cat detects this instantly. As soon as the cat is released from the carrier and the cat sniffs her tracks, it immediately becomes clear from his behavior whether she is in heat or not. The cat either gets excited and in a loud voice reports that he is ready to reciprocate, or indifferently turns away from the guest and leaves, or even in her presence demonstratively goes to bed. Then you will have to take the failed bride home. Please note that in such a situation your cat begins to get nervous (new environment, new people, and even a cat nearby). She becomes aggressive or, conversely, becomes depressed. This, of course, adds trouble and inconvenience to the groom’s hosts.

Should you give your cat birth control?

Usually cats, not getting a cat during the onset of estrus, move on to the next active phase - they scream day and night, preventing their owners and their neighbors from sleeping. Owners, unable to withstand such torture, often resort to advertised hormonal drugs(Contrasex, Anti-Meow, etc.), after the use of which cats experience hormonal disorders, which are the cause serious illnesses reproductive system – infertility, endometritis, pyometra (“purulent uterus”), malignant neoplasms, deformities of offspring, etc.

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Those who are closely related. This is fraught with the birth of kittens with physiological abnormalities. Inbreeding is allowed only if there is an outstanding sire in the family British and serious selection work to improve the breed. If there are no such goals, select your cat or a cat of an outside partner of the same breed for mating.

If you want to get a litter of kittens of a certain color as a result of mating, carefully study the pedigrees of your cat (cat) and the intended partner (partner). So, in Russia the most popular are considered blue brits. They are of a similar color (the litter will be blue), chocolate color(to produce black offspring), cream color (the kittens will be either cream or blue cream).

There are situations when cats and a cat do not accept each other in any way and mating does not occur for all six days. In this case, experts advise bringing another cat to the cat - it is possible that the next contender will be to his heart.

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how to knit cats for the first time
we can't untie the cat

Scottish fold cats They have a charming “childish” look, a beautiful body, silky coat, and a kind and sociable disposition. And, of course, the touching folded ears are the main attraction of Scottish Folds. Future breeders who want to get good kittens need to do everything to get offspring with these distinctive breed characteristics and avoid possible defects.

Instructions

To breed Scottish Folds, you need Scottish Straights - cats of the same breed, but with straight ears rather than drooping ones. Otherwise, they fully correspond to the characteristics of the breed - they have a slightly elongated body, silky hair, a small rounded head on a powerful neck. Straights are also found among highland folds - with long hair.

Do not mix Scottish folds with British folds. Modern ones do not allow this - the kittens turn out to be larger and more massive, their head and tail shapes change, and the structure of their fur is different. Such a kitten is unlikely to be able to become an exhibition champion and receive the right to. Never breed two with drooping ears - their offspring are guaranteed birth defects in the form of problems with the spine and limbs, as well as general weakness of the body.

A suitable partner for your cat can be found in a club specializing in. They will help you choose a cat of a certain color that can produce interesting and promising offspring. If you own a cat, the club will help you check the quality of the ears inherent in the line of your straight partner.

Agree with the owner on a stud fee. Typically, the cat owner gives one kitten from the litter to the cat owners. In this case, the owner of the straight can count on the animal, and the one who provides a partner for mating receives a fold. Please note that births are usually smaller. If all the kittens turn out to be straight, the owner fold cat can get monetary compensation, equal to the cost of the kitten.

When choosing a partner for your cat, consider appearance partner - these kittens depend on this. Evaluate the color, the quality of the coat, the correctness of the physique. Be sure to make sure that your animal's future partner has a flexible tail. Congenital problems with the spine are the price to pay for folded ears; this mutation does not appear very rarely and is passed on to offspring. For a show cat, an appropriate cat is desirable; it can also improve the breed of a breed-class cat. Owners of pet-class animals can be more free in selecting a pair for their pets.

Pay attention to the degree of folding of the ears. Ideal ears are small, widely spaced, directed forward and do not protrude beyond the contours of the head. Ears with a double fold that fit tightly to the skull are valued more highly. Animals with three folds are extremely rare and are highly valued.

Before mating, make sure the cat is vaccinated and healthy. He should not have any discharge from his eyes or nose, no dandruff on his coat, and he should not be too emaciated. If there are obvious signs feeling unwell, it is better to postpone mating.

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Is it possible to breed Scottish and British cats?

British cats– one of the most popular and beloved breeds. They are willingly exhibited at exhibitions and purchased as pets. The demand for kittens is high. And owners of purebred animals sooner or later think about breeding them. In order for the mating to be successful and result in the birth of healthy and beautiful kittens with clear breed characteristics, carefully choose a partner for your cat.

Instructions

Do not agree to breed with a weakened, exhausted animal. Eliminate applicants with too light bones, a small head or a stretched body - such external characteristics can deteriorate the breed. Cats with strabismus or extra toes are not allowed for breeding - these mutations can be passed on to offspring.

Before mating, spend routine vaccination and deworming of the animal. Be sure to check that your partner has a passport. Make sure both cats are healthy and well fed. If you are planning to mate with a purebred cat, check his pedigree up to the fourth generation. It must indicate the titles of the ancestors. The more champions there are, the higher the value of future kittens.

Agree on . Usually the owner receives one kitten per breeding. If only one baby is born (this is rare) or part of the litter dies, it is permissible to pay monetary compensation equal to the cost of the animal. The owner of a show class cat has the right to the corresponding kitten. If such a cat mates with a breed or pet-class cat, its owner can choose the best animal from the litter.

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mating british cats

Mating of animals is a rather responsible process, because the quality of the future offspring depends on how it goes. In order for the result to meet expectations, you must choose right place and time to bring the Scottish cats.

You will need

- agreement with the owner of the animal;
- vaccination passport;
- certificate of pedigree;
- cat food;
- tray;
- contract for mating

Instructions

As a result of mating the Scottish Fold () and Straight (straight-eared) breeds, both fold-eared and straight-eared kittens can be born. The appearance of wrinkles on ears Scottish folds are the result of a very successful genetic mutation.

The biggest difficulty in breeding cats There is only a 50% chance that a fold will be born, the rest comes from straights. The actual ratio of kittens varies, but straights are born in almost all litters of folds. Despite their straight ears, they have a set of modifier genes that support the characteristics of the breed.

Bring a young cat with a male cat when she reaches puberty and can produce offspring without any risk to her health. Skip the first two heats, and untie them on the third. U cats(for their own well-being) kittens should be born no more than 3 times every two years.

By the time of mating, vaccinate the animal against major infectious diseases: rabies, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calicivirus infection, chlamydia and lichen. Deworm your cat a week before mating (deworming).

Pay attention to the first signs of heat in a cat: she begins to purr, demands to be special attention, gently rubs against your legs and other objects; if you, while stroking her back, get close to her tail, she rolls it to the side, the tail trembles, and the cat stamps her hind paws.

Usually the mating of two healthy Scottish cats happens without outside help. Please take into account that some cats, once on someone else's territory, simply “forget” about the purpose of the visit. It also happens that cat owners are mistaken in their assumptions about the animal’s heat. But the cat detects this instantly. He either gets excited and in a shrill voice announces his readiness to reciprocate, or with undisguised indifference he turns away from the guest, leaves, or even demonstratively goes to bed.

Take your cat to, having previously discussed all the conditions with the owner of the animal. Of course, there are cats who knit a kitten at her home, but usually it is on their territory that the representatives of the stronger half of the felines feel more confident. Take with you: directions

Breeding cats is a real lifestyle. It is difficult to deal with cats without loving and knowing this animal, and direct passion for this issue entails appearance at exhibitions, participation in clubs where the breeding of cats is actually controlled.

It should be remembered that breeding expensive cats with a pedigree at the household level without the control of the relevant organizations will not work, which is why we talk about lifestyle. It is necessary not only to buy a kitten with a good pedigree and breed after 12 months adult cat with a cat, it is important to participate in exhibitions, draw up contracts, undergo examinations and finally, activate or register kittens. That is it's a troublesome and complicated business, but exciting. Breeding kittens brings a lot of fun and a lot of positive emotions, and sometimes a good profit.

Reason for breeding cats

Before taking such a serious step, you need to understand the reason why you should breed kittens. If it's just about money, then in reality everything is not as profitable as it seems. One breeder out of twenty actually makes a good profit from kittens, the rest spend more. It is important to be able to choose a breed, find out the demand for it, find regular customers or a circle of people who will help with the sale. You literally have to live with cats, know everything about them, where to save money, where to spend money, how to simplify this or that task, and, most importantly, know people, namely cat clubs and be a member of these clubs.

Choice of animal

First you should buy a kitten, better than a cat, although you can have a cat, here again everything depends on personal preferences and employment. The owner of the cat is involved in the birth, kittens, registering them, and so on, and the owner of the cat rather acts as an observer. On the other hand, participation in exhibitions is mandatory for both parents of future offspring, that is, all responsibility cannot be avoided; it is necessary to move around in this world so that it brings profit and pleasure.

Some breeders do it much simpler and more cunningly, they buy both a male and a male cat, two kittens, which they take to shows together and breed. This saves time searching for a suitable partner, and if both animals win medals, insignia, and honor, then their kittens will be in great demand. So this option is worth thinking about. Many American and European breeders do just that. This requires a lot of money for maintenance, but it gives the desired fruits and results.

When purchasing, it is important that the kitten is purebred, with an excellent pedigree, which can be checked at the appropriate club. The breeder who sells him will tell you everything necessary information, will show the pet's parents and give everything necessary documents(passport, birth certificate), and will also draw up a sales agreement. It is important that all documents are available and that they are correct, otherwise this will initial stage You can already ruin the whole future business. The lack of even one vaccination or document will negate all cat breeding; the club simply will not give official permission, and this is tantamount to the future sale of kittens on the market without a pedigree.

Health

Immediately after purchasing a kitten, you must take it to the veterinarian, clarify the date of the next one, if it is necessary and what else is needed, perhaps some scheduled pills, injections that have not yet been given. It is also important to examine a kitten, and eventually a male cat, for the presence of congenital pathologies, genetic defects or infections, viruses that can be transmitted to the next generation. , then breeding becomes impossible, so as not to spoil future kittens with diseases.

It is advisable that the cat has a permanent veterinarian who knows about all its habits, characteristics, former illnesses and even injections. This will make it much easier to communicate with him as needed, and eventually invite him to the birth, which is very desirable, especially if it is the first. U different cats in this case, your perception of the process is a dangerous matter that requires the presence of a specialist nearby.

Participation in exhibitions

Pedigree breeding is possible only if the cat has participated in exhibitions where they received the “excellent” or “champion” marks, they must be assessed according to breed standards and only in this case are allowed by clubs and systems for breeding. This is done to maintain breed standards so that unintended mixtures of different breeds do not occur.

In clubs and at exhibitions, the breed standard is determined, whether the animal corresponds to it, how pure the breed is, without impurities, how obedient the animal is and how bright a representative of its kind it is. This is important, even very important, and with constant participation in exhibitions, privileges appear, useful acquaintances, and also simplifies the issue of breeding cats and obtaining permission to do so. Membership in clubs is not necessary, but desirable; it allows you to get to closed exhibitions, receive any useful instructions, information that, one way or another, helps in breeding cats and caring for them.

Studying the issue

Knowledge of the issue is not the least important. A felinologist diploma can be obtained in three private lessons, but without knowledge the breeding process will become much more complicated, and without knowing the breed and its characteristics, even banal animal care can become torture, not like breeding. For this reason, before breeding or after purchasing a kitten, you need to study this issue, study the breed, how to breed, what features it has, and so on, brushing it off important moment You can also harm future offspring through your own ignorance.

Mating

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Mating in cats can only occur after 12 months through 2 heats. And in cats after 14 months. To bring a male cat together for mating, you must have permission from the club. It is requested in advance and, if there is no partner for the cat, one is found through the same club. In this case, animals must present passports, show the presence of all vaccinations, and the absence of diseases in order to avoid problems with childbirth and kittens. The owners draw up an agreement, and the mating takes place under full control on both sides, especially if a new breed is being bred.

Kittens

The birth and care of kittens falls on the shoulders of the cat's owners, but this process is controlled by the cat's owners, and sometimes by the club. After birth, kittens undergo activation or registration in a club or system to receive a metric, which is eventually exchanged for a pedigree. The selling price is set by the cat's owner depending on the demand for the breed. Before the sale, at least one vaccination is done and with a passport, birth certificate and contract, after 3 months the kittens can be sold.

Every cat owner sooner or later must make a decision: does he need mating of the animal, and if so, how best to carry it out? To organize this process correctly, you must know how animals go through puberty in order to understand whether they are ready for mating, as well as study all the rules for organizing mating and preparing the animal for it.

When does puberty begin in cats?

The situation is similar for owners of males: cats mature by 7-8 months, but if at this age castration is quite appropriate, then cats do not yet need mating: the animal is not yet ready for it!

If you don't know how old your pet is, the onset of puberty can be determined by certain changes in his behavior. In cats this manifests itself in:

the appearance of more characteristic behavior (if previously the kitten was affectionate and gentle, now it may become a little aggressive),

trying to mark territory,

attempts to adapt various soft things for their sexual needs.

The signs of maturation in a cat are as follows:

loud inviting meow,

changes in gait (during heat, the cat raises its tail and arches its back),

rolling on the floor

changes in character - some cats become more aggressive, and some, on the contrary, become affectionate.

When should you think about mating?

As a rule, the first mating of cats should occur at least after the animal is one and a half years old. For example, it is permissible to “introduce” a female to a partner only when she has gone through 2-3 heats; the ideal age of a cat for mating is one and a half to two years. By this time, the animal will have time to fully form, and you will have time to do everything for it necessary vaccinations. Remember two rules:

mating of cats should not be carried out during the first heat, even if it comes late (this can end very unfavorably for the animal!),

two weeks before mating, the animal should not be given any vaccinations.

Also, you should not delay the mating itself: this can lead to various anomalies (exhaustion of the animal, disruption of the estrus cycle, or even the development of polycystic disease), so it is better to take care of selecting a partner for your pet, regardless of whether you want to do it!

Mating a cat: rules

First of all, you should remember that you should not abuse drugs that suppress or stop estrus. Most often, their use for their intended purpose is not effective, but can lead to hormonal imbalance in the animal’s body or cause serious illness. Therefore, it is best to immediately realize that you will need mating between a cat and a cat, and you need to prepare for it according to special rules.

So, cat owners should remember that:

A suitable partner for your pet must be found in advance (those involved in breeding will need to look for him in the appropriate club, and those who need regular mating can do this through advertisements or at cat shows; if a suitable partner is not found immediately , consult cat clubs where they can help you find a match for your cat);

Before breeding, the cat must be checked for various diseases- infectious, viral, invasive, fungal, etc. (the cat should be checked in the same way!);

Two weeks before mating, the cat should undergo preventive deworming - getting rid of worms, if any;

Before the mating process itself, the cat (and male cat!) needs to have its claws trimmed so that the animals cannot injure each other;

It should be remembered that preparing a cat for mating does not involve washing it, because this can destroy its natural scent that is attractive to the cat.

For cat owners, the rules are:

They are the ones who must control the mating process and help the animals if necessary;

The cat owner will have to ensure that two “untied” animals do not mate - this can cause mental and physical trauma to them;

The owner of the cat accepts the cat on his territory, so he must provide her with the opportunity to independently get out of the carrier and get to know the cat, and, if necessary, take refuge in a special enclosure where a scared or aggressive cat can “sit out” for a while and get used to the changes in her life.

Preparation for mating during breeding

In addition, serious breeders are sure to collect as much information as possible about the origin of the cat chosen to pair with their pet. This assumes:

identification of possible genetic defects in the animal (bad bite, poor coat, uncharacteristic colors, etc.),

examination of kittens from other litters of the cat (if the cat has already had offspring),

checking whether the cat is prepotent - that is, whether he can pass on good qualities and characteristics to his offspring.

How is the mating done?

It is best to schedule a “meeting” between male and female cats on days 3-5 of the cat’s estrus. At this time, mating will be most effective, although in some breeds of cats ovulation may not occur earlier than the 9th day. As a rule, mating takes place on the territory of the cat, where all conditions for mating cats must be provided. However, the owner of the female will also need to prepare by taking with him:

pet toilet,

food and a bowl from which she eats,

a carrier that the cat is accustomed to - if necessary, the animal can hide in it and rest.

Mating usually lasts only half a minute and is accompanied by expressive purring from the cat and loud cries from the cat. At this moment, the cat is provoked to release the egg from the ovaries, and then fertilization occurs within 24 hours after mating. Such mating can take place 5-8 times, and this “cycle” usually ends when one of the partners gets tired of it. It should be remembered that one covering may not be enough for a successful mating, and in this case the cat will need to spend 1-2 days with the cat.

You can again recognize the completion of mating by the behavior of the animals:

After mating, the cat turns over on its back and rolls around,

After mating, the cat moves away and begins to lick itself.

Complications that mating cats may have: rules of conduct for owners

Complication No. 1: animals do not match each other in size (the cat is larger than the cat)

In this case, the cat, grasping the female's withers with his teeth, cannot impregnate the cat, because the back of his body rests on her back. In such a situation, the owner must help the cat by grabbing the withers with his hands and giving the male the opportunity to grab the skin below the withers.

Complication No. 2. The cat falls on its side during mating.

Complication No. 3. The cat won't let the cat near.

The most severe case, which most often requires the intervention of a specialist - it is he who must insert a special probe into the cat’s vagina, after which the animal will let the cat in on its own. In rare cases, patting the cat’s tummy or injecting a drug that induces ovulation can save the situation (the drug for the injection should also be selected by a veterinarian!).

Should you give your cat birth control?

This is very important question, requiring separate consideration. Many cat owners consider such medications to be an alternative to sterilizing their animal, but this is not true: contraceptives cause irreparable harm to your pet! In particular, they can cause:

the appearance of neoplasms in the uterus,

the occurrence of ovarian cysts,

hormonal imbalances.

At the same time, pathologies reproductive system may arise only a few years later, when the cat is already elderly, and you will have to either decide on a risky operation or euthanize the animal. Therefore, if you do not want to endure regular heat and the cat’s behavior after mating, it is better to immediately sterilize your pet, which will not only save you from the hassle of organizing mating, but will also protect your cat from serious and dangerous diseases.

Despite the characteristics of each species individually, crossing a British and a Scotsman is not recommended. The mixture obtained in this way has a number of disadvantages. If you mix animals of these two breeds, you get kittens with large and wide-set ears. A mixture cannot compete with its self-sufficient parents. Britons are considered large and heavy cats with strong bones. Scots are characterized by a sweet face and graceful body.

Is breed crossing allowed?

Mating British and Scottish cats is dangerous. Previously, one breed was bred from another. Over time, after reaching the desired standards, the two varieties continued to be crossed to produce more unique qualities. For example, a breeder wanted to breed a Scotsman with a denser body structure, and change the color of a Briton.

As practice has shown, such crossing has many disadvantages. The quality of the offspring's coat deteriorates, and serious problems With musculoskeletal system. This is due to the fact that the Scottish cat has a weaker skeleton, and British breed wide bone Heaviness combined with weak joints provoked dangerous diseases.

When crossing a Scottish Fold and a British Fold, the resulting fold kittens will be defective. To obtain miniature ears with two or three folds at the fold, a modifier gene is required, which is found in Scottish breed. The British don't have it, so their ears are not brought to the required standard. They are larger in size and wider in location. Because of this, over time, the lop ear disappears and the ears straighten.

World Cat Association decision

Due to the fact that the Scots are a quality breed that meets the standards, and crossing with the British only harms the offspring, this procedure is prohibited. In 2004, the World Cat Association WCF approved the newly developed Scottish Straight breed, which gives it the right to participate in all championships. She is a Scottish Straight cat. Initially, only the Scottish Fold was recognized as a separate breed.

As a result, in 2004, a ban was also imposed on mating similar British and Scottish cats. This decision was justified by the self-sufficiency of each breed.

Breed differences

The British like to be alone so that no one disturbs them during their holidays. The Scots love affection. They like to play. Cats are distinguished by great affection for their owners.

How to recognize a British person externally: