At what age can a cat have her first litter?
Puberty (the age at which animals can reproduce) in the cat ranges
from 4 to 12 months, with the average being 6 to 9 months. At puberty,
cats are generally about 75% of their mature body weight. Domestic
shorthair cats, as a breed, generally reach puberty earlier than
domestic longhair cats.
Can a cat breed at any time during the year?
Female cats are unusual in that their heats are influenced by
seasonal changes in the amount of daylight. Cats usually 'cycle' and are
bred between January and September.
How often does a cat come into heat?
A female cat is also unusual in that she basically will keep coming
back into heat every 14-21 days or so until she is bred or the amount of
daylight decreases (October).
How can I tell if a cat is in heat?
You will know. A cat in heat is very vocal, calling and calling for a
male cat. She will roll and roll on the ground and constantly rub
against furniture or your leg. She will assume a breeding posture with
her head and front legs near the ground and the rump area held high. She
will become very affectionate. You may notice her urinating frequently.
She will be in heat and accept a male for 3 to 16 days.
How long is pregnancy in the cat?
Cats generally have their kittens 58 to 65 days after they are bred.
How many kittens are in the average litter?
Generally, a cat has 4 to 6 kittens in each litter.
How many litters can a cat have in a year?
The average cat could have 3 litters a year.
