Persian Cat

    There are many types of cats, and the age at first heat varies among different breeds. Foreign types like the Thai cat generally have their first heat at about 5 months or earlier, while most others are around 7 months. Male cats mature later than females, usually reaching sexual maturity between 7 to 12 months. Some individual cats may not mature until 2 years old.

    Female cats go into heat 3 to 4 times a year, especially in spring, typically every 3 to 4 weeks, and will cycle repeatedly. The duration of heat varies by breed, generally lasting 3 to 15 days.

    Usually, cat mating activities peak in spring, decrease in summer, and although autumn is also a breeding season, it is not as intense as spring. Typically, cats do not go into heat from October to December. Signs of a female cat in heat include being gentler than usual, lowered appetite, increased urination frequency, liking to be petted, and rubbing her belly close to the ground. During the breeding season, male cats become more sensitive, dislike owners approaching them, have decreased appetite, and do not urinate in fixed places. At this time, males can hear the calls or smell the scent of females in heat from far away. Once they find a female in heat, they will roam around her, yowling and spraying urine to stimulate mating. This phenomenon is often seen or heard during spring nights, commonly called "noisy cats."

    To ensure the next generation has good breed quality, healthy development, and the mother cat’s health, pay attention to the following issues when breeding:

    1. If the cat is purebred, choose mating partners of the same breed

    2. Both male and female cats should be healthy

    3. Both male and female cats should be sexually mature

    4. Small-sized female cats should not mate with large-sized male cats.

    Around the 3rd week of pregnancy, the female cat’s nipples turn red and the surrounding fur thins. This phenomenon is not obvious in first-time pregnancies. Between the 4th and 5th weeks of pregnancy, you can feel the fetuses by hand. The touching action should be gentle, as roughness can easily cause miscarriage. Two weeks before labor, the female cat becomes restless and frequently looks for a quiet place to make a nest in preparation for delivery. Owners should prepare a suitably sized maternity box, which can be made from a wooden box or a sturdy cardboard box. The maternity box should be placed in a quiet, warm, and dry place with a temperature no lower than 22℃.

    After birth, owners should carefully replace the mother cat’s bedding and allow the kittens to drink colostrum as soon as possible. Owners should avoid touching newborn kittens because if they smell human scent, they may refuse to nurse. When kittens grow to 3 to 4 months old, they should be vaccinated.