When is Cat Mating Season?
Cat mating season is nearly year-round, with peak breeding occurring in early spring through summer. Indoor cats and those in warm climates are more likely to come into heat year-round. The mating season varies depending on the environment. It can be brought on by long hours of daylight, warm temperatures, and the presence of other cats. While the tomcat is always ready for mating, the queen will only be available during her reproductive cycles. During the breeding season, most go into this heat cycle every three weeks, but each cat has her own pattern, which will usually repeat each spring or fall. An article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found cats that were pregnant in all months of the year, but the percentage was highest in March, April, and May.
The Cycle of the Queen
The queen or female cat goes into periods of receptiveness to mating called estrus, or heat cycles. They’re polyestrous, meaning that they come into heat regularly during their reproductive years. The heat cycles for a cat typically begin at the age of 6 months but as early as 4 months and last until she’s spayed or bred. This estrus period can last for days to weeks and may repeat every two to three weeks. The average length per cycle is 6 days. Cats are able to mate during any part of their heat cycle. They’re induced ovulators, meaning that the act of breeding triggers them to release eggs in order for pregnancy to occur. Some may need 3 to 4 matings to initiate ovulation and get pregnant.
Cats in Heat- The 4 Stages:
Cat Mating Season Behavioral Changes
During mating season, both queens and toms will be anxious to get outside more often. We’ve already discussed the behaviors of queens and their vocalizations which may range from soft purring to loud and throaty caterwauls, a shrill howling. When a queen is ready to mate, she’ll let everyone know it. Males also get vocal during mating season. Tomcats meow and howl loudly and frequently during this time, especially in the evening. This behavior calls out to the queens to let them know that he’s nearby and ready to mate. Males typically mature between 7 and 12 months old. They go through a springtime excitement during which they might spray urine frequently. They do this while backing into vertical objects and tread their hind legs while switching their tails. Their urine contains pheromonal messages that signal reproductive status to potential mates. Outdoor male cats are likely to get into more fights during this time. When tomcats pick up the smell and vocalization cues of fertile females, they’ll assemble around her and engage in noisy fights with rivals.
Mating, Pregnancy, and Birth
When cats mate, it’s generally a short and loud affair. The male’s reproductive organs are barbed, which is thought to stimulate ovulation in the female. This is an effective strategy but is likely to cause the female pain. You might see her lash out with a swat at her tomcat post-copulation. They’ll then separate to groom themselves. A queen will sometimes mate with many different males during her cycle, so litters of kittens with different fathers are possible. Once bred, cats will be pregnant for 58 to 70 days, an average of nine weeks. They don’t usually show signs of pregnancy until they’re a few weeks into their term. Cats give birth to 1 to 12 kittens in a litter. This varies by breed, but the average litter is 4 kittens. The males do not normally participate in the raising of offspring. As mammals, the mother cat will nurse her young and may begin the weaning process around 4 weeks, but sometimes provides milk for her young ones for up to 12 weeks.
