Finding out whether your cats are ready to mate and whether mating is successful can be challenging at first if you’re new to breeding cats.
So, how can you tell if your cat mating was successful?
You can tell if your cat mating was successful if the estrus has passed and you start to notice early pregnancy symptoms.
Keep reading this article to about more signs which will help you determine if your cat mating was successful or not.
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How Do I Know If My Cat Has Successfully Mated?
You can know if your cat successfully mated or not by keeping an eye out for both physical and personality changes which will first become more evident around three weeks after mating.
Usually, there is a very high likelihood of conception with just one mating.
Therefore, you might be correct if you suspect that your cat is pregnant.
Maybe you saw her mate in the garden. Or perhaps she’s just acting a little strangely.
The fact that your female cat begins to exhibit signs of pregnancy after a while is a definite clue that your cat has mated.
Additionally, by observing your cats’ “amorous” behavior, you can determine when they will mate.
Pregnancy is not always the result of a successful pairing.
Although both male and female cats are sexually mature at roughly 4 to 6 months, breeding is most successful (and best for the cats’ health) when the cats are fully grown at around 1 year or older and at least 5 pounds.
Adult intact male cats are referred to as toms, whilst adult intact female cats are referred to as queens.
While queens are subject to an estrous cycle or heat cycle that dictates when they are receptive to men, toms can reproduce all year long.
Every 12 to 25 days, female cats go into estrus, popularly known as “in heat.” Estrus can continue for two to nineteen days.
Seasonally polyestrous refers to a female cat’s many estrous cycles that occur during the breeding season.
You can watch out for both behavioral and physical symptoms. The majority of these are brought on by variations in your cat’s hormone levels.
Take your cat to the vet for a formal diagnosis if you see any of these symptoms. And get ready because you’ll soon be dealing with a litter of kittens!
You might also want to think about having your cat spayed later if this pregnancy was unintended.
Signs Of Successful Cat Mating
Here are some signs of successful cat mating: –
1. End Of Heat Cycle
If the mating wasn’t successful, unspayed female cats will go into heat every 10 to 3 weeks.
The termination of your cat’s heat cycle is thus the first sign of successful mating.
Cats’ behavior alters dramatically in response to heat, making it quite easy to detect.
The following are some significant indications of heat:
- Excessively yowling and vocalizations
- Rubbing against everything in your home
- Frequently wanting to be let outside
- Grooming themselves excessively
- Marking their territory by rubbing and urinating
- Acting much more needy and affectionate
Within three weeks of mating, if none of the aforementioned symptoms appear, your cat is most likely pregnant.
The hormones in their body prevent the cat from returning to heat once they have given birth. They don’t need to look for another male because they are already pregnant.
Interesting Read: Do Cats Stay In Heat After Mating?
2. Increased Affection
Heat is indicated by increased affection, which might also mean that mating was successful.
Again, this is a result of pregnancy-related hormonal changes in the body. They want to adore everyone and everything, even you, because their maternal instincts are kicking in!
If mating is successful, it’s also possible that cats will become more friendly since they want you to take care of them.
They recognize you as their owner and trust you. And because you take such good care of them, they want you to help take care of their unborn kittens as well.
Your cat is utilizing you as an extra line of defense by staying by your side.
3. Increased Appetite
Your cat’s appetite will rise if it is pregnant. They now eat for both themselves and the kittens that are growing inside of them in addition to themselves.
They must consume more in order to provide their babies with the nutrients they require to develop.
Additionally, they require the proper nutrition to maintain their strength throughout the pregnancy.
Your cat’s appetite won’t really change much after mating. This indication of a successful mating may not be as visible if your cat already has a voracious appetite.
However, your cat will require more food as the pregnancy progresses. Anywhere between a 50% rise and a 100% increase in food is anticipated by the end.
4. Weight Gain
Weight gain goes hand in hand with an increase in appetite. Naturally, your cat will gain more weight as she consumes more food.
Additionally, pregnant cats tend to be less active. This indicates that the food and calories they consume aren’t being expended at the same rate.
Additionally, your cat is developing new life within herself. Additionally, the weight of all of these kittens will add to your cat’s overall weight.
Throughout the course of the pregnancy, your cat will gain weight gradually. It also varies greatly according to how many kittens are in the litter.
Weight increase of 2 to 5 pounds is considered normal.
As a result, gaining weight may also indicate successful mating. Later on, though, this becomes more apparent.
Other signals on this list are considerably simpler to spot early if you’re looking for an immediate indication that mating has succeeded.
5. Nesting Behaviors
Another indication that your cat is pregnant and that mating was successful is nesting behavior.
This, too, is saved for later in the pregnancy, though. It describes the process by which your cat locates in a secure location to give birth.
Nesting behavior typically becomes apparent in the final few days.
Female cats would seek a dark, concealed location in the wild to hide their young kittens from predators.
Even when there are no predators in your house, this innate behavior continues. Your cat might decide to make a nest in a cabinet or under your couch, among other places.
It’s a good idea to prepare a nesting area for your cat to utilize if you know she’s expecting. Pet stores sell nesting boxes, so make sure to pick one that is large enough for the number of kittens in the litter.
Place it in a calm, low-traffic location of your house. To make it cozy, line it with a heating pad and cover it with blankets and towels.
6. Morning Sickness
Many people are unaware that cats may also experience morning sickness; it’s not simply a human condition.
Morning sickness is an early sign that mating was successful, much like it is in humans. Your cat may start to vomit more frequently and lose its appetite.
It’s vital to remember that many feline ailments can also cause vomiting.
Vomiting in pets can result from anything from ingesting a poisonous chemical to diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
As a result, you shouldn’t presume that your cat is pregnant just because you are feeling queasy.
Take your cat to the vet if they are constantly throwing up so that any underlying medical concerns can be ruled out.
7. Enlarged Pink Nipples
Enlarged pink nipples are another early indicator of successful mating. As soon as two weeks after mating, your cat’s nipples will change.
This is due to the fact that your cat is preparing to produce milk to nourish her young. The nipples swell as the milk gland begins to secrete milk.
As blood rushes to the area to aid in lactating, they turn pinker.
This symptom is so prevalent and obvious that it even has a unique moniker: pinking. Not even a little pink, either.
Nipples that are a vibrant shade of lipstick pink will protrude through the fur of cats that have had a successful mating.
Make sure to inspect closely and see if there are any differences if you have a long-haired breed.
8. Enlarged Abdomen
Nipples are not the only thing that will enlarge your cat. Of course, your cat’s abdomen will expand during pregnancy.
She wants more room to accommodate her kittens as they expand inside of her. To make room for them, her womb enlarges, creating the well-known “baby bump.”
The belly will grow in size as she carries more kittens.
The expanded abdomen of an overweight or obese cat might not be as noticeable. However, all cats that are a healthy weight will have a noticeable swelling.
You could even be able to feel some of the kittens in her stomach after 20 days of pregnancy!
If you do have a feeling, be gentle. Hurting your cat or the unborn kittens is the absolute last thing you want to do.
9. Behavioral Changes
Following mating, female cat behavior alters. You’ll notice changes in habits in particular. Cats who are pregnant typically sleep more than usual.
They are saving as much of their energy as they can for the growth of the life that is growing inside of them.
They’ll spend more time unwinding and sleeping and less time racing around.
Additionally, mood changes are frequent in pregnant cats. Your cat may change from being extremely cuddly to being distant.
This is simply a side effect of the hormonal changes taking place within your cat, so don’t be alarmed.
In fact, any behavioral modifications following mating are surefire evidence that it was a success.
Interesting Read: Why Do Female Cats Roll Around After Mating?
10. Official Diagnosis
Speak to your veterinarian if you want to be certain that mating was effective. For an official diagnosis, they’ll run an ultrasound on you.
Only 16 days after mating may ultrasounds be used. At the scan, they’ll be able to tell you more details, like the number of kittens you can anticipate in the litter.
Without a formal diagnosis, even if you are very convinced that your cat is pregnant, you should still get one.
Any pregnancy-related issues can be brought to light by the scans. Additionally, the finest resource for information on how to give your brand-new kittens the best start in life is your veterinarian.
Interesting Read: How Soon Can A Cat Get Pregnant After Having Kittens?
Do Cats Get Pregnant Every Time They Mate?
No, cats do not get pregnant every time they mate.
Cats do not always become pregnant after mating.
Practically speaking, a cat cannot become pregnant every time they mate.
Due to the fact that cats are induced ovulators, mating triggers the release of eggs from the ovaries.
For most females, ovulation must occur after three to four matings within a 24-hour period.
Cats can mate numerous times in a short period of time, and the process only takes a minute or two.
So, it usually takes more than one try for a cat to become pregnant.
How Many Times Does A Cat Have To Mate To Get Pregnant?
A cat may mate 10 to 20 times and with multiple males over the course of four to six days to get pregnant.
You’d be surprised to learn how frequently female cats mate. The cat can have ten to twenty matings in a single day.
Over the course of a few days, she might mate with a number of male cats simultaneously.
Female cats do not only go into heat occasionally during the year.
Cats are what’s known as “seasonally polyestrous,” which means that during the breeding season, they go through a lot of quick heat cycles.
It is, nevertheless, exceedingly temperature-dependent.
For instance, cats in warm climates or even those that spend most of their time indoors can reproduce continuously until they encounter a tomcat and become pregnant.
Check more details: How Many Times Does A Cat Have To Mate To Get Pregnant?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do two male cats have a chance to produce a litter of kittens?
Based on their coat patterns, you can tell when kittens are born that they might have had different fathers. It is definitely possible. Superfecundation is the word used to describe when sperm from various cats fertilize eggs from the same heat cycle. However, it should be kept in mind that each kitten has a single father.
How soon should I neuter my cat?
There is no need to wait until after the first estrous cycle if you intend to spay your cat. Most veterinarians advise spaying kittens between the ages of four and six months. The best method to avoid unwanted litter and dangerous illnesses like breast cancer and uterine infections is to spay your cat.
What do cats do while performing a mating call?
This is the type of behavior that we are all familiar with. This is when your female cat will mewl in a raw and quivering manner. This call will continue for several days until she finds her partner. During the mating call, she will periodically assume the mating stance, which includes bending her head down, bending her forelegs, and exposing her perineum by elevating her tail.
Final Words
If you have an unspayed female cat, you must understand how to determine whether or not cat mating was successful. Otherwise, you may find yourself holding a surprise brood of kittens!
Fortunately, there are several changes in female cat behavior after mating, as well as physical pregnancy symptoms.
If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section.
Must Read: Do Cats Act Differently After Mating?
