To the untrained eye, cat mating appears simple: they mate loudly, frequently, and indiscriminately; the female cat becomes pregnant, then gives birth to a slew of kittens. The fact, however, is not quite so simple. For instance, a cat might not want to mate.
So, is it normal for a cat to not want to mate?
Yes, cats can sometimes not decide to mate but this can be fixed by taking some easy measures.
Keep reading this article to know more about why your cat doesn’t want to mate and how you can help change that.
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Why Does My Female Cat Refuse To Mate?
A female cat might refuse to mate as she could be sick, has been injured, and/or doesn’t like her potential mate.
The reasons the female cat isn’t mating are unclear, however, they may include a variety of factors.
A female cat may decline to mate if she is unwell, has been hurt, or doesn’t like the prospective partner.
The female cat may react violently and avoid the male cat as a result.
The female cat may occasionally reject an attempt by a male to mate with her.
She will strongly resist any attempts by the male to approach her until he leaves.
It’s crucial for cat owners to pay immediate attention to what’s happening.
Even if female cats are picky, it’s still advisable to pay attention to what your cat is doing and the reasons why it isn’t mating.
The signs to look for include:
- Visible Signs of Injury
- Laziness/Fatigue
- Growling Regularly
Finding out why the female cat won’t mate can be aided by being able to recognize these signals.
If the female is unfamiliar with the procedure, having the male approach her could make her feel worried and stressed.
If other environmental circumstances, such as being taken to mate somewhere different than her regular home, loud noises or odors, or too much activity and humans in the area, heighten the stress, this may get worse.
Even if they go into heat, some females may just not be ready to mate. This can happen to a female that is new to going into heat and mating, as well as to an experienced female.
It’s likely, according to experts that The cat dislikes the male cat. Cats may be highly fussy, and if they don’t like their mate, they won’t let them procreate.
It’s also likely that she wasn’t feeling well that day, whether for transitory reasons like an upset stomach or because of an underlying medical problem.
In these instances, never force the cat to mate, and consult your veterinarian if you feel she is unwell.
If a cat is not in heat, it will refuse to mate. Some cats may appear to be in the heat but are not. If you’re new to dealing with breeding cats, talk to your vet because it’s possible you misread the indications and your cat isn’t in heat yet.
A female may also reject to mate if she is pregnant. A pregnant female cat will refuse the male cat. If you suspect she is pregnant, take her to your veterinarian for confirmation.
Interesting Read: How Many Times Does A Cat Have To Mate To Get Pregnant?
What Happens If A Female Cat Doesn’t Mate?
If a female cat doesn’t mate then the estrous cycle will repeat itself after 2-3 weeks.
Estrus is defined as the phase of sexual receptivity and is associated with the generation of estradiol (a form of estrogen) by ovarian follicles.
Cats in heat, unlike dogs, rarely have visible vulvar swelling or discharge.
Female cats are induced ovulators, which means that ovulation does not occur in the absence of mating or other forms of stimulation.
If the female cat does not mate during estrus, her hormone levels will decline and the estrous cycle will resume itself in two to three weeks.
If the queen does not mate or become pregnant when in estrus, she will enter interestrus.
This is the time interval between heats. Her estrogen levels fall, but she shows no symptoms.
She will go into heat again after around two to three weeks. The cycle of proestrus, estrus, and interestrus will continue until the queen falls pregnant or until the mating season ends.
Interesting Read: Can A Pregnant Cat Mate Again?
Why Does My Male Cat Refuse To Mate?
Here are some reasons why your male cat might be refusing to mate: –
1. Lack Of Experience
Given that he has never mated before, a male cat, or tom, may feel afraid or agitated when approaching a female in heat.
Combining him with a more experienced female may boost the likelihood of successful mating.
2. Lack Of Maturity
Certain cat breeds mature at a slower rate than others. In certain instances, a tom may appear to be of breeding age when compared to the “average” cat, yet he may not be physically or socially ready.
Breeds that mature slowly include the American Shorthair, Manx, Persian, and Ragdoll.
3. He’s Neutered
If you adopted your cat as an adult and are unsure if he is fixed or not, check his groin area for visible testicles.
If he doesn’t, he’s probably neutered. Your veterinarian can examine him and determine whether or not he has been sterilized.
4. No Interest In The Female
Female cats may detest a male for personal reasons, while a male cat may be uninterested in a specific female.
A male cat may also be uninterested in a female with whom he has had a previous unpleasant connection, such as a female in the home who bullies him or initiates fights with him before to going into heat.
5. Medical Conditions
A male cat, like a human male, can suffer from a shortage of testosterone, which might impair his desire to mate.
Physical injuries, dental problems, or significant obesity are among medical concerns that could hinder him from desiring to mate.
If you feel your male cat has an underlying medical condition, take him to your veterinarian immediately once.
Interesting Read: Are Female Cats In Heat Attracted To Male Humans More?
How Do I Encourage My Female Cat To Mate?
Here is how you can encourage your female cat to mate: –
1. Create A Relaxing Environment
If a female cat refuses to mate, the problem could be with the environment.
You must ensure that the cat is as comfortable as possible, which is not always achievable in high-traffic locations.
Cats are notorious for refusing to perform harmful tasks when they are unprotected.
This is why, in their thoughts, they prefer to be a “safe” location.
As a result, you should establish this type of environment for the cats to freely mate.
2. Buy Cat Treats
If you want to get a female cat to mate, cat treats are a great option.
What is the reason for this?
It has to do with keeping the cat calm and pleased throughout the day. When a female cat is pleased with her daily existence, she is more inclined to mate.
This is the type of setting you to want to create, and you can do it with something as simple as cat snacks.
Cat treats can help female cats relax and feel at peace in their surroundings, which can aid in mating.
When shopping for good cat treats, choose something that the female cat will enjoy.
This will save you time and ensure that the cat is content throughout the day. When this occurs, you will notice a shift in the cat’s mating behavior as well.
3. Visit the Vet
If your female cat refuses to mate, it could be due to a medical condition.
Sometimes the health condition is little, but it is enough to cause the female cat to refuse. This is typical, and it would happen in the wild as well.
You must ensure that everything is in order by visiting a local veterinarian.
A typical reason for not wanting to mate is health concerns.
Inform the veterinarian about the cat’s behavior.
You’ll discover a lot about your cat’s health, and it’ll also give you peace of mind. This is a critical step in ensuring your cat’s safety at all times.
4. Wait A Few Days Or Weeks
You should wait a little longer before worrying and making changes.
It’s common to think that a cat is unhealthy, but this isn’t always the case. In certain cases, the cat simply isn’t in the mood, which means you’ll have to wait a little longer.
If you panic and make modifications, you may irritate the cat and never get to the bottom of the problem!
The advantages of waiting include:
- Letting Nature Take its Course
- Uncovers Patterns
- Gives the Cats Different Scenarios
If you worry and assume anything is amiss, you may frighten the cat to the point that it refuses to be near you.
Be astute and pay close attention to what’s going on between the cats.
This will give you time to make changes if a female cat refuses to mate.
Interesting Read: Do Cats Stay In Heat After Mating?
How Do I Encourage My Male Cat To Mate?
Here are some ways by which you can encourage your male cat to mate: –
1. Using UV Light To Encourage Breeding
Even when a female is in heat, some males are completely uninterested in breeding during the chilly winter months.
Some people believe that keeping a natural UV light in the area where the cats spend the majority of their time will encourage them to breed.
2. Using Light To Facilitate Breeding
The cat’s cycle has distinct phases, and in the winter, when the days are shorter, the cats will be in the anestrus phase.
During this time, the males will be uninterested in mating. Artificial lighting can trick the cat’s body into believing it’s a different season.
It is generally recommended that you establish either 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness or 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness, depending on what works best for your cats. Remember that this may not work for every cat!
Interesting read: Will Male Cats Mate With Females Not In Heat?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is infertility in a male cat?
Male infertility refers to a sexually mature tomcat’s (intact male cat’s) inability to impregnate a fertile female. Most tomcats reach sexual maturity between the ages of six and twelve months, though this can happen as late as 18 months. A tomcat who has not sired a litter with a proven fertile female by the age of 18 months may be investigated for infertility.
When will my cat go into heat?
Unspayed female cats can have their first heat cycle as young as four months old, while the average age for most cats is five to nine months. Â If you have a kitten and want to keep her from becoming pregnant, it’s best to get her spayed as soon as your vet believes it’s safe. This is usually between four and six months of age, but it can be as early as six to twelve weeks.
How to make sure that your cat doesn’t mate with any other toms?
When your female cat is in heat, she will call to any male within earshot and rush outside to mate with any tom who responds to her call, but it isn’t a good idea to let her choose her own mate because you won’t know anything about the kittens’ father and any potential illness or genetic problem he may pass down to them. Even after the queen has been bred by your selected stud, she will want to continue mating for as long as the estrus cycle lasts, and any of these matings could result in any of the kittens she produces.
Final Words
Male and female cats can reject to procreate for a variety of reasons, as experienced breeders will know. These can include a lack of expertise, immaturity, medical issues, or simply a dislike for the other cat.
If you’re new to breeding, it’s better to work with an experienced breeder who can advise you on how to keep your cats and their progeny healthy and happy.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments section.
Next check out: Why Do Female Cats Attack Males After Mating?
