Bear Cat

Bear Cat

Caring for Pregnant Cats

Firstly, if you want to avoid an unwanted cat pregnancy, then it is strongly advised that you have her sterilized. However, if you would like to breed cats, below you will find information about the reproductive cycle of our feline friends. Alternatively, if your pet has already become pregnant, there are some tips on how to care for the mother-to-be.

The Female Cat’s Reproductive Cycle

During each breeding season, which in the Northern Hemisphere is usually between March and September, a female cat typically comes into heat several times, because cats are polyestrus. A female can be in heat for 5 to 14 days, but if successfully mated, she will come out of heat within a day.

It is wise to bear in mind that cats that are kept indoors, or in a warm climate can become pregnant more than once during a breeding season. Therefore, if you are not careful, you could end up with more kittens than you bargained for.

Signs That Your Cat is in Heat

You may find that your cat displays numerous signs when in heat, which may vary between breeding seasons. However, some typical indicators include increased meowing, restlessness, enhanced appetite. Additionally, your cat may have a propensity to spray (urinate) around the house. Alternatively, you may find that she is exceptionally affectionate and demanding of attention.

If your cat is not mated, she will continue to go into heat every fortnight or so. Subsequently, if you have no intention of using you cat as a breeding animal, it is kinder to her, and easier for you, to have her spayed.

Pregnancy in Cats

The gestation period of cats is approximately 63 to 65 days. This can vary between breeds and a pregnancy of 58 to 70 days is deemed typical.

Signs that your cat is pregnant include an enlargement of the nipples, which is visible from the second or third week of pregnancy. Obviously, as the pregnancy progresses a swollen abdomen will leave you in no doubt.

However, sometimes, cats can experience a phantom pregnancy, also known as pseudo-pregnancy, which is caused by a rush of hormones that create the illusion of pregnancy. This may last for a number of weeks, but will pass gradually.

When you discover that you cat is pregnant, or she is displaying symptoms of pregnancy, it is wise to take her to the veterinarian. He, or she, will give the mother-to-be a prenatal health check, which will include ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and a series of check-ups to ensure the health of both Mother and litter.

Caring for a Pregnant Cat

If your cat is young and in good condition, she should need very little special care. However, it is always wise to pay particular attention to an expectant mother’s nutrition.

As with humans, cats can experience morning sickness or nausea, which typically begins in the middle of the pregnancy, but fortunately only lasts for a few days. The nausea is caused by a change in hormones and is perfectly normal.

Additionally, you may find that your cat experiences a decrease in appetite and it is not uncommon for cats to stop eating 2 or 3 days before the birth. Again, this is perfectly normal, but it is wise to keep an eye on your cat’s appetite. If she goes off her food for more than three days, then you should consult your veterinarian.

Unless instructed to by a vet, never medicate a cat while she is pregnant. Bear in mind that even perfectly common drugs can be dangerous during pregnancy. If you suspect that you cat is pregnant inform your vet, who will advise over any medications prescribed.

Typically, a cat will cope with her pregnancy and birth with little assistance, but it is wise to do some research and consult with a veterinarian if your cat falls pregnant. However, if you have no plans to breed your cat, it is important to have her spayed between 4 and 6 months of age.

About the Author

Samantha Markham is currently writing on behalf of Remmeer.com, a retailer of pet supplies, including wonderful cat gifts such as cat frames & photo albums and WhimsiClay collectable cat figurines

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The "Teddy Bear" Cat Breed? Help?

I just adopted a kitten that the owner swore was a "teddy bear" kitten. She looks exactly like a siamese. She is cream colored with the darker points on her paws, tail, face, and ears. She also has blue eyes, as a siamese would. But the owner had 5 "teddy bear" cats of her own and swears they are a breed. Anyone knowledgeable about breeds able to give me insight? I cannot find any information on tedder bear cats online. Thanks!
FYI - This kitten was free, and I was just looking for another housecat so I'm not worried about breed papers or whatnot. I'm just trying to find out what brred she is, purely out of curiosity.

I really do not think this is any official breed, and I'm familiar with breeds in the legit associations in the US as well as pretty familiar with the European associations

T here are a few breeds Exotic Shorthair and the British Shorthair and Scottish Fold that are sometimes nicknamed Teddy Bear Cat because of their round features and plush coats ( with a lot of undercoat, so it stands out like the artificial fur on a teddy bear.)

I don't know if these cats have that sort of coat, but any cat with a plush coat like that certainly isn't a Siamese no matter what its coat colour pattern. Real Siamese have a very short single coat (with no undercoat) that lies flat against the body. not fluffy or plush.

The cats this woman had probably just domestic shorthairs that she has been misinformed about the breed. Maybe she heard that nickname and thought it was a breed name and thought her cats looked like that. Or possibly could be some sort of mixed breeds that some BYB sold her with a made-up breed name.
If they were really ANY pedigreed cat breed, she wouldn't be giving kittens away free.

As for why your kitten has the coat pattern she does: She has 2 copies of the "pointed" gene that originally came from the Siamese but that doesn't mean she's Siamese or has a recent Siamese ancestor. In the 140 years since the Siamese have been in the West, the gene for their coat pattern has been not only intentionally bred into multiple other breeds but also has been widely spread through the domestic cat population by Siamese and their mixed descendants mating with the local moggies. So by now there are many pointed domestics that are probably less than 1% Siamese, Many people mistakenly think all those cats are "Siamese". .. But really there's a lot more to looking Siamese than the colouring,.

And the pointed pattern comes from a recessive gene so it can be hidden for generations of just regular black cats, , tabbies etc. then when a cat carrying it mates with another cat carrying it and both give a copy to a kitten.--- voilà , a pointed kitten!

BTW blue eyes always goes with the pointed pattern. so your kitten will keep the blue eyes.

Rufus Thomas - Bear Cat SUN #181 !!!!! Original 1953 78 RPM!