Cats may have many periods of heat over the course of a year. A heat period
lasts about 4 to 7 days if the female is bred; if she is not bred, the heat
period lasts longer.
A female cat may mate with more than one male when she is in heat, so different
kittens in a litter may have different fathers.
Video - Cat babies
If one is not used to the sounds of cats mating, it sounds very much like a cat
fight.
The gestation period for cats is around 63-65 days. Sizes of a cats litter
averages around three to five kittens, with the first litter usually smaller
than subsequent litters. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven weeks, and
cats normally reach sexual maturity at 4-10 months (females) and to 5-7 months
(males).
Cats can be ready to go to new homes at about 7 weeks old, or when they are
ready to leave their mother. A Cat can be surgically sterilized (spayed or
neutered) as early as 6-8 weeks to limit unwanted reproduction. This surgery
also prevents undesirable sex-related behavior, such as territory marking
(spraying urine) in males and yowling (calling) in females. If an animal is
neutered after such behavior has been learned, however, it may persist. |