
Breeding Cats
I have a male and a female Sphinx cat, which I have been hoping to breed, however, Mother Nature doesn't seem to be cooperating. I was wondering if there is such a thing as the female's cycle being out of sync? Sheta gives all the signs of going into heat. She starts with what seem to be contractions for several days and the vulva is watery, then her teats begin to fill out...but she's not ready to receive the male. When all this has passed, about a week later or so, then she is receptive to the male, but has no noticeable vulva readiness. I know they have linked, but don't know if they have tied long enough. They are both almost two years old and have bred several times but still nothing. The cats, by the way, have free roam of the house and are not confined. Perhaps this is not the optimum way to get the job done. A dog breeder has suggested the possibility of the female cycle being off and I was wondering if she might be right (assuming dogs and cats are similar in regard to breeding). Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We are so eager to have little hairless wonders scrambling onto our laps.
You may have a physical problem with the male or female, or a problem with the cycle timing. You may consider having the male's semen evaluated for numbers and vitality. Male semen inadequacy is very common. If the female is not behaviorally clear when she is in heat, you may be missing the prime period of her cycles. Different than dogs, queens are induced ovulators, which makes it less crucial to breed at a precise time. I recommend thorough general physical examinations and breeding examinations by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian my wish to keep both for more than a day to collect semen samples and vaginal smears. Although cats can be hormonally manipulated to synchronize breeding, and queens can be artificially inseminated, you should look for the obvious problems first.
Return to Petsdoc.com home page Return to Ask the Vet Index page
Back to Question List Petsdoc Main Page * Mobile Vet * Useful Information * Fun Pages * Links * Contact Us * Search Copyright © 2000 - 2010 petsdoc.com. All rights reserved.

Breeding Cats

I have a male and a female Sphinx cat, which I have been hoping to breed, however, Mother Nature doesn't seem to be cooperating. I was wondering if there is such a thing as the female's cycle being out of sync? Sheta gives all the signs of going into heat. She starts with what seem to be contractions for several days and the vulva is watery, then her teats begin to fill out...but she's not ready to receive the male. When all this has passed, about a week later or so, then she is receptive to the male, but has no noticeable vulva readiness. I know they have linked, but don't know if they have tied long enough. They are both almost two years old and have bred several times but still nothing. The cats, by the way, have free roam of the house and are not confined. Perhaps this is not the optimum way to get the job done. A dog breeder has suggested the possibility of the female cycle being off and I was wondering if she might be right (assuming dogs and cats are similar in regard to breeding). Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We are so eager to have little hairless wonders scrambling onto our laps.

You may have a physical problem with the male or female, or a problem with the cycle timing. You may consider having the male's semen evaluated for numbers and vitality. Male semen inadequacy is very common. If the female is not behaviorally clear when she is in heat, you may be missing the prime period of her cycles. Different than dogs, queens are induced ovulators, which makes it less crucial to breed at a precise time. I recommend thorough general physical examinations and breeding examinations by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian my wish to keep both for more than a day to collect semen samples and vaginal smears. Although cats can be hormonally manipulated to synchronize breeding, and queens can be artificially inseminated, you should look for the obvious problems first.

Return to Petsdoc.com home page

Return to Ask the Vet Index page

Back to Question List

Petsdoc Main Page * Mobile Vet * Useful Information * Fun Pages * Links * Contact Us * Search