If you’ve ever been in earshot of cats during mating and mating, you’re likely thinking that it sounds like a fierce cat fight, complete with screams and claws–rather than the smooching of a cat. While this can be frightening, it’s not a reason to be concerned (although the female cat isn’t the only one to be yelling! ).
We talked to a certified pet behavior consultant and a vet to learn more about these scream queens who are literally.
Why do female Cats Crave When They’re in the heat?
In some cats screaming shrill sounds can start before mating has even begun. To understand what’s happening, a short conversation with the birds, the bees, and the kitties.
In the Merck Veterinary Manual, Unspayed female cats (also known as queens) begin the 1st heat in which they’re attracted to males to mat starting as early as four months old. Queens are in heat at least three times throughout the breeding season, which usually runs from February through September for cats living indoors, varying by some weeks (which you’ll find is nearly the whole year! ).
If they are in a relationship, Merck says that queens exhibit typical mating behaviors such as rolling, rubbing objects, kneading their back feet, and – you probably guessed it, screaming with hunger. These can be considered cat-like marketing techniques designed to draw men to be their partners.
What is the reason Female Cats Shout When They’re Mating?
In addition to having hot cycles, Johnson Bennett, CCBC writer and the owner of Cat Behavior Associates, says cats are induced ovulators, meaning that the ovaries don’t get activated to release eggs without reproduction. For the queen, unfortunately, the stimulation of ovulation is due to the man’s penis that Johnson-Bennett claims is a spherical barb that can rub her vagina in copulation, which is why there’s a lot of screaming. Along with yelling in the event of copulation, the queen may make a fuss and attempt to scratch and escape towards the male cat, bound to hold her neck, using his teeth.
A Female Cat’s Signs That She Needs to See a vet after mating
Cat mating is usually easy and effective (if not always silent). However, some problems can occur.
“As as always, an unusual discharge or feeling of lethargy should prompt the need for a visit to the vet,” says Laura Moon, DVM, of Green Hills Veterinary Clinic in Moberly, Mo. “There’s also the occasional instance in which a female cat could have been bred in a way that is aggressive and suffer due to discomfort, which causes their vulva or rectum to prolapse or protrude,” Moon says that this Moon can be a serious medical issue that demands immediate care.
It’s not a reason to worry if your cat wants some space. Merck says it’s normal for queens to need “alone time” separated from the male cat after breeding, where she’ll move around and care for herself.
The Signs That Your Cat is Pregnant
Merck offers a larger appetite, an expanding belly, and the swelling of mammary glands as indicators of pregnancy. Still, cats can be awe-inspiringly displaying these same changes during what’s known as a false pregnancy or fake pregnancy.
It is possible to determine whether your cat is developing kittens around 30 days after the breeding possible. “At this moment,” says Moon, “we can conduct an ultrasound test to determine if the cat is pregnant. Around 60 days after the breeding, it is possible to perform an x-ray to find out the number of kittens that are.” The typical cat’s pregnancy runs about two months, and when you can count your kittens, it’s close to their birthday.
Moon says it’s uncommon for cats to require assistance when kitting or having a Cesarean segment: “They have managed to keep very successful litters, just as their non-domesticated ancestors!”
It’s important to remember that cats who aren’t spayed may have up to three litters a year, and the typical birth results in four kittens. This is 12 potential offspring within a single year. Additionally, The Spay and Neuter Project estimates that pairing two non-neutered (i.e. unspayed and neutered) cats could result in up to 400,000 descendants within six years! In this light, it’s crucial to talk with your vet regarding having spaying/neutering done as soon as you can.
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