British cats in the house in Russia today are kept by many animal lovers. This breed in our country is one of the most popular. The health of British cats, since this species is very common and is not susceptible to inbreeding, is known to be quite good. However, to care for such animals, of course, you need to correctly. In particular, British cats, of course, require attention during pregnancy.
When Maturity Comes
Of course, it is impossible to bring a British cat with a cat ahead of time. Many pet lovers are well aware that this can have an extremely negative effect on the health of the animal. The first estrus in British cats occurs in 5-7 months. However, at this time, the animal’s body is still being formed. Experienced breeders recommend looking for a cavalier if they want to get thoroughbred healthy offspring no earlier than at the age of 10 months. Typically, owners of British cats before mating miss at least the first two leaks.
In approximately the same way with the British, the situation is with cats. Males of this breed mature by the age of about 7-8 months. But on the first mating of cats, they are allowed exclusively not earlier than in 10 months.
What is fraught with too early mating
If the owners of the British cat do not show patience and bring her with the cat too soon, the following problems may develop in the animal:
In some cases, too early mating can even lead to unpleasant consequences such as termination of pregnancy and subsequent infertility.
How to knit
How long a pregnancy in a cat of the British breed lasts with proper care - we will talk about this a little later. First, let's still figure out how to properly bring such an animal with a cat.
Actually, the knitting of British women itself is usually carried out on the territory of her gentleman. In any case, the male will feel more confident at home, which means that the chances of success of his enterprise will increase significantly. Of course, a cat is sent for breeding only when she has estrus. Owners of an animal can determine this period simply by its changed behavior.
During estrus, the cat becomes more affectionate and requires increased attention. In addition, the animal periodically arches its back and takes its tail to the side. At night, the Briton can also meow loudly in front of a door or window.
Usually the British mate on the second day of estrus in a cat. The animal is then pre-tidied. The cat is trimmed with claws, dewormed (14 days before mating), drops from ticks and fleas are instilled into the ears.
On the first day, the British most often refuse the cat chosen for her by the owners. However, in the subsequent cat in most cases agrees to intimacy. In this case, up to 15 contacts can occur between animals.
How to determine pregnancy
After mating, the cat usually becomes much calmer. The animal stops screaming at night and arching its back. In the event of pregnancy, after three weeks, the British cat's appetite disappears. The animal begins to periodically feel nauseous.
After some time, the British appetite is restored. The cat at the same time begins to eat even more than before. During this period, the pregnant animal almost always sleeps. Starting from the 21st day, the cat's nipples increase in size. At the same time, they change color from pink to dark red. After a while, the big belly of the British becomes noticeable.
What are the other signs of pregnancy?
Sometimes even a pregnant British cat can have estrus. However, the animal carrying the cubs at this time does not pay any attention to the cats. Also, a British woman's pregnancy can be determined by her changed behavior. The cat not only constantly sleeps, but also becomes very affectionate. The animal rubs at the feet of the owners, asks for arms, purrs loudly, etc.
Determining the onset of pregnancy in a British cat is relatively easy. However, to be absolutely sure of this, the owners of the animal should still visit the veterinarian. After the examination, the doctor will be able to say for sure whether the cat is carrying young or not.
Second half of pregnancy
Over time, the cat's appetite, waiting for replenishment, increases more and more. After 3 weeks after mating, the animal can already feel for embryos in the abdomen. At the end of the 6th week, the cat's uterus is filled with fluid. Since that time, embryos are practically not felt, and therefore it is almost impossible to determine the number of kittens in this period.
At the 7th week, the kittens in the British belly are already actively moving. The cat becomes very fat, walks slowly, becomes affectionate and begins to chase the owners on the heels of it.
At this time, that is, when the gestation period for a British cat is nearing its end, you need to prepare, among other things, a convenient nest for your pet. Such domestic pets usually begin to choose a place for childbirth on their own about 2 weeks before lambing. For example, for childbirth, a British woman can choose some kind of drawer, cabinet compartment, bedside table, or something similar.
Choosing a place for himself, the cat begins to throw out everything that, in her opinion, can prevent her from raising future offspring. For example, shoes and clothes can be thrown out of the closet, and magazines and books can be thrown out of the nightstand. At this point, the animal needs to be offered some more suitable box, house or box. Owners should show a little patience and perseverance. Ultimately, the cat herself will understand that she is offered a fairly comfortable and safe nest.
False pregnancy in British women
In erect and fold British cats, pregnancy usually occurs after the first mating. But sometimes, in such pets, conception, unfortunately, does not occur. In some cases, British women may also have a false pregnancy. In this condition, the cat has all the external signs of bearing kittens. The animal in this case sleeps a lot, eats, his nipples swell, it becomes affectionate. However, the embryos in the uterus of the British at the same time do not develop.
This condition is much less common in cats than, for example, in the same dogs. But still, sometimes owners of British women face a false pregnancy.
The reasons for this condition of the cat are most often hormonal failure and stress. False pregnancy is also relatively common in hereditarily predisposed animals or overweight.
It will be quite difficult to distinguish a false pregnancy from a real not very experienced cat owner. That is why, at the onset of the first signs of gestation, a British woman should be shown to a veterinarian.
How long does a British cat’s pregnancy last?
Animals of this breed are not born for young for too long. Pregnancy in British cats usually lasts 9 weeks. During this time, the pet can bear 5-6 cubs.
Eggs after mating in a cat are formed during the first 23-30 hours. On average, there are usually about 6 of them. That is why cats, including British ones, usually give birth to many kittens.
An unusual feature of the body: what owners should know about
As already mentioned, during pregnancy in British cats, among other things, estrus can occur. The cat does not ask for a cat at this moment. However, knitting in this case can still occur. In this situation, the British with the existing embryos may form additional embryos.
In this case, the cat subsequently simultaneously gives birth to all the cubs. However, some of them, for obvious reasons, will be born prematurely, and the chances of their survival will be reduced to zero. Therefore, experienced breeders do not advise keeping a pregnant British woman in the same room with a cat.
Pregnant cat's diet
During the gestation of the young, the British body requires a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, at this time, the cat's diet should be quite high in calories. Also, veterinarians are advised to offer food to the animal during this period as varied as possible. In addition, the menu of a pregnant British cat should be made in such a way that she receives all the vitamins and minerals she and the embryos need.
Those Britons who are kept on purchased feed should choose a product designed specifically for pregnant animals. Also, some experienced cat owners are advised to include pillows designed for small kittens on their pet's menu. This feed contains many components useful for embryos.
Those cats that were raised on natural feeds must include products such as:
During pregnancy, cats of the British breed, as already mentioned, eat more than usual. However, experienced veterinarians still do not advise overfeeding an animal. This can lead to obesity and a difficult birth. In the first time after mating, the amount of food fed to the animal is usually increased to 10%. Further, this figure is gradually brought up to 40-50%.
Prematurity
How much pregnancy in British cats should last with a favorable set of circumstances and proper care, we found out. Animals of this breed of pups are hatched for 9 weeks. But sometimes the term of delivery for various reasons in such pets can shift. Young cats, for example, often give birth prematurely. The owners of the animal should not see any deviation in this. In this case, early childbirth is due primarily to the fact that the cat's body is still tuned to its role as a mother.
Sometimes British women can also rearrange kittens. In any case, veterinarians believe that the optimal delivery time for cats of this breed is 63-66 weeks. If the pregnancy is greatly delayed, the pet should definitely be shown to the veterinarian. In the clinic, the animal will be provided with all the help he needs.
How to avoid a miscarriage
The answer to the question of how long a British cat’s pregnancy lasts is thus understandable. Cubs develop in the stomach of such a fluffy mother for 9 weeks. But sometimes the pregnancy in British women not only drags on or ends a little earlier, but also ends in the early stages.
This problem is quite common in young cats of the British breed. Sometimes owners and mature pets also face this trouble. The causes of miscarriage in British cats can be different. But most often it is some kind of severe stress, illness or a gross mechanical effect.
In any case, the owners of a pregnant British cat, of course, definitely need to know how to handle it correctly so as not to cause a miscarriage. Take such a pet in your arms, for example, you need to be as careful as possible, trying not to put pressure on your stomach. Of course, you can not push the animal carrying the kittens from the bed, armchairs, chairs, etc., as well as greatly scare him or make him move very actively.