How to Tell If Cat Mating Was Successful

Cat mating is a pretty straightforward procedure to a casual observer: they mate indiscriminately, frequently and loudly. The female cat then becomes pregnant and gives birth to several kittens. However, this procedure is not that simple. For instance, do you know that your feline does not ovulate until they mate?

So, if you are expecting kittens, it’s rational to ask how to tell if cat mating was successful? If your female cat mates successfully, she will show numerous behavioral and physical signs. For instance, the heat cycles of your feline will stop.

Read on to learn everything you should know about cat mating:

Conception and Mating in Cats

If you have adopted a female cat recently, you might observe some sudden behavior changes. Well, these changes occur because your feline is “in heat.” If your female is not spayed in time, she will surely come into heat. In general, your feline can have her first heat in just 3.5 months, so don’t wait for six months to spay. 

Furthermore, once your cat gets her first heat, this process will occur again and again until she is spayed or mates with a male cat. Here are some of the most common signs that your female cat is in the heat:

• Loss of Appetite
• Marking Her Territory
• Mating Positions and Calls
• Excessive Grooming
• Display of Affection

Signs to Tell If Cat mating was Successful

If you don’t want your feline to be spayed, you need it to mate with another male cat. The mating procedure is simple; it’s indiscriminate, frequent and loud. But the real question is, how to know if cat mating was successful?

Well, as mentioned earlier, your female cat will show multiple behavioral and physical signs after a successful mating, such as:

Change in Habits

After successful cat mating, you’ll observe some behavioral changes in cats. For instance, your feline will be more loving toward you, and there will be an increase in sleepiness. In pregnancy, cats require more attention and love. Plus, your feline will have less energy to move around.

Just like humans, female cats also show the signs of occasional mood swings in this period. So, you must take care of her and give your kitty all the love and attention.

Heat Cycles Will Stop

If not spayed, your female cat will undergo heat cycles again and again after the first heat cycle. In general, a cat can undergo these cycles within 15 days. However, after a successful mating, these cycles will completely stop. 

If these cycles stop without mating, you should immediately contact your vet and follow his instructions.

Weight Gain

After successful mating, your feline will surely gain weight. A female cat gains up to 4 pounds of weight in this stage. Remember that your feline should gain weight from the abdomen, and it shouldn’t be due to regular weight gain.

Nesting Behavior

Cats experience numerous hormones during pregnancy. Due to these hormones, your feline will show some nesting behavior. For instance, she will find a comfortable and hidden spot to give birth. Cats are quite intelligent. Instead of just one, your feline might select multiple places as a backup to the original site. 

Morning Sickness

After successful cat mating, morning sickness is not that rare. Loss of appetite and vomiting are common signs of successful mating. However, if there is too much vomiting and diarrhea, you should contact your vet as it may be due to severe health complications.

In pregnancy, cats also experience temperature drops in their armpits. If the temperature is constantly dropping or there is an increase in temperature, you should visit your vet.

Pinking on Nipples

After successful mating, the fetuses of your female cat will start growing over the next sixty-three days. You will surely notice pink nipples in your feline within 18 days of successful mating. With a weight gain, your cat will start to produce milk as the delivery date comes closer.

Increased Appetite

Other than morning sickness, your cat will experience an increased appetite. As your feline needs nutrition for her kittens, you’ll need to offer more than 25% of her casual diet. The duration of this procedure is up to nine weeks until the babies start weaning. 

During pregnancy, you should avoid unhealthy treats as well as dairy products. Before altering your pregnant cat’s diet, always consult with your vet. If your cat eats toxic food during pregnancy, it could lead to the death of kittens as well as the cat.

Motherly Behavior

Once the mating procedure is completed, you will see some motherly behavior in your feline. The most common behavior changes in pregnant cats include – being more affectionate and rubbing herself more than usual.

Swollen Abdomen

Even an experienced veterinarian cannot tell whether your feline is pregnant or not until the day of 25 to 36. To know for sure, your vet can diagnose the abdomen or use ultrasound. In pregnancy, the abdomen of your feline will produce a string of pearls and take the “Burro Shape.” 

After twenty days of successful mating, you can observe your feline’s small fetuses and swollen abdomen. However, you should be careful and polite. Don’t apply too much force to your cat’s belly, as it can hurt your feline or cause abortion.

Diagnosis

If the methods mentioned earlier are not helpful to you, you can get a proper diagnosis to know whether the cat mating was successful or not. Under an experienced vet’s supervision, you can use ultrasound or X-ray to determine if your cat is pregnant or not.

Furthermore, according to many experts, you don’t have to worry about radiation. As the radiation in the above-mentioned machines is considerably small, it won’t affect your feline friend.

In a Nutshell

How to tell if cat mating was successful? Well, there are several methods that you can use to determine whether your feline is pregnant or not. After successful mating, there will be behavioral and physical changes in females. You can observe those changes or contact your vet to know whether the mating procedure was successful or not!