Time and attention is given to kittens, with an Oooo and an Ahhh, however there is a time to question 'How did they get to be?' Breeding is not just about kittens, its about breeding. That is what this page is about. What is shown below is NOT for the faint-hearted.
Its graphic in its depiction & photography of cats genitalia & copulation .
Do not scroll down if you have the slightest reservation.
Be you buying a kitten ,or thinking of breeding. I hope to provide some insight into reproduction and enlighten you as to 'the physical feline process' of copulation.
As the Sphynx are bald photographing copulation, leaves little-room for the imagination and I feel privileged, for my dear Sphynx to 'just carry on' without batting an eye at me. This endears them to me more forever more. I hope too you respect this insight, we have been highly privy to.
Should you have been visiting from 'myragdollcatsandkittens.com' and wish to return:
When breeding pedigree cats that are GCCF registered cats, your breeding Queen (Mum of the kittens) has to be GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) registered, on 'Active'. This means that progeny of the Queen may be registered with the GCCF. Buying a female on 'Active' means you have the breeders permission to breed from that girl. Its often the case when buying a girl on 'Active' you will pay twice, thrice, or quadruple the price of a kitten that was to be a 'pet'.
Then.................. a Stud, on 'Active', is needed. The same apply's for the Stud on 'Active' as it does the Queen. However Studs are very expensive and much consideration needs to be given when keeping a Stud. Especially a Sphynx Stud. Kindly follow this link when considering keeping a Stud, courtesy of the GCCF:
The Stud will need a 'Certificate of Entirety', (showing that you cat has been certified by a vet to have two testicles, of 'normal' size and position), this needs to be completed and sent to the GCCF prior to any litters, the Stud may sire, being registered. Follow this link to the GCCF re note on breeding: http://www.gccfcats.org/breeding.html
Sexual maturity can vary form cat to cat and from breed to breed. Sphynx, in my experience, are late developers. Girls usually call when +9 months, even up to a year and the boys are also slow to develop genitalia suitable for copulation until they are + 9months.
A Female cat needs to be 'Calling' before being taken to Stud. 'Calling' is otherwise known as 'Estrus', this is the period of receptivity to mating, and is linked with the production of estrodial (an estrogen) produced by the ovarian follicles. It is not to be confused with menstruation in humans, you will rarely, if ever, see any signs of blood, however you may see occasional mucous discharge. You will note Estrus with emphasis on physical behaviour, more than anything else.
The biggest giveaway is 'posturing' and 'calling'. Posturing is mainly described (in a not so technical manner) as walking about with her bottom in the air. She too may call, or chirrup. This can be loud and relentless. Girls can also spin about on the floor, become evidently more playfully, affectionate and if touching her bottom, she will stand still and push her bottom upward.
Female cats are 'Induced Ovulators' meaning ovulation does not take place without mating, and sufficient stimulation when been mated. If the female cat does not mate during Estrus her hormonal levels will dissipate and her Estrus Cycle will stop. It will repeat its self in aprox three week time.
Estrus is most likely between January and September, when the amount of daylight is longer, but it can occur at any time. Seasonal reproduction is enhanced by the warmer weather. However, despite the time of year it is more than likely for a Queen to call when she starts to wean her kittens at aprox 4 weeks, irrespective of seasonal influencers.
Below we have a female cat in Estrus and she is actively accepting of the Stud. Copulation commences:
The female is receptive and allowing. The Stud starts to position himself.
The anatomy can clearly be seen.
Penis
Anus
Vulva
The female is in 'Coitus hold', However it is her who has to get herself into position. She will push up on her back legs, to correctly position herself.
The Stud may stand 'strangely' still.
The Studs
'duty of hold' is to secure himself & the Female.
Copulation is painful, due to the barbs on the studs penis. He instinctively adopts this position to guarantee she will not move away before he finishes ejaculating.
Note the previous marks on Snobs neck.
I believe this biting could also serve the purpose of releasing endomorphens within the female, enabling her compliance & help suppress pain her reaction.
Unsuccessful anal penetration. Surprisingly on the first day of Estrus, I witnessed many anal penetrations. Snob never struck, or screamed out, as if in pain when this happened. She simply became less compliant and attempted to reposition herself. However the Stud ejaculated irrespective of correct positioning. Cats can mate in excess of 20 times in 24 hours. However I guess 'much-perfecting' of technique is needed.
Rt & Lt.
Successfully positioned and penetrated.
Below.
The pain response that's indicative of penetration and successful *stimulation of the female cat.
This clearly shows the *barbs on the Studs penis, resposible for 'scucessful' stimultion. It too shows another misplaced penetration.
After successful mating the female will roll on the floor. No one really knows why this is. Its theorized that the rolling will promote successful release of eggs. My guess is: that the girl is in pain, and to roll around is a way of
'rubbing it better'.
The Stud will be quick to move in closer to the her now (whilst rolling) and often slap her.
This I feel is to 'test the water'. He is just seeing if she will accept him again, if not he has given her a 'good-slap', maybe to promote more submissive behaviour.
Perhaps 'submissive' is 'seen' as a good thing for the Stud.As submissive female is not dissimilar to a calling female.
Phew............That was the gritty bit & now you can await a pregnancy.
Ovulation will usually occur within 20 to 50 hours after mating.
The eggs are fertilized in the oviduct, and then they move down to the uterus, via the uterine horn.
The fertilized eggs then implant into the uterus, 10 to 12 days after copulation.
Queens can become very friendly when pregnant, they too can go off their food, even to the point of morning sickness (poor girl, like she has not suffered enough as it is). Another way of determining early pregnancy is to look for and note 'Pinking-up'. This is where a pregnant girls nipples become pinker. There may also be a general 'blush' around the nipple area.
However by 4 weeks of gestation you should be able to see the Queens nipples becoming much more prominent and her tummy is noticeably larger.
You can have an Ultra Sound examination, at your vets, to confirm the pregnancy should you wish.
After that its lots of loving to her. I become soooooooooooooooooo close to my girls when they are pregnant and as the weeks drift by they become more gentle, more needy and more wondrous to know.
Birth brings joy and sadness. To hold a dying kitten in your hands, is an utterly crushing and humbling experience, to stick your head 'into' a newly born litter and listen to their first purrs, is the best thing one can ever experience. However we all have a responsibility to look after these beautiful animals and respect their every living need.
I hope that the above is enlightening, be it to your taste or not, these are the 'Fact of Life' its self.. Please do not go into breeding without your eyes 'wide open'. When you take your girl to stud ensure the breeder will be sympathetic to her needs and comfort..........................
Thank you to The Phat Goblin and Phat Paws Snob, for their compliance in showing us their secret world and it is with the uppermost respect I have allowed 'this explicit learning' about a somewhat previously 'poorly' depicted subject.
Above
&
Below
So where and when does it all start?
'Pinking-up'.
If your breeding Sphynx its so much easer to see due
to lack of hair !
