What are the harms and consequences of inbreeding in cats
Cats are a kind of pet that is very much loved by people. Their aloof demeanor actually makes many people delighted, and their many poses can bring a lot of cuteness. In every residential community in the city, you can always see a few people walking their cats. Although most pet cats are spayed or neutered, some are still breeding for various reasons, so what happens when cats inbreed?
1. What happens when cats inbreed
Cat inbreeding refers to mating between cats that are related by blood within four generations. In this case, mating and breeding may cause many serious adverse consequences, such as a high rate of failed pregnancy, and even if pregnancy occurs, few kittens are born, a low survival rate of kittens, reduced vitality of the kittens, restricted development of the kittens, smaller body size, or the appearance of deformed fetuses and stillbirths. Moreover, even if the kittens grow up successfully, they are also prone to various hereditary diseases.
In theory, closely related cats can reproduce. Generally, the bloodlines of purebred cats are somewhat similar. Inbreeding in cats cannot improve the breed, but it can maintain and carry forward the advantages and disadvantages of that cat bloodline. In other words, inbreeding is like a magnifying glass: it may further pass on and carry forward the advantages or disadvantages of the cat parents in the breeding system, enlarging the advantages, while the disadvantages may also be enlarged.
2. The breeding period of cats
After cats reach sexual maturity, they have the ability to produce kittens, but it is best to wait until the cat is more than one year old before breeding. This is because the age of first estrus in male cats is around eight months, and the age of first estrus in female cats is around six to eight months. However, male cats generally only fully reach sexual maturity at around one and a half years old, and female cats reach physical maturity at around one year old. If a female cat younger than one year old gives birth to kittens, because the pelvis is not fully developed, it may cause difficult birth and fetal deformities.
Cats are seasonally polyestrous animals. During estrus, female cats will howl all night, commonly known as cats calling for spring. After reaching sexual maturity and physical maturity, they can be mated. Male cats in estrus like to urinate anywhere and have a violent temper. When encountering a male cat, the female cat will roll on the ground to show friendliness. The mating process must be repeated several times within 2 to 3 days to ensure conception. Counting from the mating date, pregnancy lasts about 2 months before giving birth.
The above is some relevant knowledge about cat breeding. Friends who keep kittens at home must be patient and extra careful with cats. As long as they feed them seriously, they can get a lot of fun from it.