For the sake of healthy Scottish Fold offspring, pet owners should take care that the breeding of Scottish cats is done correctly. To do this, owners of male cats need to know the basic rules for crossbreeding, when and how animals are mated, with whom to mate, how mating occurs and possible difficulties, and also take into account the degree of responsibility that the owner of the male bears.
Breeders do not recommend mating two fold-eared cats - carriers of the same gene, as this leads to early death of kittens and severe hereditary defects.
At what age should you start mating?
Mating of Scottish Fold cats and Scottish Fold cats with straight ears should be carried out at 1.5 years, when she can already become pregnant and is almost ready to become a mother. Estrus in cats of the Scottish breed lasts from 8-12 months (when puberty begins) until almost death. You can't breed a female cat when she's in her first heat.
Cat with Scottish fold cat
Mating of Scottish cats is possible only with the Scottish breed. Heterogeneous mating provokes pathological deviations in appearance and health. In addition, the kittens will be mestizos: it is difficult to sell them, they will have to be given away. In addition, there are conditions for mating between Scottish cats.
If a Scottish female has drooping ears, then her cat partner should have erect ears, but if the female has straight ears, only a fold-eared cat is suitable for her. This is how you can achieve strong purebred offspring. It is known that the lop-eared gene, which causes the ears to droop, affects other tissues in the body: therefore, it is not worth mating two lop-eared cats (folds). Their genes should be mixed with the genes of straight-eared ones, which will eliminate problems with the musculoskeletal system of newborns.
Therefore, Scottish Straight can be mated either with Scottish Fold or Highland Fold, and Scottish Fold with Scottish Straight and Highland Straight. Animals must not have any diseases.
The owners of the cat must have a certificate confirming that the pet has no infectious diseases. If it matters what color the cubs will be, you can select parents by color. Four-legged animals must be vaccinated against all types of infections. They find one of the partners for mating - a Scottish cat with the help of friends, acquaintances, through advertisements on the Internet or in a nursery.
Before mating, an agreement should be concluded that sets out all the conditions: even the period for which the breeder transfers the cat and a guarantee of pregnancy (if it does not occur on the first try, the cat’s owners need to prepare for several more free matings).
The agreement also specifies the cost that the cat's owners will pay for the breeding, or the payment will be reimbursed by any kitten the cat's owners want. The search for a cat on the Internet must be carried out taking into account the fact that cases of fraud are not uncommon: usually the advertisement indicates information about the cat’s merits and awards, but in fact he does not even have permission to breed.
The first mating of a Scottish Fold is an unexpected event: a cat that has never communicated with the opposite sex is able to actively resist caresses and courtship. Often the female lies on her side, then the cat loses the chance to have sexual intercourse. Therefore, the breeder is obliged to notify the cat’s owners in advance that this is her first time, since the main responsibility for organizing the mating lies with them.
It is advisable to mate a tartan on the 3rd day of estrus: if you mate her with a cat very early or very late, fertilization may not occur. Crossbreeding of Scottish cats takes place on the cat's territory, where he feels himself to be in charge and is entirely focused on seducing the young guest.
The cat should be handed over with its favorite food and a tray that exudes the usual fetor. Mating a cat with a Scottish bride on the same day does not always work out, as the partners sniff and get used to each other.
Before bringing a Scottish couple together, the cat's owners prepare an individual closed area for her. In addition, you need a corner where the cat wants to hide from annoying pesters and feel protected. It is also recommended to cut the Scot's claws, as she may try to hit her partner in the face.
Mating of Scottish cats follows approximately the same pattern: The cat is somewhere at a distance of a meter from the bride and gradually tries to get closer, but she pushes the male away with her hissing, sometimes with her claws. The partner’s reaction is ambiguous: he pretends to be falling asleep and doesn’t care about the guest. Then the Scottish woman, attracting attention to herself, spins around on the floor and meows loudly.
However, as soon as the groom shows his interest again, the cat becomes demonstratively aggressive. This is repeated more than once. Then the bride stops resisting, weakens her defense, which activates her partner. The duration of sexual intercourse is 5-10 seconds, after which the male ejaculates and the female lets out a cry.
Periodically, mating attempts are repeated again until one of the partners gets bored. The cat loses proper interest in the couple after a few days. During this period, about 10-15 matings can occur. The more passionate the Scot, the better he cares for and the more he excites the cat, the greater the chances of pregnancy, since ovulation in the female occurs during intimacy and depends largely on the actions of the cat.
Of course, matings are not always successful. Sometimes a cat does not get pregnant from the first mating - then it is necessary to do it several times. It is also possible that difficulties in communicating with a partner may arise—the cat does not allow him to approach her. In this position, the pet's owners are forced to additionally calm her down with gentle stroking.
A cat's puberty begins at 8 months of age, which is when the animal begins its first heat. Nevertheless, the most acceptable age for mating is considered to be 1.5 years; it is at this age that you can breed a Scottish cat for the first time without compromising its health.
Veterinarians do not recommend mating animals if the cats are in heat for the first time. All continuing signs of estrus are extremely unpleasant for the animal; the cat may develop a nervous breakdown and depression. A female can be paired with a male during her third or fourth heat.
Estrus in cats lasts several days. How many days a Scottish cat walks depends on its individual characteristics. But in any case, 2-3 days of estrus are considered optimal for conception.
Cats go for walks 2 times a year. Usually the mating season occurs in early spring, but a cat can go on a spree in winter. Also, estrus occurs in late summer and early autumn.
Timing of puberty
For owners of females, the problem of mating their pet becomes relevant already at 6-7 months of their pet’s life: it is at this time that the cat begins her first heat.
Of course, cats should not be mated at this moment, because the animal is still developing (and puberty and physical maturation are not the same thing!), but even then you need to think about future searches for a partner.
The situation is similar for owners of males: cats mature by 7-8 months, but if at this age castration is quite appropriate, then cats do not yet need mating: the animal is not yet ready for it!
If you don't know how old your pet is, the onset of puberty can be determined by certain changes in his behavior.
In cats this manifests itself in:
- the appearance of more characteristic behavior (if previously the kitten was affectionate and gentle, now it may become a little aggressive),
- trying to mark territory,
- attempts to adapt various soft things for their sexual needs.
The signs of maturation in a cat are as follows:
- loud inviting meow,
- changes in gait (during heat, the cat raises its tail and arches its back),
- rolling on the floor
- changes in character - some cats become more aggressive, and some, on the contrary, become affectionate.
Remember two rules:
- mating of cats should not be carried out during the first heat, even if it comes late (this can end very unfavorably for the animal!),
- two weeks before mating, the animal should not be given any vaccinations.
Also, you should not delay the mating itself: this can lead to various anomalies (exhaustion of the animal, disruption of the estrus cycle, or even the development of polycystic disease), so it is better to take care of selecting a partner for your pet, regardless of whether you want to do it!
Before allowing an animal to mate, its owner must ask the important question of whether his pet is mature enough to participate in sexual intercourse. The onset of puberty in most cats occurs in the eighth month of life (however, this figure may vary depending on the breed)
However, it is important to remember that puberty precedes physiological maturity. Therefore, not all young cats that have just begun to come into heat can benefit from mating
Puberty in cats often goes unnoticed by their owners.
Physiological maturity implies the final completion of all maturation processes and occurs in different breeds between one and two years (most often within a year and a half). And if this criterion is not so important in relation to males, then mistakes cannot be made with females. The fact is that a physiologically immature body is not ready for pregnancy, so mating can lead to various complications and the birth of weakened kittens.
Puberty is not always noticeable - some owners do not even notice when their pet crosses the line between a kitten and a mature cat. Much depends on the cat itself, its temperament and habits. In addition, the level of hormones in different animals can be different, which also affects the behavior of our pets.
Cats continue to search for a partner even if this desire is impossible to fulfill.
How to choose the right cat for mating
Which cat can you breed a Scottish girl with? Exclusively with Scottish! The principle here is the opposite: a female fold needs to find a Scottish straight-eared cat to mate with, and a straight-eared cat needs to find a fold-eared male.
Thus:
- Scottish Straight breeding should be carried out with Scottish Folds or Highland Folds;
- Scottish Folds can be bred with Scottish Straights or Highland Straights.
The cat for mating must be experienced, especially if mating is taking place for the first time. If you are looking for him through advertisements, be sure to ask the cat’s owners to provide all documents confirming the breed, title and availability of all necessary vaccinations.
A few rules
In order for the offspring to be born strong, you need to adhere to the following tips:
- A Scottish cat cannot be bred with a British cat.
- It is better not to cross two Scots with floppy ears.
- You need to select partners for your pets in a club from experienced breeders specializing in certain breeds.
- Choose a cat for your beauty that is attractive in color. The offspring will be unusual and original in their external characteristics.
- Before mating, it is necessary to find out whether the partner is vaccinated. If there is the slightest sign of ill health, mating cannot be carried out.
Owner's responsibility
The owner bears full moral responsibility for the health and well-being of not only his animal, but also his offspring. In this regard, the owner of a Scottish cat must carefully and wisely select parent pairs and provide comfortable conditions for mating, pregnancy and childbirth of his pet.
At all stages of breeding work, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced breeders, club leaders and large felinological associations.
Mating Scottish cats and, in particular, breeding Scottish Fold cats requires special attention. If the animals were bred incorrectly, then the offspring may have defects or health problems may arise in the adult.
Scottish cats are famous for their beautiful body, pretty look, soft fur and friendly disposition. Raising such cats at home always brings a lot of positive emotions to both adults and children.
How long does pregnancy last in Scottish cats?
The pregnancy of a Scottish cat usually lasts 65 days with deviations of 1-2 days. Therefore, the answer to the question of how long pregnant Scottish women walk is this: the normal gestation period for cats is from 63 to 67 days.
To calculate the exact gestational age of a Scottish cat, you need to know the mating date, the first day is counted from it.
Signs of pregnancy should be considered:
- a pregnant individual gains weight and becomes round;
- vomiting may occur in the morning;
- often when a cat bears kittens, she becomes apathetic, lethargic and depressed;
- There are changes in the appetite of pregnant cats, they begin to eat more.
All these signs appear by the third week; they are caused by a general change in hormonal levels in the pet’s body, especially if everything is happening for the first time for her.
To make sure that your Scottish Fold cat's pregnancy is progressing normally, you should take your cat to the veterinarian at least twice from the moment she becomes pregnant.
1. Weight of a Scottish cat.
2. Age of the cat.
3. Number of babies in the womb.
4. The state of health of the mother in labor.
During pregnancy, Scottish cats are very careful and sedentary. At this time, they need to include vegetables, herbs, eggs, fish, and meat in the menu. Taking multivitamins is also advisable. She should not be allowed out of the house, it is not advisable to make her nervous. A Scottish cat can bear and give birth to 1 to 3 babies.
From the beginning of puberty, cats begin to mark their territory, become nervous, aggressive and suffer from dissatisfaction. At this point, the owner should consider spaying or neutering the pet, especially if it lives at home. A Scottish Fold cat should be neutered at about one year of age, but not earlier than 10 months.
Scottish cat
Early castration of a cat provokes difficulties with urination, and organs that have not yet formed will remain undeveloped. It is necessary to carry out the operation in a timely and correct manner, and then the lop-eared friend will lead a full life and delight his owner.
Sterilization of cats
You need to think about sterilizing your cat before purchasing a kitten, so as not to miss the best period for a timely operation, which will eliminate problems with the pet’s health in the future. If you are not breeding cats, your cat must be spayed before her first heat at 9 months of age. This will eliminate the possibility of a mammary tumor in the cat in the future and worries about problems during pregnancy.
After sterilization, the Scottish Fold cat needs to be cared for; it is better to take it home immediately from the clinic. Constant control over the pet is necessary until the anesthesia wears off, after which it is necessary to keep her at rest, protect the cat from drafts, and a proper diet. In familiar conditions, in silence and special home care, she will come to her senses faster and continue a happy life next to her owner.
Description
Fluffy wool.
Beady eyes.
Friendly character.
Everyone's favorite.
Straight back.
Curly head.
Their distinctive feature is their soft, wavy fur, which makes them look like plush stuffed animals.
- The dogs have a strong, rectangular body with a wide, straight back. The height of the animals does not exceed thirty centimeters, and they weigh from three to six kilograms.
- The paws are short and thick with round pads.
- The tail is of medium length, covered with fluffy curly hair.
- Due to the long hair, the doggies' head looks round, but in fact, it is slightly elongated with a flat forehead with a smooth transition line to the nose;
- The ears are of medium length, hanging down to the middle of the muzzle. Expressive round eyes are black.
- Dogs' coat is soft, fluffy and curly, with a dense, thick undercoat.
- According to the standard, the color of dogs of this breed can only be snow-white. Colored spots on the body and beige or cream color of the coat in adults are considered faults.
Bichon babies are born with yellowish or reddish spots on their snow-white coat, but as they grow older, the color of the animal becomes uniform.
Spots on the body of puppies can persist until they are one year old.
Always in moving.
Loves walks.
Loves to play.
- A perky and cheerful pet loves to be the center of attention, and there is no greater pleasure for him than playing together with his beloved owner.
- Dogs of this breed are very smart and observant. They subtly sense the mood of the people around them. If the dog notices that one of the family members is feeling sad, the dog will put on a real circus performance for him, trying to cheer him up with funny tricks and involve him in a fun game. And looking at the amusing antics of the pet, no one will be able to resist smiling and resist his unique charm.
- These animals express all their feelings and emotions with the help of a loud, booming bark. The owner needs to prepare for the fact that the pet will express its opinion on any occasion with a ringing yelp.
- Small curly dogs get along well with any pet and are able to make friends with both another dog and a cat. The Bichon Frize has absolutely no aggression or feelings of jealousy, and they perceive the other pet as a companion for fun games and pranks, and not as a rival or competitor.
- When getting a dog of this breed, you should take into account that they need constant communication and attention from the owner and cannot stand loneliness. You can’t leave your dog alone for a long time, because a bored pet is capable of minor mischief. Therefore, when returning home after a long absence, owners should not be surprised if their curly pet pulls the bedspread off the bed, chews on the owner’s slippers, or guts the sofa cushions. Moreover, the dog will not feel remorse for his tricks. A pet caught at the scene of a crime will take on an innocent and even offended look, thanks to which the cunning dog will always avoid fair punishment.
- It will not be possible to make a guard and a defender. These animals are quite cowardly and, when they see a stranger, they try to hide in a secluded place. The most that curly-haired dogs can do is bark at a stranger while remaining at a safe distance.
Easy to learn simple commands.
Loves to perform various tricks.
Intelligent and quick-witted, French lap dogs are easy to train. A curly-haired pet will not only quickly remember its name, but will also learn to perform simple commands and funny tricks if you work with the dog daily.
Good results in training can be achieved by turning classes into a fun and exciting game that will bring pleasure to both the dog and the owner.
It is very important, in case of successful execution of a command, to encourage your pet by treating him with a treat, petting him or simply praising him for his intelligence.
How to breed Scottish cats
Mating of a Scottish Fold or Straight should take place around the third day of estrus. The knitting process itself takes 2-3 days.
In order for the mating to be successful, it is advisable to prepare a place, a fenced-in space, from where the Scottish Fold cannot escape. This is important if the pets will mate for the first time.
Animals become interested in each other within a couple of days, during which time approximately 10-15 close contacts with the cat can occur.
Ovulation in a female occurs directly during intercourse and its quality, and therefore the likelihood of becoming pregnant, directly depends on the experience and behavior of the cat with whom she was mated.
The reason is that the lop ear gene not only causes the ears to droop, but also weakens the cartilage in the body and tail of the animal. Such mating can produce very weak babies.
Therefore, folds must be mated with straight-eared cats in order to dilute the fold-eared gene. Only in this case is guaranteed healthy offspring without pathologies of the musculoskeletal frame.
Mating is not always successful. There are a number of reasons why the desired pregnancy never occurs. Usually, the owners of the female simply need to conclude an agreement, make a payment and bring the cat for mating, while the owners of the cat must know all the features of mating and proper fertilization of the Scots.
The most common problem is when the female does not allow the cat to approach. In this case, the cat's owners can stimulate the female's arousal process by stroking her in the genital area, as well as on the back and sides. Sometimes special medications are required to induce ovulation. The third option is to replace the male with a more experienced, persistent, but delicate one.
The opposite situation happens - the cat does not approach the cat. He might just not like her. The cause may also be the groom’s childhood psychological trauma. If he was offended by a cat of a similar color as a kitten, then he may avoid them on a subconscious level. All that remains is to change the partner.
The Scottish woman falls on her side during intercourse and, accordingly, takes the wrong pose for crossing. Sexual intercourse in this case is practically impossible, especially if the male is not experienced. To help fertilization, the owner can hold the girl during the act, providing a comfortable position for conceiving offspring.
According to all the rules, before mating, an agreement is concluded with the owner of the male, which indicates the timing of mating, the price and the guarantee of pregnancy. If it does not occur, then the owner should be ready to conduct an additional 1-2 matings for free.
You should know some rules that make mating safe from a physical and psychological point of view.
- Usually the date takes place on the cat’s territory, so its owner needs to set up a mating area; it is better to allocate a separate room.
- If partners show aggression, it is worth postponing mating actions; they need time to courtship and get used to each other.
- The cat owner must control the situation and, if necessary, help the animals get closer. In particular, he must control the cat's posture.
Rules for keeping expectant mothers
Requirements are similar to those of males. The owner is obliged:
- provide the animal with adequate nutrition;
- introduce vitamins and microelements, calcium and folic acid are especially important;
- maintain a normal weight for your pet (obese or malnourished animals are unlikely to become pregnant);
- do not overload the body with frequent pregnancies: twice a year is enough;
- monitor exercise: active physical activity will make the cat stronger, and pregnancy and childbirth itself will be easier;
- do not forget about education: only a well-bred mother can instill in kittens the basics of good behavior.
In addition, even before mating, the cat should be assessed by experts who will highlight its advantages, identify disadvantages, check the compatibility of two lines and, based on this data, help find a good sire. If you ignore the rule and do not receive a “ticket to breed,” then the kittens born are unlikely to be recognized as purebred.
Possible difficulties
Difficulties during mating can arise from both the cat and the male.
Cat problems are caused by the following reasons:
- Wrong time for mating.
- Emotional stress from moving and unfamiliar surroundings.
- Endocrine pathologies.
The situation can be normalized by giving the animals more time to get to know each other. If the female behaves aggressively, you can lock her in a cage for a while, giving her the opportunity to observe the male from a safe place. If this does not help, the only thing left to do is look for another cat.
Problems in a cat may be of the following nature:
- Mating is carried out on the cat's territory, where the male feels insecure.
- Hormonal disorder associated with low testosterone levels.
- Lack of experience or negative experiences in the past.
- Lack of interest in this cat.
Recommendations in such cases will be as follows:
- Always choose the cat's territory as the breeding site.
- Match an inexperienced male with an experienced female.
- Give time for closer acquaintance.
- O for the Scotsman a cat.
Childbirth among Scots
Let's look at when and how labor begins in a Scottish Fold cat. The first signs of labor in a cat are brownish vaginal discharge.
The behavior of a cat often changes before giving birth: the animal is looking for a place (nest) to give birth, screaming and making attempts, especially if the Scottish female gives birth to kittens for the first time. In such a situation, it is worth staying close to the cat, calming it down and caressing it, and if necessary, helping, delivering the cat’s birth. Kittens are born head first.
Newborn kittens weigh about 100 grams and are a bubble filled with light yellow liquid. After the kittens are born, the mother chews this bladder, releases the cub and licks it to cleanse the lungs. You can help her with this by suctioning the fluid from her nose with an enema while the female gives birth to other kittens.
Kittens come out at intervals that last about 20 minutes, however, the cat can independently increase the duration of labor and delay the appearance of the babies and carry them for another day if something does not suit her or frightens her. After the young mother has been able to give birth to a kitten, the afterbirth comes out.
Kittens open their eyes a week after birth. All Scottish kittens are born with straight ears, and only at 3 weeks of age should you pay attention to the ears; in folds, they begin to droop.
Training rules
How to train kittens correctly? Let's look at the basic rules that are best used when teaching.
- Training exercises should be built from simple to complex.
- A new skill should be formed after consolidating the previous, simpler one.
- If a particular exercise is difficult for your pet, it should be postponed for a while and wait until the kitten is older.
- Use familiar equipment and the same configuration of required actions.
- Each skill requires repeated repetition.
- Training is always carried out algorithmically: preparation for a trick, its implementation, encouragement.
- Consistently increasing the complexity of tricks combined with the obligatory repetition of simpler steps.
- Improving skills to increase the efficiency and entertainment of performed tricks.
Preparing for the event
In order for mating to be successful the first and any subsequent time, you need to properly prepare for it. Both animals are pre-treated for parasites, including worms. It is advisable to vaccinate the male against diseases such as chlamydia and rabies.
When a breeding partner has been selected and mating dates have been approximately determined, the premises are prepared. The room in which the Scotsman will be with the cat must be dry, bright, clean and spacious. It must be warm inside.
Copulation of pets can last several days. Therefore, the cat should be packed for the trip. She must come to visit her partner with her property: bowls for water and food, a tray with filler, food, toys, etc. Due to the fact that the female often shows aggressiveness, she needs to trim her claws before mating. These are the main conditions for successful mating.
When a Scottish Fold cat is in heat (first day), she is taken to the cat. Before mating, you need to check the male and female cat again for the presence or absence of discharge from the eyes, nose or ears, or dandruff. Pets must have sufficient body weight. If deviations from the norm are detected, the mating is postponed. A domestic cat usually covers a female 14 times during the day. After a few days the cat loses interest in him.
If it's illegal, why do people continue to mate Britons with Scots?
People do this for different reasons.
Some are looking for a worthy match for their pet, but due to living in a small locality, they find only a remotely similar partner.
Others are simply not aware of all the dangers that come with mating two different breeds. Most often, it is enough to simply warn such people, and they immediately abandon the dangerous undertaking.
For others it happens by accident. For example, there are both Scottish and British people living in the same family. And during puberty, they themselves choose each other for mating.
As a result of such crossings, the result is ridiculous, rude and clumsy kittens - Scottish Fold with the body of a Briton, who will have bad hair.
The result is a deterioration of both breeds. But the purpose of mating is completely opposite - to improve the breed, to take only the best characteristics of their parents and ancestors.
Remember: according to the rules, you only need to breed representatives of your own breed. If for some reason this is not possible, seek help from an experienced felinologist. It will help solve the problem with minimal harm to pets. And always avoid amateurs who claim they can guarantee excellent results.
When to castrate a Scottish Fold cat
Very often, a furry friend is created without the goal of breeding it. Having reached puberty, cats begin to mark their territory, and to avoid this, they are castrated. The question arises at what age can one be castrated? This should not be delayed.
It is optimal to castrate a Scottish cat at 7-9 months. If the operation is not performed in time, the mature kitten will experience discomfort from the inability to satisfy its natural desires.
A Scottish Fold cat should be castrated in a specialized clinic, regardless of how many months the procedure is performed. Castration of a cat takes place quite quickly, however, it must be performed under general anesthesia. During the operation, incisions are made in the male's scrotum and, using clamps on the spermatic cords, the testicles are removed.
No special care is required for your pet after surgery. However, care must be taken to ensure that the cat does not lick the wounds and thereby tear the stitches; this can harm the pet’s health.