Is it possible to breed a fold-eared cat with a fold-eared cat: why not, with whom to cross

Direct sexual intercourse, that is, active actions, does not last long (only 5-10 seconds), after which the male ejaculates, and the cat screams (sometimes she does not do this). As a result, the cat jumps to the side and begins to lick itself, and the cat turns over on its back and rolls around in joy. After mating, she becomes satisfied and peaceful.

After a while, this happens again and again, until one of the partners gets tired of it. Usually the cat loses interest in the cat after two or three days. In total, 10-15 sexual acts can occur during this time.

The more passionate the cat is, that is, the better he cares for and excites the cat, the more likely pregnancy is to occur, because Ovulation in a cat occurs during sexual intercourse and its quality depends, among other things, on the behavior of the groom.

Care and maintenance

The owner will have to devote a lot of time to caring for the furry pet.
Dogs' soft fur is prone to tangling and matting. If you do not take care of it properly, the dog will lose its attractiveness and will have a sloppy appearance.

• Comb them daily using a special slicker brush.
• Once every three to four months, the pet is bathed, choosing a shampoo designed for curly-haired dogs for water treatments. But in the groin area, face and paws of the pet you will have to wash every day, since in these places the fur gets dirty most often.
• It is recommended to trim your dog's hair at least once a month. If the owner is not sure that he can handle this, the haircut can be entrusted to a groomer.
• Bichons often have watery eyes, so they need to be cleaned regularly. Discharge from the eyes is removed with a cotton swab soaked in a special antiseptic solution. It is undesirable to use tea leaves or potassium permanganate for this purpose, as it colors the snow-white fur of dogs. It is also a good idea to periodically trim the fur around your pet’s eyes.
• Physical activity is not required and, if the dog is accustomed to relieve its natural needs in the tray, then it is not necessary to walk it every day. But the lapdog will be happy to accompany its owner on a walk.

These dogs love coziness and comfort, so it is necessary to purchase a soft lounger or house for the dog.

Feeding

https://youtube.com/watch?v=laQK6lXJkyg

Both dry food and natural food are suitable for feeding French lap dogs.

• Premium ready-made dry food contains all the ingredients curly-haired dogs need (meat, vegetables), vitamins and healthy additives, which is why experts recommend it for feeding.
• If the owner prefers natural food, then he should remember that the main food product for lap dogs should be lean raw meat, cut into small pieces. You can diversify your diet with fermented milk products, vegetables, porridge and boiled sea fish.

And a little about secrets.

The story of one of our readers, Irina Volodina:

I was especially distressed by my eyes, which were surrounded by large wrinkles, plus dark circles and puffiness. How to completely remove wrinkles and bags under the eyes? How to deal with swelling and redness? But nothing ages or rejuvenates a person more than his eyes.

But how to rejuvenate them? Plastic surgery? I found out - no less than 5 thousand dollars. Hardware procedures - photorejuvenation, gas-liquid peeling, radio lifting, laser facelift? A little more affordable - the course costs 1.5-2 thousand dollars. And when will you find time for all this? And it's still expensive. Especially now. Therefore, I chose a different method for myself.

Scottish cats have different colors. Scottish cats are famous because of their charming appearance and variety of colors. The color of kittens directly depends on certain genes. As a rule, these are two main shades, black and white.

Scottish Straight colors, for example, are gray with black stripes around the entire body. They are distributed as a percentage. That is, the animal’s fur is painted in two colors in different proportions. Its own gene is responsible for the dominance of one color or another.

Carrying out the procedure

Before mating, you need to be sure that neither the cat nor the cat suffers from any ailments. They should have no discharge from the nose or eyes, the coat should be in good condition, and the general health of the animals should be satisfactory. If one of the partners shows signs of weakness or illness, the mating should be postponed to a more favorable time. It is advisable not to interfere with the animals getting to know each other and sniffing, but it is still better to play it safe and be on the alert, since if they are incompatible, they can become aggressive and injure each other.

It may happen that pregnancy does not occur after mating, then she should be brought to the cat again. It is advisable to do this on the 2-3rd day of estrus and leave it with him for 2-3 days. Before the female stays, she needs to trim her claws so that she does not injure the cat if she does not like him in some way. During the day, a cat can cover a cat up to 15 times. But after 2 days, he ceases to be interested in his new partner. After mating, cats sometimes go into heat, but this does not mean that they are not covered.

It happens that the animals are not suitable for each other in size, and if the Fold cat is larger than the cat, then he will need to be helped so that he can cover the cat. Sometimes, due to a change of environment and severe stress, the cat stops estrus. Then she should be brought to the cat when it resumes. It happens that the cat falls to the side during the process, at such moments it is necessary to hold her in the right position for the mating to take place. If the female hides in a corner, behaves aggressively and the cat cannot approach her, then in this case she may remain untied.

Formal Details

Where to look for a good cat? Among acquaintances. According to advertisements on the Internet. At a nursery in your city. Through the club.

Before mating, you must sign an agreement that stipulates all the conditions, including the period for which you are giving the cat away, a guarantee of pregnancy (if it does not occur the first time, the groom’s owners should be prepared for another 2-3 free matings). The contract also states the price you pay for mating, or payment by the kitten.

If you are looking for a mate based on an advertisement, you should know that there are cases of fraud when the advertisement for a cat contains one information, as if the cat has titles and certificates, and then it turns out that this is not true and he is not allowed to breed at all. It happens that the photos in advertisements are fake. You can learn more about this topic from the video. There is only one piece of advice on how to avoid fraud: check all documents, do not take anyone’s word for it.

At what age and how to knit?

Features of a cat

During heat, the animal may roll on the floor.

A Scottish female is considered sexually mature when she reaches 8-9 months, but it is advisable to start crossing at the age of 1 year. By this time, British cats begin to go into estrus, which is divided into 3 stages - proestrus, estrus and diestrus. The most successful stage is considered to be estrus, when the female’s body has the correct hormonal level and the reproductive cells are ready for fertilization. During this period, the cat secretes a colorless liquid from the genitals, which should not contain blood. The pet becomes very affectionate, rubbing against furnishings and the owner, leaving odorous marks that only the cat can detect. He falls on his front paws, arches his back and raises his butt high, moving his tail to the side. Makes purring sounds or screams piercingly, and can roll invitingly on the floor.

Features of a cat

The Scotsman matures at the age of 7-12 months. Changes in behavior indicate that cats are asking for a female. The pet becomes aggressive, bites and scratches the owner, screams loudly and demandingly, and damages upholstered furniture. A distinctive feature when it’s time to take a cat out is that he marks the room. The smell of urine during this period becomes very pungent. The animal turns to the furniture or wall, splashes urine and finely shakes its tail. If such signs are noticeable in animals, it is recommended to introduce them to a couple, since this period is favorable for mating.

Offspring

A cat is capable of giving birth to 5–6 kittens 2–4 times a year.

All kittens are born with straight ears. “Sagging”, that is, the formation of a fold in 50% of kittens begins from the 21st day of life, if the parents are selected correctly. At this time, it is determined which type of breed - straight-eared or fold-eared - each kitten belongs to.

Those of them whose ears remain straight have all the features of the Scots with the exception, of course, of the ear fold. Scottish Straight cats do not take part in exhibitions, but they are necessary for the continuation of the breed (see above).

Kittens grow quickly. From 3 months, their body, legs and head become elongated, which does not look very attractive. But by the age of 8 months, the appearance of the pets becomes harmonious. And by the age of 3, cats are fully formed.

Peculiarities

The discoverer of the Scottish Fold breed is rightfully considered the Scotsman William Ross, who noticed kittens with an unusual coloring and strangely shaped ears from a farmer he knew. To obtain new, more diverse types of coloring, the Scottish breed was first crossed with others.

Interspecific crossings occurred especially often with British cats. However, now representatives of the Scottish Fold breed have all the necessary genes to reproduce almost any color, so in our time, crossing a purebred Scottish Fold with other breeds is very, very undesirable.

Like other animals, in Scots a certain set of genes is responsible for coloring. The predominant colors are red and black. Each of the colors, or, more precisely, certain genes responsible for a specific color, can be both dominant and recessive. The saturation of a certain shade of fur, which is formed by the diluent gene, depends on this.

A very unusual genetic combination in white cats. There are two possible cases: either a complete absence of color, or suppression of other genes. In this regard, white Scottish cats are divided into albinos and dominant white.

Remember that kittens' colors will change as they grow older. A Scottish kitten will reach its real, “adult”, full color only at the age of two years.

How to choose the right partner

Every owner should know exactly with whom to cross a Scottish Fold cat in order to get beautiful and healthy kittens. The choice of a partner must be carried out responsibly and according to all the rules .

• It is best if the animals have similar colors and basic characteristics. This way you can breed ideal offspring that will meet all the requirements for a given breed.
• It is better not to mix different colors; this can lead to kittens with coat or eye color that is inappropriate for a Scotsman. But such breeds are considered not purebred, they are more difficult to sell and cannot be shown at exhibitions.
• It is impossible for a cat and a cat to have intercourse together if at least one of them has his ears pinned back. This can lead to defects in kittens; they are born very weak and die quickly.
• You should not breed animals if none of them have previous experience.

Solid colors of Scottish breeds

This group of colors is characterized by monotony, patterns, markings and ticking are absent.

Snow-white. The fur is iridescent, absolutely white. The eyes are the color of amber or heavenly. The standard also allows for different eye colors in an animal. The nose and pads are pinkish.

Black. The fur fully corresponds to the name, there is no red or grayish tint. The eyes are like amber, the nose and pads merge with the fur.

Blue. The edge is a cold dark gray shade. Eyes like amber. The nose and pads are the same color as the fur. See photo of Scottish Fold Blue cat.

Lilac. The fur is a warm soft gray shade, turning into cream. Eyes like amber. The nose and pads are in harmony with the fur (see all photos of the lilac Briton).

• Red. The edge is fiery. The eyes are like amber, the nose and pads match the color of the fur.
• Cream. The hair is light peach. Golden eyes, pinkish nose and pads.

Cinnamon, cinnamon color. Similar to milk chocolate. The nose and pads are pink-brown.

Tortoiseshell

These animals have a lot of shades. This is mainly a tri-color color. Compared to other breeds, the tortoiseshell color does not have clear rules regarding the distribution of shades. The main thing is that they should be uniform.

Interestingly, only cats have a tortoiseshell color. Cats cannot be like this unless there is a genetic failure, but in this case they cannot have offspring.

This shade of coat appears due to the silver gene. The so-called Scottish Straight is black smoke. And they started calling it that due to the fact that it has a smoky color.

But today, smoky-colored Scottish cats do not have much confidence at exhibitions; they are not allowed there at all.

General rules for crossing

In order for the mating of Scottish cats to be successful and the offspring to be born healthy, owners should know the following mating rules:

• Check the veterinary documents and pedigree of the Scottish breeding dogs (applies to both owners).
• Animals should be shown to a veterinarian, who will confirm or deny hidden physical defects of the individual.
• Complete a course of deworming and vaccination.
• Do not bathe the Scotsman before mating, so that the individual scent remains.
• The first mating should take place when the female reaches 1 year, but not later, otherwise she will refuse to produce offspring at all.
• The mating territory is preferred by the cat.
• Do not leave animals unattended or the cat alone with the male for several days.

Who is better to knit with?

To prevent the offspring from being sick, the pet's partner must be straight-eared.
To protect the offspring from genetic abnormalities, it is recommended to cross a fold-eared cat with a pet whose breed is Scottish Straight (straight-eared). Such a union produces offspring with hanging and straight ears. It is impossible for a British cat to be mated with a Scotsman; the animals must be of the same breed. Long-haired folds are allowed for crossing. If you mate a cat with an ordinary straight-eared cat, then such an animal will not produce purebred kittens. In addition to age and external characteristics, partners are selected by color. The shade of the coat must be strictly within the standard. If you still want to marry a British woman with Scots, then you should select individuals according to the “Scottish” type. They are matched with a Briton who has small cheeks, a thin tail without kinks, an elongated body, slender legs, and a golden or silver coat.

During estrus, the breeding Scottish Fold should be isolated from other pets so that it does not “play around” with an ordinary cat.

Mating rules

There are some rules for breeding cats:

• The cat and cat must be vaccinated and freed from parasites: helminths and external bloodsuckers.
• It is better to conduct mating in the male’s territory.
• It is best to arrange a date 4-5 days after the onset of estrus.
• There is no need to delay the first mating. A cat aged three years may simply not let the cat near her.
• You shouldn't bathe animals before a date. The language of smell is very important for cats.
• If the cat is going to breed for the first time, it is necessary to arrange a meeting on the first day of estrus so that she can get used to the environment and get to know the groom.
• The cat's owner must observe the process and intervene if a fight or other unforeseen situations break out.
• Often human intervention is not required. If the animals managed to get to know each other, then they will be able to “make friends.”
• If you have to breed club animals, then before the procedure an agreement is drawn up, which stipulates all the nuances: the party paying for the date, the territory, etc.

What difficulties may arise

• It happens that during mating a cat falls on its side. There is nothing to worry about, you just need to hold it in the required position.
• Sometimes there is such a thing as a cat being faithful to one partner. If this is the case, then you need to change the cat, since all attempts at mating will be unsuccessful.
• Another problem can be the different sizes of animals, especially a cat that is too massive. In this case, the male will not be able to cover her, grabbing the withers, he will end up on her back. Here you need the help of the owner, who will hold the cat by the withers.
• The cat may be too aggressive. In this case, mating will not work.
• It happens that due to stress, the female stops estrus. It may not exist for several days, after which it resumes. After this, the animal can be brought back to the male.

Nurseries in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities

Nurseries table

Vaccinations

At the age of 2.5-3 months, Scottish kittens are vaccinated. Before this procedure, at the request of the breeder, the baby is examined by a veterinarian and after diagnosis that he is healthy, he is prescribed:

• preventive deworming is carried out 7-10 days before;
• treat the fur against fleas with special preparations;
• Body temperature is measured;
• To vaccinate against major diseases, the Nobivac Triket vaccine is administered;
• A month later, the owner, using the same drug, repeats the vaccination.
• For a kitten who lives exclusively at home, the rabies vaccination is given later in the year, when the baby is stronger.
• All subsequent vaccinations are done annually with similar preliminary preparation.
• Kittens living outside the city in nature are recommended to be vaccinated against lichen.

Plain (solid)

The color of Scottish Fold cats is monochromatic and they should not have any other color. The fold-eared cat can be of the following colors: white and black, chocolate and lilac, blue and red, cream, fawn and cinnamon. The most popular color in the world among solid Scottish cats is blue. These are the majority of cats.

The white Scottish Straight cat can have different eyes, from blue and bright orange to rich amber and copper. Kittens of this variety remain white for the rest of their lives. If kittens have spots, then an adult cat remains white for the rest of its life.

The Scottish Fold black cat is mostly bright in color. A couple of white hairs are acceptable, but if the cat has large red and brown patches, then it is not a purebred.

Black Scottish Fold cats should be bright black in color and their ears, like all fold-eared cats, should be pressed to the head, unlike straight-eared cats. A straight-eared black cat always has its ears erect.

Chocolate

Scottish fold

chocolate looks impressive. The chocolate color is quite rare. Brown fold kittens should have a smooth, uniform coat of chocolate color. The dark brown coloring adds nobility to the cat.

A brown cat gets this color if he has chocolate, chocolate bicolor or chocolate color points in his pedigree. Chocolate Scottish kittens always delight their owners. They look very cool against a light background.

Lilac (lavender)

A lilac long-eared cat gets this color if he has either lilac color points or lilac in his pedigree. The lilac coloration goes well with orange, copper or amber colored eyes and a light brown nose. This color is also called coffee with milk.

Blue color (blue)

The Scots Blue can have a coat color of many shades of blue. Some cats may have a fur color closer to gray, and some closer to blue. Each hair must be saturated, then the coat will be perfectly blue.

Small pets have different patterns that disappear after a few months. Three months after birth, their eyes may be copper-colored.

Red (red)

Red Scots are a very rare breed. The ginger Scottish cat, like the ginger kitten, has a tail defect in the form of unevenly colored fur. In red-haired pets, red is sometimes more dominant than red.

These cats may have patterns on their foreheads and limbs, but this is not considered the norm. The Scots, unlike the British cat breed, can give birth to either a red fold-eared cat or a straight-eared cat.

The soft peach coat of a lighter color gives this cat an elegant appearance. At first glance, they are very similar to the red ones, but if you look closely, you can clearly see the difference. Cream hairs are lighter. Smooth patterns on the paws and tail are acceptable, but leopard spots are not acceptable.

Faun (deer)

The coat of kittens of this breed is a very interesting color. This shade should not be confused with lilac, which has a lilac tint. The paw pads and nose of these cats are beige-pink.

At first this color can be confused with chocolate, but this is not so. This look is lighter and softer. Its nose and pads are beige or pink-brown.

The coat color of these beautiful creatures has two colors, and a combination of white and any other shade is mandatory. Purebred bicolors must have a white belly, neck, chest, chin, limbs and, of course, muzzle.

Particolor (calico)

A Scottish cat of this type, called particolor, is a combination of white with tortoiseshell or spotted tabby color.

Harlequin captivated everyone with his unusual appearance. The cat is painted white (4/5 parts of the body), but the tail must be black, as well as the ears and the top of the head. The ventral part is white. The tip of the nose, like most people, is the same color - pink.

This breed only has colored tail, and sometimes has a few spots on the head. It happens that there are solid spots on the paws and back, but this is considered undesirable. When this breed develops red spots, it may also be called a Red Van.

What is the owner of the male responsible for?

• If animals have difficulties, they need help.
• Some animals can show aggression, therefore, at the slightest problem, it is better to postpone all mating actions. Maybe after a while the cats will get used to each other.
• Upon arrival at your destination, it is best to keep the cat in its portable vehicle for a while. Let her get used to it, sniff it, rest and gain strength.
• If animals are too aggressive, it is better to place them in enclosures so that they can get used to each other.

They love to show off their joy and amuse their owner.

People who are lucky enough to become the owners of these amazing creatures claim that they have a lot of advantages, without having any significant disadvantages.

• Despite their fluffy, curly coat, the dogs hardly shed, and their fur does not have an unpleasant odor.
• The lapdogs have a cheerful, friendly and peaceful character.
• Dogs are easy to train, and their education does not require much effort.
• Animals are very careful when it comes to toileting, and they are easy to train to a tray or a special diaper.
• These are ideal pets for children as they are playful, active and non-aggressive.

Cons of the breed

When sad and alone, a Bichon can whine for a long time and is even capable of minor mischief, for example, tearing the owner’s slippers or tearing a pillow.

• You will have to devote a lot of time to caring for the dog's fur.
• They cannot stand loneliness and bark and whine in the absence of their owners.
• They are prone to allergies to certain products and detergents used to care for their snow-white coat.

Many Bichon Frize owners claim that their curly-haired pets know how to smile, and when carried away by a playful, cheerful game, they sometimes make sounds that vaguely resemble laughter.

Together with a positive, friendly curly dog, joy and good mood will forever settle in your home. The Bichon Frize is always ready to please its owners with its amusing and amusing antics, and you will never be bored with such a pet.

Tabby (tabby)

Tabby is one of the most popular cats among Scots. The color of Scottish tabby cats is distinguished by the presence of a pattern in a certain area on the coat. The pattern on the wool can be anything. A distinctive feature is considered to be a pattern in the form of the letter M on the forehead.

Tabby color depending on the type of pattern:

• striped like a tiger (has vertical stripes on the sides);
• spotted;
• marble (pattern of chaotic spots and stripes of different sizes).

And depending on the color combinations to the following:

• golden tabbies;
• cream tabby;
• blue;
• black marble;
• marble on silver
• silvery blue (gray tint);
• silver (silver color);
• cameo.

The Scottish chinchilla got its color from the British, and they, in turn, took this color from the Persians. The cat gets this color if the mother and father are chinchillas.

Chinchillas are divided into three types:

Mating of British cats

British cats become sexually mature at 7-9 months. Experienced owners skip the first two heats. The third heat is considered the best. It is recommended to introduce a cat to gentlemen after it reaches one year old and provided that the animal is healthy and can bear and feed kittens without any problems.

The exception when a cat is allowed to go on a date earlier is if the pet is excessively sexually active. If your cat is crying more and more often, and the periods between heats are becoming shorter, owners may decide to breed her earlier.

Club rules allow breeding cats with a “score” of at least “Very Good”. The rules also state that Murka should not give birth to kittens three times in two years.

First cat time

The first urge to live freely in cats appears at the age of 8 to 12 months. There are exceptions, up or down. If a cat starts walking much earlier than expected, this indicates its early development. Her body is still quite weak, so owners should not allow mating. If estrus does not occur after 18 months, this indicates improper development of the animal. He should be taken to a veterinarian to determine the cause of this disorder.

It is usually customary to carry out mating in the territory of the male.

If you do the opposite, then the cat is unlikely to pay attention to the cat in an unfamiliar environment. And if this happens, then he will certainly sweep the entire territory before starting the process itself.

So, the cat is going on a trip. The date will last several days, so you need to take with you a tray, litter, favorite food and bowls for food and water. The cat must be well-groomed, the ears must be clean, and fleas are out of the question. All mandatory vaccinations and deworming are also required no earlier than two weeks before the date. It is better to sharpen the cat’s claws so that it does not injure its friend.

It is optimal if one of the animals in the couple already has previous dating experience. When meeting, the cat accurately determines whether the female is in heat. If he doesn’t find one, you shouldn’t expect any interest on his part. It is better to take the bride home so as not to shock her again with the new environment.

If the cat senses heat, his behavior will change dramatically. It is necessary to ensure that the acquaintance proceeds peacefully. If in the first hours of “friendship” the animals did not show aggression and did not start a fight, they can be left alone. At the first sniff, the cat will most likely get hit in the face. But this does not mean that the idea will not succeed. The talent of the singer and suitor will play a role, and it is quite possible that the cat will soon fall in love.

Basic principles of cat genetics

Many novice breeders search the Internet for a Scottish cat color calculator. But it doesn’t exist, because... it would be a very complex program. The entire “calculator” must fit into the head of the breeder, who must understand the basic principles of the formation of cat colors. We will provide answers to the most common questions.

Two long-haired parents cannot produce a short-haired kitten. But two short-haired parents can, if both are carriers of the long-hair gene.

To obtain a red or cream kitten, it is necessary that the father and mother be carriers of red pigment. However, a male kitten will get its color from its mother, so to get a red cat, the mother must be red. And the cat will receive color from its mother and father at the same time. Therefore, if both of them are red, then the girl will turn out to be red. And if one of the parents is black and the other is red, then the cat will be tortoiseshell.

A kitten of a dominant color (black, red) always has a parent of a dominant color. Two parents of a recessive color (cream, blue, etc.) cannot give birth to a kitten of a dominant color (black, red).

Dominant colors (white, shaded, smoke, tabby, bicolor) cannot skip a generation. For example, they cannot pass from grandmother to granddaughter without manifesting themselves in one of the parents.

A veiled/shaded kitten must always have at least one veiled/shaded or tabby parent. A tabby kitten must have at least one veiled/shaded or tabby parent.

A veiled/shaded parent can produce a smoky kitten, but a smoky parent cannot produce a veiled/shaded kitten.

A bicolor kitten must have a bicolor parent.

Two color point parents cannot produce a kitten of a different color. That is, it is possible to get a color point kitten only if both parents are either carriers of the color point gene, which does not manifest itself, or are color point.

Signs of pregnancy in Scottish cats

It is important to correctly determine that a cat is giving birth and how long pregnancy lasts in Scottish cats after mating. It is important to keep a calendar in which the first and all subsequent signs of pregnancy are noted.

How to understand and notice with the naked eye that a Scottish cat is pregnant? It is detected only in the sixth week. Indirect signs of pregnancy include:

• the cat goes through a period of toxicosis and feels sick in the morning;
• nipples enlarge, swell, become pink;
• There is an increased appetite and at the same time an aversion to some familiar types of food;
• her character changes, she withdraws, shuns her household;
• sleeps more than usual, is apathetic to games and affection.

The exact duration of pregnancy can be determined by a specialist only after 2 weeks using ultrasound or palpation. The duration of a Scottish cat's pregnancy lasts on average up to 65 days; if the cat is nursing and the kittens do not appear after 67 days, then a danger is created for the mother and her kittens. In this case, immediately seek help from a specialist. In critical moments, a caesarean section may be necessary.

By following calendar dates, they create comfortable conditions for the different stages of the cat’s birth and prepare in time for the actual birth of kittens. The course of the birth process is roughly divided into 3 periods.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1-dSY-Ih3o4%3F

Pregnancy

A cat's pregnancy lasts approximately 65 days. During this period, she has an increased appetite, sometimes nausea and vomiting in the morning, and walks are advisable for her. Your cat may want to eat something it hasn't eaten before, such as grass or carrots. There are special foods for pregnant and lactating cats.

A few days after the start of pregnancy, the cat stops calling to the cat by meowing and begins to look for a suitable place to give birth. The owner of the expectant mother should prepare a bedding or cardboard box in advance that is easy for the cat to enter and allow the cat to explore it.

In the fourth week, the cat's nipples turn pink and swell. During pregnancy, it is better not to pick up a cat in your arms, so as not to harm the unborn kittens. Kittens born before the 60th day are very weak and may die.

On the day of birth, the cat’s tail begins to get wet, it is worried, meows loudly, and may lose its appetite. A pale greenish mucous discharge appears from the vagina, which she often licks before giving birth. When the mucus plug comes out, pushing begins.

If you decide to give birth, that is, to make this process easier for the cat, then it is useful to know the following:

Pushing stimulation. Stroking the cat's stomach in the direction of the tail increases the pressure, if necessary.

Opening the shell. The kittens come out while in a transparent film. Breaking it will help the woman in labor.

Breathing stimulation. Lightly stroking the kitten along the spine stimulates breathing. He will clear his throat and start breathing.

Cutting the umbilical cord. The cat sometimes forgets to break it. To do this for her, you should tie the umbilical cord with a thread at a distance of 2 cm from the fetus, and then cut it 1 cm from the fetus.

Choosing a Scottish kitten

When choosing a Scottish breed, you should neither make a mistake nor confuse it with the British or with any other breed. Before purchasing, it is useful to get acquainted with the main features and external distinctive appearance. Characteristics of Scottish kittens:

• their fur is dense, stuffed: short (Scottish Fold, Scottish Straight) or semi-long (Highland Fold, Highland Straight);
• The Scots have a large selection, about 200, of recognized colors: plain or with a variety of patterns;
• the appearance of 3-month-old kittens resembles plump bear cubs (Scottish Straight) or small owlets (Scottish Fold);
• small kittens, Scottish Fold or Straight-eared, have blue, large, widely spaced, round eyes at birth;
• the head resembles a fluffy ball with a round muzzle;
• the main feature is the shape of the ears: erect (for straights), curved forward, folded (for folds);
• mouths and noses are small and neat;
• The gender of the animal does not matter much, cats are friendly, sociable, and playful;
• Kittens must have documents: veterinary passport with the indicated vaccinations, birth certificate with entered pedigree.

It is also important to decide on one of the three classes of the Scottish kitten standard:

1. Pet (PET) class, but with slight deviations from the standard. They are neutered before purchase and purchased for the soul, as a friend.
2. Nonsense (BREED) class, without deviations from the standard. By agreement with the breeder, they can have offspring and participate in cat shows.
3. Show (SHOW) class, the most thoroughbred with excellent pedigree. Rare specimens that meet all standard requirements. Future participants and winners of international exhibitions.

Scottish kittens photo:

Can a fold-eared cat be crossed with a fold-eared cat?

Interbreeding of Scottish Folds is prohibited. In most cases, crossing between animals of this breed leads to defects in the physiological development of the offspring.

If babies are born healthy, they are classified as mestizos. They are more difficult to sell because they do not meet the standard requirements. It is allowed to mate Folds only within the breed.

COMPLICATIONS DURING MATING

Not all meetings go equally well. Sometimes a cat cannot get pregnant the first time - then you have to bring her to the same cat again and again. There is nothing strange about this, especially after the first mating.

Communication problems may also arise. The most common one is that the cat does not let the groom near. In this case, the owners should additionally excite her by stroking her in the area of ​​the external genitalia, back and abdomen. Sometimes medical intervention is required: a probe is inserted into the vagina, after which mating occurs. Injections of drugs that induce ovulation are also given. But these are already extreme measures, which are worth taking only after weighing all the pros and cons. Most often, persistent but delicate behavior of the cat or a change of groom is simply required.

The opposite situation can also happen: the cat itself does not approach the cat. Perhaps he just didn’t like her, or maybe it was the color. If in early youth a cat was offended by some young lady, after that he may not approach females of the same color. Then, no matter how affectionate his new bride is, a similar color can disrupt the sexual mood. There is only one way out of this situation: select other partners.

Another common problem that we mentioned above is that the cat falls on its side during mating. Usually this position makes sexual intercourse impossible, but some cats can fertilize females on their sides. If this does not work, the person controlling the process must hold the cat so that it takes the correct position.