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All hail the queen!

All hail the queen!. The gestating or lactating mother needs more energy. 20-30% more during last 2-3 weeks gestation Up to 100% more during peak lactation Look for this label: "Complete and balanced nutrition for all stages of a cat's life or for reproduction."

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All hail the queen!

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  1. All hail the queen! • The gestating or lactating mother needs more energy. • 20-30% more during last 2-3 weeks gestation • Up to 100% more during peak lactation • Look for this label: • "Complete and balanced nutritionfor all stages of a cat's life or for reproduction." • Contains extra vitamins and minerals

  2. Kittens need special care • Provide 2-3 days colostrum if queen is not available. • Colostrum gives extra nutrition and temporary disease immunity. • Feedings start at every 3-4 hours. • Eventually feed 3 times dailyuntil 8 months old. • Wean at 6-8 weeks.

  3. Reproduction • Toms - male cats • Queens - female cats • Puberty reached at 4-12 months • Females mature earlier than males. • Varies by breed • Reproductive behaviorsmay include: • Restlessness, yowling, scent marking

  4. Estrous cycle • Queens are seasonally polyestrous • Heat (estrus) occurs at certain times of the year. • Tied to longer daylight/higher temperatures • Heat lasts 3-6 days. • Estrous cycle lasts 15-21 days. • Induced ovulators - egg released after being bred, then heat ends • Gestation is 63-67 days.

  5. Parturition … hurrah, it's kittens! • Queen chooses quiet, remote spot • Time between births from 15 minutes to 2 hours. • Queen licks newborn kitten to stimulate activity; removes embryonic sac • Litter size: averages 4-6 • Kittens born helpless, with eyes closed

  6. Castration/spaying • Castration = removing male testicles • Spaying = removing female reproductive organs • Why do it? • Overpopulation • Resolves problem mating behaviors

  7. Questions • 1. How long is a cat's estrous cycle? • 2. A male cat is called a __________ and a female cat is called a __________ . • 3. Cats can learn to be vegetarians. TRUE or FALSE? • 4. Kittens should receive at least two days of __________ , the queen's first milk. • 5. The gestation period of cats is __________ to __________ days.

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