When a cat is about to give birth, you will be able to feel the kittens moving when touching your cats abdomen. Not only will you not have to worry about nonstop yowling and cleaning up smelly and persistent cat urine, you won't be contributing to feline overpopulation either. If you are thinking about getting a puppy but are nervous about all that pent-up puppy energy, spend an afternoon at a dog park. To put it another way, tomcats will kill newborn cats who chance to have the same genetic composition as their rival cats. When a female goes into heat -- also called estrus -- it basically means she is ready to mate with tomcats. First, make sure all windows and doors are securely closed and that there are no holes in the walls or roof that a cat could climb through. In simpler terms, a womans monthly menstrual cycles will become irregular before stopping entirely, signaling infertility a lack of viable eggs that can become fertilized by a males sperm. Even if the cats had been friends before, the queen cat would most likely be protective of her babies and try to keep the other cats away. if spayed), especially in a cat-breeding context. Kittens are safe from tomcats at about four to eight weeks of age. Feline sexual maturity does not always occur at the same age, as it depends on the individual cat. A tomcat refers to an un-neutered, sexually mature male cat, regardless of what breed he is. If you have a kitten, you may be wondering when they will be safe from tomcats. They can be certain that those litters are theirs. (1539 reviews) highest rating: (guernsey) is my 14 week old female kitten safe around 2 tom cats spraying in my garden , my little tilly . Cats are seasonal polyestrics, which implies that cats experience heat during months with more sunlight. Neutering should be done as soon as possible, usually before six months of age. What is the most effective cat repellent? Why do Mom cats bite their kittens throat? So, it is clear that mother cats are incredibly protective of their young and will go above and beyond to keep them safe from potential danger. You can keep tom cats away from kittens by following these steps: . Yes, male cats have a proclivity for killing their own kittens. 2. A young cat is classified as being a "kitten" from birth up until roughly 1 year in age. That fuzzy, miniature, four-legged bundle of joy will discover her independence well before the six-month mark. The author of this article is a student at the University of Oxford. Referring to male cats, DVM360 writes that: Male kittens go through puberty at around 6 to 7 months of age. Kittens should always be supervised when theyre around tomcats, and its important to keep an eye out for any signs of aggression from either animal. Cats who have been neutered can be peaceful and relaxed with kittens. But is your female cat old (or young) enough to fall pregnant? Cats or kittens are never safe outdoors from tomcat attacks or dozens of other things that wish to do them harm. Tomcats wanted their females to heat up as quickly as possible so they could mate again. If you encounter a feral tom cat, it is best to keep your distance and make sure your kittens are safe. Male Cat Size. The answer to this question is that it depends on a variety of factors, including the age of the kittens, the temperament of the tomcat, and whether or not the two are neutered. Congratulations! A queen can birth five litters a year and continue reproducing throughout her lifespan unless spayed. Reproductive Cycle. Bleach does not make a good cat repellent. On average, male cats live for around one to two years less than female cats, much like human men and women. This means that they may inadvertently hurt a kitten while playing. Required fields are marked *. Can cats eat Rice, Tuna, Bread, Eggs, Ham, and Cheese. Male cats have been observed to care for kittens in a variety of circumstances. They may also be more apt to defend their offspring, as well as those of other breeds. Socializing should begin as early as possible, ideally between three and seven weeks of age. This may cause male and female cats to process what they hear differently. Knowing at what age cats can have kittens allows us to schedule castration at an earlier date. Keep reading the article to know more about at what age are kittens safe from tomcats and how you can keep them safe. 10 Best Automatic Cat Water Fountain Reviews, Cat not Eating or Drinking for 3 days Here are the 7 Reasons, 5 Best Cat Claw Clippers and Nail Trimmer Reviews. Tomcats are larger and more aggressive than kittens, so its important to make sure your kitten is big enough and strong enough to defend themselves before allowing them to interact with tomcats. As weve already mentioned, cats can begin to mate from their first heat. Tomcats notoriously prey on female cats, but at what age can cats have kittens? Schedule an ovariohysterectomy before Fluffy returns home already-pregnant. A useful tip for pet owners is . Finally, spay or neuter your kitten before they reach maturity. Feral tomcats may watch over the kittens while the mama cat is out looking for food. When spring weather returns, menacing tomcats start yowling, and your queen begins pawing at the door, youll hear the message loud and clear: its breeding season! This involves using different types of cat deterrents that are at the same time safe for cats. Females are only receptive to mating when they are in heat. Other short-term solutions include scattering orange and lemon peels or spraying with citrus-scented fragrances, spreading coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, oil of lavender, citronella or eucalyptus. Humans reach sexual maturity during adolescence (12-13), our distant cousins chimps do the same by age 15, and dogs outpace us all by reaching fertility in 6-18 months. At What Age Are Kittens Safe From Tomcats? A tomcat is usually larger and stronger than a male cat, so it can easily overpower them in a fight. Kitten killing is more common in inexperienced or highly stressed mothers, and because the surviving kittens of a kitten killer may grow up to be poor mothers themselves, there may be some genetic problems influencing kitten killing behavior in queens (leading to hormonal or behavioral problems). It is their obligation to keep their litter safe from animals, particularly male cats. Click here for more details on keeping them safe and sound in their environment. If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section. Second, tomcats are usually not neutered. However, know that they have the tendency to slaughter kittens that are not their offspring. The male cat can use this to get the female cat into heat so he can reproduce. However, not all male cats will protect kittens. In addition, well be discussing your cats pregnancy timeline, as well as how many kittens cats can have. When a tomcat takes over a new territory originally owned by another tomcat either dead or non-competitive, the new tomcat may be driven to kill the kittens that are in the new territory. There are some tomcats that are benevolent in their approach and are considered to lack the instinctive nature or it may not have been developed well. Cats have a great sense of scent that helps them to determine any intruders in their territory. A tomcat can be attracted to a nursing female cat due to her hormonal state. The reality is that even as an adult a cat can be a victim of an aggressive . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'21cats_org-leader-3','ezslot_17',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-3-0');Training is essential for kittens to learn how to interact safely with other cats, including tomcats. The average age of heats in cats, however, is 6 months for female cats (which can oscillate) or 9 months in male cats. While a cat's body may look fully grown by 1 year, they are still maturing. To ensure the well-being of your kittens, you should take extra precautions by keeping your cats indoors or providing them with a safe outdoor area. Everything You Need to Know, Are Black Cats Smarter Than Other Cats? . Male cats are sometimes misunderstood as not actively participating in the caring of their kittens. However, cats are usually organized in groups just like the other cat families like a lions pride. Writer and Mommy of 3 furr babies: Tomcats can be scared away by placing an old CD looped up at the cats height on trees as a visual deterrent. Traditionally, male cats were neutered between the ages of six to eight months old, and it was not considered appropriate for them to be neutered before this time, due to concerns that they were potentially too small, or not fully developed. But be warned, keeping an intact male cat under house arrest can lead to spraying and marking behaviors, so desexing really is best. Although genetics of the queen may come into play, multi-colored kitten litters will often vividly demonstrate multiple mating. Lavender has a pleasant scent for humans, but it is unpleasant for cats. Tomcats are usually not present to protect their offspring, though a colony male tom may drive away any intruders that may try to come in their territory mostly to protect their space rather than to secure the young ones. According to the ASPCA, there are approximately 70 million homeless cats on the streets and in shelters, and they all were kittens at one point. This is known as infanticide, and it is a tool used to ensure the survival of species. There are instances when some breeders raise kittens with both the male and female around and they tend to develop benevolence as a result. When they reach this stage, they are a bit bigger and less vulnerable . Cats rely on their sense of smell to get through. At what age are kittens safe from tomcats? 2021 All Facts and Guides to Cats and Kittens - 21Cats.org. Tomcats behave very much like lions. Spaying is common in kittens around 4 to 6 months of age, although many get it done earlier or later. This can be a great time to introduce them to other tomcats. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Kittens are at their most vulnerable during the first few weeks of life. At this point, they are considered adults and can fend for themselves against tomcats. You may have heard that a mother cat will adopt and nurse a kitten that is not her own. Aside from that, texture and visual sorts of deterrents can be used. Heat in cats symptoms and signs include: For more details, we suggest taking a look at our article where we discuss how do cats act when they are in heat? To learn about what age cats can have kittens, read on. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. Females are noted for their maternal instincts when it comes to their litter. Unfixed female cats typically go into heat every few weeks or so. However, consult your veterinarian first before intentionally allowing your queen to become pregnant. Male cats that have had their testes removed or have been castrated are known as neutered. Plant plants with aromas or textures that tomcats dislike to keep them away from your kittens. Heres What to Do Next, Why cant I get rid of my dogs fleas? A young cat is classified as being a "kitten" from birth up until roughly 1 year in age. Most kitten attacks usually happen at a time when the female is away from the nest as it has been seen commonly that any nesting female drives away any males that may try to attack. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Additionally, ensure windows and doors are tightly closed, install motion-activated lights or sprinklers around your home, supervise pets when outdoors, and dont leave food out for feral cats. Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. Although cat fertility decreases with age, it is not uncommon for an older cat of 10 years to give birth. Training and socialization with other dogs are continued necessities. As a result, he will be able to produce kittens. But even kittens can have kittens, so this does not prevent unwanted litters. Make sure to just spray or apply this to the surfaces and not the cat. So, at what age are kittens safe from tomcats? Tom cats often live in groups and may mate with multiple female cats during the same season. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. As a result, the male cats hunting instinct is triggered, causing them to kill their litter. Yes Toms will kill kittens because the grief in the momcats throw the females back into heat quickly and the toms can mate again. A Complete Guide, What are 3 headed dogs called? Low rated: 3. According to a study, in the wild, the mother and father will kill their own babies in order to survive. . When Does a Dog Go Into Heat After Having Puppies? If youre Introducing a kitten to a tomcat for the first time, its important to do so gradually. Cats also have a superb sense of smell, which is one of their best traits. As male cats do not take part in raising their offspring, kitten calls and the urgency conveyed in them may not have the same relevance for them as for female cats. A male cat that is not castrated will be highly active and roam a lot, sometimes wandering off for a day or more at a time, and . They do not want the females to raise kittens that belong to his rivals. With these ideas in mind, here are the steps to resolveor, better yetavoid aggression between cats: Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Causes and Solutions. But when are kittens safe from tomcats? For example, a Sable German Shepherd and a Fluffy Frenchie will have much different energy levels. , ask us in the caring of their best traits a mother cat will adopt and nurse a to... Not actively participating in the caring of their best traits heat every weeks! About four to eight weeks of life this stage, they are considered adults and fend. 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