Cat pregnancy

i_need_help_3

Hi all

I have a 5 month old kitten, Pheobie and i am wondering whether to have her spayed at 6 months or mate her as i have over 6 friends that have already said that they will home the babies but i really don't know whether i should because there are so many kittens around that need homes as it is.

I must admit it would be a lovely experience but thats thinking of myself and obviously i have Phoebie's best interests at heart.

Many people have different views about mating cats, Some say its cruel and some say it is natural but i just wanted to start my own thread to see what you peeps think.

Should i spay her or shouldn't i? Is it really as extreme as 'rape' when cats mate.

I couldnt stand the thought of her being chased and 'raped' if that is the case.

Thanks in advance x

spookylukey

Please, please don't mate her. There are literally hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats and kittens looking for homes in rescue centres up and down the country, not to mention the strays living on the streets. All those adult cats living rough and sitting in cages in rescues were once cute kittens who people wanted to give a home.

Phoebie is far too young to be a Mum, she is just a kitten herself As I understand it the male cat has barbs on it's penis which means that intercourse is actually very painful for the female. The male cat will bite her neck to pin her down while he is mating her. If you have ever heard cat screams late at night that is either cats fighting or female cats screaming while being mated

Do you have a spare room? If you'd like to experience cat motherhood and raising kittens do you think you'd be in a position to foster a Mum cat and her kittens? The rescue will meet all costs - food, litter and medical treatment and will also find homes for Mum and babies as soon as Mum is spayed.

If finances are an issue then the Cats Protection can provide vouchers towards the cost of spaying (can be used at any vet) or in some cases for the whole cost.

i_need_help_3

hi spookylukey thanks for your advice that does sound awful! I would love to foster however i do work so i don't know whether centres would allow me to take them on seeing as i wont be there most of the day. What do you think?

spookylukey

Hi

I don't think the majority of rescues would have any problem with you being out at work during the day, I know lots of people that work full time and foster.

Here's a link to rescues in the UK, click on the map to find a list of rescues in your area. Would be great if you did become a fosterer

http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html

i_need_help_3

Think i will definately have her spayed now, i was in two minds anyway so now i've decided. Just gonna be hard keeping the lil minx in seeing as i still need to let my other cat out ha ha. I will defiantely look into the fostering. Would the mum need to go out at all or do mums stay with their babies at all times? x

spookylukey

Mum cat would need to stay in with her babies and wouldn't normally be let out as she is new to the area she might wander off and get lost so would be indoor only as would the babies of course. The advantage of them being fostered in a home is that the kittens get socialised much easier, they get used to household noises such as hoovers, doorbells and obviously get lots of attention and cuddles from their foster family and visitors.

You've definitely made the right decision for Phoebie, she's lucky to have such a good Mum as you

i_need_help_3

awwww thank you hun thats so kind of you. I just want the best for her, she came from a grubby home i just had to take her with me, my other cat wasn't best pleased though but she is getting better bless her ha ha.

if that is the case with mummy cats then i can only offer my help and if they want it then great if not then.............. oh well

Thanks for your help. I'm knowledgable on dogs as i'm a volunteer worker with them just not so much on cats ha ha

x

anniestar

Please please DON'T breed from Phoebe. I have been involved with cat rescue for longer than is probably normal:rotfl: :rotfl: I have lost count of the time I have heard the "my friends said they would have fluffys kittens but they have changed their mind"tale. There are hundreds of kittens and cats that would love a caring home.
Also, God forbid, what happens if something goes wrong. Nightmare. We came across a newly delivered mum(just a kitten herself)who had just had 5 kittens(ironicaly in my old house where we had been storing cat protection stuff prior to my selling the house) she was in a dreadful state and it ended up us hand rearing the kittens and getting mum treatment. big nightmare. We bought a rabbit run for the living room, fire on 24/7, simi cat by the bucket, sterilising fluid, 2 hourly feeds (oh the joy of the alarm going off at 3 am:eek: ) We got them all through(they turned 7 last week) and in fact one of them is my avatar(Livingston) but it was hard(during this time DH contracted mengititus and i had to leave him in the HDU to come back to feed the kittens) Now things probably won't go wrong but they can........
Finally the male cat has a ridge to ensure succssful breding..... not great if you are a girl cat...............
As the OP said all cat rescue branches are in desperate need of extra help so please think about lending a hand. Good luck with your cats(we have a Phoebe by the way!) have fun with yours and suggest to your friends that there are loads & loads of cats that would love to have a new home.

BizzyBek

I'm a cat welfare volunteer and specialise in hand rearing kittens and fostering pregnant queens, ill, injured and abused cats.

I BEG people to get their cats spayed/neutered and don't risk her getting pregnancy for a number of reason
1- like any animal, the pregnancy can present complications, dangerous to the cats help and expensive operations.
2 - if the kittens are rejected hand rearing may sound cute but it wears off after night one! 2hourly feeds, 24 hours a day for a fortnight does not make for an energetic person trust me! And you well you've fed one end you have to stimulate the other to make sure they wee and poo!
3 - By getting pregnant to an unknown Tom you are putting her at risk of sexually transmitted disease such as FIV which is terminal.
4 - there are too many stray and unwanted cats in the UK. We currently have 16 foster places and 184 on the waiting list. If a pregnant queen or queen and kittens comes in that's a place blocked for 2 months.

I tend to go a but ranty about this subject :rotfl:

Garnet_Gem

Please don't let your cat be mated. The male cat doesn't woo the female with flowers and boxes of chocolates!

i_need_help_3

don't worry people i'm definately not allowing it now. She is just awaiting her appointment at the vets and is totally annoyed with me for mot letting her outside ha ha. Thanks for all your advice xx