Breeders probably know what happens when a cat goes through puberty. The first heat in Maine Coons occurs around the age of 10-12 months, during this period the cat becomes ready to become pregnant, bear and give birth to offspring. The scientific name of the process is estrus, that is, a change in hormonal levels and puberty in an animal.
How often does estrus occur and how long does it last?
The duration of estrus depends on the individual characteristics of the animal. If in the wild the body adapts to many external factors - changes in weather, day length and amount of food, which is why their estrus occurs twice a year (spring - summer, summer - autumn), then domestic cats, for example, Maine cats Coons can flow throughout the year until they become pregnant.
The average duration of the estrus period is 7-11 days, and if conception occurs, the cat calms down the next day. The estrous cycle, or the duration between the end of the “empty” period and the beginning of the next estrus, is 1-2 months. Sometimes a phenomenon called nymphomania occurs. In this case, the duration of the period of sexual activity is 4-6 weeks. Then the cat causes a lot of trouble for the owners, and it urgently needs to be bred or sterilized. With such a phenomenon, surgery is permissible.
First heat
Despite the fact that Maine Coons are a slow maturing breed, the first estrus does not depend on psychological age and most often begins at 6-10 months.
Pets can be mated as early as one year old, but it is recommended to skip the first heat.
There is a myth that if animals are bred early, their growth will slow down. Therefore, many breeders do not do this earlier than 2-3 years, and this is wrong, since the sooner the better. Wasted estrus is very undesirable and harmful to the mental and physical health of the pet; the optimal age for mating Maine Coons is 10-15 months, but provided that the cat is not in heat for the first time. If this is delayed, the fluffy may have problems with hormonal imbalance. Therefore, if the owner does not plan to breed kittens, which can only be done by owners of animals with excellent pedigree, the cat needs to be sterilized, and it is advisable to do this before the first heat.
Manifestations of physical maturity
Once they reach puberty, cats begin to behave much more aggressively than male cats. This is expressed in loud screams at night, damage to furniture and wallpaper, and marks throughout the habitat of an animal that has reached a dangerous age. During the period of estrus, the urine of an animal acquires a very pungent and unpleasant odor, it is almost impossible to get rid of it - these are very clear signs of the cat’s puberty. In addition, the beast constantly updates its marks.
The behavior of an animal depends quite strongly on the presence of competitors near it. The more aggressors around, the more nervous the cat began to behave. He hisses and grumbles threateningly, his games resemble hunting.
It should be noted that in addition to being a threat to competitors, cat cries may not be a very good sign. This behavior may be a consequence of the formation of kidney stones in the pet, and not because it has reached a certain age. The sharp edges painfully wound the animal from the inside, causing it to literally scream in pain. That is why any pet’s complaints should be treated carefully and not confuse estrus with a serious problem.
How to recognize?
It is quite difficult not to notice the first heat of a Maine Coon. It occurs in 3 periods:
- Proestrus or preparation. Within 1-4 days, the cat’s body prepares for mating, but is not yet ready to accept the cat. The pet's behavior is almost unchanged, except that it becomes more affectionate and meows a little.
- Estrus - readiness to mate. The stage lasts 5-7 days. If mating is planned, it occurs during this period. The cat asks, becomes restless, she is more affectionate and pliable, when touched in the pelvic area, she arches and raises her tail. It can mark to attract a male, and also meow protractedly.
- Diestrus (quiet period). If mating does not occur, the cat calms down and behaves normally.
During puberty, a cat may eat poorly and drink a lot of water.
After all this, the cat’s appetite decreases, but she drinks a lot. If there was no mating or pregnancy did not occur, the animal comes into shape 7-11 days after the start of estrus. When mating has occurred, it immediately calms down, but begins to behave aggressively towards the male. The next time the cat starts walking after 1.5-2 months, sometimes the timing changes. If there is a hormonal imbalance, estrus occurs every 2-3 weeks, and you must take your pet to the veterinarian.
Cat in heat at an exhibition
If a cat was being prepared for an exhibition, but during this period she went into heat, special precautions need to be taken. If the owner of the animal does not want to risk the peace of mind of his Maine Coon, it is better to refuse to participate in an event where many cats are present. There is another way out - to warn the organizers of the exhibition about the condition of the cat and ask to place it in a safe place where it would not attract the attention of animals of the opposite sex.
Maine Coons cannot be bred with representatives of other breeds - the kittens born will not be considered purebred, which means they will not receive any documents. If a coon cat is not of breeding value and was not purchased for breeding, it must be sterilized at an early age and thus ensure a healthy life. If breeding work is planned with a Maine Coon, the owner of the animal bears responsibility not only for the fate of the cat, but also for the future of its offspring.
How to calm an animal?
If you do not plan to breed Maine Coons, the easiest way to save yourself and your cat from constant stress is sterilization. Some breeders are against the procedure, they consider this operation inhumane, and prefer to give Maine Coons sedative hormonal drugs, but this is extremely risky. Due to such medications, cats may experience hormonal imbalance, which can lead to cancer, multiple cysts and purulent inflammation of the uterus.
Such sedatives can be given to a cat after mating. Having given birth to kittens, the furry kunsha needs rest for 1-2 heats in order to restore the body. For these purposes, sedatives made from herbs are also used; they have less effect on the nervous system and are not addictive. But you should definitely consult a veterinarian. The main thing is to show patience and kindness when your cat is walking. She needs to be picked up more often, stroked, and possibly distracted with games. At night, it is advisable not to leave your pet alone, much less close it. When going outside, you must wear a leash.
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Anyone who is going to bring a Maine Coon cat into their home should understand, even before purchasing a girl of this breed, that in a few months, when the pet is old enough, she will go into heat for the first time. This is evidence that the cat has reached sexual maturity and can bear offspring, although it is too early to breed her now. In order for the estrus period to be more painless for both the cat itself and its owner, you need to know about the features of this physiological process in the Maine Coon.
Maine Coon Mating
Before bringing animals together, it is recommended to trim their nails so that the pets do not injure each other.
The ideal time when a female cat is ready to breed is 3-5 days of estrus. The animal should not be in heat for the first time. Coons are bred like this: if the cat is a breeding cat - in nurseries, if not - you can look for a “partner” in advertisements. To prevent pets from harming each other, their claws must be trimmed. You should not bathe the female before mating, as this will wash away the natural scent that attracts males. All vaccinations must be completed, as well as treatment against parasites. It is advisable to bring animals together in the territory of the male.
The first mating of Maine Coons should occur after the female has had several heats. If the cat is not yet ready to mate, she may be aggressive and not allow the cat to approach her. Readiness can be determined by several signs: the female begins to lure and ask the male with strange poses - lowers her head down, arches her back, while bending her legs, raises the back of her body, vigorously stomps her hind legs.
The mating process itself in Maine Coons lasts 2 minutes and, depending on mutual sympathy, mating can occur about 10 times, accompanied by a satisfied purr from the male. To determine whether the mating took place or not, you need to pay attention to the behavior of the pets - the cat turns over on its back and rolls on the floor, the cat moves away and begins to lick itself. Some females show aggression towards the male and can even start a fight.
Alternative ways to resolve the heat issue
Modern pharmacology can offer pet owners to discourage their animals from any desire to flirt with the opposite sex, preserving their reproductive function. In this case, it is proposed to use two types of drops:
- Sedatives (in addition to ready-made pharmacy options, you can use folk methods in the form of chamomile or thyme decoctions);
- Hormonal (they will calm a walking animal by adjusting the animal’s hormonal levels).
If the animal is not valuable as a breeder, it is better not to torture it and castrate the cat. Unlike people, animals do not grieve over the loss of the opportunity to bear offspring, so the pet will not receive any mental trauma, but only peace for itself and its owners.
Estrus in Maine Coons (estrus) is a natural physiological process that depends on the individual characteristics of the animal’s body. Although coons are cats that reach puberty late, representatives of this breed can begin estrus at five months, which is not the norm, but such cases are not rare either. On average, Maine Kunshas begin to leak within seven months to one and a half years.
Read in the article:
- the presence of a cat nearby or its smell carried on clothing;
- neighborhood of a cat in heat;
- hormonal background of the animal;
- conditions of detention.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is a very important preventive measure that must be performed even if the kitten is completely indoors and does not walk outside. Many viral infections tend to persist in the external environment, and a pet can become infected simply by sniffing the shoes or clothes of the owner who came in from the street.
Before the first vaccination (at the age of two months), the kitten must be treated for parasites. Ten days after treatment, you can get the first vaccination against viral infections (panleukopenia, calicivirosis, rhinotracheitis). After 21-28 days (after the kitten reaches the age of three months), a second vaccination against infections is carried out, but this time together with a rabies vaccination. Next, the kitten will need to be vaccinated at the age of one year and then regularly every year.
Adult size standards
The Maine Coon is the largest breed of domestic cat. Males, both at birth and as adults, are significantly larger than females. The average weight of an adult cat is 8-14 kg. The body weight of a cat ranges from 5 to 7 kg. Spayed and sterilized pets gain weight much better, and their weight is about 3-4 kg more. Newborn kittens weigh 100-150 g. This is 1.5 times more than the weight of outbred babies.
The body size is also impressive. The body length of an adult cat reaches 120 cm. The average tail size is 50-55 cm. The height at the withers ranges from 24 to 44 cm. Some individuals have larger body parameters.
Trying to raise a huge Maine Coon, many owners try to feed their pet high-calorie “human” food (sweets, fast food, fatty fried meat). You can't do this. The pet will become obese, which negatively affects the health of large breed cats.
When does the first one start?
The first heat in a Maine Coon cat, on average, begins at 7 - 18 months. But some representatives of this breed may have their first litter as early as 5 months. There is no need to be afraid of early heat. But, if it has begun, then you need to be prepared for the fact that you will soon have to start looking for a suitable groom, since cats need to be bred already on the third heat, and in this case it will happen even before the pet is one year old.
In addition to heredity, when a cat begins her first heat is also influenced by factors such as nutrition, living conditions and what time of year the pet was born.
By the beginning of her first heat, a Maine Coon girl should already have gained approximately 80% of her adult weight.
Therefore, if a kitten grows quickly and gains weight well, then such a cat is likely to start her first heat quite early.
Signs of the beginning
The main sign that a cat has entered her first heat is the animal's restlessness and loud, inviting meow.
These screams continue for several days and do not subside even at night.
This can be a difficult ordeal, both for the animal owners themselves and for their neighbors.
The cat diligently rubs against corners or, for example, furniture, while it can take characteristic poses: protrudes its pelvis, moves its tail to the side and slightly falls on its front paws.
At this time, the animal experiences severe anxiety, is nervous and may even show aggression. In addition, even pets begin to actively strive to go outside. The owner needs to be especially careful and prevent his furry pet from escaping and mating with the first yard cat he comes across. In addition to psychological signs, there are also physiological ones:
- Colorless discharge from the external genitalia.
- The pet's genitals look a little swollen.
- Your cat is urinating more often than usual.
- The cat may eat less or refuse food altogether, but still drink more water.
Many animals at the beginning of their first heat become especially affectionate and sociable with people. They constantly follow their owners, demanding affection, meowing and rubbing against their legs.
How is it going?
Maine Coon estrus consists of three main stages:
- Proestrus. The cat becomes more restless and, at the same time, affectionate towards people. Typically, this condition lasts 1 - 3 days.
- Estrus. Peak estrus, at this time the female cat can adopt a female male and become pregnant. Outwardly, this stage is manifested by the fact that the cat looks excited and nervous, it makes loud calling cries, rolls on the floor, arches its back, moving its tail to the side.
- Metestrus. If the cat did not mate and did not become pregnant, then she calms down for a while. At this time, the animal eats little, but drinks more water. The animal may experience slight weight loss, and if the Maine Coon girl is not yet one year old, her growth may be temporarily slowed down.
After the estrus ends, the period of anestrus begins, lasting, as a rule, 1.5 - 2 months, when the animal has no sexual activity at all.
How long does it last?
On average, estrus lasts 7 - 11 days. But some cats experience a phenomenon called nymphomania, in which estrus lasts for 2 to 3 months. In some cases, mating can help, after which the animal can calm down and its cycle returns to normal.
In some cases, only sterilization of the pet can help with nymphomania.
Development of kittens by month
It is important to ensure that the kitten gains weight in accordance with breed standards and does not lag behind in development. At first, the daily weight gain should be 10-15 grams. The pet's weight should increase approximately four times by the month. Small kittens are completely dependent on their mother and feed only on her milk (what to do if the mother refuses to feed the kittens is a separate article). At about two weeks of age, their eyes open. Kittens spend most of their time sleeping. By the month they are actively interested in the world around them and become very curious.
In the second month, the cubs learn new things. Some already know what a tray is, know how to hunt and actively play. By this age, you can already begin to accustom them to solid food. It is very important during this period how responsibly the mother cat treats their upbringing. She must teach them all the rules of behavior in the house, communication with people, and show them where the tray, scratching post and feeder are located.
At three months, the kitten is completely ready to move to a new home. He can eat dry and wet food, his character has been developed, he has been vaccinated again and has a veterinary passport. Therefore, the cat is ready to meet its new home and owners. What to feed kittens and adult Maine Coons - we answer in the article.
In subsequent months, the cat's active growth slows down. By 6 months, baby teeth should be replaced by permanent teeth. At the age of 7-8 months, puberty begins and this is the most suitable period to carry out an operation to sterilize or castrate the animal, if the owner does not plan further breeding. By the age of one year, the growth of the Maine Coon stops, but weight gain can actively continue.
Indicators at birth
Newborn Maine Coon kittens are larger than usual (about 1.5 times) and weigh 120-160 grams. The greater the number of kittens in the litter, the less weight each individual will have. In the first week, kittens gain 10-15 grams per day, and by the end of the week they weigh 160-240 grams. In the second week, the weight already reaches 250-360 grams. In the third - 450-550 grams. At the age of one month, small Maine Coons weigh 600-650 grams (girls) and 700-750 grams (boys).
