Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Male “Coming of Age”
Male kittens start producing low levels of testosterone at about three
and a half months of age. They can produce sperm by five months of
age, but they are not usually able to copulate before they are 9 to 12
months old. Some behaviors you may see as a kitten begins sexual mat-
uration are gripping the neck of another cat from behind, pelvic thrust-
ing and mounting.
Most male cats have two testicles descended into their scrotums at
birth. If the testicles have not reached the scrotum by eight months of
age, it is unlikely they ever will. If a testicle is retained (called
monorchid
if one testicle is retained and
cryptorchid
if both are), it should be
removed when the animal is neutered to prevent the possible develop-
ment of tumors.The surgical procedure used with a cryptorchid cat, if
the testicle is in the abdominal cavity, is similar to that used when spay-
ing a female cat.
Female “Coming of Age”
Once a female cat begins to have her estrus cycle, she is able to con-
ceive. The estrous cycle is the hormonal cycle that defines female
“heat.” Cats do not bleed when they are in heat, and the signs of heat
in a female cat are all behavioral (see the list below). Most indoor cats
will begin to cycle at five to nine months of age.
The kitten's environment plays a role in what age puberty begins,
and factors such as exposure to tomcats, cycling females or increasing
amounts of light will trigger earlier estrus. Although some cats cycle all
year round, most cats in North America cycle between mid-January and
late September.
The estrous cycle in a female cat is comprised of four stages:
anestrus, proestrus, estrus and metestrus. Estrus is the only time in
which a female will allow copulation and can conceive.
Proestrus is the short period one to three days before estrus. A
female cat in proestrus may:
•
Show a general increase in her activity.
•
Roll and rub on objects and people.
•
Spray urine.
