Expert: Marcia Owen - 12/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I had brought a 6 year old female ragdoll recently and I want her to have kittens. I was wondering if it is possible at her age to come into heat or get pregnant? Upto what age can a ragdoll go into heat and become pregnant? If she can at 6 years old, what signs do i need to look out for to know she is on heat? (Also my ragdoll cat is ill, got the flu, if ragdolls are ill, can they actually come into heat or does that happen after they are better and fully healthy? Thank you..

ANSWER: Dear Rihad

This really depends on whether your girl has had a litter before.  If she has then yes it is possible for her to have a heat and get pregnant.  However, if she has never had kittens before then it is too late for her to have a first litter safely.  It is the same as an older woman having a baby, there are many more risks.  I know someone who's cat had a litter at 5 years old and the Mum had to have a c.section to deliver the babies and they all died.  I would never risk having a first litter after 3 years old. I would really urge you not to breed from her if she has never had a litter.

Normally a cat will only come into heat when they are well so she would need to be in good health before coming into heat.

Regards

Marcia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Marcia, thank you for your reply. She did have litters of kittens before (this is what the previous owner said). I would like her to have another litter of kittens then get her spayed after she had another one litter of kittens. But recently I took her to the vet, and they said she has kidney problems (common in persian & ragdolls). So can I still breed her for a litter of kittens even if she has kidney problem?? Thank you

Answer
Dear Rihad

You now have to decide how much you value your cat as a pet, putting aside your breeding plans.  If she had a litter her kidneys will no doubt deteriorate much quicker as a lot of strain is put on the kidneys with expelling the kitten's waste as well as the mother's.  You could risk shortening her life significantly.  Has the vet given her any treatment?  If so then this would also put the kittens at risk as most drugs have side effects for the unborn foetus.

I think if she was mine I would have her neutered and let her live the rest of her life as a pampered pet.  During neutering I would suggest that you request that she is put on a drip, to support her kidney function.

Marcia.