Expert: W - 3/31/2008

Question
Hi,
My 10 month old Bengal has come into season and as soon as I noticed I kept her in the house.
I did notice that an unneutered male was in the garden and I am worried that he may have got to her already.
She is still calling and rolling around putting her bottom in the air is this a sign that she has not yet mated?.
Will she stay in season until she is mated?
I would happily mate her now if she is old enough is 10 months too young for her to have kittens?
Would you recommend breeding her with a cross as I don't think I would be able to find a Bengal stud as I purchased her as a pet.
Any ideas where I would start with finding a stud for her if this would be possible?.
I never signed anything to say that I would not breed from her nor was it discussed at time of purchase.  

Answer
Hi Kate
Let me answer your questions as they are in your email
It is not known if she has been mated with this unknown male, how do you know that he is entire, have you managed to get that close to him?
If she is still calling then she may be still unmated, but cats can be mated several times in the calling period with different males and produce kittens from each of those matings. So it is possible for a cat to have a litter of kittens each one from a different stud.
10 months old is OK to have kittens, it makes her about 16 in human terms. The season is about five to seven days about every four to six weeks, the time interval could be longer. She will go in and out of heat during this time.
Now for the tricky part. You own a cat purchased from a breeder with an unknown stipulation on breeding. Here in the UK our registry would frown upon any one attempting to mate an unregistered cat with a registered stud and the stud owner could face dire consequences from the registering body. The breeder may have seen problems with the cat to cause her concern about future breeding so could want her to be altered as soon as possible. It depends on how you get on with the original breeder. If you are still on good terms you could approach her and ask her for help with an unrelated stud for mating. She may even tell you more about your cat and it's background and suitability for breeding or not.
I would not recommend you breeding your Bengal to an outcross or moggie either as it would produce moggies that need 'good homes'.
Please do talk to the original breeder and if they are unhelpful, then my view would be to have her altered as soon as you can and then enjoy her as a pet

Ray