Expert: Marcia Owen - 9/8/2008

Question
I have a female and male munchkin that were born two months apart - she is 1 yr 4 mths old now and he is 1 yr 2 mths old and they have been living together since last November. She has been going into heat since April, and he has tried mounting her, but looks more like he is humping her back.  He is scooting further back to try to mount her been has not seemed to figure it out yet.  He is interested in her obviously.  I worry that he will eventually lose interest though.  Is there something I can do?  Should during her heat we lock them in their own room or separate them at all in between heats?  After what amount of time are we in trouble of them not mating at all?

Answer
Hi Linda

Your boy is still very young and your girl has no experience either, so it is something they will have to figure out between them.  I would alway suggest that a novice boy really needs to practice on an experienced female as they will actually help the boy get it right.  

I do know a Burmese boy who starts up high and then gradually creeps his way backwards.  It seems to take forever but he does get there in the end, so may be your boy is going to be like that.

It wouldn't hurt to separate them in between heats if they are happy about it.  Remember we need to make sure that the cats are not stressed so if they are unhappy separated then you will need to give in.

Marcia.