Expert: Marcia Owen - 10/9/2007

Question
hi me again my cat is a tortoise shell and the male is a tabby do you have any idea what age they can both breed at?

Answer
These are just colours and patterns and you can get these in most breeds of cat so I can only say the ages I said before as being general.  Even within a breed you will have those that mature early and those that mature late.  I have Burmese who are well known usually for being sexually mature at an early age, yet none of mine have ever shown any signs until at least a year old.

Nature will tell you when they are ready.  The girl will come into season, by rolling, getting more vocal and as she gets further into her call, she will start to put her back end in the air and 'tread' with her back feet.  The boy will be a little more difficult to judge but when the girl comes into season, he will certainly try his luck if allowed, and then you will know he is also ready.

Marcia.