Expert: Norman Auspitz - 10/20/2009

Question
Hi, I have a female persian cat of 1 year old and a male persian cat of 2 year old. I want them to reproduce. I've only seen my female cat in heat one time in her life, and in that moment they started to mate like for 4 days. But it was their first time doing it, and they seemed they didn't know how to do it well, especially the male. But that was about 3 months ago, and since then they haven't done it again! She is not pregnant either. And she has 3  to 4 monthes that she is not in heat again. What could it be?? why??? What can i do to help her get in heat more often??

` They live in my apartment, they are indoors only. and they are my only cats also. I have them since they were little kittens, and they know each other since they were little( the male was the first one i bought, then when he had a year old, i went a bougt the female when she had 2 months old only, and since then they know each other, they get along beautifuly) Some one told me that this might be the reason why the female is not exited too much about the male, because she maybe seeing the male as a friend. Is this true?? Can this happen??? If so, What can i do to help the female get in heat or see the male as a mating partner??

If this can also help, I feed them high quality food, Royal Canin for persian cats, and give them also filtered water. Thanks a lot, and please please help me!! I want to become a breeder, I love persian cats. Thank you and sorry for the long story but I want you to know all the details, so your anwswer can be more accurate. Thanks again. I'll be waiting for your answer!

Answer
Yessie,

It does happen that "familiarity breed contempt" in cats. It is possible that if the two cats are buddies, they will not breed.  Also, Persians take a few years to mature, so you may just have to be patient.  I know of male Persians that took more than 2 years to figure it out.  So, I would be patient for a little longer and see what transpires.  There are no hard and fast rules in the cat breeding game.  Sometiems the best thing to do is to find another Persian breeder who would be willing to mentor you.

Females come into heat when they come into heat.  No amount of drug or herb can make them safely come in more or less frequently. I am, afraid you have only two options, be patient and wait for your male and female to figure it out or take her to another more experienced stud.

It is not uncommon for two inexperienced cats to take a few cycles to finally figure it out. In fact, I know of people who actually held the male in the right place with respect to the female until he finally got the idea.  That is not an easy way to go!!!!!

Good luck and, please feel free to come back to me with more questions or clarifications of any of the above.

BTW, what cat registry are these Persians registered with?  ADoes the breeder know you intednto breed them?

Best regards... Norm.