Expert: Norman Auspitz - 7/1/2011

Question
I have a female and male doll face persian cats.  They live together with me since they were kittens.  They were meant to breed.  The male has 4 years old and the female 3 years old. They have never been able to have kittens, I don't know what is the problem exactly, but they have always tried to mate, but some thing must be wrong because my female never gets pregnant.  I've seen them when she is in heat, the male mounts her, but she doesn't stay in her "mating position" long enough. She stays some time in the mating position, with the male on top, but the male is kind of slow on it, and she rapidly turns over ( feet up)  and the male gets angry and tries to put her in her position again but she just wiggles on the floor, and tries to play with him, she gets very affectionate, and she makes some loud vocal sounds, but I've never ever seen her stay in her mating position for more than 30 seconds!, she always turns around before the male has done his job. I've tried to hold her, but she struggles with me, because she wants to turn around. I don't know what going on, isn't this supposed to be something natural in cats?  The vet, told me that it is weird because cats usually mate too much, and owners have to spray them to stop them mating.  Well, my cats have 3 and 4 years old and have never had kittens.  I think it is the female cat who doesn't know how to stay in her position, and this is what inhibits them from mating and breeding.  According to all I have explained to you, What may be the problem with my cats?  Is there a way I can help them to mate or what options do I have for them to breed?  I've read about artificial insemination, but can't find enough information about it on internet, would this be a good option?  Please answer, I'll be waiting! Thanks.

Answer
Leila,

There are two issues, first, often when cats are raised together, they do not really want to mate each other.  One may, but the other may not, kind of like familiarity breeds contempt.

Second, it is not always a sure thing when two virgins try to go at it, as they may be on the right track, but are not really sure of what they are doing.

We like to use a very experienced males with a virgin female for her first time, it just seems to work better. A very experinced male knows how to deal with a female who wants to roll.  Likewise, a very experience female is best for a virgin male so that he really does learn "the ropes", so to speak.

At age 3 your female is getting on not to have had a litter, and their may be problems with cystic ovaries, but maybe not!

So you may see if you can use a very experienced male with your female. It may be that getting it right once will be all she needs.

Best regards... Norm.