CAT

:This article is about the domestic cat. For alternative meanings see cat (disambiguation).

Reproduction and genetics

Cats are seasonally polyestrous, which means they may have many heat periods over the course of a year. A heat period lasts about 4 to 7 days if the female is bred; if she is not, the heat period lasts longer and recurs at regular intervals.

Related Topics:
Polyestrous - Estrus cycle

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The male cat's penis has spines which point backwards. Upon removal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina. The female needs this stimulation for ovulation to begin. Because of this, females are rarely impregnated by the first male they mate with. Furthermore, cats are superfecund; that is, a female may mate with more than one male when she is in heat, meaning different kittens in a litter may have different fathers.

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The gestation period for cats is approximately 60 days. The size of a litter averages three to five kittens. Kittens are weaned at between six and seven weeks, and cats normally reach sexual maturity at six months (females) to seven months (males).

Related Topics:
Gestation - Litter

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Completely white cats (not to be mistaken with albinism) with blue eyes have a higher genetic probability of being born deaf than the average cat. It is most likely to occur if they are born with blue eyes, and in some cases, orange or green eye color. There are some examples of white cats with only one blue eye and the result is that they can be deaf on the side of the blue eye. {{ref|refbot.613}}{{ref|www.ozpets.com.au.612}}

Related Topics:
White - Albinism - Blue - Eye - Genetic - Deaf - Orange - Green

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This happens due to the dominant W gene. This certain gene usually gives the cat a white coat, blue irises, and deafness. {{ref|ourworld.compuserve.com.614}} It can happen in some cat breeds (that can carry the W gene), except Foreign white cats. Normally, Foreign white cats do not have a problem with deafness, but it can happen under very rare circumstances if the breed inherits the W gene. This also occurs with dogs if they have white coat and blue eyes, and in the case of dogs, it can be equally common for them to be born blind. {{ref|www.lsu.edu.615}} However, cats do not have a propensity for blindness if they have white coats and blue eyes. {{ref|www.lsu.edu.616}} Humans with common albinism, white skin and blue eyes generally suffer from visual problems, but in Tietz syndrome they suffer from deafness.

Related Topics:
Gene - Irises - Foreign white - Visual problems - Tietz syndrome

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Around 5% of all cats are completely white, of which 10%–20% are deaf. Very few survive in the wild because of all the hazards that they cannot avoid as easily as other cats would in the same situation. Deaf white cats should not be used for breeding. It is recommended to neuter or spay them instead; this is done to minimise the occurrence of their inherent genetic anomaly. {{ref|www.messybeast.com.617}}

Related Topics:
Neuter - Spay

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