Due to the characteristics of cat heat, it is very common for us, as caregivers, to decide to sterilize them to avoid behaviors that make coexistence difficult, he alth problems and feline overpopulation, since a single cat is capable of give birth to several litters each year. In any case, there are numerous doubts that may arise in this regard. Therefore, in this article on our site we are going to explain if a sterilized cat can have intercourse or not, if she can get pregnant or if she is capable of producing milk. Essential information to be taken into account by any caregiver.
The reproductive cycle and the sterilization of cats
Cats are seasonal polyestrous This means that, during the months of sufficient light, they will have a continuous succession of periods of heat that they will last about seven days and will be repeated approximately every 10-15 days. In addition, female cats exhibit induced ovulation, implying that a stimulus, usually intercourse, is required to trigger ovulation and thus make her fertile. to the cat.
When we decide to spay our cat, it is usual for the veterinarian to make a small abdominal incision through which to remove the ovaries and uterus, although some veterinarians choose to remove only the ovaries. In any case, the cat does not go back into heat and, as only during that period does she show interest in copulation, the answer to whether a sterilized cat can have intercourse is NO
Can a spayed cat get pregnant?
As we have seen, a spayed female cat will not go into heat, she will not be fertile, she will not attract males and, therefore, if we have doubts as to whether a neutered female cat can have intercourse and remain pregnant, the answer is no. Without ovaries and without a uterus, the sexual cycle does not take place, therefore, pregnancy is impossible
Can a spayed cat go into heat?
We have already made it clear that a sterilized cat cannot have intercourse, cannot mate, because this only takes place when the cat is at her fertile moment, that she will not exist without ovaries. But there is a circumstance in which, even sterilized, the cat could show symptoms of heat, that is, insistent and high-pitched meowing, rubbing against all kinds of objects or people, exposure of the genitals, etc. It is the ovarian rest, which means that some fragment of ovarian tissue has remained in the cat's body and that this has been able to trigger enough hormonal stimulation for the cat to go into heat.
If we have recently operated on our cat but we observe symptoms compatible with heat, we should go to the vet. It is necessary to try to locate the ovarian remnant and extract it. This problem occurs rarely and, in these cases, a spayed cat can mate but, obviously, without a uterus, there will be no pregnant
Can a neutered cat produce milk?
In the previous sections we have answered whether a sterilized cat will be able to have intercourse, but this is not the only question related to her sexual cycle that may raise doubts. When a cat mates, it is normal for fertilization to occur and, in these cases, after a gestation of about two months, the cat will give birth to a litter that she will suckle with the milk she produces until she is approximately two months old. This will be the only time a cat will give milk. Therefore, a neutered cat will not be able to have milk
However, there are two situations in which a spayed cat can give milk and nurse. Thus, the above maxim is not fulfilled in those cats that, due to some problem, require a cesarean section to help deliver their kittens and take advantage of surgery to sterilization. These cats will be able to nurse their kittens. In addition, sterilized female cats that, due to circumstances, come into contact with lactating kittens, are capable of raising them.
Can a neutered cat have a psychological pregnancy?
Finally, although a sterilized cat cannot have intercourse, we have already seen that if, after the intervention, an ovarian remnant has remained , estrus may be triggered even with mating. In some cases in which this occurs and, for obvious reasons, does not end in pregnancy, the cat can suffer what is known as pseudopregnancy or psychological pregnancy, which It consists of the manifestation of symptomatology corresponding to pregnancy in a cat that is not pregnant. Thus, the cat can gain weight and even produce milk.
Although this is a self-limiting process, we must control that problems such as mastitis, precisely due to the appearance of the milk It must be stressed that these cases are very rare.
