If the Persian female is bred, the heat cycle usually does not last more than four days. If the mating is not successful, the heat cycle may continue for seven to ten days and then recur at fifteen- to twenty-one-day intervals. There is a possibility the unmated Persian cat will cycle every three to four weeks indefinitely. To complicate matters even more, cats can have a heat cycle one to six weeks after giving birth. She may be nursing one litter and pregnant with another.
What are the symptoms of a Persian cat heat cycle?
- There is usually no obvious vaginal discharge or swelling of the genitals
- She may carry her tail to one side
- The Persian cat may keep her hindquarters elevated and make “treading” movements of the hind legs
- She may be more affectionate
- Spend a lot of time rolling on the floor
- May be more restless than usual
- About one to two days before the Persian cat accepts the male, her voice may seem more piercing than usual
Once bred, how long is a Persian cat’s gestation period?
- 63 to 65 days
What are the physical changes?
- There are few noticeable changes during the first four to five weeks
- After the fifth week, weight gain and enlargement of the abdomen usually becomes noticeable
- During the fifth week, the mammary glands may start to enlarge
- A very noticeable enlargement of the mammary glands can be seen at the seventh week of pregnancy
- The Persian cat will have milk present one to two days before delivery
How do you know when the Persian cat is about to deliver?
- She may become extremely restless during the last weeks of pregnancy
- She will probably seek out secluded areas
- She may also soil the house instead of the litter box because the uterus presses the bladder or colon
Should the Persian cat have limited amounts of exercise during pregnancy?
- These cats are usually fairly calm anyway and kept indoors
- You should have a particular place prepared for her delivery
What should you feed the pregnant cat?
- She will require two to four times as much food as normal
- Probably a good idea to keep food out all the time for her
Are there any foods that absolutely should not be given?
- Raw egg whites
- Raw fish
- Exclusive meat or fish diets
Your vet may even prescribe a special diet or supplements.
