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The image of many tiny paws padding
about the house is an enticing one,
but, as any breeder will confirm, raising
a healthy, happy litter of youngsters
is an expensive and time-consuming
endeavour requiring commitment,
patience and expertise.
Responsible pet owners will make sure
that their pets have all the necessary
health checks before breeding and that
their own circumstances fit the bill.
However, the unexpected can happen to
anyone. In cats and dogs the instinct to
reproduce is strong, and the only really
sure way to avoid an unplanned pregnancy
is to have your pet neutered at the
appropriate time. Cats can be spayed as
young as four months old, and dogs before
their first season, although you should
consult your local vet for guidance on
when your pet is ready. Left to their own
devices, cats can have up to three litters
a year and dogs two, so keeping an
unneutered pet could mean you’ve got
several ‘special deliveries’ waiting to
happen. Unneutered female cats, for
example, begin ‘calling’ when they become
sexually mature and will do this about
every two weeks for much of the year
if they don’t become pregnant. Calling
queens and bitches in season will
also attract every entire male in the
neighbourhood, which can be a nuisance.
Of course, you may have an unneutered
pet for a number of reasons – maybe
because you haven’t got around to it yet,
or because you plan to breed from them
in the future. Whatever the case, if you
suspect your pet has mated, it’s vital to
visit your vet, who should be able to tell
you whether this is the case and explain
your options. They will be able to confirm
a pregnancy around 14 days after
mating in cats, and 28 days in dogs.
Before deciding to go ahead with a pet’s
pregnancy, you should ponder carefully
if it is in the animal’s best interest. Is
your dog or cat fit and well enough for
pregnancy and birth? Is she the right age
to become a mother? Given that female
cats and dogs usually have their first
season at around six months of age, for
example, they could become pregnant
before they reach full maturity – far too
young, both physically and emotionally,
for a dog or cat to have a litter. And if a
female dog has mated with a larger male,
continuing with the pregnancy could
prove extremely dangerous for her.
Financial considerations should also be
taken into account. Pet insurance policies
typically exclude the cost of treatment to
do with breeding, pregnancy or birth, so
Cats can have up to
three litters a year
and dogs two,
so keeping an
unneutered pet
could be several
‘special deliveries’
waiting to happen
According to Cats
Protection,
one unneutered fem
ale cat can be
responsible for 20
,000 descendents
in just five years
BREEDING LIKE RABBITS
A female rabbit reaches puberty
at about four months, and could
potentially become pregnant 10 times in
a year, which would bring up to 24 babies,
called kittens, into the world.
Rabbits are naturally social animals,
so they need to live with a companion.
Keeping boys and girls apart is
not easy. ‘It can be very difficult
to determine the sex of young rabbits, so
owners should get help from an experienced
person,’ says the PDSA’s Sean Wensley.
Neutering male and female rabbits is
the most sensible option unless you
have a keen interest in breeding and
showing fancy breeds.
For more information about breeding
rabbits responsibly, contact the
British Rabbit Council (www.thebrc.org).
you should assess whether or not you can
afford these bills, not to mention food
costs and vets’ fees after the birth. And
do you have the time to care for a litter,
plus somewhere for your pet to give birth
and raise its young?
MUM’S THE WORD
If, after careful consideration, you decide
to proceed with the pregnancy, remember
that your pet will need a good-quality diet
(specially formulated foods are available)
which should be gradually increased to
reflect her changing nutritional needs.
Healthy animals generally cope very well
with pregnancy, but it’s important to stay
in touch with your vet for advice on
preparing for the birth and caring for your
puppies or kittens. For example, you’ll
need to keep your pet clean and free from
parasites – your vet will advise on
which treatments are safe to use
during pregnancy.
You can start looking for new homes
for the kittens or puppies as soon as you
know a litter is on the way. Begin by
asking family and friends if they’re
thinking of getting a pet and, if you end
up homing your puppies or kittens with
strangers, make sure you ask the right
questions (see opposite page) before
you send them on their way. As the
birth approaches, you’ll
need to provide your
pet with a whelping
or kittening box,
which should be
kept in a quiet spot.
You can buy these
ready-made or even
Staying
litter-free
Illustrations: Volume One. Photography: iStockphoto
make one out of a strong cardboard box.
A kittening box should have a closed-off
section to create a nest. You will also
need some old towels (which should be
disposed of after the birth) and some
warm bedding.
When a cat is ready to give birth,
she will begin nest-making and her
breathing will increase. A dog will
often become restless and pant or
whimper. Your pet will probably not
need veterinary supervision during the
birth, but make sure you have your vet’s
phone number handy and that you know
the arrangements for out-of-hours care.
It’s also a good idea to find out as much
as you can about potential complications
beforehand, just to make sure you’ll be
in the best possible position to spot
any signs of trouble.
EARLY DAYS OF LIFE
You should stay with your pet during
the birth and be prepared to be near
the litter during their first few days
and weeks, providing food and water
and a safe, peaceful environment for
the mother, as well as being close to
hand in case anything goes wrong.
In most cases, the mother will know
instinctively how to look after her young,
and it’s best not to interfere unless there
are concerns for the welfare of any of the
litter. From three to four weeks, puppies
and kittens can be given liquid or
semi-solid foods in addition to their
mother’s milk. Kittens can then move
on to solid food at four to five weeks,
and puppies at five to six weeks.
As the animals get older, they’ll
become much more active and
playful. Make sure that they’re
confined to a safe space – a
spare room or utility room,
for instance – without access
to anything that could harm
them. Puppies and kittens
should ideally stay with their
mother until they are at least
eight weeks old.
With dogs, in
particular, you have
a responsibility to socialise the
youngsters so they grow up to be
happy, well-adjusted family pets.
The new arrivals should be left in
peace and quiet for the first three
weeks, but at that stage you should be
introducing them to new experiences
such as visitors, grooming and handling.
Whatever your circumstances may be,
breeding cats and dogs is not something
to be entered into lightly but, while it is
generally a lot better for your pet if their
pregnancy is a planned one, even an
accidental breeder can be a highly
responsible and successful one.
HELP IS AT HAND
Download our helpful advice pack at
www.petplan.co.uk/newparent
BEFORE YOU LET THEM GO…
You’ll want to be sure your puppies or kittens
are going to good homes. Here are some
questions to ask potential new owners:
you owned a dog or cat before? • Have
Do you know which vet you’ll register with? • Do
need permission from a landlord to • keepyoua pet
and, if so, have you sought this?
Will
the
pet
and microchipped?
• Does everyonebe ininsured
the
household
want a pet? • Do you already own any dogs or cats? • Will a cat be able to venture outside? • Will a dog have access to a garden?
• How long will a dog be left alone each day? • Is there somewhere near your home that • is suitable for dog walks? the case of a dog or puppy, do you plan • Into take
it to dog-training classes?