After mating, cats can exhibit confusing behaviors that leave many owners perplexed. The cat may appear content one moment, but then she may become restless, meow loudly, and even act as though she is still interested in mating. This can be quite annoying, particularly if you’re unsure of what’s happening.
It’s crucial to comprehend the reasons behind a cat’s behavior if you want to manage her needs and ensure her comfort. Her behavior during mating may be influenced by hormonal shifts and innate instincts, which occasionally result in her calling out for a male cat nonstop.
You’re not the only one who wonders why your cat still exhibits mate-seeking behaviors after the process is finished. This is a common occurrence for pet owners with cats, and understanding her behavior better can help make things easier.
| Behavior After Mating | Explanation |
| Continued Yowling and Restlessness | Even after mating, female cats may continue to yowl or act restless for a short period, as hormones settle. |
| Seeking Males Again | If mating was unsuccessful or the cat"s body doesn"t recognize pregnancy, she might still seek out males, as her reproductive cycle isn"t complete. |
| Rolling and Grooming | Cats often roll on the ground and groom themselves after mating as part of their natural post-mating behavior. |
Owners may find it difficult to understand a cat’s behavior after mating if she keeps crying out, acting restless, or looking for a male. This occurs as a result of the cat’s innate desire to find a mate, which is triggered when the mating process fails to notify the body that reproduction has taken place. It’s a typical, transitory stage related to her menstrual cycle and will pass.
How a cat can behave after mating?
After mating, a cat’s behavior varies depending on its temperament; you need to keep a close eye on the animals because they may exhibit hostility toward the male cat or show signs of indignation and leave. Pets expend a lot of energy during mating, so don’t be shocked if they appear lethargic, hide in secret locations, and emerge only to eat and use the litter box. It’s also typical to feel more hungry after mating.
The cat may occasionally get fever, diarrhea, and vomiting after mating as a result of stress brought on by a change in food or surroundings. The symptoms in this instance are curable and unrelated to any illnesses. The animal most likely has an infectious disease if these symptoms don’t go away in a few days and are accompanied by breathing issues, purulent eye discharge, skin lesions, etc. You must carefully choose a cat for mating and verify its veterinary passport for vaccination records in order to prevent such issues.
Why does a cat continue to ask for a cat?
Why, even after several matings, does a cat still want a cat? Fear not—this is a common occurrence brought on by the oddities of the cat’s reproductive cycle. Within 24 to 36 hours of mating, cats undergo reflexive ovulation rather than spontaneous ovulation. Furthermore, the hormone surge that coincides with estrus means that the body requires time to transition into a resting state.
Also see: When does a cat enter estrus, how long does it last, how frequently does it occur, and how can I calm my cat during its first estrus?
The day of copulation determines the strength of the estrous signals that follow fertilization. If mating took place during the first few days of the cycle, the symptoms last for the duration of this process, which is typically 5-7 days. Because of this, it is challenging for the owner to ascertain whether fertilization has taken place; therefore, mating should occur in the owners’ presence. The risk of giving birth to sick or dead kittens increases when multiple matings cause fetuses to attach in the uterus at different times.
When copulation happens in the middle or near the end of estrus, the cat typically acts calmly because, at that time, the animal progressively enters a resting phase and the intensity of the release of sex hormones into the blood decreases.
If the estrus lasts longer than 10 days, the pet will continue to be anxious for a few days after mating. Although estrous signals are still present, the female is much less active during this phase than she was at the start of the cycle.
Very rarely, a pregnant cat may request a male cat between the third and sixth weeks of her pregnancy. The phenomenon known as superfetation is linked to low levels of progesterone, the hormone that is responsible for conception and childbearing, in the body. Recurrent fertilization can result in the birth of the entire litter in one go, with the younger kittens usually dying, or in two stages, with the older babies born first and the younger full-term babies a few weeks later. A pregnant pet experiencing superfetation has a tremendous load on her body; as such, you should closely monitor her and keep her away from other cats.
How to make sure that the mating was successful?
Animals’ characteristic behaviors, such as the male losing interest in the female and the female moving away and possibly acting aggressively toward him, are indicators of successful mating. Because every cat is different and because pregnant pets can act very subdued, you shouldn’t rely solely on this indicator.
A blood test for relaxin, a hormone secreted by the placenta starting on the 20th day of gestation, and ultrasound imaging can both be used to accurately determine the onset of pregnancy.
Only the fourth week of the anticipated pregnancy is used for these studies; in the interim, you can attempt to determine whether the mating was successful by looking for the following symptoms:
See also: How many babies can a cat feed, when do the kittens move to solid food, and up to what age can a cat feed them milk?
- Behavior change. Giving birth to a cat is accompanied by hormonal changes in the body, which often provokes a change in mood and habits in the cat. In addition to the fading of signs of estrus (uterine rumbling, loud purring, arching of the back, etc. .), the success of the mating is indicated by weakness, drowsiness, refusal to play, etc. p. Later, the cat may exhibit behavioral manifestations that are not typical for her – aggression or, conversely, affection and caring attitude towards other people"s kittens.
- Toxicosis. In the first weeks of pregnancy, the cat may experience morning vomiting and loss of appetite, when she does not even eat her favorite treats. During this period, you need to carefully monitor the drinking regimen in order to prevent dehydration. Subsequently, the cat"s appetite is restored and may even increase, so it is important to provide her with a balanced diet rich in proteins, phosphorus and folic acid.
- Change in color and enlargement of the genitals. By the 4th week of pregnancy, the cat"s nipples turn pink and swell slightly. As labor approaches, the mammary glands and external genitalia noticeably increase in size and acquire a rich pink color. A few days before labor, the cat may produce milk.
- Absence of estrus. The frequency of this process is individual for each cat. Most often it occurs every 3 months, but with regular sexual activity it can happen once every 5-6 months. This is an implicit sign of pregnancy, because. . occasionally it is possible for estrus to occur during the gestation of offspring.
- Change in figure. In the first half of pregnancy, the cat experiences a slight increase in body weight, in the second she noticeably gains weight, but does not look flabby. By the 4-5th week, the pet"s sides begin to expand and rounded formations with a diameter of 4-5 cm can be seen on the belly – developing fetuses. It is not recommended to palpate the cat"s belly yourself, so as not to harm the babies and not provoke a miscarriage.
Although a cat’s behavior can change after mating, many will still show indications that they want a male. Although it can be perplexing, this is frequently a typical aspect of their hormonal cycle. Hormonal changes may cause her to behave as though she is still in heat, even in cases where mating was successful.
After mating, crying or calling for a male does not always indicate a problem. It is a normal response, and her body might need some time to get used to it. If this keeps happening for a long time, seeing a veterinarian could help determine whether there’s a more serious problem or if this is just a normal part of her cycle.
Cat owners who are aware of these behaviors can better assist their pets during this stage. Even if her behavior seems unclear, you should be patient with her and pay attention to her needs to make sure she feels comfortable and taken care of.
