# data[].attributes.body
The study done was done to observe the dominance levels in feral males in an outside environment. It was concluded that most of the time the heavier males showed dominance over the smaller males and therefore won in number of encounters during the estrous season.Courtship rank was then lowered depending on if the male was ever defeated, which then would lower their success in copulations. Though many domestic cats don't have to deal with establishing dominance, it is clear that if a domestic cat was also an outdoor cat, he too would be thrown into the mix of establishing dominance in order to successfully mate with a female during the estrous season.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mating behaviors, courtship rank and mating success of male feral cat ( Felis catus)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The mating behavior of the male feral cat ( Felis catus) living on a small island was investigated. The cats in the study area (6.0 ha) formed the "feeding groups" at the garbage sites (Yamane et al....

# data[].attributes.body
This study looked at the corpus luteum in relation to pregnancy and hormones in pregnant and non pregnant cats.

The corpus luteum is a hormone gland on the ovary that produces progesterone for the maintenance of pregnancy. The study looked at the luteal function of the corpus luteum during different stages of reproduction. The study was able to conclude that the formation of the CL occurs after ovulation and that luteal regression occurs from there on. They also were able to conclude that the first signs(coarsed vacuolization) are already apparent in the corpus luteum during the second trimester of pregnancy in cats. ----This study might not seem significant to our study of mating behaviors, but the release of different hormones plays a big part in both female and male reproduction and mating.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Life cycle of feline Corpora lutea: histological and intraluteal hormone analysis. - PubMed - NCBI

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reprod Domest Anim. 2012 Dec;47 Suppl 6:25-9. doi: 10.1111/rda.12033. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

# data[].attributes.body
This video is a good representation of the act of cats mating, though there is no sound to listen to the courtship vocalizations. The video depicts the female cat rolling on the ground and positioning herself in the mating stance. It also is a good representation of the aggressive behavior the male possesses during mating. People may mistaken this behavior as acts of aggression, for example the biting of the neck and hissing exchanged between the queen and tom.

# data[].attributes.body
The Female cat is an induced ovulators, meaning that the act of breeding stimulates or induces ovulation or the release of eggs from the ovaries. Subsequently, a queen will require the act of copulation around 3-4 times in a 24 hour period in order to ensure successful ovulation and fertilization. A queen may also mate with several different toms during this period to ensure her fertilization, which then can result in a litter of kittens with multiple tom cats as the father.

# data[].attributes.body
During the estrus stage the female is ready to actively engage in courtship leading to copulation. Both the male and female will express vocalizations and attempt to become familiar with each other. This familiarization includes licking and smelling of the genitals. After the female assumes the mating crouch the male will attempt to mount her. If the female is not ready for this step, the act of copulation can turn violent and painful.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a very good example of the distinguishable vocalizations made my female cats during their stage of Estrus.These vocalizations are usually accompanied by the crouching mating stance of the female.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Female cat in heat meowing ( mate calling )

# data[].attributes.body
This stage is around 90 days long and occurs from November to January. Since cats are seasonally polyestrus they will go through Anestrus during times when the hours of daylight are shorter. This varies depending on geographical regions, but for North American domestic cats, the period of Anestrus would be from November to January, in the winter.

# data[].attributes.body
This stage occurs between days 7 to 14, but only happens if the queen did not engage in any sexual activity with a tom. This causes the cycle to completely restart. During this phase the queen will show complete disinterest in mating with a tom.

# data[].attributes.body
This stage takes place between days 4 and 6 and is considered the "heat" stage. The queen will begin to make loud frequent vocalizations, these are usually easily distinguished between her non-estrus meows. The queen will also appear more affectionate and in a distinguishable stance. This stance will be a hyperextension of her back, exposing her vulva for mating.

# data[].attributes.body
This first stage is about 1-2 days long. Some characteristics to look for during this time would be the queen beginning to seem more restless and might eat more then usual. During this time period the queen will attract toms but if the tom was to make sexual advances the queen would reject them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Cat mating behavior starts with a female flirting with male cats (called toms). She will attract toms by vocalizing more (meowing) and flirting with body movements. When ready she will assume a mounting position allowing the tom to enter her. Queens or females can be selective regarding who they want to mate with or when they want to mate. Cats can be aggressive with each other and humans during this ritual."

Female cats or queens go through four hormonal cycles (male cats are called toms) which dictate cat mating behavior. The entire estrous or head cycle lasts 10 to 14 days. When your queen is ready to mate she will go through a series of flirting behaviors designed to attract a male in the way she acts and sounds.

Stage 1 - Proestrus (1 to 2 days)
During this stage the queen begins to continuously rub its head and neck against any object. Your queen may or may not meow, appears restless and eats more than usual. She will attract toms, but refuses their advances, preferring a period of increased familiarity. Other characteristics include urine marking in the house. Your queen will go to great lengths to attract male attention. This stage is short and you may not even know it is happening.

To prevent pregnancy consider spaying your cat or keep your cat indoors away from Toms.

Stage 2 - Estrus (4 to 6 days)
This stage is called "heat" where you will find cat heat behavior. Signs are similar to the poestrus stage, but more intense. Your queen will meow loudly and frequently in an attempt to attract a tom. She will be more affectionate, rub against you more. Your cat probably will not want to be picked up. You will observe the queen crouching with the forequarters pressed to the ground and hyper extension of theback which exposes the hindquarters or vulva for mating.

Some owners mistake their cat as being in pain, particularly if this is the first cat heat behavior that they have witnessed. To see if your queen is in heat stroke your cat to the tail. If she raises her behind with the tail off to the side then she is probably in heat.

Stage 3 - Interestrus (7 to 14 days)
If your queen did not engage in any sexual activity with a tom then the cycle will start all over after this phase. Your queen will not want to mate with a tom during this period as well.

Stage 4 - Anestrus (90 days)
This stage lasts from November through January. It is thought to be induced by the shorter periods of light.

Cat Mating Behavior

If your queen is ready for mating she will get familiar with the male tom. The two cats will explore each others bodies including the face, licking each other and looking at the genitals. This is how the queen starts to become aroused.

After arousal the queen will assume a mating crouched position with the hindquarters raised in the air and the tail to the side. The mating process can become violent between the two cats if the queen is not ready to be mounted. This happens when the queen is in the first stage of the "heat" cycle and not willing to receive a willing tom. The queen may try and bite the tom to keep him away.

A queen may be somewhat selective in terms of what tom she would like to mate with. It is possible that she prefers a different tom to the one you might of introduced her to.

Cat Mounting Behavior

The tom will put his front paws on each side of the female. The tom will hold on to the females neck with his teeth as he moves up and down with the back feet. The male penis enters at this time until the tom ejaculates (5 to 15 seconds). When the penis stimulates the vagina causing the queen to ovulate.

The female will then lets out a scream and quickly moves away. The male penis may cause pain due to sharp edges which are there to stimulate the queen.

Mating cats may copulate more than one time in a session to ensure that ovulation in the queen has been stimulated.

If the queen becomes pregnant kittens are born approximately 63 days later.

A queen that has just copulated should not be moved until she has gone through the last phase of cat mating behavior which is a self grooming process that occurs right after being mounted.

Cat False Pregnancy (Psuedocyesis) Behavior

Approximately 30 to 35% of queens will ovulate without any direct contact with a tom. When eggs are released, but not fertilized it is called psuedocyesis or false pregnancy). You might notice some changes in your queen such as increased appetite. This period lasts for 30 to 35 days.

Sources for Cat Mating Behavior

Cat Owner's Veterinary Handbook

Recent Advances in Feline Reproduction
Prof. Stefano Romagnoli,DVM, MS, PhD
Diplomate European College of Animal Reproduction
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
University of Padova Agripolis

From Cat Mating Behavior to More on Cat Behavior
To Cat Health Guide Home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"Cat mating behavior starts with a female flirting with male cats (called toms). She will attract toms by vocalizing more (meowing) and flirting with body movements. When ready she will assume a mounting position allowing the tom to enter her. Queens or females can be selective regarding who they want to mate with or when they want to mate.

# data[].attributes.body
Oestrus is the period of sexual receptivity of the female cat. Cats are "seasonally polyestrus" which means they have multiple estrus cycles during the breeding season, which varies according to geographic and environmental factors.
"Principles and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior"

# data[].attributes.body
The male cat is also called a tom and the female cat a queen.

The Tom- A tom begins to mature around ten to twelve months of age.

The Queen- A queen will go through her first cycle of heat around six to eight months of age.

Pictured below are my two cats, the cream one is male and the grey is female. I had both these cats as kittens so it was vital to get atleast
one of them spayed or neutered before their period of maturity to prevent pregnancy in the female.