| Persian cats usually have their first heat cycle | | | | What are the physical changes?o There are few |
| between 5 and 10 months of age. On the average, | | | | noticeable changes during the first 4 - 5 weekso |
| they will have 2 to 4 heat periods every year. The | | | | After the 5th week, weight gain and enlargement of |
| heat cycle will last 15 to 22 days. | | | | the abdomen usually becomes noticeableo During the |
| If the Persian female is bred, the heat cycle usually | | | | 5th week, the mammary glands may start to |
| does not last more than 4 days. If the mating is not | | | | enlargeo A very noticeable enlargement of the |
| successful, the heat cycle may continue for 7 to 10 | | | | mammary glands can be seen at the 7th week of |
| days and then recur at 15 to 21 day intervals. There | | | | pregnancyo The Persian cat will have milk present 1 |
| is a possibility the unmated Persian cat will cycle | | | | to 2 days before delivery |
| every 3 to 4 weeks indefinitely. To complicate | | | | How do you know when the Persian cat is about to |
| matters even more, cats can have a heat cycle 1 to | | | | deliver?o She may become extremely restless during |
| 6 weeks after giving birth. She may be nursing one | | | | the last weeks of pregnancyo She will probably seek |
| litter and pregnant with another. | | | | out secluded areaso She may also soil the house |
| What are the symptoms of a Persian cat heat | | | | instead of the litter box because the uterus presses |
| cycle?o There is usually no obvious vaginal discharge | | | | the bladder or colon |
| or swelling of the genitalso She may carry her tail to | | | | Should the Persian cat have limited amounts of |
| one sideo The Persian cat may keep her hindquarters | | | | exercise during pregnancy?o These cats are usually |
| elevated and make "treading" movements of the hind | | | | fairly calm anyway and kept indoorso You should |
| legso She may be more affectionateo Spend a lot of | | | | have a particular place prepared for her delivery |
| time rolling on the flooro May be more restless than | | | | What should you feed the pregnant cat?o She will |
| usualo About 1 to 2 days before the Persian cat | | | | require 2 to 4 times as much food as normalo |
| accepts the male, her voice may seem more piercing | | | | Probably a good idea to keep food out all the time |
| than usual | | | | for her |
| Once bred, how long is a Persian cat's gestation | | | | Are there any foods that absolutely should not be |
| period?o 63 to 65 days | | | | given? |