Although the stalking courtship may have taken hours, the mating lasts but a few seconds. After the breeding is complete the tom typically skedaddles while the female has a so-called “after reaction” where she’ll roll or thrash around like a fish out of water and clean herself.

It’s all about the nipples: One of the first and most obvious indicators of pregnancy in your cat is changes to her nipples. Around two to three weeks into pregnancy your pussycat will start showing enlarged and red/pink nipples.

Male cats likewise will reach maturity and be capable of cat breeding before one year of age. In seasonal climates, mating usually takes place during the warmer months, however, it can occur at any time.

Because the cat’s penis is equipped with barbs that are shaped in the direction of the body, the mating act can be quite painful for the cat. These barbs stand up when pulled out, irritating the vaginal walls. This irritation is necessary to trigger ovulation.

Unlike territorial aggression or fear aggression, the pair of cats may get on perfectly well for most of the time but, just occasionally, the male, charges after a neutered female cat, who is clearly not receptive and screams as he launches himself at her from behind, biting her in the nape of the neck and wrestling …

Some of the underlying non-medical causes for aggression between cats in the same household include fear, lack of socialisation, inappropriate introduction of a new cat, overcrowding (i.e. not enough vertical or horizontal space, too few resources etc), redirected aggression, play and predation.

When an intact male sprays urine, it will have the characteristic “tom cat” odor that is strong and pungent. Castration or neutering will change the odor, and may reduce the cat’s motivation for spraying, but approximately 10% of neutered males and 5% of spayed females will continue to spray.

Spraying often starts around six months of age as cats reach sexual maturity. Spaying females and castrating males will reduce or stop spraying behaviour in up to 95% of cats!

You can try the following recommendations to remedy urine marking behavior caused by conflict with an outdoor cat:

1. Close windows, blinds and doors.
2. Attach a motion-detection device to your lawn sprinkler.
3. If your cat is intact, neuter him or spay her.
4. Use a synthetic cat pheromone in areas where the cat has marked.

Spraying is usually caused because your cat feels threatened or stressed. Marking their territory makes them feel more secure. Common causes include: new cats in the home or neighbourhood.

Signs Your Cat Might Be Spraying If you’re able to catch your cat spraying/marking in real-time, you’ll most likely see them standing with their back to their vertical “target” and holding their tail held straight up. Cats that are spraying typically only do so with pee — they rarely ever “mark” with poop.

1. How to Destress A Cat: Tips from Karingal Veterinary Hospital. Posted on: Nov 21 2017.
2. Create a Chill Out Zone.
3. Let Them Eat in Peace.
4. Provide Distractions.
5. Let Your Cat be a Cat.
6. Take Them Outside.
7. Feliway.
8. For More Information…

Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.