male trouble breeding

Question
QUESTION: I have a pair of Ragdolls, a 13 month old female and an 8 month old male.  The female has been having regular heat cycles since 8 months old (male was only 3 months old at the time of her first heat).  The male often shows interest, sometimes even mounting her but then just gets back off and walks off.  Sometimes will lick himself at that point.  Do you think he's still too young?  Anything we should do to help things along or have him checked by the vet?  Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Sheila
There is nothing physically wrong with your boy apart from he is still slightly immature. Males do tend to mature slightly later than girls in most species cats being one of them. Give him time about another two to three months and he will then perform OK. At the moment he is producing something called 'pre cum' seminal fluid with no sperm. His testosterone levels are building up and soon he will be producing sperm as well.
Give him another couple of months as I say and things will work out
Hope this helps

Ray

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've had people tell me that I might need to separate the male and female for a time and then reintroduce.  Is this correct?  Will it be a problem that the pair have known each other since they were kittens or will the male's hormones eventually take over when they're ready?  We have two spayed females in the household also.  Will that be a problem?  Does my breeding pair need to have an isolated room to themselves for breeding, away from the other two cats?

Answer
Hi Sheila
Let me address these questions in some semblance of order.
If you plan to keep the male as a stud then in reality you need to keep him in separate quarters away from entire females unless he is going to mate with them.
Most breeders acquire a stud house as the chances are he will begin to spray and if you have him in doors it will stink very very quickly I promise.
You could allow him to mix with the spayed females as it will occupy him with companionship but not sex.
Only allow him to mix with entire females when you want him to mate and then separate them both once he has mated with her. Always accompany both cats during this time to ensure he does not attack her whilst mating.
Once mating is complete you can allow the female to mix with any other cats but not the male. She needs to be free from his attention to ensure mating has succeeded.
Remember the day mating took place and write it in your diary. 21 days later check the female to see if her nipples have turned pink. If they have she is possibly pregnant.
Now 65 days after the date of mating is her due date.
As this is her first litter you need to watch her from day 61 to see if her behaviour changes. She will become clingy and seek a quiet place to have her litter. Try to ensure she  has the litter in a quiet secure place. She should not be allowed near the male until the litter is about 8 months old to allow her to recover from the pregnancy.
I hope this helps
Please don't hesitate to ask any other questions

Ray

Ray