Tom cat has no interest in mating with in season queen

Question
I recently got a 4 year old Queen to breed with my 3 year old tom cat. He is an exceptional little guy in great health and I have guarenteed homes for up to 7 kittens (just so you know im responsible!)

He often calls for a mate...howls etc whatever you like to call it, yet now the queen is in season he is showing no interest at all. He is very placid/gentle natured and seems almost worried or frightened when she squats in front of him waggling her tail and growling excitedly. She has hissed and smacked him in the past, could this have frightened him off?

I cant understand his complete lack of interest in mating, is it just because he is inexperienced, or does this suggest it is a lost cause?

Also is there anything at all I can do?

Thanks.

Answer
Nikki,

This is one of those things that makes breeding cats so frustrating.

There are four possibilities:

(1)  He is just not ready, but at age 3 this would be very, very unusual.

(2)  He just does not like the female.  This is not as unusual as it may sound and does happen from time to time.

(3)  He may have a medical problem, so a quick trip to the vet to rule this out would be warranted.

(4)  He is very inexperienced and plain does not know what to do.  If, likewise, the female is inexperienced, sometimes they figure it out and sometimes, they don't! In this case, you will have to help him out. I.e. actually put him on the female in the correct position and see if he gets the hang of it.

Another option is to just let them live together and see if she shows up pregnant.  Of course, the problem herein is that you will not know when they actually bred and you will have to guess when the kittens may be due!!!!!

Good luck and best regards... Norm.