Stupid question...

Question
QUESTION: I have been a cat breeder for a while but have always bought the stud services of a friend.  I NOW have my own male.  He is 6 months old, and one of my girls is in heat.  At what age MIGHT he be able and willing to be a stud?  How long should I wait while she is calling before I decide I should send her to my friend for a stud service? How will I know if and when my male boy is ready or not?

ANSWER: Hi Nancy, that is not a stupid question at all! Your male can breed today if he wants. I am assuming the girl in heat right now is an experienced one. I would leave them together and see what happens. Some males don't get the idea until they are 14/15 months old and some have it down at 6 months old. It will do no harm to leave him with her and you know that if he doesn't succeed she will be in heat again shortly. The only reason I would say to use an outside stud at this point is if you want kittens asap. Otherwise, I would wait it out... give him a chance. Let me know how it goes because if you hear or see no action there are other things we can try after he has had 3-4 days with her.
You will know he is ready and interested in breeding if he starts mounting her.. but sometimes it can take an ETERNITY for them to figure out what to do once they are on top of the willing girl! I have heard of breeders "helping" to line things up for a new stud but my cats would not tolerate that for a minute. If you have calmer cats like persians you may be able to "guide" him a bit but I would NOT do anything like that until he has had his 3-4 days with her without interruption.
Teresa

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

QUESTION: This is an experienced girl with three litters under her belt.  I put them together now, but she seemed to totally quiet down in his presence; and maybe go out of heat?  Is it just timing?  She was in heat a week, and I left them alone but not in a confined space.  Next time she calls, should I put them in a confined space?  He seems more scared of her noises, than interested.  Usually they get along very well.  They are both friendly (Ragdoll) cats.  Can a female go out of heat, just because she is confined with a boy and scared too?

Answer
Hi nancy, A female can go out of heat for ANY reason. They can also come into a full blown heat and be bred in 1 minute if they want to. It sounds to me like your boy is just not ready. He will be nervous as it is against his "training' to be jumping on top of her and mounting her.. So, he needs to be 'invited' by a girl that is in full blown heat.. and even then they hesitate!! sometimes for hours or days.
If he is going to be successful he needs to be alone with her, in a quiet undisturbed confined area, and she will need to be in a heat position and wait patiently for him. so, keep trying. Put them in the confined space you have and keep them undistracted by other cats. It sounds like he may just not be ready.. so you may need to wait another couple of months but as long as your girl is not attacking him I would leave them together as you have nothing to lose.
Teresa