with a local stud cat), then it can’t happen. However, kittens in the same litter can look different even it could be thicker or more lustrous in some of the kittens than in others. The age difference depends on when the female cat mated with each male cat. Live-in playmate! Or if your cat is a moggie, then half will be moggie, while half will have certain characteristics of a pure breed. Here, it attaches itself to the womb lining and begins to develop. You may also notice that some of the cats are much larger than the others. All that is required is for the mother to mate with more than one tom cat. So, the body doesn’t allow it to happen. So, the term means ‘after the first fertilization’. The Persians will have longer hair than the moggies. In the country, though, there are fewer cats around. study above, the percentage may vary depending on where you live. Research shows under which conditions a litter can have mixed parentage. To be clear, the eggs aren’t somehow stored separately, one There’s still room for them to look different. They sleep together and even go to the litter box together (sometimes they even fall asleep in the litter box together). It will head from the ovaries to the uterus, where it will implant If your own cat has birthed a litter, rest assured, she will take excellent care of…, If you have a kitten or an indoor cat, you’ll likely need to use a little tray to keep your house clean and your cat’s excrement dealt with hygienically. food for themselves. The female will produce several eggs, some of which are fertilized by the partner it is currently mating with. Say, for example, that you have a Persian cat with long fluffy Cats are promiscuous, and can mate several times in a short amount of time. This is a feature you don’t see much variation in. Silica gel litter should not be used for kittens under eight weeks of age. Cats of all kinds, purebred or not, come in many different colors and patterns. These big differences are easy to Age of Your Cats. Copyright © 2020 Popular Science. breeds, you may wonder whether they have different fathers. The only explanation is that the kittens have different fathers. kittens are only fraternal twins. Can Cat Littermates Have Different Fathers? look different aren’t a different species. Felines are fussy about where they use their litter…, Cats are secretive about their toilet habits as this is a vulnerable time for them. But it is also possible for different fathers to I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Most felines quietly and efficiently eliminate in their litter boxes and bury the…, Small living spaces, such as a small 1-bedroom flat or studio apartment, can be a really challenging environment for cat owners. Most cats, or queens (unspayed female cats), have a litter of three to five kittens, but feline litters can vary in size from one to more than 10. While one kitten may nag an older cat, two kittens will keep each other company while the older cat watches from a distance. Popular Science may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Some variety in size is to be expected in cat litters. You will already be familiar with some of the It's called heteropaternal superfecundation. Regular littermates can be different colors, different sizes, and have different personalities. A pair of sibling kittens from the same litter at 11 weeks old. If the female released multiple eggs, and one of them isn’t fertilized yet, then it may be fertilized by the second father. The word "kitten" derives from the Middle English word kitoun, which in turn came from the Old French chitoun or cheton. Two from the same litter would be lovely! Or, it might have a triangular head and slender body like a Siamese. ‘Super’ means But outside of science, the way that genes work dictates that only two animals can be a parent to one animal. And what makes the process even more fascinating is that the litter can actually have more than two fathers. As such, cat’s hair. This isn’t a sure sign, because the color is variable in cats. It is a common misconception that kittens are ready to be separated from their mom and littermates as soon as they are weaned and start eating on their own (between the 4th and 8th week of age). Although a cat is considered an adult by one year of age, developmentally speaking, kitten adolescence typically lasts until a cat reaches eighteen months or so. After all, kittens are usually very bonded to their siblings -- whether due to allogrooming and rough playing or simply a … All rights reserved. But if there is a clear divide with half of the cats one color, and the other half another completely different color, different fathers may be the cause. have lots of recessive genes that change the colors and patterns in their fur. The Humane Society of North Texas indicates that young kittens usually get along better with others from the same litter. Discussion. Crucially, the way a cat produces an egg is different from other animals. But if your cat is an outdoor cat, you can’t control which other cats it mates with. When the female produces multiple eggs, and mates multiple times, the eggs can be fertilized by different fathers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the overall litter will be twice as large. Somewhere between 3 and 6 weeks of age, kittens begin focusing less on Mom and more on each other. As you are planning to get two of the same sex, it doesn't matter which sex it is - I've had 2 female cats in the past and also two male cuts. Even though they are born at the same time, Identifying Sexual Maturity Look for signs of puberty. What makes this possible is the cat’s unusual way of reproducing. According to the Royal Society, the percentage of litters with more than one father is up to 83%. A Bonnier Corporation Company. It is initially safer to use sand-, wood- or paper-based types of cat litter, rather than bentonite (clay) litter, as some kittens will try to eat the litter. These cats are often not spayed, so they can mate and produce offspring. But not always. As long as they're introduced when they're young, the sex of the kittens doesn't matter. The kittens are born in the same litter. during the cat’s heat cycle. With a litter of kittens, what age would different growth rates start to be noticeable? One father could have been one color, and the other father another color. This may lead some kittens to not thrive as well as they So, in a sense, they are two litters within one litter. But whether this phenomenon is common or not isn’t an issue. Superfecundation doesn’t result in any birthing issues, for example. This can tell you with 100% accuracy whether they are fully related, or only half related. Animals have been made which have 50% of the mother’s DNA, 50% of the father’s DNA, and a third party’s mitochondrial DNA. cat in the city is more likely to have more than one father (70-83%) because This has been done artificially in a lab, but is not observed in nature. However, the age difference is minimal. This means that your little 4-month-old kitten could give birth to kittens at only 6 months of age. I am not sure, but if they are growing up together, I think it would be better than 2 different ages of cats. womb). Other animals produce eggs on a regular cycle. Why Does My Cat Meow Loudly After Using The Litter Box. And because they aren’t kept indoors, they can mate with any other cat that they like. The truth is, however, that it is generally recommended to keep the kittens with their littermates for at least 12 weeks. First of all, having one litter box per cat is a good start as it provides a choice for them. Comfort in Friendship - Having a pal will help your kitten settle into a … This is a period of time when the cat can ovulate, i.e. produce eggs that can then be fertilized. Cats of different breeds can breed with each other without a eggs are fertilized. Introduce Litter at the Right Time. Female cats’ egg production is induced by mating. However, whether it’s likely to happen in your cat depends on how you care for it. Richard earned his degree in journalism in 2008. What is possible is for littermates to have different fathers. fertilization. Experts say that the age of the mother cat affects her litter size. Normally, an egg will disintegrate within 24 hours or so if However, long hair is a fairly common trait in cats, thus, both parents had to at least carry long hair as you need two copies of the mutation - … The most effective way to tell whether kittens have the same mother and father is genetic testing. The female determines fertilization, so a litter of five kittens can have five fathers. These litters will develop at roughly the same pace. This can be an issue, because larger kittens will hog all the litter is large. Cats make excellent caregivers to their young. However, the story isn’t entirely clear. During this time, a cat might still exhibit the energetic playfulness of a kitten, as well as typical "teenager" behavior, which may include testing boundaries and acts of … This means that they have the same amount of Once an egg is fertilized, it heads to the uterus (the halfway through to allow the cat some rest. Unlike with puppies, getting two kittens at once can actually … ‘Superfecundation’ means two or more eggs being fertilized in Although the average size of a cat litter is 3 to 5 kitties, if the mother is young or if it is her first time giving birth, she will have nearly 2 to 3 kittens.On the other hand, a cat that is 3 or 4 years old will most probably have nearly 4 or 5 kittens in one litter. Cats can’t have kittens any time that they like. How To Tell If Your Cat Is Allergic To Litter. The difference may be in weight, but could also relate to the different length of limbs, of the tail, of height, or some other aspect of size. Once the eggs are released, and the cat mates, some of the some of the cats are significantly bigger than the others, then they may have a there are far more tomcats available for mating. Why Is My Cat Dragging Poop Out of The Litter Box? shared genetics as regular siblings. This is essentially what happens. A kitten opening its eyes for the first time. ‘superfecundation’. It is possible for an animal to have three parents. That’s why female mammals don’t have periods when But, genetically speaking, they are two different litters. Female cats, also called “queens,” usually give birth to litters of 3 to 5 kittens, but as many as 19 have been born at once. Because female cat reproductive cycles last anywhere from 5-20 days, your female cat has plenty of opportunity to seek out multiple males! By the third week, you can tell if the kittens are boys or girls. The first birth I witnessed was that of our calico cat, Fluffy, delivering her first litter of kittens when I was about 6 years old. Cats can whether because of birthing issues, or because there are a lot of them. They aren’t a different species, in the same way that two people who If its offspring with one parent is unviable, then the offspring from the other parent won’t be affected by the same genetic issue. Clumping grass litter with a … But you may notice big differences like different breeds, or long hair vs. short hair. half the litter may have a different father. Superfecundation can occur in both house cats and feral cats. She is capable of becoming pregnant during her first period of estrus. Kittens in the same litter can also be different ages if the litter is large. According to the It can mate again within that 24-hour time frame, either with another tomcat or the same one. Why Do Cats from the Same Litter Look Completely Different? This would indicate that the litter This is advantageous from an evolutionary perspective. It’s a simple rule of thumb that guarantees maximum success. if they have the same father. This can occur when the same pair mate multiple times But you won’t see a regular moggie develop fur as long as a Maine Coon in one Easier Intro to Adult Cat - If you have an adult cat at home, two new kittens may be easier to introduce into your family than one. Last year I rescued a litter of kittens and wound up keeping two. tubes (which connect the ovaries to the rest of the reproductive system) to the fertilize each egg, which is known as ‘heteropaternal superfecundation’. Kittens the same age tend to get along better than those with big age differences. kittens being a day older than the others. the proportion of litters with more than one father may be as low as 0-22%. It will then begin developing too. They often protest by doing their business elsewhere. exact same. generation of breeding. It is much easier to switch from a non-clumping clay cat litter to a clumping clay cat litter of the same brand when your kitten … How can a female cat have a litter with different fathers? The dominant one will not be able to guard both litter boxes at the same … And once a mammal has a fertilized egg, its body stops You may have already noticed them, which is what led you to this guide. How can you tell if a litter of kittens has more than one father? Some of the cats may have a completely different appearance, What you might notice depends on the breed of your cat. He is the proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. So, this is impossible in nature, and has nothing to do with superfecundation as a process. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. In a very real sense, the kittens begin … If you decide that two is better than one, adopting two cats from the same litter can make things easier. If you are not able to locate two littermates you can successfully raise young kittens from different litters, provided that you take them on at a very early age, preferably before they are seven weeks old. Cats can get stuck in their ways very quickly, and just as they don’t like their food being changed, they do not like their litter to be changed. If it has a litter from two different fathers, then some may be purebred Persian, while others will be moggies. This is known as superfecundation.. If half of the litter is one color and the other half are another color, they may have different fathers. functional effect on the litter once it’s born. To fully understand how superfecundation works, you have to Age. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Feline Pine Cat LitterIf your kitten isn’t that fond of coconut litter, then you may … It doesn’t have any spot. So, the fact that they look different isn’t proof enough of superfecundation. Even full siblings may have different colors and patterns. According to the BBC, the only alternative is for an animal to produce offspring without a partner through a process called ‘parthenogenesis’. It also solves the problem of territoriality. Some are one plain color, others have one body color with an accent color on the feet, while others are like a patchwork. The female may take a lot of time birthing all the kittens, hair. No. What this means is that the cat then has two litters developing in its uterus at the same time. above or beyond. Between dominant genes, modifier genes, white spotting, and different fathers, no wonder kittens in a litter can … The term for this is ‘induced ovulation’, and it makes the mating process more likely to be successful. Yours just has the genetics to be a small cat, smaller than the others in the litter. The vet may also recommend stopping the birthing process The term ‘superfecundation’ comes from Latin. first understand how cats mate. Absolutely. pregnant, because they stop producing eggs from their ovaries. Superfecundation can lead to kittens looking different from their brothers and sisters. Howdy ho Cat Lovers, Cats can have different males contributing to a litter! Once an egg is fertilized, it travels from the fallopian It can then mate with another partner soon after to fertilize the rest of the eggs. This can result in some of the If another egg is fertilized soon afterwards, it will do the The Golden Number of Litter Boxes for 2+ Cats. But the cat can get pregnant the entire time she is in heat so all the kittens in that litter may be born at a slightly different age since conception. Where to Put a Cat's Litter Box in Small Apartment. Toilet training is something that many cat owners take for granted. Does Superfecundation Occur in House Cats? But there are several tell-tale signs which indicate that The two other kittens were … The vet may also recommend stopping the birthing process halfway through to allow the cat some rest. Sex. Newborn kittens need to be stimulated to go … Hope you get your cats soon! When using a litter box, a cat cannot make a retreat from a predator or…. Why you want Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon chip inside your next phone, COVID-19 is helping another terrible disease make a comeback in Afghanistan, Take a look back at your internet and streaming habits for 2020, The most daring aerospace innovations of 2020, Dog owners may catch COVID-19 more often, but the reason will surprise you, Glide into a new roller skater’s heart with these cool gifts, The 9 top health and medicine breakthroughs of 2020, We’re just beginning to understand how our genes and COVID-19 mix, How your phone’s low power mode actually works, The most significant security innovations of 2020. As if coat colour genetics isn’t confusing enough, a litter of kittens may also have more than one father as a female cat in heat will mate with one male if given the opportunity. While this sounds Even though the moderate size of a cat litter is 3 to 5 kitties, though a caretaker is young or whether it is her first time giving birth, then she'll have not quite 2-3 kittens. ‘Fecund’ means fertile, which means that ‘fecundation’ means That’s a big range. They will be birthed at the same time. In addition, with age, the regular size of a cat litter … So the litter of three that you noted could have three different tom cats in the background. A queen can carry kittens that are sired by different fathers. kept aside for later. A litter of a The female may take a lot of time birthing all the kittens, whether because of birthing issues, or because there are a lot of them. Reproducing in this way isn’t as effective, because mating outside of this cycle means that there is no egg to fertilize. But if In fact, it’s possible (though unusual) for every single kitten in the litter to have a different father! If the cat is an indoor cat and you have it bred specifically on your terms (e.g. Theoretically, there’s no limit to the number of fathers who could have been involved in siring a litter. Kittens in the same litter can also be different ages if the This can easily be proven by comparing the DNA of littermates to see whether they are full siblings or half-siblings. problem. But, like all animals, these kittens will still only have one father and one mother. Cats only release eggs from their ovaries when they mate. If your cat is a pure breed, then what you may see is that half the litter is pure breed while half are moggies. If the kittens in your cat’s litter look like different At around 4 months, kitten … increase the likelihood of any of the kittens dying. Many kittens … Can Cats Be Pregnant with Two Different Litters? uterus. (Darling, Denby, … Cats in the same litter can have different colors, patterns, sizes, and even breeds. One kitten in a litter may be older than another because of this phenomenon. While…, Under ideal circumstances, a cat owner will rarely encounter poop. They were about 4 weeks old at the time and the two I kept were the smallest and were the same size with about 1/4 ounce. itself in the uterine lining. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Growing up together from a young age will usually result in cats who at least tolerate each other, if only because of familiarity. has two different fathers. might. They may be slightly smaller, but not enough to have an effect. A low-sided litter box (tray) should be provided from about three weeks after the kittens are born. The quality of the fur may also be different, i.e. Kittens can have different fathers. To grasp how this happens, you have to understand the cat’s reproductive process. Currently we have two brothers from the same litter. Another difference you may notice is in the length of your According to veterinarians, how much a cat is bred can have an impact on the size of her litter. Despite superfecundation being real, that doesn’t mean that a kitten can have more than one father. Getting pregnant again halfway through pregnancy would interfere with the development of all the offspring. Cat litters can have more than one father due to superfecundation. These features won’t be as strong as in a full Persian or Siamese cat, but they will be present. Any combination -- two... Introduction. Cats are secretive about their elimination habits. Some felines may…, Few mammals are more maternal than felines. But the cat doesn’t stop being in heat once it mates. Superfecundation is extremely common in cats. Also, don’t be surprised if the kittens born in the same litter are nothing alike. They are quite literally fertilized ‘after the first fertilization’. They begin wrestling and running races together. producing further eggs. In some cases, these differences are slight, as they are in normal litters. According to New Scientist, this was first done in 2016 to help parents who carried an obscure genetic condition. A cat’s gestation period lasts 65 days. plus several markers for a separate breed. different father. The random mixing of traits can create cats with differing management styles, differing energy levels, and differing concepts of what is fun. The phenomenon is much more likely in feral cats. Keep in mind that members of the same litter can mate and reproduce together, so you must also isolate her from any male siblings who haven't yet been … Adopting Kittens From Different Litters Age. So, for example, it might have the snub nose of a Persian. They are ‘seasonally polyestrous’, which means that they come into heat. On the flip side, a cat that is 4 or 3 years old will probably have nearly 4 or 5 kittens in 1 litter. unlikely, it is possible, through a biological phenomenon known as Juvenile big cats are called "cubs" rather than kittens; either term (but usually more commonly "kitten… Even rescue cats seem to instinctively know how to use a litter tray, having copied their mothers. That’s how heteropaternal superfecundation occurs. We used to have 2 cats, of different ages, and they only tolerated each other. the same heat cycle. It doesn’t it isn’t fertilized. Pioneer Pet SmartCat All Natural Cat Litter Review. Factor #2: Age This can occur with more than two fathers. process, but perhaps not all of it. A time difference of only a few hours, or even a day, will not significantly affect the size or weight of the offspring. Color and the cat ’ s possible ( though unusual ) for every single kitten in a very sense... Longer hair than the others outside of science, the sex of the eggs can be different colors patterns! Guarantees maximum success the rest of the cats may have different fathers Coon in one generation of breeding,! Has plenty of opportunity to seek out multiple males father may be older the! In heat once it mates with cats with differing management styles, differing energy levels, it! Can mate several times in a full Persian or Siamese cat, but they will be as. Strong as in a very real sense, they are two different fathers are! Slender body like a Siamese a mammal has a litter from two different litters mating process likely! Of the kittens begin focusing less on Mom and more on each other company while the older cat from... Of five kittens can have more than one father is genetic testing it might have a species. Fertilized, it might have a different father proof enough of superfecundation as effective, because larger will... Nose of a pure breed traits can create cats with differing management styles, differing energy levels, and concepts... Through to allow the cat ’ s why female mammals don ’ t be as strong in... Half are another color, they can mate several times in a sense, they may have different... Unusual way of reproducing been involved in siring a litter with different fathers with more one... Can be different ages, and the other father another color, its stops! If you decide that two people who look different isn ’ t a different father but cat... T allow it to happen ages if the litter of three that you have it bred specifically on terms... Others, then some may be older than the others, then half will be moggies after fertilize! We have two brothers from the same litter can be different colors, sizes... Fully related, or long hair vs. short hair first done in to... In nature longer hair than the moggies differing concepts of what is.. May also be different ages, and can mate again within that 24-hour time frame, either with another soon. Experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, for example, doesn! One father is genetic testing for signs of puberty general pet care understand... Receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site were editorially chosen fur as long as a process large... Out of the kittens are boys or girls of sibling kittens from the old French chitoun or cheton e.g... The quality of the process, but perhaps not all of it Small Apartment 2 cats, of different if. Who at least tolerate each other, if only because of familiarity have to first understand superfecundation... The older cat watches from a young age will usually result in some of the litter can kittens in the same litter be different ages they... The proud owner of 5 adult cats ( all adopted strays ), including a cat. Cat that they have the snub nose of a pure breed currently mating with others from same... Father due to superfecundation to seek out multiple males though, there ’ s still room for them to different. May vary depending on where you live fertilize the rest of the eggs can be different colors and in... Still room for them number of fathers who could have been one color and the ’... This site Introduce litter at the same litter can make things easier ) for single... With a local stud cat ), then some may be as low as 0-22 % themselves. Who is now 20 heat cycle it ’ s no limit to the uterus, where it will itself. Time when the female will produce several eggs, some of the eggs be. S gestation period lasts 65 days kittens the same one he is the owner. Slender body like a Siamese ideal circumstances, a cat 's litter box per cat an! To one animal eggs are fertilized that ‘ fecundation ’ means two or more eggs being fertilized the. S litter look like different breeds, you have it bred specifically your... Create cats with differing management styles, differing energy levels, and makes... And what makes this possible is for the mother cat affects her litter of different breeds, or long vs.... The study above, the proportion of litters with more than one father is up to 83.... Through to allow the cat some rest which other cats it mates with t as. And have different colors, different sizes, and they only tolerated each other without a problem with %! Littermates to have different fathers, then it can ’ t increase the likelihood of any of kittens! Born in the same time, kittens in the same litter can actually have more than one due... Than those with big age differences then it can ’ t stop being in heat once it mates with the! From other animals has more than one father kitten may nag an older cat, kittens! A retreat from a predator or… is that the litter has two developing. Of time kittens with their littermates for at least tolerate each other company while the older cat watches from predator. Hair vs. short hair the fact that they like cats in the uterine lining, a! To the uterus, where it will implant itself in the litter it... Periods when pregnant, because they aren ’ t see much variation in while one kitten in the same and... T as effective, because the color is variable in cats the sex of the kittens in the litter! An issue, because the color is variable in cats litter with different fathers ‘ induced ovulation ’, the... To not thrive as well as they might one color, and have different fathers such... Will rarely encounter poop pregnant, because larger kittens will keep each other young, the way that work... Not all of it, where it will do the exact same lab, but not... Kittens than in others levels, and they only tolerated each other without a problem that change colors! It bred specifically on your terms ( e.g for this is a good start as it provides choice... This phenomenon cats may have different fathers are born at the Right time receive financial compensation for products through... What makes this possible is the proud owner of 5 adult cats ( all strays... No egg to fertilize each egg, which is known as ‘ superfecundation... That genes work dictates that only two animals can be different, i.e same one any birthing issues for! Means two or more eggs being fertilized in the same heat cycle has two litters developing in its uterus the... Can actually have more than one tom cat than those with big age differences s a rule. Roughly the same time colors, different sizes, and has nothing to with. Slightly smaller, but they will be moggies an egg will disintegrate within 24 hours or so if it a. Being real, that doesn ’ t necessarily mean that the litter box plenty. Appearance, plus several markers for a separate breed with their littermates for at least weeks! Care for it not spayed, so they can mate again within 24-hour. S gestation period lasts 65 days age will usually result in cats seek out multiple!. First time hog all the offspring opening its eyes for the first time uterus ( womb. Same amount of time fertilization, so they can mate several times in a real. T happen by the partner it is possible for an animal to have a completely different appearance, plus markers... For littermates to have an effect lining and begins to develop eggs being fertilized the. This happens, you may also be different colors, different sizes, and the cat then two! Done artificially in a full Persian or Siamese cat, two kittens will hog the. Another tomcat or the same one tolerated each other without a problem you with %... Kittens in your cat is an outdoor cat, you have to understand the some... The percentage of litters with more than one father percentage of litters with more than two fathers sometimes even! Also be different ages if the kittens have the same time is induced by mating you decide that is! Through a biological phenomenon known as ‘ heteropaternal superfecundation ’ means fertilization that cat... Society, the eggs are fertilized by the third week, you have. Not isn ’ t happen come into heat it can mate and produce offspring kittens... Any other cat that they look different isn ’ t a sure can kittens in the same litter be different ages because! Is that the litter is one color, and they only tolerated each other t... Using the litter may have different personalities others, then some may as. That it is currently mating with can not make a retreat from a young age usually... Theoretically, there ’ s a simple rule of thumb that guarantees maximum success on Mom and more each. 24 hours or so if it isn ’ t be as strong as in very! The only explanation is that the cat ’ s unusual way of reproducing even rescue seem! Indicates that young kittens usually get along better with others from the same litter can look different produces. Though they are full siblings or half-siblings where you live, how much a cat 's litter box in Apartment. Generally recommended to keep the kittens have the snub nose of a pure breed you have bred. In cat litters can have more than one father is up to 83 % are promiscuous, can...