The answer to whether kitten siblings will mate:
Kitten siblings can mate once they reach sexual maturity because they don’t realize they are siblings as humans do.
Don’t allow it to happen, as inbred pregnancy results in a lot of health complications.
Spay/neuter kitten siblings before they reach puberty.
Probably you already know the advantages of adopting two kittens from the same litter. They keep each other company while playing and are less likely to be involved in mischief.
When these kitten siblings grow up together they form a close bond, and as a cat owner you worry what will happen if this pair mate.
Read more, to find the answer to this question and because frankly, the very idea just sounds wrong, I will tell you how to ensure this does not happen.
Kitten Siblings not yet sterilized will Mate
Cats follow their instincts. When they grow up, their biggest drive is the need to make babies. If your male and female kittens are not yet neutered or spayed, they are bound to mate, and have kittens together.
It sounds weird, but cats don’t care if they are mating with a family member. We humans may call it incest, but there is no such thing in the feline world.
Once they reach sexual maturity, they will mate.
Risks are involved when sibling kittens Mate
It is not a good thing when sibling kittens mate, which is an inbred pregnancy. Even breeders who are in the habit of breeding closely related cats agree that inbreeding carries a lot of risks.
When kitten siblings or even half siblings mate, their kittens are more likely to have immune deficiencies and congenital abnormalities. This is because their parents have a close genetic similarity.
They have the same DNA and genes, which is a powerful reason you should not allow mating to happen.
Because of the above reasons, it is highly advisable for every cat owner to ensure their cats don’t copulate with their siblings.
However, in most cases kittens can be born from different fathers; this is something fairly common in cats. If this is so, there will be fewer health complications from accidental inbreeding of your kittens from the same litter.
Have your Kittens Spayed or Neutered
The best way to prevent sibling kittens from mating is to sterilize them. Remember that some cats reach sexual maturity at 6 months, or even earlier.
Vets recommend spaying or neutering your kitten on their 5th or 6th month. Various factors influence the time at which your kitten hits puberty, such as breed or environment.
Outdoor cats and the Siamese breed reach sexual maturity as early as 4 months of age. For other felines, this can wait up to 10 months.
The Dangerous Signs of an Inbred Cat
Irresponsible breeders resort to inbreeding cats to keep the desirable qualities of a certain breed, especially the physical appearance. However, this practice has often led to bad genetic faults that have seen kittens born with general weakness.
Here are physical signs to look out for:
- Crooked noses.
- Uneven eye sizes.
- Asymmetrical face.
- Misaligned jaws.
Inbred kittens may be born, thin and underweight. They have poor growth in later life and in the results are below standard adult cats.
Reproductive performance is also reduced. A male cat shows reluctance to copulate. A female cat shows reluctance to come into heat.
There have been cases of local buyers dumping their cats at the gates of shelter homes because the inbred cats they bought look weak, ill, and ugly. They do not look like healthy cats.
There is no reason to be overly concerned if your kitten siblings mate accidentally. As mentioned earlier, you can always prevent this from happening through sterilization at the vet.
Littermates Get Along
If you are thinking of welcoming a pair of feline companions in your home, two kittens from the same litter may be exactly what you need.
Two kittens adopted into the same home bond very quickly; a relationship which may last for life.
Social development in cats happens during their early days in life. Providing your kitten with a companion plays a vital role during this stage.
The pair engage in rough play, groom each other, cuddle, and comfort each other. These activities enable your furry friends to thrive in an interactive and dependable environment.
Playing together is especially an important factor in your kittens’ early growth. Pouncing on each other, tackling, and biting sharpens their hunting skills; it also teaches them how to avoid aggressive play.
When a kitten bites its fellow too hard during play, the other kitten reacts by ending the game or seeking revenge. Neither of the options is fun. So, this is a valuable lesson for them on how to interact in future with humans and fellow cats.
Because your pair of sibling kittens have been together since childhood, it comes as no surprise that these often have the strongest bonds. This connection has even moved many adoption agencies to refuse to adopt bonded siblings individually.
They fear that if you only adopt only one of the kittens, it may lead to serious separation anxiety which is a cause of feline behavioral problems.
But even if your kittens get along, things might change in the future. Competition for the owner’s attention or food and territorial conflict can make cats that were previously happy with each other’s company fight.
Mating and Conception in Cats
It’s important to know about mating and conception because you will know if your kitten siblings have reached sexual maturity, which helps you act before they mate.
Here is what happens:
Once your female kitten reaches puberty, the heat cycles, also known as estrus cycle start. This is the time of receptivity to mating and will occur every 2 to 3 weeks. Your female cat vocalizes loud and becomes intent on fulfilling her need to mate.
The queen will signal her willingness to mate with these body postures:
- Forelegs bent.
- Chest down.
- Tail to the side to expose the vulva.
The female cats also become affectionate. If you see a male kitten constantly sniffing its sister’s bottom and the female cat is suddenly affectionate, then it’s time to spay or neuter your kittens.
Benefits of adopting Two Kittens
It is in the best interest of your felines not to allow your kitten siblings to mate. But there are benefits of adopting two kittens.
If you don’t want mating to occur, sterilize your furry friends. Alternatively, you can adopt kitties of the same gender.
One of the best ways to address behavioral problems in kittens is to make sure they have a companion. Cats thrive when they have a friend from an early age.
Here are the benefits of adopting two kittens:
1. Learn through observation
When kittens are born, they learn a lot of life skills by observing their mother. The same applies when two kittens stay together. If one cat has elimination problems, it quickly picks up on how to use its litter box by observing the other.
A picky eater also appreciates eating its food when there is another cat to teach it.
2. Keep out of trouble
A kitten left home alone can spell disaster. Many cat owners have come home to a messed up house just because their kitten’s boredom made them to act out.
If you have one mischievous kitten, another feline keeps it occupied, and this helps the both of them stay out of trouble.
Instead of destroying your house, play and grooming each other keeps them occupied.
3. Find comfort
If you have just adopted a kitten, it is common for the little one to be afraid of its new environment. Having a kitty pal helps your kitten settle into your home.
This ensures your kitten has an easier time doing things together.
4. Makes intro to an adult cat easier
If you already have an adult kitten, you would do it much justice by adopting two kittens. If you bring just one kitten, it will be a real nuisance to your older cat.
Kittens are energetic, and your kitty would want to play with the adult cat all the time. Your older cat does not have the energy, or will, to be so playful, and soon your kitten becomes bothersome to your older cat.
5. They groom each other
Grooming is an essential part of your kitten’s life habits. Kittens learn to lick themselves at a young age. Grooming is not just about keeping the cat clean. It helps lubricate their fur to make it shine, remove loose hair, and dirt or parasites.
Although your kitten may do just fine in keeping itself clean, another kitten can groom it in areas hard to reach.
