Yes, inbreeding can result in reduced litter numbers, immunological inadequacies, a rise in hereditary anomalies, or cats that don’t reach their full potential.
What Happens When Brother and Sister Cats Have Kittens?
A male and female cat sibling should not mate because there is a more significant danger of genetic disorders when such close relatives breed.
The kittens born from a mating could be normal or have birth abnormalities; there’s no way of knowing until they’re born.
Do Inbred Cats Have a Long-Life Expectancy?
Inbred cats do not live as long and have more health issues (especially heart). And having kittens when they are six months old hinders their growth and does not generate healthy kittens.
Signs of Inbred Kittens
1. A genetic anomaly such as extra toes or double paws.
2. Jaws that are misaligned
3. Infertility
4. Unusual eye set
5. A lower birth rate
6. Asymmetry of the face has worsened
7. There is a higher baby and child mortality rate.
8. Immune system dysfunction.
9. Adults are more miniature.
Do Cats Avoid Inbreeding?
In general, animals in natural groups decrease inbreeding by removing young males, preventing close relatives from mating. Female cats can also manage paternity to avoid inbreeding by mating with non-related mating partners.
How To Stop Cat Inbreeding
1. Keeping the cats apart is the best solution.
2. Provide deterrents or distractions. Clap your hands loudly or throw a book on the floor if you spot your cat about to hump. You might also give a stuffed toy to a male cat bent on humping, hoping it will abandon the other cat
3. Tracking and physical surveillance of the cat’s movements to ensure they are not mating with their siblings. A cat enclosure may be handy in this situation.
4. Another useful preventive measure is spaying or neutering the cat siblings.
5. Getting your cat spayed or neutered and investing in a GPS location and activity tracker are two of the best strategies to prevent an unplanned pregnancy in your cat. Your pet buddy will be able to relax from her natural heat cycle and explore her territory while you enjoy peace of mind!