How Old Does a Male Cat Have to Be to Produce Kittens?

For a male cat to have the ability to sire a litter of kittens with a mature female cat, he must be able to produce sperm. Typically, a male cat reaches sexual maturity between 4 and 6 months old, although, depending on certain factors, some male cats do not become sexually mature until they reach 1 year old. Once mature, a male cat will seek a female in heat to produce kittens.

  1. Sexual Maturity

    • Once a male cat reaches an average age of 9 months old, he is in puberty and becomes sexually mature, according to Catster. At this time, he can sire litters of kittens with one or more females that he mates with. For this to occur, the female must be in heat -- also called estrus -- and be receptive to the male's advances. If a male cat is not neutered -- known as an intact male -- he can continue to produce kittens with female cats for the rest of his life. At around 6 months of age, you should separate litter mates, as a male cat will mate with his female siblings that have reached estrus, usually at about the same age.

    Complications

    • Some health conditions, including hyperthyroidism and other chronic diseases, can affect the fertility of an intact male cat and his ability to produce sperm, according to the HDW Enterprises & Foothill Felines Bengals & Savannahs website. Malnourishment or obesity can also affect a male's libido and ability to reproduce, both of which are reversible conditions with proper diet and exercise. Feral, outdoor male cats may not reach puberty until they reach 15 to 18 months old, according to PetPlace. Male cats that have limited interactions with other cats can also be slower to mature, reaching 1 year or more before showing signs of puberty.

    Developmental Changes

    • Prior to puberty, a male cat's testicles will descend into the scrotal sac, anytime from birth to about 7 weeks of age. Upon reaching puberty, you will notice certain changes in your male cat's behavior due to the production of testosterone in his system. These changes include increased aggression toward people and other cats, along with a desire to roam, sometimes for days at a time, to find available females in estrus to mate with. Another sign of sexual maturity is urine marking, a behavior in which the male cat sprays vertical surfaces with his urine to claim territory and advertise his availability to females in the area. Intact males also grow thick pads of skin on their cheeks to protect them from the bites of other males during fights over territory and available females.

    Considerations

    • Reduce the chances of the development of certain diseases, including testicular cancer, by neutering your cat, recommends the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The procedure involves the removal of the cat's testicles, preventing him from reproducing. It also curbs the cat's desire to fight and roam outdoors. Neutering between the ages of 4 and 6 months old helps prevent aggressive and marking behaviors before they start. In some cases, the neutering procedure can be performed as early as 8 weeks old, once the testicles of the male cat have descended, according to the ASPCA. Because a female cat can produce up to five litters each year, neutering your cat helps to reduce the pet overpopulation problem, according to the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition.