What Does Cat Do When in Heat?

What Does Cat Do When in Heat? As a cat owner, you may have questions about your feline friend’s heat period. When does it start? What are the symptoms? How can you help them stay calm?

Is it possible to avoid it? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and more. We’ll provide you with everything you need to know about the heat period in cats.

The Heat Period: An Overview

Both male and female cats go into heat periods, but the process is more evident in females. Female cats usually go into heat around six to nine months of age. Interestingly, short-haired female cats tend to go into heat earlier than their long-haired counterparts, who often delay their first heat period until around 15 months of age.

Male cats have their first heat period later than females, typically around eight to twelve months of age. Unlike females, males do not follow a specific cycle. They’re able to mate throughout the year, with their libido decreasing during autumn and winter. However, this doesn’t mean a male cat won’t try to mate during these cooler months.

The Heat Cycle in Cats

To understand what happens to a cat when she goes into heat, it’s necessary to discuss the estrus cycle, which is divided into four phases. During the proestrus cycle, the cat shows the first symptoms of heat, but it’s not until the estrus cycle that it really begins. Then, she will accept males for copulation.

The estrus cycle can last between five and eight days. It’s important to take caution during this time with male cats to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

When it’s over, the cat enters the diestrus cycle and begins to reject the males. If she has become pregnant, this is when the gestation period begins. After a few days, they will enter the anestrus cycle, which is a period of sexual inactivity lasting between 50 and 95 days.

Recognizing the Signs of Heat in Cats

To know if a female cat is in heat, we must pay attention to her behavior. Unlike female dogs, cats don’t lose blood when they’re in heat. They do, however, yowl desperately and continuously, somewhat resembling a baby’s crying. They also begin to rub up against objects and people, showing their bellies and being visibly upset.

Cats in heat often exhibit particularly affectionate behavior and adopt specific poses as a way to attract potential males. When a male cat detects the pheromones of a cat in heat, he will also begin to experience it. Males tend to become more agitated, with more meowing and maybe even shivering and trembling.

They may also mark the house with small amounts of urine in order to both attract females and repel other males in the area.

Caring for a Cat in Heat

During their heat period, cats need more love and care. They’ll also need to be kept inside to avoid unwanted pregnancy or fighting with other cats. A cat that cannot mate during their heat period can suffer a lot in terms of stress and anxiety.

This is why neutering is the most effective solution for avoiding the heat period in cats in almost 100% of cases. Neutering also reduces behaviors related to aggression, territoriality, and stress.

Neutering to prevent pregnancy can be in the form of spaying in females or castration or vasectomy in males. However, vasectomies only prevent pregnancy; they do not stop the heat period and its related behaviors.

There are also drugs that can perform chemical sterilization of the animal. This is a temporary method with many side effects, so it really isn’t recommended.

Conclusion

Understanding your cat’s heat period can help you provide the best care for your feline friend. By recognizing the signs and knowing how to respond, you can help your cat navigate this natural process with minimal stress.

Remember, neutering is the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the stress associated with the heat period. If you’re considering this option, be sure to consult with a vet to discuss the best approach for your cat.