Cats are famous for having a great ability to reproduce. With the possibility of giving birth from an early age and several litters a year of about five kittens, a feline family can increase enormously in a very short time. But, after giving birth to a cat, when does she go into heat?
In this article on our site we will answer this question so that, if we live with a cat, we are clear about how and when to prevent her from reproducing. We will also talk about sterilization as a control and he alth measure. Read on and find out how long it takes for a cat to go into heat after giving birth.
The reproduction of cats
First of all, we must know that female cats are seasonal polyestrous This means that during the months of greatest sunlight they will be, practically, in a permanent heat. Symptoms of this fertile period include high-pitched, high-pitched, constant meowing, changes in behavior, increased frequency of urination, rubbing against us, or any object or display of the genitals by departing the tail and raising the rump. These signs occur for about a week at a time. Next, there is a rest of more or less 10-15 days and, again, the heat is repeated. So until the end of the days with the highest incidence of sunlight. For more information, consult this article: "The heat of cats".
In addition, her ovulation is induced This implies that she needs a stimulus, generally the one produced by the cat's penis when it withdraws from the vagina after copulation. The penis is covered with spicules that, coming out against the grain, cause pain that triggers the hormonal reactions that lead to ovulation. It usually takes more than one mating for fertilization and gestation to take place.
In this species gestation lasts about nine weeks or about 63 days, after which delivery takes place. In males, a period of heat is not distinguished. Once sexual maturity has been reached, which can happen after seven months of age, the cat will be ready to reproduce as soon as it detects the pheromones that cats in heat will emit. In this case, the cat will try to leave the house at all costs, will urinate anywhere to mark his territory and may fight with other males to gain access to the female. But, once the reproductive cycle is over, that is, after giving birth to a cat, when does she go into heat? We explain it below.
Can a recently given birth cat be in heat?
When we explain the characteristics of heat in cats, we mention that female cats are seasonally polyestrous. That is, his jealousy will be continuous as long as there is enough sunlight, with rest periods of only 10-15 days. Childbirth and subsequent lactation have little effect on this cycle. Unless the births coincide with the end of the period with the most sun, in which case the cat will take a few months to become fertile again, she can go into heat soon and repeat the pregnancy.
So, a female cat that has just given birth will not go into heat right away, but she may do so over the next few days, weeks or months
How long does it take for a cat to go into heat after giving birth?
If we ask ourselves, after giving birth to a cat, when exactly does she go into heat, the truth is that an exact day cannot be established, but, after the first 3-4 weeks of her kittens' life When they begin to interact with each other and with the environment, the cat will begin to leave them alone. From that date we could begin to see signs of heat again, although it is more common for this moment to be postponed until 7-8 weeks after calving
As an example, a female domestic cat living in Europe might mate in late January. Her litter would be born in early April. After two months, in June, normally with the kittens already installed in new homes, the cat will go into heat again, which may result in a new pregnancy.
Can a recently delivered cat be sterilized?
Seen when a cat comes into heat after giving birth, it is clear that we cannot lower our guard if our intention is to avoid the birth of more litters just because the cat has just given birth. But when can a cat be spayed after giving birth? It is best to schedule the sterilization surgery approximately 2 months after delivery to ensure the welfare of the kittens.
This is so because it is recommended that they remain in the family for a minimum of eight weeks, after which time the kittens are weaned. This contact with their peers at a particularly sensitive stage of development helps to avoid behavioral problems in the future. In addition, they must feed on breast milk.
Therefore, the ideal would be to keep the cat closed for that period of time and, after that, operate on her. In case of belonging to a street colony or it is truly impossible to prevent her from accessing males, it is best that we consult with the veterinarian to arrange surgery in the least harmful way possible, both for the cat and her kittens, in agreement with their living conditions.
Let's remember, finally, that sterilization in cats or castrationgenerally consists of removal of the uterus and ovaries. The cat stops being jealous, she cannot reproduce but, in addition, this operation has advantages for her he alth, such as preventing uterine infections or reducing the risk of breast tumors.
