Do you think your cat is in heat? It is important that you know how to recognize when the animal is at this moment so that you can understand its attitude and take care of it with the attention it requires. Keep in mind that a cat's heat is different from that of a female cat That's why we'll explain the different characteristics below, depending on the sex, so you can get a better understanding of your cat. In this article on our site we talk about heat in male and female cats, its characteristics, symptoms and necessary care.
Heat in cats
We will begin by talking about heat in female cats, since it is the most complex. The first thing you should know is that the periods of heat occur at certain times of the year, times when the female cat is ready to be fertilized by the male and procreate. But not the whole year they will allow the sexual encounter, but only when they are in heat.
A cat begins to experience the first heat around 6-9 monthsand she will continue to have it practically until the end of her life she. However, this date varies depending on these factors:
- Weight: The first heat will come when the cat reaches approximately 80% of her adult weight.
- Photoperiod, that is, the incidence of sunlight: the more hours of light, the more chances that heat will start. This factor is altered in female cats that live indoors, as they always receive a similar number of hours of light, even if it is artificial, and can be in heat at any time of the year.
- Breed: short-haired cats tend to show their first heat earlier than long-haired cats.
- Presence of other cats: female cats in heat produce certain pheromones that favor the appearance of heat, not just the first, in females. cats around them.
While female dogs only have a couple of heats a year, female cats are seasonal polyestrous, which means they can experience repeated jealousy as long as the right conditions exist. With a sufficient amount of daily light, which in the northern hemisphere usually happens in the spring and summer months, the cats will continuously repeat their periods of heat.
How often do cats go into heat?
Continuing with the example of female cats in the northern hemisphere, they usually begin the period of sexual activity between the months of February-April and jealousy lasts until September-October,repeating every 10-15 days From October to February the cat will not be in heat.
Cat heat phases
It is also important that you know the phases in which heat is divided in cats. They are as follows:
- Proestrus: at this stage the cat is more affectionate than normal, begins to vocalize and experience the first symptoms of heat, although it still does not accept the mount.
- Estrus or heat: in this phase, of variable duration, generally between 5-8 days, the cat is receptive to the copula This is the time when she can get pregnant, so we must take extreme precautions
- Metaestro: after ovulation, if pregnancy has not occurred, the cat remains in sexual inactivity for about 8-15 days, until the next heat. She will reject males even aggressively
- Anestrus: This is a period of sexual inactivity that will last until the start of the next reproductive season.
Duration of a cat's heat
How long does a cat's heat last? A cat's heat usually lasts about a week and appears every 10-15 days, approximately, as long as the months in which the necessary conditions for her fertility are met.
Oestrus in male cats
The oestrus in male cats is different from that of females, because, to begin with, it is later. If you are wondering at what age do cats go into heat, it starts between 8-12 months and, just like in female cats, they will be fertile practically until end of his life. On the other hand, they do not present the heat cycles that we have just explained, but the cats are prepared to mate always, whenever they detect a female in heat, perceiving the smell they give off or listening to their call meows.
How long does a male cat's heat last?
The heat of male cats will last as long as the heat of female cats around them, since a male cat, As long as it detects the presence of a fertile female cat, it will be ready to reproduce. If it happens that he lives surrounded by cats in heat, he will be constantly showing signs of this period.
Symptoms of a cat in heat
Now that you know the characteristics of cats' heat, we continue with the signs that will help you know when your feline is in heat. These are different depending on the sex of the animal, as explained below.
Symptoms of heat in male cats
When she picks up the scent or meows of a female in heat, the cat will begin to experience recognizable signs, such as nervousness,insistent meows or even tremors due to excitement. You may also notice that urinates outside the litter box to mark its territory. This territorial attitude means that the animal can become aggressive with other males In fact, fights over females in heat are common in stray cats.
Symptoms of heat in cats
Unlike female dogs, cats do not bleed when they are ready to be fertilized. So how do I know if my cat is in heat? The truth is that during this period it will be very difficult to ignore the symptoms of a cat in heat: she will meow a lot more than normal, sometimes she will even seem to be screaming, and his voice can be mistaken for that of a small child. In addition, you will see that begins to rub himselfand roll over everything and everyone, rubbing himself on the furniture and showing a more affectionate attitude. It is also usual that, if you caress her, she places her body as if for mounting. It may also happen that he tries to run away from home in search of a male and urinates outside the litter box.
What is the meow of a cat in heat like?
In the previous section we have been able to verify that meowing is one of the most recognizable symptoms of heat in cats. It is a very different meow from all the others that they emit, that is said that they are capable of reaching up to 100 different vocalizations.
Focusing on this type of meow, in females it is more similar to a deep cry that conveys desperation, being a long, intense and strong meowwhose objective is to capture the attention of males. In them the meows are also more intense, but less strong and shorter. In male cats it is more common for signs of nervousness and aggressiveness to appear, if there are other males.
Care for a cat in heat
There are some cares for a cat in heat that we must take into account, such as pay it more attention, because it will be more sensitive and will need affection. On the other hand, if you get lost, he'll probably run away from home to find a mating partner, so you'd better keep an eye on him. Play with your cat in heat, pet him, give him more cuddles and attention and you will make him feel calmer and cared for.
To protect a female cat in heat from the males that will come looking for her, from our site we recommend that you close the windows and balconies, as the cat could sneak in or she could escape. At this time the animals will be under great stress. To avoid this, a good way is castration
There are many advantages to neutering a cat, starting with avoiding the signs of heat, which stress and frustrate them. You will also avoid escapes and reduce some behaviors, such as aggressiveness or reproductive marking, although this totally depends on the moment in which the operation is carried out. If you are considering neutering your feline, do not hesitate to continue on our site to discover the best age to neuter a male cat or the best age to neuter a female cat.
This operation carries the risk of any surgical intervention, but it is essential if we want to improve our cat's well-being and avoid some he alth problems, such as a uterine infection or breast tumors.
Can you spay a cat in heat?
It is not recommended, as it involves more risks, however, everything will depend on the professional's criteria. Currently, the recommendation is to castrate before the first heat to take advantage of all the benefits that the operation has for the he alth of the cat. For example, it greatly reduces the appearance of mammary tumors, since their risk increases with each heat.
When to neuter a male cat?
The ideal is to neuter the male cat around 5-6 months of age Thus, it is much easier for the feline not to develop behaviors related to the reproductive cycle. Of course, neither in females nor in males does castration prevent the development of other behaviors typical of the species. By castrating later, some undesirable behaviors may be maintained, such as urine marking. In this way, if your sterilized cat is in heat, this may be the reason.
How to calm a cat in heat?
The best way to calm a cat in heat is to prevent this period from occurring through castration. However, if surgery is not possible at the moment, you can follow these tips to reassure her:
- Try to avoid contact with male cats.
- Offer her lots of love and pampering so that she feels cared for
- Play with her to keep her entertained.
Pills for the heat of cats
There are pills that inhibit heat in cats that act as a contraceptive method, however, they are not recommended due to the side effects they produce. Therefore, it is best to castrate them.
How to calm a cat in heat?
As it happens with females, it is best to neuter the cat. If this is not possible, the best home remedy for cats in heat is avoid detecting a female cat Remember that males go into heat after noticing one that is. Now, if he is already in heat, you can try to calm him down with synthetic pheromones in a diffuser, playing with him and pampering him.
