Cat in heat – Signs and indications
Indeed, most breeders are familiar with the phrase “cat in heat“. This period gives a lot of headaches to those who have cats, as they become more restless and noisier. When a female is in heat, certain hormonal changes occur, specific to this moment. In today’s article, we’ll explain what heatwave means, what the signs are, and how you can prevent it.
Cat in heat – what does this mean?
Like most female mammals, a cat in heat undergoes specific physiological changes. That moment represents the oestrous cycle and signifies all the periodic changes of the uterus and vagina in mammalian females under the influence of ovarian hormones. It is the period of a few days in which the female is fertile. The last stage of this period is called estrus or “heat period”. This period is characterized by an increase in estrogen hormones, which stimulate the maturation of ovarian follicles and are responsible for behavioural change.
A cat in heat will try to attract as many cats as possible, the body position being specific in facilitating the mating process. The female will sit with her head bowed, her back raised, and her tail pointed to the left or the right.
Cat in heat – how long does it last?
A cat is in the heat for a few days (7-10 days), and during this period, it is ready for mating. Heat occurs at the age of 6 to 8 months. A cat that spends most of its time outdoors is a seasonal polyester cycle once or three times a year (February-March, August-September), with a regular period of anaesthesia (lack of heat) between September and December. Cats kept indoors will be in the heat several times a year, especially in the absence of a male. Females remain sexually active throughout the year as they are less exposed to seasonal fluctuations.
As I said above, a cat first gets warm at the age of 5-6 months, but this can vary depending on the cat’s breed and the environment in which it lives. A cat needs to mate. Otherwise, the heat period will be repeated after 16-20 days. The female who does not give birth will go into heat every month, which can be stressful for the animal and affect its health. Cats ovulate at the time of fertilization. If the cat mates, the estrus period does not last more than four days, during which time the cat will be pregnant. If the cat has puppies, that doesn’t mean it can’t be in the heat again. The female will be in the mating season again after about 4-5 weeks. Thus, while the cat is breastfeeding, she may become pregnant again.
Signs that a cat is in heat
A cat in heat will stand out with some obvious and easily recognizable main symptoms:
– Meow – a cat in heat will make some shrill, different sounds, which indicates that it is in the mating season. Through these sounds, it will attract males. The frequent, prolonged and noisy howl will be annoying, but in this way, the females transmit their condition to us.
– They are more loving – during the heat, females become much more loving with other family members. An exaggerated expression of the disease is a factor that indicates that the cat is looking for a male
– Low appetite – the appetite of cats in the heat is low during this period
– Marking the territory – some cats mark their territory during this period through urine with a powerful, pungent smell to attract more cats. Thus, it shows the males that they are available for mating.
– He rubs its head, buttocks and neck against objects – a cat in heat will rub on the floor and squirm, showing his genitals. He will also rub his masters’ feet more often than usual. Thus, the cat leaves a specific smell to attract more cats.
– The cat becomes more agitated – during the mating season, the cat becomes much more hectic, and if it stays in the apartment, it will try to escape from that closed space. Some cats leave home if they are in the yard to look for more males.
You can pet her and give her more attention when your cat is in that period. You can play with it and brush it to distract her and keep her busy.
Cat in heat – remedies
The best way to keep your cat away from the heat is sterilization. This procedure will eliminate any possibility of having more kittens, and the animal will get rid of the discomfort created by estrus and protect the cat’s health. When the cat is in the heat but does not have access to the cat to mate with, the female may have specific symptoms that may affect her health: stress, mental disorders, false lactation, pyometra, limb inflammation, etc. Also, if cats are neutered, they will not be prone to disease. It is recommended to neuter the cat when it reaches sexual maturity, around 4-6 months.
On the Biotur Shop platform, you can buy sterilized cat food from Biocat. The moist food provided by this brand maintains the health of the urinary tract and has a balanced protein content. Cat food should be chosen carefully to provide your pet with all the vitamins and nutrients it needs for a healthy life.
