Cat in Heat - Signs and
Symptoms
Oestrus is
the fertile period of a female cat's reproductive cycle. It is also known
as 'In Heat', 'Being in Season', 'On Call' and 'Calling'
At what age does a female cat come in heat?
A cat comes in heat when she sexually matures. Usually a
cats first season is somewhere between 4 and 10 months old with average
age around six months. Siamese and Burmese cats are quite precocious and
will often have their first season at 4 months of age.
What are the signs that my
female cat is in heat?
Any or all of the signs below may be an indication that your cat is in
heat.
• Your cat becomes more
affectionate than usual
• Your cat rolls around
the floor
• Your cat carries her
tail to one side.
• Your cat becomes very
vocal and meows a lot. (This is where the term 'Calling' comes from) This
vocalisation can become very noisy with loud yowls day and night. Her
voice may become more piercing than usual.
• Your cat assumes a
position with her front quarters on the ground and her bottom pointing in
the air.
• Your cat's hind legs may
'tread'
• Your cat licks her
vulval area more than usual
• Your cat rubs her face
up against you or furniture more often than usual.
• If you pat your
cat on her back near her tail your cat will raise her bottom in the air and may begin
'treading' with her hind feet.
• If she is a cat
who is usually kept inside she will be desperate to get outside, waiting
for any opportunity to escape.
How long will my cat be in heat?
Oestrus usually last for between 7 to 10 days.
How often will my cat be in heat?
Unless your cat mates she will continue to
come into heat every 2 to 3 weeks.
If a cat calls many times without a pregnancy there are
associated health risks. A intact female cat that has never been bred has a high
risk of developing cancer of the reproductive organs or developing pyometra which is a life threatening infection of the uterus |
Cats Mating |
How can I prevent my cat coming into
heat?
Oestrus can easily be prevented by having your female
cat spayed before 6 months of age or at the age your vet recommends.
What do I do if my cat comes into
heat?
You must avoid unwanted pregnancies by keeping her
inside away from male cats. It's not too late to take her to the vet to
get spayed (de-sexed) although some vets charge more for spaying a cat
which is in season.
More Reading.
How to tell if
your cat is pregnant
I wouldn't mind my cat having
kittens, shall I just let her out while she is in heat?
If you let your female cat out while she is in heat you
risk her catching a number of diseases from contact with an unknown male
cat. Some of these diseases can cause death. It's not worth the risk.
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