With the arrival of spring, the lengthening of the day and the increase in natural light, our purring friends begin to go into heat. This is a natural physiological process in which female cats reach sexual maturity and become ready to mate, which leads to reproduction.
The sexual cycle of cats is closely linked to the length of the day, with more light stimulating hormonal changes in their bodies. In our latitudes, the period from March to October is characterized by longer days and more intense sunlight, which coincides with the most active breeding period in cats.
It is important to note that domestic cats that live in an environment with artificial lighting can go into heat throughout the year, as their biological rhythm can be influenced by the constant availability of light.
If you have a female cat at home that has not been sterilized, you can expect her to go into heat if she is already between 6 and 9 months old. However, some breeds can reach sexual maturity earlier – even around 4-5 months of age. It is important for cat owners to be prepared for this period, as it can lead to significant changes in the pet’s behavior.
Among the most common signs of heat are increased vocalization (loud meowing), affectionate behavior, rolling on the floor, raising the rear end of the body and the desire to escape outside. If the cat is not mated or sterilized, this process will repeat cyclically at certain intervals.
How long does heat last
The so-called estrus cycle in female cats can last from a few days to a few weeks, with an average duration of about 7 days, but it can vary in the range of 2 to 19 days. This depends on the individual characteristics of the cat, as well as on external factors such as the presence of male cats in the area.
If mating does not occur, the cycle can be repeated every two to three weeks, meaning that an unspayed cat can be in heat multiple times over a period of several months. The length of the heat and its intensity can vary depending on the age, breed and environment in which the cat lives.
The heat cycle in cats goes through several clearly defined phases:
• Proestrus – lasts about 1-2 days and usually during this stage the cat does not yet show pronounced heat behavior. She may be more attached to her owners, but will not yet be attracted to male cats.
• Estrus (true heat) – this is the active breeding period, which lasts an average of 7 days. During this stage the cat will be much more vocal, will roll on the floor, will raise her rear, will seek contact with male cats and may be nervous. It is during this period that she is capable of conceiving if mated. Cat owners should be prepared for intense meowing and increased activity.
• Interestrus – if a cat has not been fertilized during estrus, she will enter this phase, which can last 13-18 days before the proestrus cycle begins again. During this period, the cat behaves normally until a new heat phase begins.
• Anestrus – this is the period of sexual rest, during which the cat does not show signs of heat. Anestrus usually occurs during the winter months when daylight is limited. However, cats that live in homes with artificial lighting may not go through this stage and continue to have regular heat cycles throughout the year.
At what age can cats get pregnant
Cats can go into heat for the first time or become pregnant around 6-9 months. In some representatives, this period may occur earlier, around the fourth month, and in others (mainly larger breeds), heat may not occur until they are 1 year old.
This means that it is extremely important for owners to be aware of the possibility of early pregnancy and to consider preventive measures if they do not want their cat to have kittens. In cats, pregnancy lasts about 63-65 days, which means that an unsterilized cat can give birth several times a year.
If a cat does not become pregnant, she may go into heat every two to three weeks. This means that heat periods can be frequent and exhausting for both the animal and its owner. Repeated cycles can lead to behavioral changes, stress and anxiety, which makes sterilization one of the best solutions to prevent these problems.
Signs of a cat in heat
It is difficult to mistake when your cat is in heat. In male cats, this is even more obvious because you will smell the urine that he has used to mark a surface. This is often a problem with male cats, and if you want to save yourself the trouble, talk to your vet about when you can neuter him. Urine marking is not only unpleasant, but can lead to more aggressive behavior, especially if she senses the presence of other females in heat in the area.
Females, on the other hand, do not mark when they are in heat, but they can become quite noisy and even annoying. Some of the signs that your furry companion is ready to mate include:
• Loud and frequent meowing, which can continue 24/7
• Rubbing and rubbing against all possible surfaces, including you
• Excessive scratching at doors, toys, or furniture
• Hanging around windows or the front door (especially if you are on a low floor or in a house) and trying to escape in order to find a male cat to mate with
• Raising the rear of the body and arching the back when touched
Should I neuter my cat
Whether to neuter your pet is your choice and you have the right not to. However, it should be noted that the problem of stray animals is very large worldwide. Unsterilized domestic cats can contribute significantly to the increase in the stray cat population if they have access to the outside environment and mate with street animals.
Some pets do not show very obvious signs of heat, which makes owners decide not to neuter them. Some male cats do not mark (however, their urine acquires a very strong, obtrusive odor), and some female representatives can remain relatively calm and not show such annoying behavior.
But even in these cases, sterilization has its advantages, including reducing the risk of certain diseases, such as pyometra (an infection of the uterus) and mammary gland cancer in females, as well as testicular and prostate problems in males.
Neutering is a routine procedure and does not pose a danger to animals if they do not have other diseases. The veterinarian will consider the animal’s needs and take the necessary precautions to safely perform the procedure, even if your cat has another underlying health condition. After neutering, cats become calmer, and the risk of wandering and fighting with other cats is significantly reduced.
Illustrative Photo by Mustafa ezz: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-short-fur-assorted-color-cats-979503/
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First published in this link of The European Times.
