Cat In Heat? Telltale Signs To Watch

Female cats undergo a heat cycle in their lifespans. This happens when they aren’t spayed yet. Here are the signs of a cat in heat. These signs indicate that they are capable of mating and breeding. These are drastic changes to their behavior so if you do see these signs, there is no reason to worry just yet. Maybe your cat is just looking for a mate.

What Is It, Exactly?

A heat cycle occurs to a queen during specific periods in her life. An unspayed cat is called a queen. The primary reproductive organs are the ovaries and the uterus. These organs undergo a cycle called estrous. Estrous is another term for the heat cycle. It is the biological cycle that enables reproduction. This is characterized by hormonal fluctuations in the cat’s body. some of their blood vessels also increase in size. These signs compel them to go out and procreate.

When Does This Happen?

This heat cycle usually starts within the first six months of their lives. Other cycles occur anytime between the fourth and twelfth month of age. The variations are affected by different factors like health, time of the year, and the cat’s breed. You can think of their first cycle as the human equivalent of getting puberty. And yes, they can get very much pregnant even in the first cycle. Cats are also influenced by the season as they are seasonal reproducers. The cycles usually occur from February to October. This may also vary depending on your location in the world.

How Long Is Each Heat Cycle?

As aforementioned, their reproductive phase can stretch for months. Each cycle lasts for about a week. You will notice that they will calm down after that if they haven’t found a mate. They will also resume their symptoms if they still haven’t found a mate. Each cycle is about a week to ten days long.

Signs And Symptoms

It is very tricky to observe cats because they do not have more obvious signs compared to dogs. You just need to keep a close eye on their behavior. You will notice that your cat is more vocal than usual. She will probably cry, meow, and yowl all night long. You might even hear a distant cat responding to that call. You can also notice that they are more affectionate than how they usually are. They will demand attention and pets from their owners. Cats in heat love being pet on their back. They may even lower their body to the ground and thrust their tail area into your hands. A cat may also rub her face on the furniture, on her owner, and even on the floor, just to spread its scent into the environment. Another telltale sign is that she will spray her urine on your door or on the ground. Spraying urine is another sign she sends out to her fellow cats to notify the neighboring cats that she is ready to mate. These things will stop once her cycle is over.