How to recognize the signs of a cat in heat

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Cats are fascinating and beloved pets that bring joy and warmth into our lives. However, as responsible cat owners, it is essential to understand and recognize the signs of a cat in heat. Being able to identify these signs not only helps us to provide better care for our furry friends but also plays a crucial role in preventing unwanted pregnancies, behavioral issues, and potential health problems. In this guide, we will explore the various behaviors and physical indications that indicate a cat is in heat, ensuring that we are better equipped to meet their needs during this hormonal stage of their lives.

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This article was co-written by Jean Johnson. Jean Johnson is a cat expert and contributor to the blog KittyNook. Jean specializes in cat health advice, how to play with cats, general information about cats and cat breeds.

This article has been viewed 207,471 times.

Female cats without oophorectomy can go into estrus between 5 and a half to 12 months of age, depending on diet and length of day. ^{[1] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.} Unlike feral cats that have to scramble for food and experience short winter days, domestic cats are better fed and exposed to more artificial light. This means that when feral cats are in the breeding season and tend to give birth in the spring and early fall, domestic cats can be in heat at any time, even every 3-4 weeks. Cat behavior in heat often worries you if the cause is unknown. However, the following guidelines will help you identify the signs of heat in your cat.

Table of Contents

Steps

Recognizing behavioral signs

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Hear the cat meow. Another term for estrus in cats is “inviting”. The reason is so called because female cats can squeak and often walk around the house to whine or meow. ^{[2] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.} The sound of a cat meowing is similar to a cry of sorrow and pain, has a high and prolonged tone that makes you sleepless at night.

• If your cat is born with a tendency to meow, the vocal cues may not necessarily indicate that the cat is in heat.
• When “invited,” cats tend to purr loudly and persistently, accompanied by the following noticeable behaviors.

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Watch for restless behavior. Restless and restless behavior can be signs of heat in a female cat. ^{[3] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• Cats in heat often both meow and appear restless.

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Watch out for emotional displays. Female cats in heat often show more affection than usual. Cats may not normally be very friendly, but this can change while in heat. ^{[4] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• If you’re in heat, your cat may constantly rub her body around your ankles and can hurt when you try to leave.
• This behavior will also show up when cats rub their cheeks and chin (where the cat’s scent glands are located) on furniture, especially entry and exit areas like door frames.
• During estrus, cats can change scents subtly. Cats like to keep scents around to invite a mate. ^{[5] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

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Notice the cat’s tail. A typical sign of a cat’s readiness to mate is the tail deflection reflex. You just need to rub the cat’s back, especially in the pelvic area and buttocks, the female cat can lift her butt and raise her tail to the side. ^{[6] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• This reflex is a way for the male cat to easily insert his genitals into the female cat’s vulva and mate.

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Notice the “crawling like a commando” posture. Cats can lower their front legs to the ground, and at the same time raise their buttocks, then crawl on the floor in this position. ^{[7] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

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Follow the rolling position. Female cats in heat may roll on the ground and whine. ^{[8] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• It’s not hard to understand when you’re worried and panicking to call your vet if you don’t know this behavior is completely normal. However, this is not a sign that the cat is in pain.

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Monitor licking behavior regularly. Female cats in estrus often experience swelling of the vulva. This mild swelling is uncomfortable for the cat, so the cat tends to lick the vulva area frequently. ^{[9] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• If you don’t look closely, you won’t be able to easily detect a swollen vulva or signs of physical changes in your cat. ^{[10] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

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Watch out for the cat to disappear. If it’s time for estrus, the cat that likes to stay at home can also leave. If the male cat does not respond to the invitation, the female cat may leave for a day or so to find a mating partner. ^{[11] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• If you want to prevent a female cat that has not had her ovaries removed from becoming pregnant, you should keep the cat indoors and lock the door during heat to prevent the male cat from entering.

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Understanding the cat’s reproductive cycle

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Understanding the estrous cycle. Female cats can be in heat several times a year. ^{[12] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• Unlike cats, dogs only go into heat twice a year. ^{[13] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}
• During estrus, the cat’s uterus can swell as the blood supply to the uterus increases to meet the needs of pregnancy if it occurs. However, you cannot see the process because there are no visible signs. ^{[14] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

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Understand the impact of seasons. The breeding season for feral cats is usually between spring and late summer. This can prevent kittens from being born in harsh winter conditions and increase their chances of survival. ^{[15] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

• Artificial light can fool domestic cats and make them think it’s not winter. As such, if the cat is mostly indoors, the change of season may have little or no impact on the cat’s reproductive cycle. ^{[16] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}
• Cats that like to live indoors can be in heat all year round.

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Know about time frames. The average reproductive cycle of female cats is 21 days. During these three weeks, the female cat is in heat for about 7 days. ^{[17] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

Advice

• If you don’t like kittens giving birth, it’s a good idea to keep the female cat indoors and keep her away from any potential mates while she’s in heat.
• Cats usually go into heat continuously for 4-7 days.
• The cat population explosion leads to many cats dying and homeless each year, you should remove the cat’s ovaries if you are not a purebred cat breeder.
• You can take your cat to a local vet clinic to have her ovaries removed. The cost of an oophorectomy depends on where you live and where the oophorectomy is performed.
• If the female cat eats less and vomits the food, you should take her to the vet clinic as soon as possible.
• Note that the cat’s mood is usually very good before estrus.
• Check the kitten’s teeth. Kittens can begin to breed if teething.

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Warning

• Vaginal discharge during estrus is not normal in female cats. Therefore, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately if the cat’s vagina is bleeding or has a greenish-yellow discharge. ^{[18] X Research Source Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.}

X

This article was co-written by Jean Johnson. Jean Johnson is a cat expert and contributor to the blog KittyNook. Jean specializes in cat health advice, how to play with cats, general information about cats and cat breeds.

This article has been viewed 207,471 times.

Female cats without oophorectomy can go into estrus between 5 and a half to 12 months of age, depending on diet and length of day. ^{[1] X Reproduction in the Dog & Cat Research Source . Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.} Unlike feral cats that have to scramble for food and experience short winter days, domestic cats are better fed and exposed to more artificial light. This means that when feral cats are in the breeding season and tend to give birth in the spring and early fall, domestic cats can be in heat at any time, even every 3-4 weeks. Cat behavior in heat often worries you if the cause is unknown. However, the following guidelines will help you identify the signs of heat in your cat.

In conclusion, recognizing the signs of a cat in heat is crucial for cat owners to ensure their pet’s overall well-being and to prevent unwanted behaviors. By being aware of the various physical and behavioral changes that occur during this phase, such as vocalization, increased affection, excessive grooming, and restlessness, cat owners can provide appropriate care and attention to their feline companion. Moreover, understanding the behavioral changes can also help prevent unintended or unplanned pregnancies by practicing proper cat husbandry or seeking veterinary intervention. Recognizing these signs and addressing them promptly can contribute to a happier and healthier life for both the cat and its owner.

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