Feline Frenzy: Decoding Your Cat’s Heat Cycle

For new cat owners, they get anxious when their cat goes into heat, but they might not know what is going on. Their cat appears to be sick or in pain, and new owners think their cat is unwell. But it might simply be that their cat is in heat.

Female cats are in heat for most of their lives unless they have been spayed. When a cat reaches sexual maturity by 5 months of age, she will be in heat for the rest of her life, unless she is old or unwell, or spayed.

Only when a healthy female cat is pregnant is she not in heat. If she is mated, and usually with several toms, ovulation occurs. This is where the egg is shed from the ovary at a rate of 1 egg per kitten. Her pregnancy will last between 56 to 63 days.

Heat Causes Heat

When the temperature heats up in the warmer months, February to September, you will find female cats going into heat more often. In a state or country with no real changes in seasons, a female cat can be in heat at any time in between pregnancies.

You will know when your cat goes into heat. She will sound different in her meowing, which is why new owners can freak out as they think she’s in pain. Adding to this, she might not be eating normally which causes further concern.

Other behavioral changes may be apparent. You might be surprised how super friendly you cat has suddenly become. She might roll around on the ground and enjoy playing more than usual. If you rub her back, you might see her hindquarters rise and do some treading with her rear legs. This is typical of a cat in heat.

Spay Or Not To Spay

If you cat is pet, it is advisable to spay her. Otherwise, you will have to find the resources to look after a new litter of kittens every few months. If you don’t want to be in the position of finding homes for dozens of kittens throughout the year, spaying is the humane thing to do.

If you do elect to keep an unspayed cat, and the cat is allowed outdoors, then your female cat will probably attract a roaming tom cat. After your cat has mated, she will probably still stay in heat until she has mated with other toms. Be prepared to be kept awake at night with cat fights, yowling, and strange noises as the cats prowl around! Or save yourself the trouble, and kindly get your female cat spayed.