Anyone who owns an unneutered female cat knows how exhausting a four-legged friend in heat can be. Because when a cat is ready to mate, it usually lets those around it know very clearly. In the following, we will explain how you can tell when your cat is in heat and exactly how her cycle works.
Key facts at a glance
- Most cats reach sexual maturity between the ages of four and twelve months.
- Usually, cats come into heat twice a year.
- Cats in heat often show their willingness to mate very clearly by loud screams and marking.
- If there is no mating and fertilization, cats can go into permanent heat.
- In cats that are not intended for breeding, heat is associated with health risks.
- Castration can permanently stop a cat from being in heat.
When does a cat first go into heat?
Cats usually become sexually mature between four and twelve months of age. The time of the first heat is also influenced by the breed, among other things. While some long-haired cats can take well over a year to mature, Siamese cats, for example, are sexually mature at around six months.
In addition, the cat must have about 80 percent of its future body weight before its first heat. Insufficient feeding can accordingly delay the sexual maturity of the four-legged friend.
The cat’s cycle
Female cats come into heat twice a year. This is usually the case in spring and autumn. Indoor cats can be in heat all year round due to the influence of artificial light in the apartment.
The heat of the cat consists of the pre-oestrus (proestrus) and the actual estrus (oestrus). Mating by a male of the same species is only tolerated during estrus.
How does heat affect cats?
If heat is imminent, cat owners will recognize this by the fact that their four-legged friend suddenly becomes noticeably clingy and only eats a little. In many cases, the cat also rolls on the floor, which is where the term heat comes from.
When the actual heat begins, the cat’s behavior becomes much more conspicuous. The four-legged friend begins by raising his bottom and screaming for a possible partner.
This behavior is not the same for all cats and can vary depending on the character and breed. While some four-legged friends tend to behave calmly, others are very aggressive when in heat.
In many cases, cats in heat also have whitish discharge from the vagina due to changes in the hormonal balance. Some animals also become unclean and try to attract a tomcat by tagging them.
Cats can go into permanent heat
If the cat mates with a tomcat while the cat is in heat, the four-legged friend may become pregnant. As a rule, however, about four to five mating acts are necessary before the hormone level of the female cat is high enough to trigger the rupture of the follicle and thus enable fertilization.
If there is no mating and fertilization, the cat’s cycle usually repeats itself after about nine days. In this case, instead of twice a year, the cat can also be in permanent heat.
Health risks of heat in cats
Being in heat is very stressful for cats and puts a lot of strain on their bodies, both mentally and physically. The animals often forget their basic needs and hardly eat or no longer go to the litter box regularly.
In addition, there is a significantly higher risk of developing tumors, especially in cats that are not intended to be used as breeding animals and that develop a permanent heat.
Cats reproduce very quickly
Cats are extremely fertile animals. Given the opportunity, they multiply at an incredible rate. Female cats can be ready to mate again just one to two weeks after birth.
In purely mathematical terms, it would be possible for a single pair of cats to have around 80 million offspring within ten years. While this obviously won’t happen in reality, this number makes it very clear why stray cats have become a serious problem in many cities.
A neutered cat will no longer come into heat
Without a successful mating act, being in heat is extremely exhausting not only for your cat, but also for you. If, like most cat owners, you are not planning to have offspring, it is therefore advisable to neuter your four-legged friend in good time.
With a castration, you prevent your cat from being in heat and you can be sure that you will not have any unwanted addition to the family, even if you go outdoors. The procedure is routine for the veterinarian and therefore hardly associated with any risks.
Since neutering your cat not only prevents it from being in heat, but also has health benefits, the procedure is recommended in any case.