How to Stop a Cat in Heat from Meowing
Nov 06,2024 | puaintapets
If you have a cat in heat, you’re likely familiar with the loud, persistent meowing that can last for days. Cats meow excessively when they’re in heat as part of their natural behavior to attract a mate. While this behavior is normal, it can be disruptive and challenging to manage. In this article, we’ll explore effective ways to help reduce your cat’s meowing when she’s in heat, understand the reasons behind it, and discuss long-term solutions.
Why Does a Cat in Heat Meow So Much?
1. Changes in hormone levels
The estrus period in cats is regulated by hormone secretion. When the secretion of estrogen increases in female cats, it will trigger the estrous period. This hormonal change will lead to significant changes in the cat's behavior and physiological state, e.g. female cats will become more gentle and clingy, while male cats will become restless and yell loudly.
2. Breeding instinct
Cats are seasonal breeding animals and the estrus period is usually in spring and fall. During this period, the breeding instinct of cats is activated and they will attract the opposite sex through various behaviors, such as female cats will roll on the ground, rub their legs and emit baby-like cries, while male cats will search for their mates through loud cries, fidgeting and even leaving the house.
3. Physiological reactions
Cats in heat will show some physiological reactions, such as the maturation of the follicles in the ovaries of female cats, which will release a large amount of estrogen, which will lead to the female cats to be very clingy, love to pamper themselves and howl to call their partners. If there is no mating, the follicles shrink, the amount of estrogen decreases, and the meowing sound decreases or returns to normal. But soon the new follicles mature again, and because of the estrogen, the female cat begins to meow again, disturbing her sleep.
4. Environmental factors
Cats in oestrus are more sensitive to environmental changes, and they may feel uneasy because of changes in the surrounding environment. For example, male cats may be passively in heat because they smell the pheromones released by female cats in heat or hear the purring sounds emitted by female cats, and show restless behavior.
5. Health problems
Although agitation during estrus is normal, it may also be a sign of health problems. For example, urinary disorders may cause the cat to show frequent squatting of the litter box, which may also be mistaken for estrous behavior.
Related: What Does It Mean When A Cat Purrs
How to Stop a Cat in Heat from Meowing?
I. Short-term mitigation measures
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Provide a comfortable environment
Provide a warm, quiet and cozy small space for your cat, such as a soft litter placed in a relatively quiet corner. The cat may be more agitated during the heat period, and a comfortable environment will help it relax a bit.
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Regular grooming
Cats in heat will lose more hair, and owners need to brush it regularly to help it get rid of the excess hair and to make it feel more comfortable.
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Distraction
You can provide your cat with some of its favorite toys, such as small fur balls and cat teasers. Interact and play with it so that it can divert its attention from the state of heat.
II. Long-term solutions
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Neutering Surgery
This is the most effective solution. Not only will the neutered cat no longer meow because of the heat, but it can also reduce the risk of some diseases, such as uterine pus accumulation in female cats and urinary system diseases in male cats. It is generally recommended to carry out de-sexing surgery after the cat's first heat and when the body condition is good.
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Hormone therapy (to be carried out under the guidance of a veterinarian)
In some cases, the cat's estrous behavior can be controlled by using some hormone drugs that inhibit estrus. However, this method has certain risks and may have side effects, so it must be used strictly under the professional guidance of the veterinarian.
How to Know if Your Cat Needs to be Spayed or Neutered?
Judging whether a cat needs to be de-sexed can be done from the following aspects:
1. Age and weight
It is usually recommended that cats be de-sexed when they are 6-8 months old, when their body has matured and the risk of surgery is relatively low. The de-sexing surgery for male cats is usually carried out at 8-10 months and for female cats at 7-8 months. In addition, the cat's weight needs to reach a certain standard, and a weight of more than 6 pounds is generally recommended.
2. Health condition
Before the de-sexing surgery, it is necessary to ensure that the cat is in good health. This includes completing the necessary vaccinations, such as the feline triple vaccine, and not having any underlying health problems. If the cat has a history of illness, such as jaundice or loss of appetite, a more detailed examination, such as biochemical indicators, is required to ensure the safety of the surgery.
3. Oestrus behavior
Observing whether the cat has estrus behavior is an important indicator to determine whether de-sexing is required. Unneutered female cats will go through a heat cycle, usually every two to three weeks, which is manifested by howling, increasing affection and changing body posture to attract male cats. If the cat does not exhibit these behaviors, then she has most likely been spayed.
4. Physical characteristics
Neutered cats will have some obvious changes in physical characteristics. For example, a neutered female cat will have features such as shorter fur, a thinner body, smaller ears, larger eyes and a flatter abdomen. Neutered male cats, on the other hand, have no testicles and no barbs on their genitals.
5. Veterinary examination
The most accurate way to determine this is a physical examination by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will look for small incision scars on the cat's abdomen near the midline, which are usually left after neutering surgery. In addition, the veterinarian can also confirm whether the cat has been sterilized through ultrasound or caesarean section.
6. Blood test
Blood tests can help determine if the cat has normal hormone levels associated with sterilization. If the cat is spayed, her estrogen level will be significantly lower than that of an unspayed female cat. However, this method is not foolproof as some spayed cats may still contain detectable levels of estrogen.
Also Read: Do Cats Change After Being Spayed
How to Adjust Cat's Diet if She Keeps Purring in Heat?
Cats purring all the time during estrus is due to hormonal changes in the body, which is a natural physiological phenomenon. To help your cat stay healthy and comfortable during estrus, dietary adjustments are an important aspect. Here are some specific suggestions.
1. Provide high-protein, high-energy food
Cats in heat will be more active and consume more energy, so they need more energy supplements. You can choose high-protein, high-energy foods, such as canned diets or high-quality cat food. These foods provide the nutrients your cat needs to help them maintain their strength and health.
2. Choose easily digestible and nutritious food
Cats in heat may suffer from poor appetite and indigestion, so they need to be provided with easily digestible food. For example, you can choose cooked egg yolk, beef, chicken breast and other foods that are rich in protein and other nutrients and easy to digest and absorb.
3. Provide entertaining snacks or diets
Cats in heat will have changes in behavior, such as liking to bark, climb and scratch non-stop. In order to distract their attention, some entertaining snacks or diets can be provided, such as cat grass and cat flakes. These foods can not only satisfy the cat's appetite, but also help them burn off excess energy.
4. Avoid stimulating food
The body of cats in heat is more sensitive, so they should avoid feeding them stimulating foods, such as onions, poultry fish bones, sweets, raw meat, cuttlefish octopus, abalone conch and so on. These foods may adversely affect the cat's health.
5. Maintain a varied diet
To ensure that cats receive comprehensive nutrition, the diet should be kept varied. You can try different brands and types of cat food, or occasionally feed your cat some fresh meat or fish. This will prevent the cat from suffering from nutritional deficiencies due to a single diet.
6. Pay attention to the portion and frequency of the diet
Cats in heat may have a reduced appetite, so they need to pay attention to the portion size and frequency of the diet. The portion size of each meal can be appropriately reduced, but the frequency of feeding can be increased to ensure that the cat can obtain sufficient nutrition. At the same time, pay attention to observing the cat's diet, and if you find that the cat has a persistently poor appetite or abnormalities, you should seek medical examination promptly.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice?
In most cases, excessive meowing due to heat is normal behavior. However, if your cat’s meowing is accompanied by unusual symptoms or behaviors, it may be a sign of a health issue. Consult your veterinarian if you notice:
- Lethargy, lack of appetite, or changes in her normal behavior
- Physical signs of pain or discomfort
- Excessive drooling or labored breathing
Your vet can help determine whether her symptoms are due to being in heat or if there’s another underlying issue.
FAQs
How Long Will My Cat Meow In Heat?
The duration of a cat's meowing during estrus varies with individual differences and environmental factors. Generally speaking, the estrus period of female cats lasts about 3-7 days each time, while the estrus period of male cats may last 7-10 days.
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Meowing of female cats in estrus
A female cat's meowing during estrus usually lasts for the entire estrous cycle, i.e. about 3-7 days. During this time, the female cat will meow frequently with a high-pitched, unpleasant sound, especially in the middle of the night. This is because female cats release pheromones that attract male cats by meowing during estrus.
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Male cat meowing during estrus
The male cat's meowing during estrus also lasts for the entire estrous cycle, i.e. about 7-10 days. Male cats become more active during estrus and may spray urine everywhere to mark their territory, as well as meowing to attract the attention of female cats.
Why Does My Cat Keep Screaming In Heat?
Female cats in heat will attract male cats around them by screaming. This screaming is high-pitched and frequent, and male cats can hear this sound from a longer distance to find a female cat in heat.
Hormone levels in cats in heat change, and these hormones will stimulate the cat's nerve center, causing them to show some special behaviors, and screaming is one of the manifestations. For female cats, elevated estrogen levels will prompt her to scream to indicate that she is in a fertile state; for male cats, changes in hormones such as testosterone will also make her more sensitive to the cries of female cats, while the male cats themselves may also emit some screams due to hormonal stimulation to find female cats in heat.
When a female cat is in heat, there will be changes in her reproductive organs such as congestion and swelling, which may cause slight discomfort, and screaming may be a way for her to express this discomfort. Male cats in heat may also feel uncomfortable due to conditions such as congestion of the reproductive organs, which may cause them to purr.
Are Cats In Heat In Pain?
Yes, cats in heat will experience some degree of distress. This is mainly because the physiological changes and behavioral changes during estrus cause discomfort and stress to the cat. Here is a detailed explanation.
Hormone levels in cats in heat will change significantly, which will lead to a series of changes in their body and behavior. Female cats will secrete a large amount of estrogen during estrus, which will make them become more clingy and even howl to call their partners.
Cats in heat will display agitated behavior, such as frequent meowing, rolling on the floor, and dividing their territory by peeing. Cats in heat will have a noticeable loss of appetite, which may cause them to lose weight and become in poor physical condition.
If female cats cannot get mated during the estrus period, it may lead to health problems such as pus accumulation in the uterus. Cats that have been in heat for a long time may experience psychological stress due to their inability to meet their physical needs, which can affect their overall health.
Conclusion
Managing a cat in heat can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can make her more comfortable and reduce excessive meowing. By providing distractions, creating a soothing environment, and using calming products, you can help her through her heat cycle. Ultimately, spaying is the best way to stop heat-related meowing permanently and is beneficial for your cat’s health and well-being.
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