How Often Do Cats Go Into Heat？

If you have a female cat that hasn’t been spayed, you might notice that she occasionally exhibits certain behaviors like increased vocalization, restlessness, or affectionate behavior. These signs indicate that your cat is in heat, a natural part of the reproductive cycle known as the estrous cycle. Understanding how often cats go into heat and what to expect can help you better manage this phase and make informed decisions about your cat's reproductive health.

How Often Do Cats Go Into Heat?

A cat's estrus cycle is usually that of a female cat, and while male cats go into heat, there is no obvious cycle. The female cat's estrous cycle occurs about every 3 to 4 weeks, and each heat lasts about 3 to 7 days. If a female cat does not mate during estrus, she may go into heat again in about a month. In the natural environment, estrus in female cats is related to the seasons, especially more frequent in spring and fall. However, in cats kept indoors, the female cat may be in heat all year round due to artificial light and temperature. Male cats, on the other hand, will start to come into heat after smelling the female cat in heat, and their heat behavior is usually a response to the female cat's heat signal.

What are Typical Symptoms of Cats in Heat?

Symptoms of heat in female cats

• Behavioral changes

Female cats may lose their appetite, become restless, purr frequently, especially at night, as well as display more intimate or clingy behavior.

• Physiological manifestations

The vulva of the female cat will be swollen and there may be a small amount of white mucus. The swelling and secretion will increase as the estrous period progresses, and the swelling gradually subsides at the end of the estrous period. 

• Change in urination habits

Female cats may urinate more frequently and even mark objects with urine to give off their scent and attract male cats. 

• Excessive licking of the genital area

Since the genital area may become swollen and uncomfortable during estrus, female cats may spend more time licking the area. 

• Mating position

Female cats in estrus will appear in specific mating positions, such as head down, front legs bent, hind limbs raised and exposing the perineum, and tail raised. 

Symptoms of male cats in heat 

• Decreased appetite and agitated behavior.
• Spraying urine on furniture or walls to mark territory and attract female cats.
• May exhibit more active and aggressive behavior.
• Attempts to run away to find female cats in heat.

Common Symptoms 

• Tail is tilted to one side for mating.
• Female cats may have swelling and discharge from the pubic area.
• The cat may exhibit more licking of the fur, especially in the reproductive area.

How to Distinguish Between Cat In Heat and Ordinary Excited Behavior?

The key to distinguishing between cat estrus and ordinary excitable behavior is to observe a series of specific behaviors and physiological changes in the cat. Below are some of the bases for differentiation.

• Behavioral Characteristics

Cats in estrus will exhibit more frequent chirping, which is usually sharp and continuous, and is intended to attract the opposite sex. They will also increase rubbing behaviors, such as rubbing their head and body against furniture or the floor, as well as adopting special courtship postures, such as raised hips and tail wagging. In addition, cats in heat may have a decreased appetite and spray urine around the house to mark territory. 

• Physiological changes

Female cats will have a swollen vulva during estrus, which may be accompanied by discharge. Male cats may show increased territorial awareness, attract female cats through urine marking, and may show increased aggression and anxious behavior. 

• Duration

The estrous period in cats usually lasts 7 to 10 days and may re-enter estrus within a few weeks if conception does not occur. 

• Contrasting Excited Behavior

Ordinary arousal behaviors may be caused by playing, exploring the environment or reacting to something. These behaviors are usually short-lived and are not accompanied by the physiological changes described above, nor do they have a specific pattern of mating behavior.

By observing whether your cat displays the typical behaviors and physiological characteristics of estrus as described above, you can help you determine whether your cat is in estrus. If you are not sure whether your cat's behavior is in heat, you can consult your veterinarian for professional advice.

How to Take Care of Cats in Heat?

Cats in heat need special care and attention, here are some care methods.

• Environmental management

Ensure that doors and windows are closed to prevent the cat from leaving the house or having accidents due to the urge to go into heat. 

• Emotional calming

Anxiety and discomfort can be relieved by gently massaging the cat's abdomen, back and tail root. 

• Hygiene management

Keep the litter box clean and clean up your cat's urine regularly, especially if they try to mark their territory with urine.

• Dietary adjustments

Cats may lose their appetite during the heat, so you can appropriately reduce the amount of food and provide high-protein food to maintain nutrition.

• Distraction

Exhaust the cat's energy through toys and games to distract its attention from the heat. 

• Avoid stress

Minimize environmental changes and unnecessary stress to avoid aggravating the cat's estrus symptoms.

• Neutering Consideration

After the heat period, consider bringing your cat for sterilization to avoid future heat and reduce the risk of reproductive system diseases.

Please note that bathing or de-sexing cats during heat is not recommended as it may increase stress and health risks. Also, medications that have not been recommended by a veterinarian to suppress estrus should be avoided as they may affect the cat's endocrine system.

Also Read:  The Comprehensive Guide to Cat Spaying

How Should Cats Handle Their Urine Marking Behavior During Heat?

During a cat's heat, they may attract the opposite sex or mark territory by urine marking, which can lead to messy peeing behavior on furniture or carpets. To deal with this behavior, you can take the following steps.

• Divert attention

Deplete your cat's energy by playing and offering toys to reduce the chances of them urinating indiscriminately. 

• Clean up the urine

Immediately clean up the area where your cat has urinated indiscriminately and use a cleaner with bio-enzymes to remove the urine odor and prevent your cat from marking the same spot repeatedly. 

• Use flavor stimulants

Cats usually don't like citrus scents, you can repel them by spraying lemon or orange scent in the area where they have been peeing indiscriminately.

• Neutering

If you don't plan to breed your cat, spaying or neutering is a long-term solution to reduce estrus behavior and urine marking. 

Related: Do Cats Change After Being Spayed

• Keeping the litter box clean

Ensure that the litter box is always clean and encourage your cat to defecate in the litter box. 

By doing the above, you can help manage your cat's urine marking behavior during estrus, reduce cleaning efforts in your home, and provide a more comfortable environment for your cat. If your cat's messy urination behavior persists, it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.

How to Take Care of a Cat in Heat?

To minimize the stress of cats in heat, you can take the following measures.

Provide extra attention and soothing

Help your cat relax by gentle petting and playing, especially massaging their head, back and the base of their tail. 

Keep the environment quiet and comfortable

Ensure your cat has a quiet space to rest, by using a cozy litter box and warm blankets to provide a safe haven. 

Provide a safe environment

Make sure your cat can't escape, especially by closing doors and windows to prevent them from leaving the house during heat. 

Distract your cat

Use toys and interactive games to deplete your cat's energy and reduce their preoccupation with estrous behavior. 

Pay attention to diet and hygiene

Keep the litter box clean and provide fresh water and high-quality food, even if your cat's appetite decreases. 

Consider mood-soothing products

Consider using mood-soothing products designed specifically for cats, such as pheromone sprays or nutritional supplements, to help reduce anxiety. 

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How to Provide Proper Diet and Water for Cats in Heat?

To provide proper diet and water for cats in heat, you can follow the advice below.

Keep food fresh and nutritious

Cats may lose their appetite during the heat, so it is important to provide fresh, nutritious food. You can choose high protein foods such as fish, chicken or nutritious canned food to help your cat maintain its strength. 

Provide plenty of water

Cats in heat may need more water due to increased energy expenditure. Make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times and take care to change the water in the water bowl regularly. 

Avoid inappropriate food

During the period when your cat is in heat, avoid feeding foods that may cause health problems, such as onions, raw meat and sweets. 

Pay attention to the temperature of the food

Avoid providing food that is too cold or too hot to protect the cat's mouth and digestive system. 

More caring companionship

In addition to providing proper diet and water, you should also spend more time with your cats to help them relieve anxiety and stress during heat by playing and petting. 

How to Know if Your Cat Has Passed the Oestrus?

Whether a cat has passed the estrus period can be judged by the following aspects.

• Behavioral changes

After the end of the estrus period, the cat will stop making specific purring sounds, no longer rolls or rubs the ground frequently, and will not show mating positions frequently.

• Mental State

The cat's mental state will return from the excitement and activity of the estrus period to calmness and quietness.

• Appetite

The cat's appetite will return to normal and will no longer show any loss of appetite.

• External Characteristics

The swelling and bloody discharge of the vulva of female cats will subside, and the congestion and swelling of the genitals of male cats will return to normal.

• Urine marking and ejection behavior

Male cats will have urine marking and spraying behaviors during the estrous period, and these behaviors will decrease or disappear after the end of the estrous period.

• Aggression and restlessness

Cats may exhibit more aggressive and agitated behaviors during estrus, and these behaviors will decrease after the end of estrus.

When to Spay Your Cat

Spaying your cat is a decision that can benefit both you and your feline companion.

Ideal Timing

The ideal time to spay a cat is before her first heat cycle, typically between 4 to 6 months of age. However, spaying can be done at any age, and it’s never too late to consider the procedure.

Benefits of Spaying

• Prevents Heat Cycles: Spaying eliminates the heat cycles, reducing stress for both you and your cat.
• Reduces Health Risks: Spaying reduces the risk of ovarian, uterine, and mammary cancers, as well as infections like pyometra.
• Prevents Unwanted Litters: Spaying prevents your cat from becoming pregnant and contributing to the overpopulation of cats.

FAQs

Why is Estrous Behavior in Male Cats a Response to Estrus Signals in Female Cats?

The estrous behavior of male cats is usually a response to the estrous signal of female cats. When male cats are sexually mature, they will receive information about sex hormones released by female cats in heat through their senses such as smell, and this information stimulates the male cats to enter estrus. Unlike the active estrus of female cats, male cats are considered to be in passive estrus because they usually show estrous behavior only after sensing the estrous signals of the female cat. Male cats will exhibit a range of behaviors during estrus, such as urinating indiscriminately in the home, searching for the female cat more actively, and possibly showing increased aggression. These behaviors are the male cat's direct response to the female cat's estrus signal. 

How Long Do Cats Usually Last During Oestrus?

The estrus period in cats usually lasts about 6 to 10 days. During this time, the female cat will display a series of estrous behaviors such as frequent purring, swollen vulva, mucus production and frequent tail lifting. Male cats in heat will also exhibit cranky behavior, frequent urination to mark territory, and attempts to escape in search of the female cat. If cats do not mate during estrus, they may enter estrus again in about two weeks. Pet owners will need to provide extra care and management during a cat's heat to ensure their cat's comfort and prevent accidents.

What are the Specific Vocal Changes in Cats in Heat?

Vocal changes in cats during estrus are primarily characterized by the production of more frequent and louder purrs, which are usually intended to attract the opposite sex. Female cats in heat will emit a particular, sometimes described as mournful or hoarse, courtship call, which may be continuous and even more frequent at night, because the female cat in heat hopes to attract male cats through her calls. Male cats may also purr differently than usual during estrus, but not as dramatically or directly related to courtship as female cats. These vocal changes are part of a cat's estrous behavior and may have an impact on the cat owner's daily life, so the owner may need to take extra steps to calm the cat or manage the sounds during the heat. 

Does a Cat's Behavior Return to Normal After Their Oestrus Is Over?

Cats' behavior usually returns to normal gradually after the end of the heat period. They will stop specific behaviors during heat, such as frequent calling, urine spraying to mark territory, restlessness and decreased appetite. Male cats no longer spray urine frequently and female cats return to their former reserve. The cat's mood will change from agitation to calmness, and the amount of food and sleep will gradually return to the normal level before the heat. 

It should be noted that the individual differences of each cat may cause the time to return to normal to be different. If your cat's behavior does not fully recover at the end of the heat period, or if you observe other abnormal behaviors, it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian to ensure your cat's health.

Why is It Not Recommended to Bathe or Vaccinate a Cat During Heat?

It is not recommended to bathe or vaccinate a cat during the heat mainly because the heat will lead to a decrease in the cat's body resistance and changes in hormone levels, which may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine and increase the risk of adverse reactions after vaccination. In addition, bathing may make cats feel more nervous and uneasy as they may be more sensitive and need security during the heat. 

Can Cats be Spayed During Heat?

Cats can be spayed during heat, but it is usually recommended to perform the surgery after the end of the heat period because during heat the cat's reproductive organs are congested with blood and the blood vessels are thickened, so there is a higher risk of blood loss during the surgery, which may endanger the cat's life. In addition, the cat's body may be weaker and its temper may be more irritable during estrus, and all these factors may increase the difficulty and risk of the surgery. 

However, in some emergency situations, failure to perform the surgery may pose a greater threat to the cat's health, for example, if the cat suffers from a reproductive system disease such as severe uterine pus accumulation, it may need to be operated on during the estrous period. In such cases, the surgery needs to be performed under strict medical supervision to ensure the safety of the cat. 

When deciding whether or not to perform the sterilization surgery during the heat, a professional veterinarian should be consulted to make the best decision based on the cat's specific health condition and degree of urgency. The veterinarian will assess the risks and necessity of the surgery and provide professional advice and surgical options. 

Conclusion

Understanding your cat's heat cycles can help you better manage this natural part of her life and make informed decisions about her care. Female cats can go into heat frequently, especially during the breeding season, and the signs can be quite noticeable. If you don’t plan on breeding your cat, spaying is the most effective way to prevent heat cycles and avoid potential health issues. By recognizing the signs of heat and knowing what to expect, you can ensure that your cat stays healthy and comfortable.