What happens when cats go into heat for the first time?
A cat usually has her first heat at around 6 months of age, but some can have it as early as 4 months old. During a heat your cat may be more affectionate, rubbing up against furniture, walls and her favorite people.
Can a cat go into heat at 3 months?
The average female cat will first go into heat (or cycle) between 6-9 months of age, but heat cycles can start as early as 4 months of age and as late as 12 months.
What happens when a kitten goes into heat?
Cats who are in heat may have a swollen vulva or a slight discharge. If your female cat is spayed, this could be a sign of an infection. She assumes the position. Cats in heat will present themselves for potential mates by flattening the front of their bodies on the ground and sticking out their rear ends.
When does a kitten go into first heat?
A cat’s first heat usually occurs during puberty, which is between six and ten months for a kitten. While a cat in heat technically means that the cat is ready for mating, it’s not advised to breed a kitten or allow her to get pregnant during her first heat.
How often does a cat go through a heat cycle?
Phases of Heat Cycles in Cats. A cat goes through five phases during a heat cycle: Proestrus: Only lasts one to two days; typically no change in behavior. Estrus (“heat”): Lasting an average of seven days (ranges from 2-19 days), this is the stage where you will see behavioral changes in your cat.
What should you do if your cat is in heat?
While a cat in heat technically means that the cat is ready for mating, it’s not advised to breed a kitten or allow her to get pregnant during her first heat. Her body is still growing, and becoming pregnant could lead to health issues. Estrus lasts approximately four to five days.
How to tell if a female cat is in heat?
During the estrus (heat) phase, a female cat may display changes in behavior such as: 1 Constant, loud vocalizing 2 Rubbing, rolling, increased affection 3 Urine spraying 4 Scratching at doors/windows, trying to escape 5 Placing hind quarters up in the air while flagging her tail—signaling she is receptive to male cats More …
How long does a cat stay in heat?
A cat will stay in heat for about seven to 10 days, which can seem like an eternity. Cats normally fall in and out of heat from January into August (about eight months), but it really depends on the season. Cats are more likely to mate during warm months.
How often do cats go into heat?
Especially during the increased daylight hours associated with spring and summer, a cat will go into heat every 14 to 21 days for about seven to 10 days.
How often do cats go in heat when not spayed?
Female cats who aren’t spayed go into heat quite often. They go into heat seasonally, spring and fall, and may go into heat several times during the season. Each heat usually lasts several days, but it can be as short as one day, and as long as a week.
Why is my cat still in heat?
This is because the queen’s hormone production is stimulated by the light of longer days. When the days are shorter (particularly from October to January) the queen is not stimulated to go into heat. Indoor cats are exposed to long periods of artificial light and therefore may continue to go through heat cycles all year round.
