It is not easy to live with a cat when she is in heat season, however, today there is a way to deal with this inconvenience, sterilization can help you and your feline. The length of this mating cycle is going to be very different for females and males. Next, we are going to show you how long a cat's heat lasts and we will compare them to the male's heat.
What is heat in cats?
Cats are considered one of the most fiery domestic animals, it is for this reason that it is recommended to people that, if they decide to have a pet cat, you must be prepared to go through this difficult stage, felines can be much more affectionate than usual. normal and they will also begin to be extremely noisy emitting intense and very annoying meows.
This moment in the feline's life is considered the right time for mating between cats, it is when the female is finally ready to accept a male cat to procreate. Unlike the female, one of the Characteristics of Cats males is that they do not need to be in heat to be able to mate, however, they also go through this period.
The cats will begin with their first cycle at the time of reaching their optimal age, which in human life could be described as "puberty", this occurs when they reach 6 or 9 months of life.
Heat of female cats
The state of heat of females is usually much more complex than that of males. This occurs in specific seasons of the year, it is there when they let the male mate with them, that is, they will not mate at any time of the year, it will only be when they are in heat.
The first heat of a cat can appear around 6 and 9 months of birth, and they usually have their last heat around 12 years. The felines that belong to the smaller or miniature breeds will go into heat much earlier than those that are large or giant in size, the latter may have their first heat even after a year of life.
Female cats, unlike female dogs, do not only have a seasonal heat, but can show its presence several times in a single season of the year, this is because felines are seasonally polyestrous, this indicates that they can count on several heats due to the fact that it is affected by the presence and duration of daylight, this means that during warm times, when the sun remains visible for longer, it is when felines usually come into heat. For this reason there is no clear answer when people ask how jealous a cat is.
How often do cats go into heat?
During the mating season, heat can be present more consecutively and show up every two or three weeks. However, this is not something that occurs in a regulatory manner, which is why there is no way to calculate exactly the frequency with which it will appear or the time it will last, this is because there are many factors that are are involved in this process, some of them are:
- The breed of the animal is a fundamental part to tentatively determine the frequency with which heat may appear, since each breed is affected differently by its weight and the condition of its genes.
- Other influencing factors are the quality seasons and with more light of the year, that is why cats in heat are seen more frequently when it is summer or spring.
- Felines can have a "provoked" heat when they are seen near one or several female cats that are in this reproductive state, due to the pheromones that are secreted during heat. They may also catch up to you when males are loitering near your home or territory.
Phases of heat in cats
When you have cats, you need to know what the stages of heat are, this will help you know what are the right times to mate, because the fact that heat is present does not mean that the time is ideal for her to copulate.
- Proestrus: it is when the cat begins with her signals, they begin with her constant pampering and with her noisy meows, however, the heat is not fully present
- Estrus or heat: the duration of this stage can vary, although the most common is that it is about 5 or 8 days. This is the moment when the cat is ready to mate and this is when she can be fertilized. If you do not want your cat to have babies, this is the time when you should take the most care of her.
- Right-handed or meta-estrous: This is when the female allows the males to approach her naturally and this is when the gestational process of becoming pregnant begins. It may also be the moment where fictitious or psychological pregnancies begin
- Anestrus: This is the name given to the moment when the female is not sexually active, this can have a period of between 50 and 95 days. It will appear much sooner if the cat does not get pregnant.
How long does a cat's heat last?
Many people wonder how long a cat's heat lasts? This period can last around 5 or 7 days and be repeated every two weeks if necessary. Durability as such will depend on the animal's body and hormones and will vary by breed and climate disposition.
Heat in male cats
The heat of males is very different from that of females, the first time it occurs can be when the animal is between 8 and 12 months old, and it can end when they reach 7 years. Unlike females, in males there are no stages for their heat as they are available at any time of the year, they only need to smell or listen to a cat in heat to start entering it.
However, we must know that, although they can mate throughout the year, their most optimal time is, like cats, during the summer and spring. This means that the climate generally influences the mating season of cats. Although if a male finds a female in heat in the winter days, he will be able to mate without problems.
How long does a male cat's heat last?
The duration of heat in the male will depend on how many females in heat are around him. If the cat is continuously surrounded by females in this state, he will be in constant heat. On the other hand, if it is an indoor cat, its heat will last as long as that of the cat with which it mates.
Symptoms of a cat in heat
Female cats when they go into heat do not show the presence of blood as canines do. Knowing if a cat is in heat is very simple, they will begin to meow deafeningly, their meows will resemble the cries of human infants. In addition to this, it is likely that you will have to learn How to Chase Cats since surely many males will be around your house if there are any.
Another symptom that you may notice is that it begins to rub its body with all kinds of surfaces and they become much more cuddly than normal. When you pet a cat in heat, her body tends to adopt a copulation position, her back arches and her tail moves to the side. There are cats that can try to leave the house in search of a male to mate with her.
Remember, that if you have a cat, and you do not want her to have litters or mate, it is best to castrate or sterilize her before her first heat, as this will extend her quality of life and help her be much healthier. since mammary tumors, diseases and those uncomfortable moments that an owner has when their cats come into heat will be avoided.
Forget popular belief that neutering or spaying is bad. Or that absurd saying that says that if you "castrate" a male you are taking away his "masculinity", because animals do not think about it, you as the owner must make the decision to do what is most convenient and healthy for your pet. Do not be guided by false rumors infused by people who do not know about the subject. If you have doubts, consult your nearest or trusted veterinarian.