What To Do When My Cat Is In Heat

Protecting Cats In Heat: Hydration

Water is essential to cool a cat in summer. Sometimes cats are reluctant to drink, so it is important that we encourage them to drink water. Cats are attracted to water in movement, so try run a tap or invest in that can be used as drinking troughs.

In hot seasons we must ensure that our cats water is fresh, therefore you must change it several times a day. Some cats like to play with ice cubes, which can also be used as a trick to cool them down and get them to drink more water. Offering them moist food or broths to drink can also help to maintain their hydration. This is especially important in cats with; kidney problems, kittens, elderly cats, brachycephalic or sick cats, who are all in a more vulnerable position. For more, read Why isnt your cat drinking water?

Q: Do Female Cats Spray When In Heat

A: Yes. Its common for female cats to spray or mark things with urine when they are in heat. Often, they spray outside of the litter box or spray vertical objects like walls, furniture, and trees.

Spraying is a way for the cat to communicate to nearby male cats that she is available for mating. The urine contains pheromones and hormones that male cats can smell from miles away.

Look For Herbal Solutions

Buy some small samples of different herbal remedies for your cat and see to it which works best for her. Find the product which works for your cat and start using it on her.

Once you are sure about the best one for your cat, buy a larger amount of it. Note that Herbal should only be taken after consulting a vet. Avoid using any human medications. Due to a higher dose, it might end up harming your cat.

How To Tell If Your Cat Is In Heat

Chances are youve heard the phrase like a cat in heat before, but what does that mean? In heat refers to when a cat is fertile and ready to mate.

A cats first heat happens when she hits puberty at six to 10 months old. Her oestrus cycle will usually last four to five days and, unless she becomes pregnant, she will be in heat again in roughly two to three weeks.

Can Being In Heat Cause Health Problems

A common and serious health risk is called a pyometra, which is an infection that causes the uterus to fill with pus and bacteria, and can lead to a ruptured uterus, shock, and death.

Pyometras generally occur after several heat cycles with no mating , and they require an emergency spay surgery. 

Signs to watch for include:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Pus or other drainage from the vulva

If you notice any of these symptoms within a few weeks after a heat, your kitty needs an immediate veterinary visit.

Not all unspayed cats will develop a pyometra, but it is a risk that is easily avoided by spaying your cat.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPAYING AT BOND VET

Make Sure Your Cat Stays Away From Male Cats

Do not allow your cat to go out while she is in the heat to prevent cat pregnancy. Keep her calm and prevent her from going out as it will result in mating with male cats. She will try and escape if she finds out the presence of any male cat nearby and can even attract it towards her. So, it will be a proper way to put on the blinders and shut down the doors and windows to protect her from mating.

Cat In Heat Signs & Symptoms

Be aware of the following cat in heat signs and symptoms that your cat might display if they are in heat. Your cat might:

• start making funny sounds
• assume the mating position
• urinate to mark territory
• loose appetite

So whether your unspayed cat is meowing, moaning, or crying, walking funny, rubbing up against you and furniture in your home, or taking extra special care of her lady parts, if your cat displays one or more of these signs, you most likely have a cat in heat on your hands. Now, lets take a look at feline periods and the heat cycle in cats.

What Is A Heat

A heat is part of your kittys estrus, or reproductive, cycle. Its the time when she is fertile and looking for a mate. 

However, in cats, that doesnt necessarily mean ovulation occurs. Cats are induced ovulators, meaning, ovulation happens during the heat only if a female cat has mated the act of breeding stimulates the release of eggs. 

Cats In Heat: Preventing Heat Stroke

Do cats like heat? Yes, of course! Surely youve noticed your cat lying and enjoying the summer sun? But when temperatures are high, they also have to protect themselves from the sun, since excessive heat can cause serious complications, such as heat stroke in cats. Heat stroke in cats is extremely dangerous and can even, if not treated, result in the death of the animal.

Hyperthermia occurs as a result of high temperatures and sun exposure. Heat stroke in cats causes an increase in body temperature which triggers a series of reactions in the body that may result in death.

Heat stroke symptoms in cats include:

• wheezing
• hemorrhages
• shock

If you notice any of these above mentioned symptoms in your animal we suggest consulting your veterinarian immediately.

How To Deal With A Female Cat In Heat

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 26 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 511,999 times.

An unspayed female cat comes into heat every three to four weeks, and she’s not usually quiet about it! This period, when she’s most receptive to getting pregnant, can last for up to seven days. This means you might have a highly hormonal cat on your hands for one week out of every three. The best solution, if you don’t want her to have kittens, is to get her spayed by a veterinarian. However, if you do want to breed her, you’ll have to deal with the behaviors that go along with being in heat, like loud meowing and flirty antics. You also need to keep her from getting pregnant when you don’t want her to.XResearch sourceReproduction in the Dog and Cat. Christianseen. Publisher: Baillierie-Tindal

Keeping Cats Comfortable In Hot Weather

When the weather is warm, many cats will be in their element. Your cat will initially become more active and playful. This can soon turn to lethargy and irritability, though. Cats grow uncomfortable when too hot.

Even a cat that does not experience a health concern will struggle with excess heat. As an owner, it is your responsibility to keep your cat at the right temperature. There are several ways that you can do this. Most of them will not even require you to spend any money.

Managing Sun Exposure

Given half a chance, a cat will gravitate toward the sunshine. This will initially be relaxing but can make a cat uncomfortable in the longer term. Youll need to be mindful of sunburn or worse.

Managing the sun exposure of an indoor cat is simplejust close curtains and drapes when your cat has spent enough time basking by a window. You can always re-open them later when your cat has cooled off a little.

Outdoor cats are more challenging. Cats may travel so they can sunbathe without disturbance. This can be dangerous. If the cat grows overheated, it may become disoriented. It will struggle to find its way home.

Keep your outdoor cat at home during peak temperatures. Let your cat have an early-morning patrol, bringing it inside at around 11 am. The cat should then stay home until early evening when the suns heat is less intense.

Q: At What Age Do Cats Go Into Heat

A: A cat will experience her first estrous cycle when she reaches sexual maturity. The exact age at which a cat goes into heat for the first time varies, but it is generally around 6 months of age.

Cats can go into heat as early as 4 months old, however. This is why veterinarians recommend that you have your kitten spayed . Kittens can be spayed as young as 8 weeks.

What Is Heat Like For Cats

While it’s logical to assume that a cat in heat will have the same physical symptoms as a woman having her period, the reality is very different. First, cats do not shed the lining of their uterus. So contrary to popular belief, heat should not involve vaginal bleeding. If your female cat is bleeding, contact your vet. Since human females shed the lining of their uterus every month, cramping, bloating, and related symptoms can be present. Cats do not experience cramps or other physical symptoms, despite their howling and need for attention during this time. Instead, a surge of hormones will make your cat extraordinarily eager to mate. She may rub against you, pace back and forth, and assume a mating position if you pet or stroke her. You may notice your cat loses her appetite during this period, as well, or she may lick her genitals often and mark her territory by spraying. She may also attempt to run out the door, escaping to find a mate. This is all normal behavior during heat. 

Keep Your Cat Safe In A Heat Wave

1. Protect your cat when the temperature heats up!

The temperature is soaring, and its only going to get hotter. Make sure you know how to keep your cat safe in the summer heat.

2. Watch out for heatstroke.

Symptoms include panting, lethargy, drooling, fever, vomiting and collapse. If you think your cat may have heatstroke, get the vet ASAP the condition can cause permanent organ damage and death. Learn more about the signs of heatstroke in cats with our shareable infographic.

3. Offer your cat several ways to cool off.

Leave a fan on in a place where your cat can sit in front of it, add some ice cubes to her water or offer her a cool treat

4. Let your cat find cool spots in the house.

Your cat will seek out the cooler parts of your home, so make sure she has access to areas with tile floors or rooms that dont get much sun.

5. Play in the morning or evening.

Any exercise should take place during the cooler hours of the day. This is especially important for young kittens and seniors, both of whom are very vulnerable to heatstroke. If your cat has just eaten, make sure you give her some time to digest before you begin playtime.

6. Brush your cat often.

A well-groomed, tangle-free coat will help keep your cat cool.

7. Tell us!

Use A Pheromone Diffuser

There are several diffusers on the market, like , which release synthetic cat pheromones into the air. These help calm and comfort cats and are an excellent choice to use while your cat is in heat. They can take a few weeks to start working, so its a good idea to invest in one of these in spring when your cats breeding season starts and leave it plugged in for the duration.

Do Cats Bleed While In Heat

No, cats shouldn’t bleed when in heat. If that, or anything else odd or worrisome happens, contact your veterinarian.

Vahrenwald says that unless you want , you should keep your cat insideaway from potential matesduring her heat cycle. But her best recommendation is to spay your cat and avoid heat cycles all together.

Does A Heat Mean My Cat Will Get Pregnant

If your cat mates during her heat, yes, pregnancy is a possibility, even during their first heat.

To prevent pregnancy, separate your female kitty from any male cats in the household .

Also, be sure doors and windows are secure. This will prevent your kitty from escaping to look for a mate, which will avoid not only pregnancy, but also the risks of getting lost or injured while outside.

Method 2 Of 2:spaying And Other Long

Method 1 Of 2:calming A Cat In Heat

When Does A Female Cat Have Her First Estrus Cycle

Cats have their first estrous cycle when they reach puberty. The estrous cycle is better known as a cat’s heat cycle. On average, puberty, or sexual maturity, first occurs in cats at about six months of age, but this can vary slightly by time of year.

“The estrous cycle is better known as a cat’s heat cycle.”

Each cycle consists of several stages; the stage called estrus refers to when the female is sexually receptive, or in heat.

Spaying: The Only Long

The only way to prevent a cat from going into heat is to have her spayed as a young kittenbefore she reaches maturity . The youngest she can be spayed is usually around 812 weeks, or she must weigh at least two pounds. Once spayed, she will not go into heat again.

If you have an adult cat who has not yet been spayed, it’s not too late! Cats can be spayed at any age, though it may be best to wait until she is not actively in heat. Consult your vet to determine the best time to spay your adult cat.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Becoming Pregnant

The best way to prevent your cat from becoming pregnant is to have her surgically sterilized before she has her first estrous cycle. Since it can be difficult to predict when this first cycle will occur, most veterinarians recommend performing an ovariohysterectomy when a cat reaches six months of age.

Give Her Love And Attention

Play with your cat at this time and give her attention. This is the most important and effective way to calm your cat. Let her sit on your lap and brush or pet her. Your love will help her calm down and also helps to minimize her stress. The main deal is to distract her from the mating. Sometimes, just being near you can keep her calm. Cat toys usually help to keep her mind off.

Q: How Can You Tell If A Cat Is In Heat

A: Signs to look for include excessive vocalization , and agitation .

Your cat may seek extra attention, requesting lots of touching and petting. She might roll around on the floor, stick her hindquarters up in the air, tread her back legs, and spray urine.

Finally, these symptoms may be accompanied by a loss of appetite.

Cats In Heat: Environment

One of the first things you can do for a cat in hot weather is provide it with a cooler environment. A cats normal body temperature is somewhat higher than that of humans but one must take into account that cats struggle self-cooling. Humans self-cool easily through sweat. For cats, however, it is more complex because they must lick themselves to cool down from their saliva. Cats can only sweat from their paw pads.

Thus, the ideal temperature for a cat is equivalent to our ideal temperature as humans, both in summer and in winter. Here are some extra tips to consider when protecting a cat form the heat:

• Include the use of resources such as air conditioning or fans.
• Keep the blinds down or the curtains drawn in rooms where the sun is stronger.
• Open your windows to ventilate and cool the house. Having cats, it is essential to take precautions to prevent them from falling, as it is common for cats to jump out of windows and/or off balconies. Therefore it is vital to install window protectors for cats, like mosquito nets.
• Whenever you leave your cat, it should have a shady place with access to fresh water. The bathroom is usually a good place to keep your cat since tiles are kept cold.
• If your cat has the freedom of going outside in a controlled area, such as a patio or garden, we must also ensure that it has shade and water.
• Avoid your cat exercising and or playing a lot when its hot.

For more, you may find out article How do cats sweat? interesting!

Do Cats Overheat In The Summer

Cats can overheat at any time of year. During the colder seasons, you will make use of artificial heating sources. Cats will gravitate to these to remain warm and cozy. Prolonged exposure can raise a cats body temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is during the summer months that cats are likeliest to overheat. A fur coat, coupled with hot ambient temperatures, can lead to excess body temperature. It will display these behaviors:

• Restless pacing and inability to settle
• Increased heart rate
• Uncharacteristic irritability and aggression

Panting alone will place a cats body under stress. As explained by Pflügers Archive, this activity places strain on the feline respiratory tract. This is to be avoided, especially in older cats.

At this point, help your cat cool off and reduce its body temperature. This will prevent any medical issues. If the cat continues to overheat, it will become dehydrated, eventually risking hyperthermia.

How Do I Know When My Cat Is In Heat

Common behaviors of cats in heat include:

How Can You Prevent A Cat From Going Into Heat

The only way to prevent the heat cycle from repeating over and over again, along with the distress it causes both you and your pet, is to have your female cat spayed. It is a myth that cats should be allowed to go through one heat cycle or even to have one litter before spaying. Early spaying is widely regarded as the most ethical course for pet owners to take, in light of the millions of animals who are euthanized at pet shelters each year. Its simply irresponsible to bring another litter of kittens into the world when there are already too few homes for existing animals.

Spaying is considered major surgery because it involves entering the abdomen to remove both ovaries and the uterus, yet the procedure is safe and routine when performed by a qualified vet. And although its possible to perform the surgery at any time of the estrous cycle, most veterinarians decline to spay cats in heat because the engorged blood vessels in the reproductive organs create an increased risk of heavy bleeding.

Thumbnail: Photography by karamysh / Shutterstock.

This piece was originally published in 2012.

Hot Town Summer For The Kitty

When temperatures start to rise, your cat might be more comfortable than you think: according to The Washington Post, her average body temperature stays around a toasty 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Since her ancestors evolved in the desert, she can also get most of her moisture from food.

However, this doesn’t mean she’ll be safe and comfortable locked in a warm house. Cats can’t sweat as humans do. Instead, your feline friend needs to release heat continually by laying on cool surfaces, panting, and drinking cold water.

Make sure your kitty is comfortable by doing a few precautionary things around the house:

What Is A Cat In Heat

A cat in heat is where an entire female cat is fertile and receptive to . It usually seasonal but can depend on several factors including the number of daylight hours, age and general health of the cat.

There are four phases of the cats heat cycle:

• Proestrus

This article looks at the second phase, estrus.

Mating Call And Position

Your queen will vocalize loudly. This “calling” may go on for several days unless she mates. She will then assume the mating position: head down, forelegs bent, rear quarters raised to expose the perineum, and tail raised and held to the side of the body. This posture is called lordosis. And when she assumes it, her rear legs will tread rhythmically as if walking in place.