Cat in heat: the meow, behavior and agitation | WHAT TO DO?

If your pet is also going through this period of heat and you want to know more about it and what to do, just keep reading this content!

How to identify a cat in heat?

When a cat goes into heat, it means that she is in the fertile period of her reproductive cycle. Her natural instinct is that she is ready for mating and breeding.

This period can be quite complex for both the cat and the owner. To know if your cat is in heat, keep an eye on the following behaviors:

• Louder and more frequent meows, similar to crying or screaming;
• The animal is restless;
• The cat may seem more sly and affectionate with the owner. She also often rubs herself on furniture to spread her scent, which changes a bit during this period;
• She may lick her genital area more, which is often swollen and uncomfortable for her during this period;
• Escape is also another very common behavior among cats in heat;
• Generally, a female cat in heat keeps her tail on the side and her spine curved, in a mating position ;
• Your walk becomes more graceful.

When does the first heat occur?

A cat’s first heat occurs when she reaches puberty , which tends to vary by breed. Most of the time, the first heat can happen between 5 to 10 months of life.

According to experts, there are also some external factors that interfere in this period, such as the seasons, weight, fur size and environment.

One of the most important factors for the cat to enter this period is the presence of an unneutered male cat . Through the meow and odor of the cat in heat, they can communicate with each other.

The cat’s organism begins to prepare itself for the attraction of males. A cat in heat can have two-month cycles after the first time.

Estrus phases and duration

A female cat can go into heat several times during the year, which will depend on a number of factors, such as the presence of male cats and other stimuli.

From the first heat, the cat will be able to mate and have a litter, so it is important to monitor your animal’s cycles. It is worth noting that a female cat’s reproductive cycle has five different phases .

The first phase is known as “proestrus” and lasts an average of 1 to 2 days. In this phase, which is like a pre-heat, the kitten usually becomes more sly and affectionate and still doesn’t allow a cat to approach.

In the second phase, the “estrus”, is when the cat’s meow gets louder and louder, in addition to being more agitated. This is the estrus phase which, most of the time, lasts a week, but can last up to 15 days, where it allows the male to approach.

If there is no copulation, the interstro phase occurs, where there is no pregnancy and the cat is in a kind of sexual rest. This phase tends to last 7 days.

The fourth phase, anestrus, is the long period when the cat does not come into heat , which occurs in winter. And, phase 5, diestrus, is when there is ovulation, without being pregnant and lasts about 40 days.

If there is fertilization, the estrus can have a new cycle in a month right after the litter is born.

How to act?

Knowing how to act during this bad period for your cat is crucial to make the process easier for both of you. So, here are some tips to calm your cat in heat:

• Enrich the environment with new toys and accessories that the cat can play with and distract from the urge to go out;
• Dedicate a few moments of the day to calm the furry. You can massage her, brush her fur, play, etc.;
• Holding your pet is always the best thing to do, so keep doors and windows closed. It only takes one escape to result in pregnancy and a litter of kittens;
• Keep the cat away from other animals that are not neutered, especially male cats;
• Florals are also good options to help with the anxiety and stress of this period;
• Use pheromones to prevent your cat from urinating off-site.

Is there a vaccine for a cat in heat?

There is a vaccine for cats in heat, but this product is not recommended by veterinarians. The drug can be aggressive for the animal and have several side effects, such as tumors and psychological pregnancy.

Castration is the best option

To prevent your cat from going through this difficult period and end up giving birth to a litter of kittens that can lead to an increase in the population of animals on the street, the best way is with neutering.

Veterinarians around the world reinforce the advantages and benefits of castration. This operation is very simple, offers no risks and can still prevent diseases such as breast cancer, inflammation , infections, etc.

From 3 months of age, it is already possible to neuter your four-legged child, to improve their quality of life!