How many days can a cat's heat last?

Every cat owner should know when a cat goes into heat for the first time.

Changes in your cat's behavior most often indicate that your pet is in heat. What is it, and what should cat owners do at this time? There's nothing to worry about, as heat is a natural process. However, it's important for a person to monitor it and be able to provide assistance if the animal needs it. At this time, a cat needs care and attention to cope with all the changes in her body.

A cat's first heat

A cat's first heat can be expected after she turns 7 months old. Usually during the period from 7 to 10 months and changes occur in the young cat's body.

A young female experiencing these changes for the first time will have her next heat cycle within two weeks, and this will continue until she is bred. If pregnancy occurs during this period, she will then only have heat cycles every two to three months.

Once your pet has kittens, this discharge will begin after approximately 30-40 days. In rare cases, she only goes into heat 2-3 times a year.

Duration of estrus in a cat

Each cat's heat cycle duration and frequency are individual factors, and it's important to consider her breed, age, living conditions, and the type of care she receives. Most often, the duration of estrus is 5-7 daysBut if this is the first time, the heat cycle usually lasts only a couple of days. And then, this period will increase.

Anyone hoping to have kittens from their cat should keep a special calendar to track her cycle, especially if their cat is a purebred. This will help them calculate the days when their cat is ready to breed.

It is also worth considering that heat occurs for various reasons it may take a whileThere are known cases where it lasted up to three weeks, but with short intervals. So, let's list all the factors that influence the duration and frequency of mating:

1. The cat's health condition.
2. Age.
3. Which cats are always nearby?
4. Time of year.
5. Weather conditions.
6. Diet.

The estrus process in cats living indoors and in the wild is different: the duration and process are different. In the wild, cats typically mate only once or twice a year. Cats living indoors, however, "walk" about 3-4 times a yearBut one condition must be taken into account: if mating does not occur during this period, your pet may continue to go into heat every month.

Therefore, it is still worth ensuring that mating occurs, the birth takes place, and the kittens are nursed - all this will have a beneficial effect on the cat's body, and then your animal will only go for walks 2-3 times a year.

Characteristics of a cat's heat and its signs

Signs of heat are unique to each cat breed, but some are common:

1. The cat may lick its genitals frequently because they may become lubricated or slightly swollen.
2. The cat's mood is constantly changing: sometimes aggressive, sometimes affectionate.
3. Constantly tries to go outside to meet some cat.
4. If you stroke her a little closer to the tail, the sacral area, she will begin to lift her tail and stamp her feet in one place, frequently moving her paws.
5. Frequent urination.
6. Appetite disappears, and many cats do not eat anything at all during heat.
7. She makes strange sounds, calling to males. During heat, these songs often resemble purring, but sometimes they can reach the level of a full-blown howl.

By the way, if your cat is in heat for the first time, then there's no point in looking for a cat for her, because her body is not yet fully ready for reproduction. It is believed that cats that are already one year old produce good offspring.

The main stages of a cat's heat

Today, there are four stages of estrus in cats:

1. Proestrus.
2. Estrus.
3. Metestrus.
4. Anestrus.

Let's look at each of these stages in more detail. The first stage is proestrus, which usually lasts up to three days. During these days, the animal is anxious about something, so it constantly seeks human attention. Its appetite increases during this time, but the cat tries to stay away from the male cat.

The second period is estrus. It begins on the 3rd day of mating and lasts until approximately the fifth day. This is precisely the period when mating can occur, but the ox's behavior during this period is difficult to generalize and characterize. One could say that it varies and is a little strange. But all her behavior is a call to the male cat, whom she is trying to attract.

The third period is metestrus. During this period, the cat reacts negatively to males, as she has ovulated and her sexual drive has gradually diminished. The course of this period largely depends on whether mating has occurred. Assuming mating has not occurred, the cat will remain in this stage for 7 to 14 days, after which the final stage, anestrus, begins.

If, however, sexual intercourse did take place, but the cat still did not become pregnant, then a false pregnancy occursThis period can last up to 36 days. If pregnancy does occur, all that remains is to wait for the offspring.

The fourth stage is anestrus. This is the calmest stage, when the cat gradually returns to her normal life.

Side effects of a cat in heat

Cat owners should always pay attention to their cat's heat cycle: how long it lasts, when it ends, and whether it ends at all. If it doesn't end or lasts longer than 14 days, it's essential to consult a veterinarian. Your pet's health could be at risk.

If a cat's heat cycle does not end in fertilization, then, accordingly, this may lead to various diseases and inflammatory processes. Many cat owners seek to spay their cats, but this doesn't rid the pet of her natural instincts. The cat won't be able to have kittens, but her desire to have them and care for them will remain. Many veterinarians refuse to perform spays during a female cat's heat cycle, as it's not only a lengthy procedure but also very risky. It's not worth torturing your pet during this time.

During estrus, sexual activity can be reduced slightly by using various injections or hormonal pills. These are usually effective for six months. Of course, they can be repeated after six months, but unfortunately, they are detrimental to the cat's health. So, after such injections tumors may occur and other hormonal imbalances. Therefore, it's best to first consult a doctor, who will be sure to recommend medications that are appropriate for your pet's age and won't negatively impact your pet's health.

During her heat period, your cat becomes emotional, so you need to give her as much attention as possible: pick her up and pet her often, talk to her without scolding her, and try to spend time with her as often as possible. You can also entertain her to release her energy. If your cat sleeps all day, you'll be able to listen to her endless songs at night. Disturb her sleep during the day, and then you'll have a peaceful night's sleep. Remember: the cat isn't to blame for what happens to her.