Cats are felines that grow very fast, too. In just a few months they become adults who seem to know us better than anyone, because it is enough that they give us that innocent look for us to consent to everything ... or almost.
In fact, if we do not want them to breed, we will have no choice but to keep them inside the house throughout their lives and make sure that they will not be able to leave, or to opt for the most recommended solution, which is to castrate them. For this reason, we are going to tell you at what age does the cat come into heat for the first time.
Our precious and adorable kitten you can go into heat for the first time between 6 and 9 months. However, you must be in heat at 4 months if the weather is good, that is, if the temperatures are mild, as in spring, or if it is of a breed with a tendency to reach sexual maturity early, such as the Siamese.
Once you have it, it can last 7 days at a time. In countries like Spain, and more specifically in areas with a Mediterranean climate, or with a subtropical climate such as in many parts of the Canary Islands, the cat can have heat every 20 days if she has not become pregnant, or every 5-6 months if she has finally had kittens, separating from them when they are 2-3 months old.
The cat in heat goes through different stages, which are:
- proestrus: lasts 1 to 2 days. She will be much more affectionate with her family, and will rub her face with them and with objects to mark her surroundings with the pheromones which she produces on her face.
- Estro: lasts from 6 to 10 days. In this phase, the cat will be even more affectionate, and will meow louder to attract the attention of the cats.
- metaestrus: if there is no mating, the cat will enter this phase, which lasts from 8 to 15 days.
- Anestrus: is the stage of sexual inactivity until the next reproductive season.
To avoid heat, it is highly recommended to take the cat to castrate when he is 5-6 months old. This will ensure that you lead a much calmer life 🙂.
Zeal in cats
Cats are in heat for the first time when they reach sexual maturity. This usually happens between six and ten months of age., although it can also occur between 4 and 18 months. Some cat breeds have a predisposition to go into heat sooner or later.
Most short-haired cat breeds tend to go into first heat at a younger age than long-haired cats, for example, Persian cats are said to come into heat for the first time no earlier than 12 months. old. Keep in mind that cats do not normally go into heat during the winter, But if she is one year old in winter, she may be in heat in early spring.
It is worth noting that males have their own particular heat. When they reach full maturity, they can mate as long as the cat allows it. The critical period for them is from September to March. During the mating season, males are more quarrelsome, so if they go outside they are likely to come back with scratches.
Males will mark the territory with small amounts of pheromone-laden urine to attract females sexually. This is known as a sex mark and will take the form of small stains on furniture, walls, and all kinds of vertical surfaces, so the odor can become unpleasant and difficult to remove.
Do I have to worry if my cat is not in heat?
So what if your cat has reached the age of one year, but has not yet gone into heat? It is dangerous? Should you worry about that? If you don't plan on raising your kitten, then you shouldn't worry about it under any circumstances.. Simply spay your cat at a suitable age, which starts between five and six months.
Forget the nonsense that someone told your cat that she should have a heat cycle or a litter of kittens before spaying her. There is no scientific evidence for that, not even the other way around. Studies show that if you spay your cat early, the risks of developing mammary tumors are minimized.
By contrast, if you intend to raise kittensYou should pay attention if your cat does not go into heat at the expected age, and you can consult a veterinarian if you suspect that there could be a problem with your cat's reproductive system.
However, most vets would suggest not to worry if a cat does not go into heat until the age of 18 months. If it still doesn't happen after that, some tests may be necessary to assess your cat's reproductive health.
Signs that your cat is in heat
Unlike female dogs, female cats do not have obvious physical signs that they are in heat. They have peculiar behaviors that it is necessary to recognize in order to know that they are effectively dealing in the heat phase.
- Meow a lot
- Urine spray
- Attention seeking behavior
- Demanding or aggressive behavior
- Rolling on the floor
- Raising the rear end in the air
- Move the rear end when stroking the spine
- Begging to go out on the street
- Rubbing his face on things incessantly
The first thing most people notice about a cat in heat is how much she vocalizes. Crying, meowing, and howling are often heard aloud from a cat in heat. These vocalizations are to get attention and let other cats know that they are in heat.
In addition to noise, a cat in heat will also seek attention and affection from its owner and other people. They love to be stroked, especially on the back and hindquarters. When she is a pet, a cat in heat often wiggles her rear end, her legs can dance, and her tail stays in the air. You can also rub your face on its owner and furniture excessively to diffuse its scent.
Other signs that a cat is in heat are rolling on the ground, begging to get out (even if it's an indoor-only cat) scratching the door and even spraying urine. A cat will back up toward a wall or other vertical object, wiggle her rear end, and spray urine so other cats know she's in heat. A surge of hormones during the heat cycle causes a female cat to have all these exaggerated behaviors and stops once she is no longer in heat.
What do I do if my cat is in heat
If you have a cat that is in heat, the attention seeking behavior can be annoying and persistent. Raising a cat in heat will stop the cycle, but will have a pregnancy that will give you more kittens that when they grow up will also go into heat.
The most responsible way to have cats at home is to sterilize them so that they do not reproduce if you do not intend to raise the cats and take care of them as they deserve. Cat owners have a lot of power to prevent cat overpopulation and the only way to do that is by spaying.
In addition, having a neutered cat is the best way to prevent or eliminate unwanted behaviors. This will also ensure that the cat is never in heat again and avoids unwanted behaviors that accompany this part of the cat's and female's life. Some vets will want to wait until the current heat cycle has ended due to the increased risk of surgical bleeding, while others will spay a cat while they are actively in heat. This decision will depend mainly on the doctor.
Remember that having both a cat and a cat is a responsibility, and if you want to take good care of them, you must understand that sterilizing is the best way to guarantee a good future. It is the best option for everyone if you do not want to take care of the possible kittens that your cat has if she becomes pregnant.