It is important for future owners of mustachioed pets to find out in advance how estrus occurs in cats. The changes that occur can pose a threat not only to human nerves, but also to the health of the animal. Annoying screams are just a small part of the problem. The lack of mating in a mature pet can develop into serious complications. If you do not plan to breed, think about sterilization.
Puberty and the cat cycle by stages
Puberty occurs the day cats go into their first heat. Most often this occurs between 7 and 12 months of age. The following factors influence the time of growing up:
- Breed
. In addition to the onset of sexual maturity, breed affiliation determines the characteristics of the course of estrus.
- Cohabitation with animals of the opposite sex
. Kittens from the same litter living together mature at 4-5 months.
- Genetics
. The approximate age of maturity can be determined by the mother of the kittens.
It is impossible to calculate the exact day, since all animals are unique. The only cause for concern is a serious deviation from the average guidelines.
The cat's reproductive cycle consists of 4 stages:
- Proestrus
. The darling is not yet ready to mate, so she drives the cats away. She becomes more affectionate only towards her owner. The duration of this stage is 1-4 days.
- Estrus
. Noticeable discharge appears. Due to raging hormones, the pet screams at night, preventing its owners from sleeping. After stroking, she raises the back of her body, taking a characteristic mating position. This period lasts 5-7 days and is suitable for procreation.
- Metestrus
. After mating, pregnancy occurs at this stage, and sometimes, in its absence, pseudopregnancy. The aggressive attitude towards the opposite sex returns. The duration of the stage is 2-12 days.
- Anestrus
. By the final phase, the animal’s condition stabilizes. A cat's new heat occurs after 3 weeks or several months.
A peculiarity of cat physiology is the absence of ovulation when refusing mating. Without vaginal stimulation, the egg remains in its place.
Violations
There are cats that show no symptoms of estrus. Typically, this happens in obese or overly weakened animals. In veterinary practice, this condition is called “anaphrodisia.” For this pathology, hormonal therapy is prescribed in the form of intramuscular injections.
If the heat lasts too long, this is also considered a violation. It is necessary to conduct a diagnostic study to determine the cause of the pathology. The most common problems are with the ovaries (inflammatory processes, cysts, neoplasms). Treatment consists of subcutaneous administration of estrogens and gestagens.
Cat's first heat
The first estrus is exciting for both the owner and the animal. The time of its onset and characteristic symptoms largely depend on the breed.
At what age does it start
In addition to the breed, genetics and the fact of cohabitation with a cat, sexual maturity depends on several other factors. These include:
- Location
. Pets take longer to mature than street animals. Lighting at home is also important, stimulating the activity of sex hormones.
- Time of birth
. Pets born in the fall are inferior in speed to those born in the spring.
- Animal size
. Those with small dimensions are ahead of larger representatives.
- Body mass
. Too much or too little weight prevents timely maturation.
- Wool length
. The shorter the coat, the earlier sexual maturity will occur. Orientals and Abyssinians mature at 5 months, British and Scottish females at 8-12 months, and fluffy Siberians, Ragdolls and Maine Coons at 9-15 months.
Please note that puberty is not the same as physiological maturity. It is strictly forbidden to breed your pet for the first heat.
Characteristic manifestations
Before menstruation is about to begin, the pet begins to roll on the floor and rub against the owner’s legs, trying to attract his attention. After stroking the back, she lifts the back of her body, moves her tail and fussily moves her paws.
To attract a cat, the kitty meows long and loudly or purrs intensely. She can start her songs at any time of the day, which really bothers the owners who are trying to get some sleep before work. Trying to find a mating partner, the pet may attempt to escape. During this period, you will have to keep the doors and windows closed.
In addition to behavioral changes, consider physiological characteristics. These include:
- decreased appetite;
- increase in vaginal size;
- prolonged licking of the perineum due to increased urination;
- the appearance of transparent discharge.
The first “critical days” are almost invisible. This is due to the fact that physiologically the animal continues to develop. More distinct signs appear the second time.
Features of the first estrus
Maine Coon sexual heat is accompanied by strong thirst and indifference to food. Their growth temporarily stops, so don't be alarmed by the lack of change.
British women often change their mood, alternating affection with aggression. But with the sphinxes everything is stable. Owners will have to put up with their loud screams, irritability and completely uncontrollable behavior.
Siamese are the quietest. Thanks to their calmness, “critical days” can be recognized only by physiological signs. Scottish women are no less calm - they do not shout loudly and do not stand in a characteristic pose. Only excessive affection gives them away.
These signs may not appear - after all, each cat’s body and temperament are individual. You may “get” a loud Siamese or a very quiet and affectionate sphinx lady.
Periodicity of estrus
There is no clear answer to the question of how often cats go into heat. The frequency is individual and depends on the following factors:
- Breed
. Persians, Orientals and Siamese women flow more often than British and Scottish women. For the latter, the break can be up to 5-8 months.
- Presence of pregnancy
. Cat menstruation returns to its usual schedule only 1.5-3 months after birth. An earlier return is possible in case of death of the litter or separation from the kittens immediately after birth.
- Age
. The younger the animal, the more often it is ready to mate.
- Season
. The breaks shorten from early spring to mid-autumn and increase with the arrival of winter. This is due to the fact that in the warm season it is easier to carry and give birth to healthy offspring. The exception is pets who do not leave the apartment for a year. Thanks to comfortable living conditions, their schedule does not change.
- Breeding frequency
. Rare meetings with representatives of the opposite sex reduce the period of calm to 2 weeks. If mating is too frequent, the opposite is true - constant mating reduces the number of menstruation to 2 times a year.
On average, estrus occurs 4 times a year, that is, once a quarter. But for some, this process can occur every 3 weeks or once every six months. In the absence of pathologies of the reproductive system, this is completely normal.
What should a cat owner be wary of?
When your pet shows the first signs of the onset of estrus, there is no need to immediately stuff her with hormonal drugs. Of course, such drugs act quite effectively. Nevertheless, you need to remember about their negative impact on the pet’s body. The use of such drugs can lead to disruption of the animal's hormonal levels.
In turn, this can cause the formation of tumors of the ovaries and uterus at absolutely any age. A cat's first heat can occur at 7 months of age. True, in some animals this process can begin much later. Regardless of the age of onset of estrus, your pet should not be immediately introduced to the cat. This is due to the fact that the pet’s young body is not yet fully formed. Otherwise, early pregnancy can cause a number of serious complications.
Despite the “terrible” behavior of a cat during heat, shouting at her, much less hitting her, is strictly prohibited. The animal is simply not able to independently control its behavior, but it still recognizes and experiences the feeling of guilt. In the case of regular screaming or even beating, the pet may receive psychological, irreparable trauma.
Duration of “critical days”
The average duration of “critical days” is 5-7 days, but sometimes it can last up to 14-20 days. Due to the variety of factors influencing this process, it is almost impossible to determine how long a cat's first heat will last. Most often it goes faster, but it is better to start from average indicators.
If sexual activity exceeds 3 weeks or lasts less than 5 days, take your pet to a veterinary clinic for diagnosis. In the first case, there is a possibility of developing tumors or inflammation in the ovaries, and in the second - pathologies of the thyroid gland or ovarian hypoplasia.
The use of drops and tablets for estrus
It is recommended to use the drugs strictly following the instructions supplied with them. Before use, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian , since the animal may be allergic to any component included in the drug.
Drops during estrus are taken 3-4 times a day, prescribing no more than 2 ml of tincture per day. The course of treatment is usually no more than 7 days per month. Drops can be administered into the cat's mouth using a syringe or spoon, or added to milk.
The dosage of “CounterSex” tablets depends on the female’s body weight . One tablet is intended for 5 kg of weight. The course of treatment is no more than 5 days. Reception should begin at the first signs of sexual heat.
During a cat's heat, it is important to remember that this condition is a real stress for her body. At this time, the animal does not give an account of its behavior and actions. Therefore, you cannot scold or punish your furry pet . You just need to be patient, kind and caring. In any case, if the owners do not plan offspring from their cat, then it is better to sterilize it. In this case, the pet’s health will be out of danger, and its owners will be able to live in peace.
Signs of estrus
To attract males, females use 2 tools: voice and smells. All sounds made become rougher and louder. Frequent but light urination occurs not only in the litter box - the pet leaves odorous marks on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Raising her tail and turning her back towards the target, she secretes a few drops of urine.
Another way to place marks is by rubbing them on objects. The glands on the cheeks of furry pets secrete a special secretion, allowing them to leave an individual scent.
The signs of the first menstruation are identical to subsequent ones. They are distinguished only by their weak expression in young animals.
Remember that discharge during “critical days” should be transparent. The appearance of blood or pink clots is a dangerous symptom that requires diagnosis.
How to calm a cat
Having figured out how to understand that a cat has gone into heat, it remains to figure out what to do if the owner does not want to endure constant nightly arias. There are only two cardinal solutions: pregnancy and sterilization. The operation not only suppresses sexual desire, but also prevents the development of cancer.
When choosing regular matings, unwanted behavior goes away only temporarily, so to calm your pet you will have to resort to medications, changes in activity and diet.
Change of activity and food
Aggression and increased activity can be directed towards toys. Long games use up increased energy reserves and normalize night sleep. Try to distract your pet during the daytime sleep to exhaust him by nightfall. Also, do not forget about increased attention. Talk and pet your pet more often. Your love will help reduce your stress levels.
Another trick to ensure long sleep is abundant feeding later in the day. Temporarily limit constant access to the feeder and give out food strictly on a schedule. After a night of feasting, all energy will be spent on digestion, and not on concerts.
Remember that with an increase in the evening portion, the volume of the daily ration remains unchanged. Otherwise, there is a risk of obesity. Meals should be small and easily digestible so as not to overload the gastrointestinal tract.
Sedatives
Veterinarians recommend sedatives made from herbal preparations (Cat Bayun, Stop-Stress). They are not addictive and do not have severe side effects. Their only contraindication is the presence of an allergy to one of the components.
Hormonal drugs
Taking hormonal medications (Stop-Intim, Sex-Barrier) is possible only as prescribed and under the supervision of a veterinarian. These medications directly affect hormonal levels, which can trigger the development of pathologies of the ovaries and uterus, including cancer.
With the constant use of hormones, 70% of animals endure forced sterilization for medical reasons. It is much safer to deprive your pet of reproductive function soon after puberty.
What not to do
Please note that traditional methods of calming are not only cruel and senseless, but also dangerous. Avoid raising your voice or using physical punishment. Compliance with this rule is the key to a strong and respectful relationship with any pet. Don’t try to judge your pet for nighttime insomnia and leaving marks - all this happens not out of malice, but under the influence of hormones.
Do not cool your genitals with ice water. This will not only frighten the animal, but can also cause inflammation.
Don't try to lock your pet in a dark room. The sun's rays do stimulate hormones, but staying in a confined space for a long time will only lead to mental disorders.
Secondary anestria
Characterized by rare or irregular estrus. It occurs more often than primary.
Previous ovariohysterectomy
If you do not know the female's medical history, check for the presence of a uterus and ovaries. In nurseries, it’s easy to find out an animal’s medical history, but some breeders hand over a cat without the appropriate documents.
Whether there has been surgery in the past can be determined by the scars on the abdominal wall. In some countries, luteinizing hormone levels are measured. An unusually high rate indicates possible removal of the gonads.
You can also use an ultrasound.
Content in lack of daylight
The cat is a seasonal animal. Lack of daylight leads to the production of large amounts of prolactin and melatonin. This entails the cessation of cycles.
The seasonal behavior of a cat living in low light conditions is unpredictable. A female who has been in such conditions for some time needs several weeks of rest to restore her cycle. You should not try to induce heat with medication. Try natural ways to restore your cycle.
How and when to mate
The first mating is carried out on the third menstruation, when the pet has reached physiological maturity. This reduces the risk of miscarriages, infertility and other complications.
Before meeting her partner, the “bride” is vaccinated and dewormed. Her nails are trimmed and a set of personal items is collected that she will need while away from home. Mating is carried out on the male's territory to reduce his excitement.
The animals are left alone for several days to repeat cages many times. This consolidates the result, increasing the chances of successful fertilization. Help from the owners is required only in cases of aggressive behavior, discrepancies in the size of the partners, and the cat falling on its side.
Empty estrus in a cat and constant use of hormonal drugs have a negative impact on health. If there is no labor, sign up for sterilization.
The cardinal method of solving the problem is sterilization
This method has both supporters and opponents. Only one thing remains certain - this is today the only guaranteed and long-term way to resolve the issue. This is a single irreversible procedure that is performed by a specialist in a veterinary clinic. In a situation where a cat is yelling and wanting to know what to do, it may be completely unclear to the exhausted owners. And the thought of sterilization will be perceived as salvation. But before making this decision, you need to weigh all the pros and cons.
The advantages of this method are:
- permanent effect;
- a significant reduction in the risk of diseases of the genital organs and mammary glands, including cancer.
Among the disadvantages are:
- the danger of surgical intervention as such, the possibility of postoperative complications, the specifics of caring for the cat until it recovers;
- risk of urolithiasis and obesity, decreased activity.
Sterilization is usually carried out up to a year. After this procedure, the animal’s lifestyle and habits may change noticeably and this must be taken into account. It is better to use special food with a high content of vitamins and low fat content. This will help maintain your cat's normal weight despite reduced physical activity. If you decide to sterilize your cat, then you need to read the article “Complete care for your cat after sterilization.”
Can a spayed cat go into heat?
It all depends on the type of operation chosen. Most often, females are not sterilized, but castrated. These operations are often confused, suggesting that the latter is performed only on males. In fact, sterilization is a tubal ligation that prevents fertilization. A neutered female cat will not be able to give birth to kittens, but will still want to mate due to the influence of hormones.
Changes in hormonal levels can only be achieved by castration. The operation is divided into 2 types:
- oophorectomy, which involves removing the ovaries and preserving the uterus;
- ovariohysterectomy, which involves the removal of all reproductive organs.
The first method reduces the risk of developing polycystic disease and breast tumors, but does not protect against uterine cancer. For this reason, the second method is more reliable.
For simplicity, veterinarians may use the same terms as owners. Before the operation, be sure to discuss the purpose and method of surgery to avoid misunderstandings.
To sterilize or not?
Sterilizing a cat is a radical method of solving the problem. Before you decide to have surgery, you need to think it over carefully. Doctors recommend that the procedure be carried out as early as possible for the health of the pet. A cat at a young age tolerates anesthesia more easily.
But the owner must remember that the operation changes the pet’s body irrevocably. This means that if you want to get offspring, there will be no opportunity for this.
At the same time, long-term abstinence for a cat is severe stress, which, in addition to nervous disorders, also leads to diseases of the reproductive organs. An unsterilized cat often suffers from ovarian cysts, purulent inflammation of the uterus, hormonal disorders, and tumors of the mammary glands.
Professional veterinary specialists agree that if you do not want to produce offspring from a cat in the future, then it is better to sterilize your pet . This will relieve the animal from stress during the hunting period, and will bring relief to the owner.
Pros and cons of sterilization
Compared to other methods of controlling feline sexual activity, neutering has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of sterilization:
- Solving the problem once and for all. This is actually a disadvantage too, since at one moment the owner may regret that the animal is not able to become pregnant.
- Efficiency 100%. Drops and tablets, even hormonal ones, may not work. It's very individual. The operation will give the desired result, without a doubt.
- The operation is safe. It is performed through a small incision on the side of the torso.
But the operation also has disadvantages:
- It takes time to recover. This is an abdominal operation that is performed under general anesthesia. After it, the cat may feel unwell for some time and be lethargic. The animal should not be fed for several hours before surgery.
- The operation costs money. Some owners find it cheaper to purchase drops or tablets once a month.
- Inability to obtain desired offspring in the future.
- Irreversible changes in the cat's body. Hormonal changes can cause your pet to become lethargic, less mobile, and have a tendency to gain weight. By organizing proper nutrition, the risks of disease are significantly reduced.
If your pet is fed prepared specialized food, then after sterilization you should purchase food for sterilized cats.
Is it allowed to spay a cat in heat?
Surgery during this period can lead to multiple complications. Cat menstruation is accompanied by hormonal changes. All vessels dilate, increasing the likelihood of heavy blood loss during tissue excision. Patients with mustaches have a more difficult time recovering from anesthesia, so the postoperative period is delayed.
Veterinarians recommend sterilization 14 days before or after the “critical days”, when the animal’s condition stabilizes. Earlier intervention is possible for medical reasons when estrus worsens the quality of life and depletes the body.
Maintaining a special calendar that records periods of activity and quiet will help to avoid complications. If there is a sharp deviation from the schedule, make an appointment at the veterinary clinic to exclude the development of pathologies.
Remember that during sexual hunting the animal needs your support and understanding. If such frequent behavior changes make your life very difficult, get a cat or see a surgeon.
The article is for informational purposes only. Contact your veterinarian!
Deviations from the norm
Prolonged heat
It happens that a pet is in heat for more than 2 weeks. This is called prolonged heat. This means an increase in the stages of estrus. There is a protracted proestrus, a protracted estrus and a protracted diestrus.
Symptoms of prolonged proestrus:
- The cat won't let the cat near.
- Discharge from the genitals continues for more than two weeks.
Symptoms of prolonged estrus:
- Estrus lasts more than 2-3 weeks, but fertilization does not occur.
Symptoms of prolonged diestrus:
- Mucous discharge from the female genitals does not stop for 21 days.
Anaphrodisia
Another deviation is the complete absence of estrus symptoms (anaphrodisia).
Symptoms:
- Lengthening of the intervals between estrus in a mature cat or its complete absence.
- Delayed puberty in a young individual.
If any of these deviations occur, be sure to show the cat to a specialist. He will prescribe competent treatment.
False pregnancy
It happens that fertilization does not occur. The female develops a so-called false pregnancy. This is a psychological condition during which the cat experiences all the signs of a non-existent pregnancy. The cause of the disease may lie in stressful situations, mating with an unproductive male, or a breed predisposition, for example, in sphinxes.
This condition lasts for 1-3 weeks. It is difficult to distinguish it from ordinary pregnancy.
Symptoms of false pregnancy:
- abdominal enlargement;
- swelling of the mammary glands;
- secretion of milk;
- increased appetite;
- constant thirst.
The pet's behavior also changes. She is looking for a secluded dark place, trying to arrange a bed for herself.
Also, your pet may begin to carry various soft toys in her teeth, mistaking them for her offspring.
This condition is dangerous because the cat can develop purulent mastitis.
Only a veterinarian can confirm whether it is a false pregnancy or a real one after examination. He will prescribe sedatives to stop lactation.
Empty heat
This is an estrus that did not result in the pet becoming pregnant. It can lead to many complications: ovarian cysts, inflammation and even cancer. Therefore, if you do not plan to mate your cat, it is best to have her spayed. You can read about all the nuances of this operation in our article on sterilization of cats.
Bloody issues
It is worth remembering that cats, unlike dogs, do not have bloody discharge. If you notice bloody discharge in a female, then this is a serious cause for concern and an urgent visit to the veterinary clinic.
