Feline Focused Facts How Often Do Cats Go Into Heat

When the estrous or oestrus cycle occurs, your cat will show outward behavioral displays lasting up to several days, with the average being six to seven days.When the estrous cycle reoccurs every two to three weeks, two things can happen. The female cat either mates and gets pregnant or gets spayed to avoid an unwanted litter of kittens.A female kitten matures very fast when they have their first heat cycle. This means that the female can now get pregnant. Female cats become mature when they reach six months of age, and some females reach sexual maturity at around 12 months old. The hormonal cycle that female cats go through is called estrous or oestrus. This heat cycle lasts for 14-21 days, which is usually described as induced ovulation which means ovulation only occurs if female cats mate. There are also records of spontaneous ovulation in domestic female cats. Several factors determine the mating season of cats. Cats are polyestrous, and in their breeding season, there can be a number of heat cycles. You can also identify when your female cat goes into heat by her behavior. Natural mating is also an instinctive behavior of cats in the wild where they will mate with any male cat. Both male and female cats show similar signs when females are in heat. In the Northern Hemisphere, the cats’ heat cycle begins in January and extends till fall. However, cats living in tropical regions or inside the house can cycle year-round.If you enjoyed reading these facts that explain how often do cats go into heat, then make sure to read some more interesting facts that answer the questions why do cats pant and why do cats put their butt in your face here on Kidadl.Do male cats go into heat?No, male cats do not go into heat and do not have a heat cycle. However, a male cat’s behavior changes when a receptive female cat is around.Male cats also reach maturity when they are six months of age. Behavioral signs can be observed in a male cat that has not been neutered. So, male cats are ready to breed any time a female cat going through the cycle is around. Females’ calls and smells attract male cats, which they identify from miles away. Once a male cat catches the scent in the air of a female cat in heat, he starts to look for her. If the cats find each other, breeding takes place as soon as possible. When the breeding is planned, owners prepare the cats to breed. In a planned mating process, the male and female cats are placed in the same room for hours separated by a net or a fence. This is done so that cats can get used to each other being around. The male cat’s behavioral signs are due to high levels of testosterone. A male cat will spray urine around their territory to warn other males. By spraying, he is also trying to find the female cat that is in heat. However, spraying can also occur if your male cat is anxious.A male cat starts wandering in search of the female cat. Wandering can be dangerous as your cat might get into fights, can be stolen, or can contract reproductive diseases. Unwanted overpopulation of cats can occur if the unneutered male cat is left to roam around. Male cats also fight each other over breeding or territorial disputes. Male cats claw and scratch to spread scent from their paws and even try to escape by doing so. The male cat also overly grooms and cleans himself. Yowling and meowing is another sign to attract females and to keep other males away.When do cats go into heat for the first time?Unspayed female cats can go into heat after they reach maturity at around six months, or as early as four months, and when their reproductive cycle starts.A female cat does not have vaginal bleeding like a female dog. In the first heat cycle, a female displays behavioral changes. There are records indicating that short-haired females will experience their first heat cycle or estrus much earlier than long-haired female cats. When the female cat does not mate during the cycle she can go into heat again. Some signs of a female cat in heat are meowing and yowling loudly, urine spraying, her being more affectionate than usual, trying to escape home, rolling on the floor, and raising her hind end into the air. If she is not spayed she can get pregnant. The estrus cycle consists of five stages. The first stage is called pro-estrus where the female is not expressing any symptoms of being in heat and this can last for about two days. The second stage is the main estrus stage when she is ready for mating. This period lasts more than three days. The third stage is called inter-estrus. This period lasts for an average of three weeks if the female cat does not breed and become pregnant in the estrus stage. The met-estrus period occurs if the female breeds, causing pregnancy. This period can last for 40 days after which the pregnancy stage can last for 64 days. The last an-estrus period occurs as a response to a change in season like short daylight hours in between the estrus heat cycles.Is it normal for a cat to go into heat every two weeks?It is normal for a female cat to go into heat if she is not sprayed or did not mate during her previous heat cycles.For every two to three weeks, your pet can go into heat. When an unsprayed female cat first goes into heat, she is ready to mate and get pregnant. However, she does not mate during this period, she can rapidly go into heat until pregnancy or until she gets spayed. If not spayed or bred, the female cat’s body will go into the pseudo-pregnancy stage, where the body thinks it is pregnant and your pet will go into heat again after a few months. These rapid cycles determine the litter amount a female cat can have in her life. There are few other factors that allow your cat to go into heat. The cycle can be regulated by temperature or daylight hours. The female can go into heat at warmer temperatures with 14-16 hours of light. During the winter season with less daylight, there is a lower possibility of your cat going into heat. A sprayed cat can also go into heat due to underlying health conditions. To avoid this it is advisable to get your female cat spayed by a vet.How can I get my cat out of the heat?You can handle a female cat in heat by using devices to diffuse the scent and pheromones, playing and giving her extra attention, leaving more cat food, keeping your pet indoors, and spaying your pet.To avoid your cat getting into heat you can get her spayed before her first heat cycle and a vet also prefers to perform spaying when the cat is around six months. Spaying can decrease the risk of reproductive cancers. Try to calm your pet to decrease anxiety. It is suggested that if the cat is in heat, she must be kept indoors at all times away from glass doors and windows. You can comfort your cat by giving them attention and petting them. You can also play with them to distract your pet using toys. You can also play videos for cats and some might even enjoy a little music. Constantly clean the litter box so that she marks her territory in the box rather than around the house. Fresh or dried catnip can also be effective, be it a catnip toy, drops, or spray. Do not shout at them as this is a natural process for both domestic and wild cats. Shouting at them will only cause more anxiety and elevate stress in your cat.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestion for how often do cats go into heat, then why not take a look at why do cats throw up or Somali cat facts?

When the estrous or oestrus cycle occurs, your cat will show outward behavioral displays lasting up to several days, with the average being six to seven days.