Cat in heat: how to recognize the symptoms and what to do
Just as it happens for dogs, gestation and cycle are also very different for cats from those of us women. The fertile period of the cat is called heat, which, unlike that of the dog, occurs more than one a year. During this phase, the cat shows a series of signals in its behavior and some symptoms that make us understand that it is going through. the weeks of heat In general, cats are among the animals that daily try to express themselves through body language to make their needs understood.
When does the cat go into heat?
Normally, cats go into heat for the first time around 6 months. This time limit, however, can vary from cat to cat. There are cases where the animal reaches sexual maturity at the fourth month and others for which the first heat reaches about twelve months of life. The reproductive cycle of cats is called polyestral and this means that, unlike dogs, they enter into heat more times during the year.
This usually occurs in the spring and early autumn and lasts for 7 to 10 days. However, if the cat does not become pregnant during the fertile period, then the heat will return after about 3 weeks. This also depends on the lifestyle of the cat. Cats accustomed to living in the house may have a defined "prolonged" heat, while those who live outside have pauses.
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Symptoms of a cat in heat
Owners of a female cat will quickly notice if their kitty has gone into heat. The signals that it reveals at the level of behavior and also of a physical nature are, in fact, unequivocal.
- Meows: when the cat comes into heat, it begins to vocalize to attract the attention of any male cat. The meows of heat are different from those that the cat normally emits. They are much more acute and insistent and the animal tends to meow above all early in the day or in the evening.
- Urine sprays: As with all other species, urine is a substance that is used by both dogs and cats to mark territory. Usually, however, this is the prerogative of male specimens. Urine sprays become one. of the symptoms of the cat in heat because it releases them to attract the male cat.This signal becomes particularly difficult to manage if the cat lives in the house and no longer follows the "litter box rule", urinating against furniture and walls.
- Continuous search for attention: especially in the days before the heat, the cats are very affectionate, always looking for cuddles. It can happen that they purr even when they are not close to their human. This behavior can change when they actually go into heat, making them more aggressive.
- The cat rubs itself on the floor: when it is not pampered, the cat tends to rub itself against any surface in the house, especially against the floor. Rubbing and rolling on the ground serves the cat both to show her genitals - and therefore her propensity for mating - and to release the pheromones that attract males onto the floor.
- Mating Positions: Particularly when stroking or brushing her, the cat tends to assume typical mating positions, such as the head down and the back of the body raised, including the tail.
- Loss of appetite: finally, just like according to the "stereotypes" of love, the female cat almost completely loses the sense of appetite during the heat.
How to calm a cat in heat
Whether you want to mate your cat or, instead, you intend to resort to sterilization, it is necessary that she experiences at least a heat, which, as we have already anticipated, marks the beginning of her sexual maturity. For this reason, every cat owner needs to know what to do and how to calm the symptoms of heat as much as possible.
- Distract her with play: the days of heat are undoubtedly a source of physical and psychological stress for the cat. Try to distract your cat by cuddling, brushing and playing with her.
- Keep the litter box clean: it has been found that during the heat period, cats tend to be less clean and not to worry about their personal hygiene. Cleaning the litter box more often can entice them to use it rather than marking the territory of the house by urinating. If all this happens, it is essential not to clean the surfaces with bleach. In fact, the ammonia contained in it is also present in the urine and could push the cat even more to dirty in that point.
- Arrange something warm to sit on: this solution is not true for all cats, but many owners have found it useful. which the cat can sit and lie down. It has been noted how the heat helps the animal to calm down.
Sterilization: pros and cons
Heat is certainly a difficult phase for both the female cat and its owner. Especially when you want to mate your cat and have her kittens, many resort to neutering. This operation is carried out by the veterinarian and takes the technical name of oophorectomy. The operation is not complicated, it lasts about an hour and has no consequences on the animal other than that which will no longer be able to reproduce. Recovery times can range from three to five days: after this time, your cat will be the same again!
After neutering, an adequate diet is recommended for neutered cats, based on specific foods low in calories. In doing so, the animals will not run the risk of becoming overweight.
