Cats in heat – the facts from Edgewood Veterinary Group
June 14, 2019
Cats in heat: all the facts
Cats reach sexual maturity (and can breed) from around four months old; a female cat coming into heat can be a daunting experience for any pet owner. If you are unsure of what to expect, call Edgewood Veterinary Group on 01621 828381 to book an appointment with a nurse to ask about your cat’s cycle and discuss neutering.
Make an appointment with our vet nurses
Our vet, Jürgen, recommends neutering your female cat (spaying) at four to five months of age to prevent unwanted pregnancies. If your cat is allowed outside at this age without being neutered, there is a good chance that she will mate and become pregnant.
When a female cat is in heat, this isn’t one long period; there can be many short periods repeated every 10-14 days or so. Cats do not ovulate until they are mated, so this period of heat cycles can be lengthy. Longer days can trigger reproductive activity, leading to many kittens being born in March, April and May.
Signs that your cat is in heat:
- Flirtatious, extra affectionate behaviour.
- Rubbing and rolling on the floor.
- Extreme vocalising, yowling as if in pain or even as if having a heart attack!
- Raised hindquarters, moving the tail from side to side.
If you are considering having your pet neutered, the team at Edgewood Veterinary Group are all happy to help with any queries or concerns that you may have, so feel free to contact us .
Benefits of neutering
There are plenty of benefits to having your cat neutered. For instance, your cat’s ovaries and uterus are removed, thereby preventing pyometra – a serious uterine infection.
Neutering also lowers the risk of mammary tumours and reduces the spread of infectious diseases from mother to kittens and it reduces ‘wandering’ and therefore the chances of your cat being involved in a road accident.
It also provides important population control with fewer unwanted kittens, and it eliminates male cats on the doorstep fighting, spraying urine and vocalising. And, that can only be a good thing.
