Do Male Cats Go Into Heat

Reasons For Neutering Female Cats

• Population control. It is important to neuter a female cat before she can have kittens herself. This happens very quickly depending on breed, time of year born and individual development. The first season usually occurs around six months but can be earlier. Queens can have up to three litters in a year.
• Control of nuisance. Female cats will call regularly, about every three weeks during sexually active times of the year if they do not get pregnant. Having entire female cats in an area will attract entire males with the attendant problems of spraying, fighting and caterwauling.
• Welfare issues.;Unwanted kittens may not be cared for and are likely to suffer from various infectious diseases such as cat flu or worse. There are unlikely to be enough new homes available for them.
• Health issues. Female cats which are not neutered are more likely to suffer from pyometra later in life and with mammary tumours. Queens with infectious diseases may pass these on to their kittens. Pregnancy and birth are also not without risk.
• Wildlife issues.;Cats with kittens will hunt more actively and if they are not being fed will need to catch more wildlife to feed their kittens.

Q: Do Cats Stay In Heat After Mating

A: No. If a female cat breeds during her heat cycle, she almost always becomes pregnant. This is because cats are induced ovulators and the act of breeding stimulates their body to ovulate .

Ovulation generally will occur if a female cat mates three or four times in a 24-hour period. The symptoms of the estrous cycle will subside within a day or so.

Signs A Cat Is In Heat

• Vocalizing
• Raising hind end into the air
• Wiggling hind end when the back spine is stroked
• Begging to go outside
• Rubbing its face on things

The first thing most people notice about a cat in heat is how much it vocalizes. Crying, meowing, and yowling are all often loudly heard from a cat in heat. These vocalizations are to get attention and let other cats know that they are in heat.

In addition to the noises, a cat in heat will also seek out attention and affection from its owner and other people. They love to be pet and stroked, especially down their backs and hindquarters. When pet, a cat in heat will often wiggle its hind end, its legs may tap dance, and its tail will be held high into the air. It may also rub its face on its owner and furniture excessively to spread its scent.

Other signs that a cat is in heat include it rolling on the floor, begging to go outside by scratching at the door and even spraying urine. A cat will back up to a wall or other vertical object, wiggle its hind end, and spray urine to let other cats know it is in heat. A rush in hormones during the heat cycle causes a cat to have all these exaggerated behaviors and they stop once a cat is no longer in heat.

Illustration: The Spruce / Lara Antal

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Male Cats Spray Urine

Probably the worst offense attributed to male cats is the habit of urine spraying. Males spray their territory as a warning of the boundaries to other cats. Toms also spray as an advertisement of their sexual prowess when seeking females to mate with. An anxious cat may also spray to comfort himself by spreading his own scent.

That said, urine spraying is not always behavioral by nature. A case of kidney stones can drive a cat to spray in an effort to pass the blockage and gain a little relief. Likewise, a urinary tract infection can also lead to disturbing urinary behaviors.

If your cat is spraying, get him checked out by a vet to rule out medical problems and clean up after him with a product like NOse Offense to help remove his scent. Neutering may also help if the spraying is related to mating behaviors. Some owners also find pheromone diffusers and sprays like Feliway can help reduce spraying.

How Often Are Cats In Heat

Cats mate seasonally, like most mammals. They will usually have multiple cycles over their breeding season. However, this breeding season can last for nearly the whole year in some circumstances!

The time of the breeding season varies, though. It depends on your local weather, daylight hours, and temperature. Usually, the breeding season ranges from January to late fall. However, it may be shorter in northern areas where it stays colder for longer.

It can also vary from cat to cat. Some cats may go into heat more than others. Some breeds are notorious for only going into heat once or twice a year.

There is no way to know when a cat will go into heat for sure. However, you can watch for symptoms and signs which often occur a few days before a feline is technically ready to breed.

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What Happens When Cats Go Into Heat

Heat cycles occur when a cat’s body is hormonally ready and receptive to becoming pregnant. During the cycle, your cat may be more vocal in the evening if she smells potential mates outside and wants to go out to them. Vahrenwald says she might also be more willing to have her rear end petted and may even rub it on her owners.

Some cats who are in heat will urinate more often or spray it onto vertical obstacles. This is because their pee contains hormones and pheromones that actually help attract male cats. Feline dating habits are weird, but effective. You might even see unfamiliar male cats start appearing in your yard.

Outside of the strange bathroom habits and the presence of tomcats, Vahrenwald says it might be hard to tell if your cat is in heat.

“It’s not super obvious,” Vahrenwald says.

Male Cats Like Hunting And Feeding

Feral cats spend around 25 percent of their day hunting for food, with an average daily kill being four mice. Male cats tend to eat more than females, however, they spend less time hunting. In part, this is down to females providing food for their kittens.

Hunting provides important mental stimulation for a cat. A useful tip for pet owners is to use puzzle feeders, which make the cat work for their supper. This can reduce boredom and therefore unwanted behaviors that a male cat might adopt, such as spraying or clawing.

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When Do Male Cats Go Into Heat

Male and female cats yowl, spray, try to escape, and become restless to show fertility and arousal. As both sexes show similar traits to show readiness for mating, its often believed that both go into heat.

Todays post will explain what male cats go through before, during, and after mating. It helps to know what to expect of male feline sexual behavior and when to expect heightened sexual activity. Being informed is even more important if you choose not to neuter your tomcat or spay your queen cat.

Should I Breed My Cat

Allowing your cat to have kittens can be a special experience. And, its understandable youd want to have more generations of kitties related to your furry best friend. The decision to breed should not be taken lightly, though.

Make sure youre ready to handle all aspects of keeping your cat and her kittens healthy, including potential pregnancy complications and numerous veterinary visits. Researching the time and monetary commitment may help you decide if its right for you.

Another thing to consider: 3 million pets are euthanized in shelters in the US every year.

So, its very important to find good homes for all of your cats babies. And, even when you do find homes, remember, thats one less home available for a kitty in a local shelter.

For all these reasons, its generally recommended to spay a cat rather than breeding but if youre not sure, our vets can help you make an informed decision.

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The Cat Heat Cycle Explained

All female cats will go through the natural heat cycle unless they have been spayed or are pregnant. This is also referred to as the;estrus;cycle and during this time, a cat is capable of breeding that is, mating and having kittens. The stages of the cat in heat cycle are described in detail below:

Is There Such A Thing As Cat Mating Season

Cat mating season is somewhat of a misnomer cats can and do mate at any time of the year. However, there are some clear cut signs that cats are ready for breeding or mating that will result in litters.

Female cats start relatively young as soon as the first heat cycle emerges, she is ready to breed. Once she gives birth, it doesnt take a long time for her to get back into action. Some cats can have up to three litters per year!

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Do Cats Bleed When In Heat

Female cats do not bleed when in heat because they do not shed the internal lining of the uterus. There may be some discharge of vaginal secretion, but not bleeding. If your cat is bleeding it could be because of an infection, for example pyrometra, which is a deadly infection of the uterus and should be treated by a veterinarian at the earliest. The bleeding can also occur due to rectal cancer, parasites and due to poisoning. Cats sometimes also bleed through the nose, but it may generally be due to trauma.

New To Having A Pet Or Just Need More Knowledge

About heat cycles in cats:fourth or fifth month of a kitten’sYou can see then, how a female cat may almost always seem to be in heat.

• Heat, oestrus, and estrus all refer to heat cycles in cats.
• The breeding season in cats lasts almost year-round.
• Heat cycles can start as early as four or five months in a female kitten.
• Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or more
• Heat cycles in cats repeat every two to three weeks until the cat is spayed or becomes pregnant.
• Heat cycles may cause pain or discomfort in cats.

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Spaying: The Only Long

The only way to prevent a cat from going into heat is to have her spayed as a young kittenbefore she reaches maturity . The youngest she can be spayed is usually around 812 weeks, or she must weigh at least two pounds. Once spayed, she will not go into heat again.

If you have an adult cat who has not yet been spayed, it’s not too late! Cats can be spayed at any age, though it may be best to wait until she is not actively in heat. Consult your vet to determine the best time to spay your adult cat.

Male Cat Behavior Toward Kittens

Cats are hunters and this behavior is almost impossible to eliminate. Young kittens can draw a tom’s interest, and that initial curiosity often brings hunting instincts to the surface. After a few moments, that squirming little kitten begins to look remarkably similar to other prey animals like mice and chipmunks. Keep in mind that this does not describe all male cats and some can tolerate kittens and may even bond with them and assist the mother cat with raising them.

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Q: Do Male Cats Go Into Heat

A: No, male cats do not go into heat. But intact male cats go crazy when they smell a female in heat, doing everything in their power to find and mate with the fertile;female cat.

Stray Toms have even been known to try to break into the home of a fertile female cat. During this period, its very important to keep your female cat inside and away from all intact male cats if you want to prevent pregnancy.

Cat In Heat Sounds: Caterwauling Yowling And Purrs

Perhaps youre familiar with the distressed caterwauling sounds that female cats in heat make while calling a mate. In addition to the yowling vocalizations, other cat in heat sounds often include soft, melodious purrs. Cats in heat also demonstrate overly affectionate behavior.

A cat in heats plaintive sounds are typically accompanied by body language, such as assuming the mating position. Thats her way of alerting males that shes ready to become pregnant.

Heres an example of some cat in heat sounds:

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When Is The Mating Season For Cats

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To answer quickly what you came here for, sexually mature male cats can respond to mating calls anytime throughout the year. However, feline sexual activity peaks during springtime, which is a natural time to mate across the animal kingdom.

Male cat libido may decline during the colder months from late fall to winter. They may become less eager to copulate as they may not be sufficiently vigorous at this time. Their female counterparts are typically less receptive during this time too.

There is an exception for indoor cats, though. Increased exposure to artificial lighting could mean that the female cat could go into heat even in the colder days.

Stages Of A Cats Heat Cycle

When your cat goes into heat, its body goes through a series of cycles. The first of these cycles is proestrus, which only lasts a couple of days. In this stage, the cat attracts males but isnt ready to mate with them.;

The second stage is called estrus. It is fairly common for cats to start yowling and making a lot of noise in this stage of the cycle. They become restless if they cannot mate with a male. It can last anywhere from three days to a little over two weeks. Most cats only experience estrus for not more than a week.

If your cat starts ovulating, they go into a stage called diestrus. This occurs when a cat becomes pregnant, causing her body to produce progesterone. The average length of time for a feline pregnancy is two months.

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Want To Stop Hearing Those Cat In Heat Sounds Spay And Neuter Your Cats

The only way to truly prevent female cats from going into heat and male cats from the distress of queen-seeking , is to have your cats spayed or neutered. Some say you should let your female go through one estrus cycle or even have one litter of kittens before a spay, but thats a myth.

Kittens should be spayed or neutered when they reach sexual maturity, which is between four and six months of age. Older cats can, however, be spayed or neutered at any time, but many vets prefer not to perform a spay on a cat who is in heat due to bleeding complications. Vets also recommend waiting until after two weeks after weaning kittens to spay a recently pregnant cat.

What Can Owners Expect From Cats In Heat

A queens estrus is very different from a human females menstrual cycle. Unlike humans, a cat doesnt shed the lining of her uterus, so there is no vaginal bleeding. And while there may not be any visible physical changes, a queen in heat may exhibit some unusual behavioral changes such as:

• Increased affection. Your cats desire to mate will be so strong during her cycles that she will demand your affection, often by rubbing up against your leg.
• Howling. Known as calling, these loud cries are actually an attempt to attract a mate and not an indication that she is in any kind of pain.
• Spraying. In addition to feeling very amorous, your queen is also feeling very territorial. Spraying the walls and furniture with strong-smelling urine is her way of telling any males in the area that she is available.
• Loss of appetite. Her appetite usually returns when her cycle ends or she becomes pregnant.
• Excessive licking, especially her genital region.
• Attempts to escape the house. If your queen is a house cat, be aware that her desire to find a mate is so overwhelming that she might see an open door as an opportunity to go looking for one outside the safe confines of your home.

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How Can You Keep Your Cat From Going Into Heat

Clearly, some of these behaviors can be problematic for a pet parent. Not to mention that if your cat gets pregnant, youll have a whole other issue to tackle. So, the question is, how can you keep your cat from going into heat?

The only way to keep your cat from going into heat is to get them spayed. According to the ASPCA, you can spay kittens as early as eight weeks. Ideally, youll have them spayed before their first heat, which happens around five months.

Spaying will not only keep your cat from going into heat , but it can also support their long-term health. Spaying your cat before her first heat can help lower her risk for both uterine cancers and breast tumors, according to the ASPCA.

Do Cats Bleed While In Heat

No, cats shouldn’t bleed when in heat. If that, or anything else odd or worrisome happens, contact your veterinarian.

Vahrenwald says that unless you want kittens, you should keep your cat insideaway from potential matesduring her heat cycle. But her best recommendation is to spay your cat and avoid heat cycles all together.

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