Estrus in a cat: when to expect it and what to do

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

It would be nice to think about issues related to breeding a pet at the time of acquiring a squeaking fluffy lump. Then it will not come as a surprise to anyone that the baby, it turns out, has already grown up, and the instinct of procreation takes its toll. If you do not want the animal to be bred, it is best to spay it. In a different situation, in order for the process of mating, pregnancy, childbirth and feeding of kittens to be successful, the owner needs certain knowledge.

So, first of all, when do cats go into heat? Puberty occurs quite early, at the age of about six months. However, the growth and formation of the organism is not yet completed, it is impossible to knit an animal. Felinologists recommend that the first mating be carried out no earlier than in the third period of the hunt. This means that your furry pet will be about one and a half years old. The owner should remember that the first estrus must be endured. Drugs that suppress the manifestations of hunting should not be given to the animal, they will change the hormonal status and may cause the development of tumor diseases in the future.

A little about the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system

Female cats and dogs have paired gonads -ovaries. Their uterus is unpaired, has a small body and two elongated horns. Developing fruits are located in them. The sexual cycle in cats, like in humans, is regular, but menstruation in a woman and estrus in an animal have radically opposite meanings. Here is the fundamental difference between them. In pets, it is a sign of approaching ovulation and readiness for mating, and is necessary to attract a cat. Whereas in women, the presence of spotting is the period when the possibility of fertilization is minimal.

Let's take a closer look at how a cat is in heat. The entire sexual cycle proceeds in stages, there are four periods:

Proestrus - the time of preparation of the animal. His behavior changes, the cat becomes more affectionate, but the cat does not let him. She is restless, her appetite is usually increased. The external genitals are slightly swollen.

Estrus - this is the period that we call "estrus in a cat." She has a light scanty discharge. It should be remembered that cats do not leave bloody traces, like dogs. In addition, since the animal carefully observes the hygiene of the genitals, the owner may not notice any discharge at all. You need to focus on the behavior of the pet: it meows invitingly, rolls on the floor, arches, moving its tail away and stepping over with its hind legs. In general, becomes more affectionate and seeks companionship. Urination becomes more frequent, appetite is usually reduced. How long does a cat's heat last? The estrus period lasts from 3 to 10 days. Of course, just likethe frequency of cycles, its duration is individual and depends on many factors: breed, season, age, conditions of the animal, frequency of reproduction. The third to fifth days are considered ideal for coverage, although this is also very individual for each “lady”.
first heat in cats

Metaestrus - the duration of this stage is an average of 8 days. The cat drives away the cat. If conception occurs, the sexual instinct goes out, after 58-74 days kittens will be born. Sometimes estrus in a cat resumes during pregnancy or while feeding babies some time after childbirth. In the absence of fertilization, the animal enters a new cycle of reproduction, there will be proestrus again, and so on.
Anestrus - this period is characterized by absolute sexual rest and occurs most often in winter, when daylight hours are short.

The frequency of estrus in cats can be from once every three weeks to two episodes per year.

It is known that a cat's estrus is sometimes muffled, "hidden", in such cases the owner may not know that she has passed. If the "lady" is kept in the same house as the "cavalier", this usually does not happen. If there is a cat in the apartment, the signs of estrus appear brighter. In order to distinguish between a "hidden" estrus and its complete absence, you need to visit a veterinarian.