How long does my cat stay in heat

If your female cat has not been spayed, when she reaches puberty she will have her first estrous cycle. What is the estrous cycle? It is also commonly known as a heat cycle when your cat has reached sexual maturity. The average length of time a female cat is in heat is approximately 4 to 7 days. However, it is not uncommon for a cat's heat cycle to last only 1 day, or even up to 3 weeks.

When your cat reaches the age of sexual maturity, they may begin to act differently—indicating they might be going through a heat cycle. Below, we’ll explore what to look for to determine if your cat is in heat and how you can help your cat throughout the process.  

What is a cat heat cycle?

A heat cycle takes place when a female cat is fertile and ready to mate with a male cat. This cycle begins between 5 and 10 months of age in felines. The heat cycle occurs when your feline’s body is hormonally ready to become pregnant. If you wish to prevent your cat from becoming pregnant, it is important to take her to the vet to get spayed when your vet deems it is safe. If not, you run the risk of your cat becoming pregnant.

How often are cats in heat?

Cats have multiple cycles during the breeding season. Your cat will go through the stages of heat—outlined below—and then the cycle will repeat itself every 2 to 3 weeks until the breeding season is over. 

Cats are seasonally polyestrous. This means that depending upon geographic and environmental factors—like temperature and daylight hours—your cat's cycle will last anywhere from spring to fall. However, cats that live in tropical regions or are strictly indoor cats can have cycles all year round. 

Signs your cat is in heat

While you might assume that cats’ cycles are similar to humans and the most obvious sign would be vaginal bleeding, you would be incorrect. In fact, vaginal bleeding from a cat in heat—or in general—should result in a trip to the veterinarian. Instead, you should be looking for the following signs that your cat is in heat:

• Unusually affectionate
• Marking territory by spraying surfaces with urine
• Mating call: loud vocalization
• Mating position: head down, rear quarters and tail raised
• Excessive grooming
• Wanting to escape to the outdoors
• Loss of appetite

5 stages of feline heat cycle

Your female feline will go through 5 phases during her heat cycle.

Stage 1: Proestrus

During this stage, your female cat will begin to attract unneutered males, but she will not be receptive to mating. This typically lasts a day or two. You will not notice any changes in behavior these few days. 

Stage 2: Estrus

In the estrus stage, your cat will begin to exhibit the behavioral changes mentioned above. During this stage, your cat will be receptive to mating with unneutered males.

Stage 3: Diestrus

If your feline mates during estrus, ovulation will be induced as hormone production from the act of mating is stimulated—triggering ovulation. When your cat has ovulated, it is now in diestrus. 

During ovulation, felines generally need to mate 4 to 6 times to become pregnant, and can have several mates. It is even possible for your cat to give birth to a litter of kittens with different fathers. This is known as superfecundation.

Stage 4: Interestrus

If pregnancy does not occur during diestrus, your cat will go into interestrus. This is the stage where her hormone level will drop and she will have no signs of heat. The interestrus stage lasts anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks. Then your cat will go into heat again. These stages continue throughout the breeding season or until your feline becomes pregnant during diestrus. 

Stage 5: Anestrus

The last stage during the heat cycle is anestrus. This stage is the absence of the heat cycle. It typically occurs when there are fewer daylight hours, like in the winter. Your cat will begin hormone production again when it is stimulated by light during longer daylight hours. 

How can I support my cat in heat?

When your cat is in heat, you will likely know it. The yowling and constant need for affection can be overwhelming. But your cat will need your help and support to ease through the stress of the breeding season.

Spaying

If you do not want your cat to become pregnant, you should consult your veterinarian or local Humane Society to inquire about options on spaying your cat. The surgery will prevent unwanted pregnancies and litters of kittens, helping control the overpopulation of cats. 

Can you spay a cat while in heat?

It’s possible to spay a cat during her heat cycle, but most vets would not recommend it. As Dr. Justine Lee explains, when a cat is in heat, there’s more vasculature (e.g., blood vessels and blood flow) to the ovaries and uterus. That results in a more expensive, longer surgery, as the tissue is more delicate. Only in emergency medical situations will vets spay a cat in heat.

Avoid male cats

If you have unneutered male cats in your home, now is the time to keep them separated. Your female cat will grow more excitable around males and mating can lead to pregnancy.

You should also ensure that your cat is safe inside, away from windows and doors so she does not try to escape. She will be searching for mates, and the isolation within your home will help keep her safe.

Comfort and stimulation

Your cat will likely need extra comfort, including extra petting and brushing. The attention can help ease the stress your feline is feeling. It’s also important to remember that some cats may prefer being alone, or even a mix of wanting to have attention and still needing places to escape. A cat tower is a great solution that offers comfort, lounging, exercise, stimulation, and stretching—all in one! It’s an ideal place for your cat to escape to, while also providing the stimulation that she requires. 

Catnip

Catnip can be a great resource to use, but only if it has a calming effect on your cat. Since each cat responds differently to catnip—either energetically or calmly—you should proceed with caution. If it generally calms your cat when not in heat, utilize catnip to help relax and quiet your cat. However, if your cat generally becomes energetic around catnip, it could make her even more stimulated. 

Heat pack or towel

Having a warm pack or towel for your cat to sit on can help keep her calm and still. You can also use a heating pad on low or warm towels to ease any discomfort. 

Can you stop your cat from going into heat mid-cycle?

Short of spaying your cat mid-cycle (which, again, vets do not recommend), you can't artificially stop your cat’s heat cycle. The best you can do is keep her indoors and away from unneutered male cats, so that mating will not occur.

Understanding your cat’s heat cycle

If your cat has not been spayed, you should continue to look out for the signs of the estrous cycle to help her through the process. Be sure to follow her cues to determine whether she needs more attention or more space. And be sure to have options for both calming environments and playful stimulation, like this rechargeable laser pointer.

If you do not want your cat to become pregnant, it is highly recommended that you spay your cat. Spaying cats is the most effective way to prevent cats from going into heat—and prevent pregnancies. Spaying is also healthier for your cat in the long run.

How often do cats go into heat in a year?

Heat cycles repeat every 2 to 3 weeks and typically start in January and last through the fall, or until the cat becomes pregnant or is spayed.

Is estrus painful for cats?

No one can accurately say if estrus is painful for cats. However, their symptoms lead us to believe that they are likely uncomfortable.

What triggers a cat to go into heat?

A cat goes into heat based on sexual maturity and the timing of the seasons. Longer daylight hours that are filled with sunlight trigger your feline’s body to begin the estrus cycle.

Photo by Dorothea OLDANI on Unsplash

June 21, 2021

The term ‘in heat’ means when a cat is ready to mate, which can be a daunting thought for any pet owner. If you’re wondering what to do when your cat is in heat, call Best Friends Vets on 01202 485880 to book an appointment with a nurse. Talk to our team about your cat’s cycle and discuss neutering.

Get advice from our nurses

Our vet Stefan recommends neutering your kitten at four to five months of age to prevent unwanted pregnancies (neutering after this age is recommended too). If your cat is allowed outside at this age without being neutered, there’s a good chance that he/she will mate, and kittens will be on their way. When it comes to cats in heat, here is everything you need to know.

How often cats are in heat and at what age

Female cats reach sexual maturity and can breed from about 4 months old. They will then come into heat (or season) every year around February to October. Female cats have many short periods roughly 2-3 weeks apart. They do not ovulate until they are mated, so this period of heat cycles can be lengthy. Older queens (female cats) can still have cycles, albeit fewer, until they are spayed. Longer days can trigger reproductive activity, leading to many kittens being born in March, April, and May.

A male cat’s critical heat season is usually September to March. However, a tom (male cat) that has reached full maturity (typically 6-12 months) can mate with a female cat whenever she allows it.

How to tell if your cat is in heat – symptoms & behaviour:

• The sound of a cat in heat is different from normal meowing. It’s extreme vocalising or yowling as if in pain. Male & female cats call out to each other, and this can sound very odd.
• Females are flirtatious and extra affectionate – back arching, rubbing & rolling on the floor.
• Male cats in heat are more attention seeking too but can be pushy and demanding.
• Raised hindquarters, moving the tail from side to side.
• Keen to be out of the house in search of a mate – cats in heat can roam further too.
• Male cats in heat will ramp up their urine spraying activity and get into more fights.
• It is uncommon for female cats in heat to bleed.

How to care for a female cat in heat

Your queen will be feeling out of sorts during her season. She can feel especially confused if it is her first one. You can help by trying to keep her happy and distracted. Entertain her with games, treat-filled toys, and activities in the house.

If you are considering having your cat neutered, the team at Best Friends Vets are here to help if you have any queries or concerns. Feel free to contact us.

Benefits of neutering

There are plenty of benefits to having your cat neutered. For female cats, their ovaries and uterus are removed. This will prevent pyometra – a serious uterine infection. Spaying also lowers the risk of mammary tumours and reduces the spread of infectious diseases from mother to kittens. In males, castration prevents testicular cancer and lowers the risk of prostate cancer.

Neutering also provides important population control with fewer unwanted kittens. Plus, it eliminates male cats on the doorstep fighting, spraying urine, and vocalising – which can only be a good thing.

Talk to us about cat neutering.