What Happens When Your Cat Is in Heat? When Does It Start? Important Things to Know and How to Cope

One of the things that can be a concern when living with a cat is their "heat period".

Many owners feel anxious because they don't know when the heat period begins or what kind of behavior to expect.

In this article, let's look at what to watch out for during a cat's heat period and how to deal with problem behaviors. We will also provide an easy-to-understand guide to the basics of spaying and neutering.

When Does a Cat's Heat Period Begin?

A cat's heat period is the time when they seek out a mate for breeding. It is behavior driven by the instinct to reproduce.

Cats are seasonally polyestrous animals, meaning they have specific seasons for breeding throughout the year. Unlike dogs, they do not have a menstrual cycle (heat). They don't ovulate on a fixed cycle, but rather have a mechanism where ovulation is triggered by the act of mating.

When the breeding season arrives, female cats go into heat. Male cats are then stimulated to enter their own heat state by the female's distinct howling and pheromones.

So, when does the heat period start? Let’s learn about the age at which a cat first enters heat and the seasons when it occurs.

At what age do they have their first heat?

Female cats generally have their first heat around 6–8 months of age, while male cats experience it around 7–12 months of age. Even if you still think of them as kittens, their bodies have fully matured.

However, depending on the season they were born and their environment, the heat period can start earlier. Conversely, some cats may be later; there is a great deal of individual variation.

When is a cat's heat season?

Cats generally have two heat seasons a year: Spring (February–April) and Summer (June–August).

Since a cat's gestation period is about two months, the warm season, which is easier for raising kittens, becomes the birth season. In warmer regions, they may even have three heat cycles a year.

How long does a cat's heat last?

A female cat's full-blown heat lasts about 1–2 weeks. If they do not mate during their heat, or if they do mate but don't become pregnant, they will enter heat again in 1–3 weeks.

What behavior do they show during heat?

Once the heat period begins, characteristic behaviors emerge.

Behaviors differ between female and male cats. It is important to know what these behaviors are.

Characteristics of a female cat's heat

Female cats repeat the cycle of "proestrus" → "estrus" → "diestrus" → "anestrus."

・Proestrus

During proestrus, the cat becomes increasingly active. They may urinate more frequently or become excessively affectionate toward their owner. This period lasts about a week.

・Estrus

This is when the heat is in full swing and the cat is ready to accept mating. As a sign of this, they begin calling for males.

• Crying loudly ("meow," "yowl")
• Urine spraying to attract male cats
• Lifting their rear high in a posture called lordosis
• Rolling on the floor and wiggling their hips
• Attempting to escape outside

These heat-specific behaviors can last from 4 days to 2 weeks.

・Diestrus

Problem behaviors gradually subside.

・Anestrus

Problem behaviors disappear, and the cat stops showing interest in males.

If mating does not occur between proestrus and diestrus, or if pregnancy does not result from mating, the heat cycle begins again in 1–3 weeks.

Characteristics of a male cat's heat

Male cats do not have a fixed heat cycle. They become aroused in response to the calls and pheromones of female cats.

• Restlessness
• Howling to announce their presence
• Marking territory with urine spray
• Becoming aggressive
• Attempting to escape outside

These and other problem behaviors may occur.

How to deal with problem behaviors during heat?

Crying all night, becoming aggressive, trying to run away... even though these are instinctive behaviors, they are problematic for owners who want them to stop.

However, scolding them or startling them with loud noises is ineffective. It only causes them more stress, so please avoid doing this.

Also,we do not recommend trying to end the heat early by stimulating the female cat's genital area with a cotton swab. It is unhygienic and dangerous.

You have no choice but to wait for the heat period to naturally subside. However, there are ways to reduce the stress on both the cat and the owner.

Play with them a lot

Cats feel restless and irritable during heat. To help release their stress, try playing with them plenty during the day.

Increasing scratching posts or adding new toys are important ways to be attentive to your cat's needs.

However, toys containing matatabi (silver vine) are a no-go. They can cause over-excitement and aggression, so avoid them during the heat period.

Keep them from seeing outside

Even indoor cats experience heat. They react to the calls and pheromones of cats outside, so keep the windows closed.

Using heavy curtains or cardboard to block the view from the window is even more effective.

Take measures against urine spraying

Urine spraying can be a nuisance, so placing pet sheets in areas where they might mark can make cleanup easier.

This prevents the strong odor from setting in and can also prevent stimulating other cats in the house.

Be thorough with escape prevention

Cats may impulsively bolt outside during heat. In addition to locking doors and windows, take extra precautions to prevent escapes.

Just in case, make sure they wear a cat collar and ID tag. A microchip also provides peace of mind.

Is it better to spay or neuter?

For a cat, being in heat is stressful. It is difficult for them to live in a state of emotional instability...

Also, cats are very fertile. Because they mature at six months old and can become pregnant twice a year, there is a risk of "animal hoarding" where the number of kittens grows beyond what the owner can care for.

If you are not planning to breed, there are major benefits to spaying or neutering your cat.

Benefits of spaying/neutering

Spaying or neutering can reduce problem behaviors during heat. Furthermore, it has the benefit of preventing the following hormone-related diseases:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Pyometra (uterine infection)
• Prostate enlargement

Disadvantages of spaying/neutering

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which puts a strain on the cat's body. Therefore, depending on the cat's health and age, surgery may not be an option.

Also, although the surgery itself takes only a few dozen minutes, it is still a physical burden on the cat.

Additionally, there is a risk that changes in hormone balance may increase their appetite, making them more prone to obesity.

Cost of spaying/neutering

Pet insurance does not cover spaying or neutering.

Costs vary by veterinary clinic, but generally, it ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 yen for male cats and 30,000 to 40,000 yen for females.

Additionally, an Elizabethan collar or post-surgery clothing may be required.

Summary

No matter how calm a cat is, they will meow with different sounds and become aggressive during heat.

Unless a cat is spayed or neutered, the heat cycle will continue for their entire life. If you have no plans to breed, we recommend having the surgery done before they reach their first heat.

Please consult with your regular veterinarian.

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