How do Cats Act When they are in Heat?
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A cat in heat is actually quite noticeable. Some breeds might be more discrete and will not proclaim their status from the rooftops, but the most common breeds in your homes will communicate to us perfectly when they are in heat.
If you don't have a cat and you want to know the peculiar symptoms of a cat in heat, keep reading this AnimalWised article and we will answer: how do cats act when they are in heat?
As well as the usual symptoms of cats in heat, we will explain some interesting facts and details about sterilizing. Let's begin!
Contents
Characteristic meows
Cats in heat emit lots of characteristic meows which are much longer and higher meows than everyday ones. They also increase a lot in volume.
In addition to the constant meowing, cats turn around on the floor, writhing. They raise their genitals pointing to your surprised faces. They also rub against your legs more often than usual.
Cats in heat have inflamed sexual organs and lick them more frequently, but it is not certain that they will bleed. Some cats will eventually mark their territory with very strong urine when they are in heat.
Seducing the male world
Another feature of cats in heat is that they are seductive towards all males in the home. The age of the man supposedly being seduced doesn't matter. Other male pets are also seductively 'sought after' by feline females.
If you don't shut your bedroom door, your cat will probably sneak into your room (usually at dawn) to meow and let you know of their needs.
Estrous phases
A cat's estrous cycle consists of 5 phases:
- Proestrus: This phase lasts a couple of days, though the cat is not properly in heat. A common symptom is that they are more affectionate than usual.
- Estrus: This phase is when the cat clearly shows symptoms of heat with resounding meows and diverse body spins. This period is when the cat is more receptive to males. It is a period that lasts between 3-15 days, but normally lasts for a week.
- Interestrus: This period is when the cat goes from one heat to another. This is a very changeable and personal period of each cat. Some cats go from one heat period to another, almost without interruption. But other cats have spaced out periods of heat. Usually the older the cat, the more period of time between heat phases.
- Diestrus: This is when the cat has ovulated without being pregnant. In such cases, the cat usually shows symptoms similar to being pregnant, accusing a false pregnancy which soon leads to another proestrus phase.
- Anestrus: This is a long period without heat. It usually occurs during the winter.
Light and heat
It is proven that mating seasons in cats are more frequent from the beginning of the spring, to the end of the summer. This phenomenon is related to the greatest amount of sunlight hours. It is also proven that female cats with short hair have more frequent periods of heat than long-haired cats.
Apparently, a cat's instinct says if there is a longer period of sunlight, the easier it will be raise their litter because they will hunt more food.
Cat sterilization
Female cats can be sterilized in order to get rid of their heat problems. Sometimes, however, the cat can simulate a very gentle heat. There is a false theory that states that for cats to be healthier, they must have a litter of kittens on least one occasion. That is not true.
You should know that the sterilzsation of cats reduces the chances of having tumors as they grow older. It also promotes a more stable character. Find out the benefits of sterilizing (neutering) a cat on AnimalWised.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How do Cats Act When they are in Heat?, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.
