|
Overview:
Also known as 'heat,
oestrous cycle or calling' estrus is
when the female cat (female cats are also known as queens) is fertile & receptive to mating. Estrus is also seasonal &
depends on a number of factors including the number of daylight hours, age &
general health.
There are actually four phases
to the cat's 'estrus' cycle;
-
Proestrus
-
Estrus
-
Metestrus
-
Diestrus
This article will look at the
second phase 'estrus'.
At what age
does estrus begin?
Estrus begins at puberty, when
this starts varies from cat to cat & breed. Some breeds such as the Siamese can
call as early as four or five months. Other breeds may not reach sexual maturity
until 10 months or older.
Mating
Season:
Cats tend to be seasonal
maters, although they may go into heat & produce a litter at any time of the
year. Typically, 'kitten season' begins in spring time, when the days start to
become longer.
How do I
know my cat is in heat?
Cats are polyestrus, that means
they will have more than one heat cycle in a year. Signs of estrus include;
-
Your cat may become extra
affectionate towards people & other cats, rubbing against their legs, or
weaving in & out between their legs or rolling on the floor.
-
If she is stroked, she may
lay her front half low, and raise her hindquarters, treading up & down, & move
her tail from side to side.
-
Persistent vocalisation. This
is often louder than usual & can be described as a yowl.
-
Licking of the genital
region.
-
Loss of appetite.
-
She may spray on vertical
surfaces.
Some cats are what is known as
'silent callers' & may display none of the above signs.
If your cat is in heat, keep
her indoors. If she is an indoor cat already, be extra careful to keep windows &
doors closed because she will be keen to get to a male cat & mate.
How long
does estrus last?
Estrus typically lasts for 7 to
10 days. If your cat doesn't become pregnant then it will repeat every 14 - 21
days until she does become pregnant.
There are three possible
outcomes;
-
The cat mates & becomes
pregnant.
-
The cat mates, doesn't become
pregnant, has a pseudo pregnancy (also known as a 'false pregnancy') & comes back into heat 30 or so days later.
-
The cat doesn't mate & comes
into heat 14 - 21 days later.
How can I
prevent my cat coming into heat?
The only guaranteed way to
prevent a queen from coming into heat is to have her desexed (spayed). Not only
will this prevent 'calling' & ensure no unwanted kittens are brought into the
world but there are also health benefits to desexing a female cat. Entire cats
are at risk of developing cancer of the uterus or ovaries,
pyometra & breast
cancer.
What should
I do if my cat comes into heat?
Keep her indoors & away from
any 'entire' male cats & book an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as
possible.
If she does get out & mate, it
is not too late. She can still be desexed. Speak to your veterinarian about
this. He may also wish to test for FIV & FeLV if she has mated with an
unknown/untested tom.
Should I let
my cat mate when she is in season?
Unless you are a registered
breeder, and this is a planned mating then no, you should not permit your cat to
mate.
There is a huge cat
overpopulation problem & breeding your cat just contributes to this. For every
kitten you have, which you may pass on to friends or neighbours, that is one
kitten in a shelter who could have been rehomed.
Also, unless you have tested
the tom (male cat), there is no way you will know if he has either
FIV or
FeLV, both of
which are viruses which are fatal in cats.
Desexing (also known as
spaying) can be performed while your cat is in heat, but veterinarians typically
prefer to spay a cat who isn't in estrus.
Related
articles:
Pregnancy in Cats,
Birth in Cats,
Raising
Orphaned Kittens,
Raising Premature Kittens,
Postnatal Care
for Cats
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should
not be used for
the diagnosis or treatment of any
medical condition.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
|
