Your cat will display behavioural rather than physical signs when they’re in heat. Here’s what to look out for:
• Excessive vocalisation – many cats will ‘howl’ in order to call out to possible mating partners.
• They’ll be extra affectionate and will want more attention from you. They’ll probably rub themselves on you as well as on items around your house.
• Some cats may urinate more or might even mark objects. This is because their urine contains pheromones and hormones which provide signals to male cats that they’re ready to mate.
• If there are tomcats in the area, expect them to appear in your garden or outside your house; it’s likely they’ll mark there too.
• It’s unlikely, but you may spot a tiny amount of blood. If you notice a lot of blood, this is cause for concern and you should contact your vet immediately.
When can pregnancy occur during the heat cycle in cats?
Cats are induced ovulators, which means they need to mate to be able to release eggs from their ovaries. It can take three to four mating sessions within a 24-hour window for them to ovulate. During this period, they may mate with multiple tomcats and it’s possible for a single litter of kittens to have multiple fathers.
Should I let my cat go through a heat cycle before spaying?
No, this has no proven benefit for your cat. It’s a superstition that female cats that have a litter of kittens prior to spaying are more friendly, and simply isn’t true. Not neutering your cat puts them more at risk of getting cervical, mammary, or ovarian cancers and also contributes to cat overpopulation. Thanks for reading our guide to the heat cycle in cats! If you’re looking for more information about your cat’s behaviour, check out our guide on cat puberty next.