How To Tell If Your Cat Is In Heat: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Heat PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 Recognizing Behavioral Signs 2 Understanding Your Cat's Reproductive Cycle Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jean Johnson

Last Updated: February 5, 2024 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Jean Johnson. Jean Johnson is a Cat Specialist based in Irvine, California. She is the Founder of KittyNook, an online marketplace for cat owners. The company specializes in sourcing high-quality, affordable, products necessary for creating a comfortable home for cats. They sell products such as toys, garments, dishes, scratching posts, beds, and more. They focus on providing innovative products that are not commonly available in brick and mortar stores, while keeping prices low and maintaining efficient, customer-centric support. In addition to running and curating the Kitty Nook e-commerce platform, Jean created the KittyNook Blog. As the primary writer, Jean posts articles sharing insights on cat behavior, health, hygiene, and play. She also provides in-depth information about cats and cat breeds, sharing her writing work on Medium as well. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 33 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,478,932 times.

An unspayed female cat will become sexually mature between the ages 5 ½ and 12 months, depending on how well-fed she is and the day-length.[1] Unlike a feral cat that must compete for food and experiences the short days of winter, a house cat has the luxury of plenty of food and artificial light. This means that while feral cats have a breeding season, with kittens born in the spring and early autumn, your house cat can go into heat at any time, and will probably do so every three to four weeks. The behaviors of a cat in heat can be alarming if you can't recognize the cause, but these instructions will allow you to determine whether your cat is in heat.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Recognizing Behavioral Signs

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  1. Step 1 Listen for calling. 1 Listen for calling. Another term for being in heat is "calling." This is because the female becomes very vocal and will frequently walk around the house wailing or otherwise vocalizing.[2] This can sound like a plaintive, distressed cry, and can be loud and persistent enough to keep you awake at night.[3]
    • If your cat is naturally chatty all the time, vocalization is not necessarily a sign she is in heat.
    • When a cat is "calling," her cries typically becomes much louder and more persistent, and occur alongside other behaviors noted below.
  2. Step 2 Watch for restless behavior. 2 Watch for restless behavior. Restless behavior and an inability to settle are characteristic of a female cat in heat.[4] [5]
    • This restlessness usually occurs at the same time as calling.
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  3. Step 3 Expect increased affection. 3 Expect increased affection. A female cat in heat is often much more affectionate than she would typically be.[6] If you cat is naturally stand-offish, this will usually change when she is in heat.[7]
    • While in heat, your cat may rub around your ankles in such a persistent way that she becomes a trip hazard when you're trying to walk.
    • This behavior will also manifest in the rubbing of her cheeks and chin (where her scent glands are located) against furniture, and especially entrance and exit points such as door frames.
    • When in heat, a cat's scent changes subtly, and she enjoys spreading this around to advertise to that she'd like a mate to come visiting.[8]
  4. Step 4 Pay attention to your cat's tail. 4 Pay attention to your cat's tail. A typical sign of a cat ready to mate is the tail deflection reflex. This simply means that when you rub her lower back, especially over her pelvis and tail base, the female sticks her bottom in the air and moves her tail to one side.[9]
    • This reflex is her way of making it easier for a male cat to gain access to her vulva to mate.
  5. Step 5 Look for "commando crawling." 5 Look for "commando crawling." This is a behavior in which the cat flattens her front quarters to the ground while sticking her bottom in the air, and then crawling along the floor in this posture.[10] [11]
  6. Step 6 Watch for rolling. 6 Watch for rolling. Some female cats in heat will roll around on the ground and wail at the same time.[12]
    • Understandably, if you don't know this behavior is entirely normal, it can appear alarming, and is a common cause of a panicked phone call to the on-call vet. However, this is not a sign that your cat is in pain.
  7. Step 7 Watch for excessive licking. 7 Watch for excessive licking. When a cat is in heat, it is typical for her vulva to become swollen. This mild swelling is uncomfortable, and will likely lead your cat to spend a lot of time washing the area.[13] [14]
    • This swelling is too slight for the casual observer to notice, so don't expect to see a physical difference.[15]
  8. Step 8 Expect the cat to disappear. 8 Expect the cat to disappear. Even home-loving cats get adventurous when in heat. If a male cat doesn't come calling, then she is likely to go wandering for a day or so to seek one out for herself.[16]
    • If your cat is not spayed and you don't want her to get pregnant, keep her indoors during her heat and lock the cat flap so that intruders can't get in.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Understanding Your Cat's Reproductive Cycle

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  1. Step 1 Understand the estrus cycle. 1 Understand the estrus cycle. Female cats are polyestrous, which means they go into heat many times a year. [17]
    • This is in contrast to dogs, which experience a diestrus cycle, coming into heat only twice a year. [18]
    • While in heat, your cat's womb will become swollen as its blood-supply increases in anticipation of a pregnancy. You will not be able to observe this, however, as there are no external signs of this process.[19]
    Even young cats can go into heat. "I was worried my kitten had something wrong with her because she seemed to be in heat at 5 months old. I learned that this isn't all that unusual, and I was able to get her fixed right away." - Darla N. Listen to your cat. "My female stray started howling all the time and I didn't know why. This helped me figure out she's in heat. I scheduled her for an appointment next week to be spayed!" - Christina M. Did you know that wikiHow has collected over 365,000 reader stories since it started in 2005? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story here.
  2. Step 2 Understand the role of seasons. 2 Understand the role of seasons. The breeding season of feral cats is between spring and late summer. This means kittens are born away from the harshest of the winter weather, when their chances of survival would be reduced.[20]
    • Artificial light can fool a pet cat into thinking it is not winter. As such, if your cat spends much time indoors, the changing of seasons will have little or no effect on her reproductive cycle.[21]
    • Expect a cat that lives indoors to come into heat all year around.
  3. Step 3 Know the time frame. 3 Know the time frame. The reproductive cycle of a female cat is, on average, 21 days. Of these three weeks, expect her to spend as many as seven days in heat.[22]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Is it painful to the cat when she goes into heat? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer No. Cats sometimes roll around and yowl when they are in heat, but this behavior is meant to attract a mate. It is not a sign of pain. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 43 Helpful 230
  • Question Do they pee once they are in heat? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer This is a tricky question because a female cat in heat does produce hormones which she passes in her urine, so she does value her pee as a way of advertising she wants a boyfriend. This can show itself as urine marking in the house. However, the signs are pretty similar for a urinary tract infection, which needs attention from your vet. If your cat has developed strange toileting habits then it's safest to get her checked over. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 37 Helpful 132
  • Question Can I spay my cat while she is in heat? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer Yes, although it can be more dangerous. Some vets do charge more for the surgery if the cat is in heat. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 58 Helpful 192
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Tips

  • Keep your cat indoors and away from any potential mates when she is in heat, unless you want kittens. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
  • Cats normally remain in heat for four to seven days. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 5
  • Due to the immense issue of overpopulation resulting in countless homeless and euthanized cats each year, you should spay your cat unless you are a professional purebred cat breeder. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 7
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Watch for behaviors like excessive vocalization, restlessness, and affection, as these are signs your cat is in heat. Her personality may seem different.
  • Schedule your cat's spay surgery promptly if you don't plan to breed her. Heat cycles are stressful, and continuous breeding is unhealthy.
  • Talk to your vet about birth control options if you need to delay spaying for any reason. There are some short-term options.
  • Female cats in heat often roll around and stick their bottoms in the air. Don't worry, this is normal mating behavior.
  • Separate male and female cats, especially kittens, if you don't want litters of kittens. One cycle is all it takes.
  • Keep an unspayed cat indoors while in heat so she can't wander outside and get pregnant. Lock the cat flap, too.
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Warnings

  • It is not normal for a female cat to have a vaginal discharge during estrus, so if you notice either blood or a yellow-green discharge while your cat is in heat, contact your veterinarian immediately.[23] Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 7
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References

  1. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  2. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  3. ↑ Jean Johnson. Cat Expert.
  4. ↑ Jean Johnson. Cat Expert.
  5. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  6. ↑ Jean Johnson. Cat Expert.
  7. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  8. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  9. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
More References (14)
  1. ↑ Jean Johnson. Cat Expert.
  2. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  3. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  4. ↑ Jean Johnson. Cat Expert.
  5. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  6. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  7. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  8. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  9. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  10. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  11. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  12. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  13. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.
  14. ↑ Reproduction in the Dog & Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindall.

About This Article

Jean Johnson Co-authored by: Jean Johnson Cat Specialist This article was co-authored by Jean Johnson. Jean Johnson is a Cat Specialist based in Irvine, California. She is the Founder of KittyNook, an online marketplace for cat owners. The company specializes in sourcing high-quality, affordable, products necessary for creating a comfortable home for cats. They sell products such as toys, garments, dishes, scratching posts, beds, and more. They focus on providing innovative products that are not commonly available in brick and mortar stores, while keeping prices low and maintaining efficient, customer-centric support. In addition to running and curating the Kitty Nook e-commerce platform, Jean created the KittyNook Blog. As the primary writer, Jean posts articles sharing insights on cat behavior, health, hygiene, and play. She also provides in-depth information about cats and cat breeds, sharing her writing work on Medium as well. This article has been viewed 1,478,932 times. 15 votes - 75% Co-authors: 34 Updated: February 5, 2024 Views: 1,478,932 Categories: Featured Articles | Feline Reproductive System Health Article SummaryX

To tell if your cat is in heat, pay attention to her behavior. Cats that are in heat generally “call” or vocalize loudly and persistently. Your cat might also become more affectionate than usual by rubbing against your ankles constantly. Look to see if she is rolling around or going into a crouched position with her front half on the ground and her rear in the air, which can also indicate she is in heat. If your cat is at least 6 months old and unspayed, expect her to be in heat for about 1 week every 21 days. To learn more about cat’s reproductive cycles, keep reading. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. icon $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything. Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jean Johnson Co-authored by: Jean Johnson Cat Specialist 15 votes - 75% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 34 Updated: February 5, 2024 Views: 1,478,932 Patricia Brennan

Patricia Brennan

Feb 6, 2017

"We just decided to foster 3 cats; 2 female and 1 male. The male has been fixed. One of the females, Waffle, is..." more L. C.

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"I got three kittens, and one happened to be a female. I wanted to know what to expect when my female went in heat...." more Dana Harvey

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"The factual and clear presentation of information about a cat going into heat, what you can and& cannot tell..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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