When a cat reaches sexual maturity, which usually happens at the young age of 5-6 months, sometimes even earlier, it will continue to behave like a kitten most of the time, but especially at nightfall it will ask us to open the door so it can go find a mate. This behavior is part of its natural development. reproductive cycle and is regulated by hormones, so it is completely normal, although it can be very intense and stressful for both the animal and its human family.
Once you leave the house, you can go a long way to find a mate. If we want to avoid it, it is very important that we know how to control a cat's heat And, above all, what options do we have to take care of their physical and emotional health without encouraging unwanted litters or putting their safety at risk?
What is heat in cats?
Zeal is the period of maximum sexual receptivity in cats. In female cats, it is part of the so-called estrous cycle, while in males there is no cyclical heat as such, but rather a continuous response to the pheromones and signals emitted by females in heat.
In females, the cycle repeats regularly throughout the year, especially with longer daylight hours. They may experience heat episodes every few weeks, with intense meowing, behavioral changes, and a strong urge to find a mate. In males, the signs are triggered when they detect a female cat in heat nearby: they become more restless, may try to escape, and mark their territory. strong-smelling urine.
The cat's reproductive cycle is divided into several phases: proestrus (beginning of behavioral changes), oestrus or heat (maximum sexual receptivity), metestrus or dexter (progressive cessation of signs) and anoestrus (period of sexual inactivity). During the heat phase, the female meows insistently, adopts mating postures, rubs against everything, and may mark with urine.
What are the symptoms of heat in males and females?
Recognizing the signs is fundamental to being able to act on time and make responsible decisions.
In male cats The most frequent symptoms are:
- Persistent and loud meows, Especially at night.
- Constant attempts to escape to look for cats in heat.
- Urine marking outside the sandbox, with a very strong smell.
- Aggression towards other cats males, especially if they are competing for a female.
- Tremors and great excitability when they perceive pheromones from females.
On all fours The signs of heat are usually very noticeable:
- Very intense and pitiful meowswhich may resemble the cry of a baby.
- Constant rubbing against furniture, floors and people.
- Mating posture: arches its back, raises its tail and moves its rear end.
- Behavior more affectionate or restless usual.
- Attempts at escape from homeespecially if there are males nearby.
- Possible urine marking in different parts of the house.
The cycle can repeat every 2-3 weeks in an unspayed cat, with heats lasting several days. For many caregivers, this presents a significant challenge, both in terms of night rest as a form of coexistence.
Neutering your cat so that it does not have heat
Is the best option. Having your sex glands removed (uterus and ovaries in cats, and testicles in cats) jealousy and associated behaviors are completely eliminatedThis means that, after the operation, your cat won't want to go outside (or at least not to look for a mate), and if you let it wander off, it won't stray far from home. Furthermore, both males and females will be able to rest whenever they want, as they won't spend their time meowing desperately or fighting with other cats.
Castration or sterilization also has health benefitsNeutering reduces the risk of mammary tumors in female cats, prevents uterine infections (pyometra), eliminates unwanted pregnancies, and decreases marking and aggression in males. In terms of well-being, neutered cats tend to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
It is advisable to consult with the veterinarian about which one is best. best time to sterilizeBut in general, it can be done after sexual maturity, without the cat needing to have had a litter beforehand. The idea that "cats need to have a litter before being spayed" is a myth without scientific basis.
Don't let it go out on the street
A cat that is in heat is a cat that should not go outside. The risk of having an accident, getting lost and not knowing how to return, and even of having his own life threatened is very highmuch more so than in the case of a neutered cat. Furthermore, it may fight with other cats, contract serious transmissible diseases (such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus), or contribute to the spread of the virus. feline overpopulation with uncontrolled litters.
Therefore, if you notice your cat has suddenly become much more affectionate than usual and has started rubbing against everything when she didn't do that before, or if your cat is doing everything possible to go outside, it's a good time to consider neutering. In the meantime, it's essential Keep doors and windows tightly closedUse sturdy mosquito nets and check for possible escape routes, as during mating season they are able to take advantage of any crack to try to escape.
Strategies to calm a cat in heat
Although sterilization is the definitive solution, many pet owners need to know how to manage heat cycles until they can take their pet to the vet. Some helpful resources include:
- Constant supervision For exits: check balconies, terraces and windows.
- More attention and affection: caresses, gentle physical contact and human presence help reduce their anxiety.
- Games and distractions: daily play sessions with feathers, balls or wands to channel accumulated energy.
- Quiet atmosphereReducing loud noises and avoiding sudden changes in routine decreases stress.
- Comfortable rest: offer a warm and safe bed, even with warm (never too hot) blankets that can help you relax.
These measures don't eliminate the heat cycle, but they can make it more manageable until the episode ends or sterilization is scheduled. It's important to understand that the animal isn't doing it "to annoy you," but rather responding to a natural instinct. very intense biological drive.
Contraceptive drugs for cats
If you have a cat, you've probably heard of birth control pills or injections. These are made based on progestin, which is a synthetic drug that prevents the appearance of heat, and therefore also ovulation. They must be prescribed by a veterinarian, who will tell you the days and how long the treatment should last. It is extremely important that you follow their instructions to the letter., since these drugs have side effects that can be very serious for the cat, as they are, among others:
- Increase the risk of breast and uterine cancer.
- Loss of hair or changes in the mantle.
- Increased appetite and possible weight gain.
- Higher risk of suffering uterine infections or pyometra.
- Possible diabetes due to hormonal imbalances.
Because of that, they are not a definitive solutionThey are usually reserved for very specific cases and under strict veterinary supervision. Whenever possible, priority is given to surgical sterilization as a safer and more stable long-term option.
If we don't want our cat to breed, letting them go into heat is unnecessary. As we've seen, it can have very serious consequences if we let them roam the streets and don't control their reproductive behavior. Let's avoid these problems with information, responsibility, and the help of our trusted veterinarian, who can advise us on the best time to spay or neuter and how to support our feline during this process.