Cat Heat Behavior

The Cat Overpopulation Problem

It is important for everyone to understand the principles of cat heat behavior. This may seem like an extreme statement, but in 1998 alone the population of stray and feral cats had exceeded 60 million, and that number is still rising nearly ten years later.

A certain portion of the public believes that the practice of spaying and neutering is inhumane and detrimental to the normal biological functions of cats. However, because feral cats have the ability to breed extremely fast, the population has been rising at an alarming rate judging by the number of cats sitting in shelters.

Contrary to popular belief, most domesticated animals do not possess the ability to survive when turned outside. The number of injured cats and abandoned kitten litters only serves to prove this point. Cats should not be unleashed in the cities where their numbers increase, but their overall quality of life diminishes greatly.

Learning to recognize cat heat behavior will help you or anyone you know with an unspayed female avoid an unwanted litter.

Symptoms of Cat Heat Behavior

The medical term for feline heat is estrus, and you should be aware that a female cat can come into heat as early as four months old, although this is not typical. Therefore, if your unspayed female cat will be exposed to unaltered male cats, it is important that you spay her sooner rather than later. Most vets recommend altering a female between four and six months of age.

Right before a cat goes into estrus, she may become unusually affectionate. This increase in affection may manifest itself through her rubbing up against her favorite human or along furniture. You may particularly notice her rubbing her hind quarters along the furniture and/or your leg. Your cat will also likely begin to express herself vocally and loudly. This calling occurs as she attempts to attract any eligible breeding male cat. Unless your female successfully mates during this time, she will continue calling until her heat subsides.

Once in estrus, your cat will frequently assume the mating position. This consists of her placing her head down with her forelegs bent, and raising her hind quarters and tail. This elevation of her rear allows the vulva to become accessible for any willing male. The veterinary term for this mating position is called lordosis.

Unfortunately for owners of unaltered pets, during estrus the female cat may also raise her tail and spray objects to advertise her availability. This spraying is most commonly attributed to male cats, but it can also occur with breeding queens.

Your sexually frustrated cat needs to mate successfully during this time or she will cycle back into heat every two to three weeks. The only solution to this heat cycle is to either have the cat spayed or allow a pregnancy to take place. Spaying is usually the sounder choice.

To Spay or Not To Spay...

As mentioned previously, some people abide by the belief that spaying cats is a questionable practice that harbors moral implications. Whether you share this conviciton or not, pet owners who have witnessed typical cat heat behavior must notice how uncomfortable and restless the condition makes their female cat, especially since estrus can take place as often as every two to three weeks.

Unless your cat will be used as part of a valid breeding program and you can guarantee a home for every kitten, it is best to have her altered around six months old. If spaying is not an immediate option, for whatever reason, a veterinarian may provide certain female hormones that can temporarily cease the estrus cycle, although the consequences and side effects of these hormones should also be taken into consideration.