Puberty in cats: when and how long does heat last?

If you have a cat, or maybe even more than one, then you know firsthand about their special emotional state. Yes, this is estrus, or heat, in cats, and we'll talk about it now.

Unlike, say, a dog or human, a cat's heat cycle isn't accompanied by bloody discharge. However, it's easy to tell when the heat has arrived. Regardless of the animal's temperament, its behavior changes dramatically.

Even the most aggressive cats become affectionate, purring, rubbing against your legs, wriggling on the floor, and clinging to their owner. However, they can sometimes display aggression. If you stroke a cat in an "interested state" on its back, just above its tail, it will immediately move toward the floor, arch its back, lifting its pelvis, and move its tail to the side.

Secondary signs

• Heat in cats is accompanied by loss of appetite, frequent urination, and genital swelling. Discharge from the genitals is clear, but usually unnoticeable, as even in this state, the cat is known for her cleanliness.
• In some cats that are obese or weakened by illness, estrus may not be present.
• It's believed that sexual activity is seasonal and lasts from February to October. However, this most often occurs in pet cats with free access to the outdoors. Indoor cats typically have irregular cycles, and estrus can occur year-round.

Puberty occurs between the ages of 5 months and a year, but it is difficult to say in advance when exactly the first heat will begin and how it will proceed.

Duration of estrus and its course

The duration of estrus (heat) in cats is highly individual, but on average it lasts 5-7 days.

This process is natural, physiological and does not require human intervention; the only thing you can do is observe the nature and duration of the sexual desire.

Irregularities in the cycle may indicate serious illnesses and require urgent examination and consultation with a veterinarian.

Long periods of estrus are common in cats living in apartments, as well as in animals with thyroid problems or underdeveloped ovaries. Prolonged estrus (heat) may indicate ovarian pathologies (inflammation, cysts, tumors).

Negative external manifestations of estrus

Few, if any, cat owners aren't pleased with changes in their pet's behavior. Loud screams in the middle of the night, hysterics, attempts to escape through a window covered with a mosquito net. All of this can irritate even the most calm person. But what should pet owners absolutely not do during this time?

• Don't hit or scold the poor animal. The cat might be perfectly happy to curl up and get a good night's sleep, but nature takes its course.
• Some, on the advice of friends and neighbors, bathe their cats or, worse, douse them with cold water. It's worth noting that the half hour of quiet time spent licking them won't save you, and it's unnecessary stress for the animal.
• Locking a cat in a closet, toilet, or refrigerator to muffle its shrill screams is also not recommended. Being confined to a confined space can lead to mental health problems.
• Whether or not to let your cat outside is up to you, but after her walks, be prepared for the arrival of kittens.

Interrupting estrus: the pros and cons

Among cat owners, it is very common to interrupt estrus with hormonal agents.

The advantages of this method

The positive side of this treatment is that it minimizes the amount of nighttime screaming. Breeders sometimes use this method when they need to skip or postpone mating.

Danger

Hormonal medications should be used no more than twice a year.

Failure to follow this rule can lead to hormonal imbalances, which are difficult to treat and can lead to reproductive disorders and the development of cancer, most commonly of the mammary glands. Frequent, prolonged use of abortive medications leads to castration in 70% of cases, but only at a later age, which is dangerous and always for medical reasons.

To alleviate the animal's condition and make the heat cycle easier, pheromones or herbal remedies can be used. However, it's worth noting that not everyone responds to their effects. As with valerian, some are crazy about it, while others simply can't stand it.

Is surgery the solution?

When it comes to surgery, there are two methods that everyone has probably heard of: castration and sterilization. What's the difference?

• SterilizationThis is a surgery that involves tying the fallopian tubes and sometimes removing the uterus. As a result, the animal is unable to reproduce, but retains full sexual drive. This surgery is not effective for behavioral modification, making it unpopular.
• Castration – those who think this procedure only applies to male cats are mistaken. In fact, it involves the removal of the gonads in both males and females. During this abdominal surgery, the uterus is often removed.

Benefits of castration

The surgery can resolve most behavioral issues. Your cat becomes calmer and more affectionate, with her playful nature and hunting instinct largely preserved. After neutering, you don't have to worry about unwanted pregnancies, especially if your cat has medical conditions that could cause harm to her health, or if you share a cat with a male cat.

Neutered cats live 1-2 years longer. This is because they are no longer at risk for serious reproductive system diseases, such as uterine pathologies, tumors, and ovarian cysts.

Disadvantage of the operation

The surgery is performed only under general anesthesia, as it places significant stress on the body. However, if the animal is young and healthy, the doctor will usually give permission after preliminary tests. Modern anesthetics are extremely gentle and are quickly eliminated from the body.

It's a common misconception that after surgery, cats become lethargic, uninterested, and always gain enormous weight. There's some truth to this. A loss of sex drive does indeed make cats much calmer. Now, cats expend less energy and spend more time eating and digesting food on the couch. But if you resist those hungry eyes and maintain a proper diet, your cat will maintain an excellent physique.

It's safe to say that castration is better than hormonal medication. This procedure rarely causes complications, and the animal's recovery period is usually no more than two weeks. As for the cost, one surgery will definitely be much cheaper than a lifetime of harmful medication.

A video review of the characteristics of estrus and puberty in cats

• Implementation of special chips for cats
• Castration and sterilization: all the pros and cons
• Discussion of issues of sexual activity in cats
• Features of operations on cats and male cats

Read also:

• Do they perform abortions on cats and dogs?
• Can a cat be spayed during heat?
• How long after giving birth can a cat become pregnant?