The Heat Cycle of the Female Cat

All intact female cats experience the feline heat cycle.

Some of the more common questions I am asked in my veterinary practice relate to the heat cycle of the female cat. “What are the symptoms my cat is in heat?” “What behaviors will my cat show when she is in heat?” “How long does the heat last?” “How often will my cat come into heat?” “Will she still come into heat if she is spayed?” These are all common questions.

Symptoms and Behaviors of a Female Cat in Heat

A female cat that is in heat will vocalize or cry, often quite loudly. She will roll on the floor and stand with her hind quarters elevated and her tail in the air. In many cases, a female cat in heat will have a depressed appetite. These are all normal symptoms for a cat in heat.

In my practice, it is not unusual for a cat owner to present their cat for an examination thinking the cat is in pain, only to find that the cat is actually in heat. Though these cats may sound as if they are in pain to us, in reality the heat cycle is a normal physiological event for the cat and does not result in pain. The loud cries are meant to attract a male cat to mate with the female.

When does the Feline Heat Cycle Start and How Long does the Female Cat Stay in Heat?

Female cats can experience their first heat cycle any time between six months to a year of age. The feline heat cycle actually consists of several different phases:

• Proestrus is the time directly preceding the heat and usually lasts one to two days. There are no obvious signs of this phase except that the female cat will be attractive to male cats but not willing to actually breed yet.
• Estrus is the period of time when the female cat is receptive to being bred by the male. Most of the symptoms and behaviors of the heat cycle occur during this period. This phase may last anywhere from a few days up to two weeks. If the female cat is bred during this time period, she will ovulate (release an egg from her ovary). Unlike dogs, ovulation in the feline will only occur if the cat is bred. If she is not bred, estrus (and the symptoms and behaviors associated with being in heat) are likely to return in a few days.
• Interestrus is the period of time between heat cycles if the female cat is not bred. It may last from a few days up to 2-3 weeks.
• Metestrus or diestrus is the period of time after the estrus or after the mating, if the cat is bred. If not pregnant, this period lasts from 30-40 days. If pregnant, the cat will carry the kittens for 60-65 days on average.
• Anestrus is the period of inactivity between estrus cycles and usually lasts for 2-3 months.

Cats are considered to be seasonal in their breeding habits, most often breeding in the spring and in the fall. However, cats that are housed indoors may not follow this seasonal breeding pattern as closely as those that live outdoors.

Unlike their canine counterparts, female cats do not bleed while they are in heat and the vulva does not typically swell as it does in the dog.

Can a Female Cat be Prevented From Coming into Heat?

The best way to prevent a female cat from coming into heat is to spay her. Kittens can be spayed at a young age, before the first heat cycle, so they never need to experience being in heat at all. In fact, this is the healthiest scenario for the female cat because spaying before the first cycle significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors (breast cancers) later in life.

Many cat owners who choose not to spay their cat for whatever reason change their mind after the cat comes into heat for the first time. A female cat in heat can be a quite irritating presence in a household. Not to mention the fact that she is likely to come home pregnant if she escapes outdoors (or lives with an intact male cat).

Photo Credit: dichohecho/Flickr.com