Should i pet my cat when she is in heat

And while it's hard to prove that heat cycles aren't painful, the calling or loud howling she exhibits make her seem uncomfortable. However, a female cat's howling has a purpose—to attract the attention of a potential suitor. Recognizing this fact eases your worry about something being wrong, or "off," with your pet. With the arrival of spring, a female cat in her sexual prime will begin a heat cycle. The longer days, filled with warmth and sunlight, trigger your queen's body to come into season.

This heat cycle usually lasts between a week and ten days. Then, if a pregnancy isn't achieved, she may go back into heat a few weeks later and continue this pattern until she becomes pregnant.

If she mates during this time and becomes pregnant, she will go back into heat approximately eight weeks after the kittens are born, or just after they wean. While it's logical to assume that a cat in heat will have the same physical symptoms as a woman having her period, the reality is very different.

First, cats do not shed the lining of their uterus. So contrary to popular belief, heat should not involve vaginal bleeding. If your female cat is bleeding, contact your vet. Since human females shed the lining of their uterus every month, cramping, bloating, and related symptoms can be present.

Cats do not experience cramps or other physical symptoms, despite their howling and need for attention during this time. Instead, a surge of hormones will make your cat extraordinarily eager to mate. Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form.

Donate Menu. Get help. Find us. Pet Health Hub Search. Check your pet's symptoms. Print this page. Cats usually have their first season when they are still a kitten, at around months old. They then come into heat every year from around Feb-Oct, and within that time, have several cycles roughly weeks apart.

Have your cat neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies ideally at months old. General information A heat or season is when a female cat is fertile and can get pregnant. A female cat in heat — calling and wanting to go outside. Better with my cat Looking after your cat. Sterilized cats Non-sterilized cats Tips for looking after your cat Cat food.

Discover the nature range With natural ingredients. My first cat and me My cat is in heat, what do I need to do? Living with a cat in heat can be complicated. What is 'heat', and how long does it last in cats?

Heat: this is the time of greatest change, when your cat will be desperately seeking a mate. Heat usually lasts for between 2 and 6 days, but can last as long as No one really knows for sure if going through heat is painful for a cat.

However, pet owners are often concerned that their fur baby is feeling discomfort because of the signs they exhibit during a heat cycle.

Cats are polyestrous animals, which means that they can have multiple heat cycles the period in which a cat can become pregnant throughout any year while they are still fertile. Their heat cycles may begin as early as six months old. They typically kick off in the early spring and will continue to cycle through until Halloween. Heat cycles will continue until the cat is spayed. Heat cycles can last from four to five days.