Cats are among those animals that can breed almost all year round, starting from as early as February and late into December.Although a cat in heat means more kittens, animal rescuers dread the ‘kitten season’ because it means that the chances of an adult cat getting adopted are quite low. In addition, carting a new batch along with the one from last year is not only a tasking job but also leaves many kitties without a home.Along with all the good and bad news that comes with a cat in heat, understanding how to deal with your cat’s reproductive cycle is quite important. If it’s your first time experiencing your cat’s, we know that you may be confused and notice various changes in the behavior of your fertile feline. From mating, pregnancy stage, and veterinarian visits to general care, period cycles, and the entire rigmarole, we’ve got you covered. So, don’t worry about your female cat’s cycle because we’re about to decode it just for you!If you’re a newly established pet parent and want to know more about why your cat displays inexplicable behaviors, check out why do cats hate water and why do cats hiss.How long does a cat stay in heat?Like human beings and most mammals, female cats also go through a fertilization cycle, called the estrus cycle, to aid their reproductive system. These cycles are commonly referred to as being in heat. The heat cycle in cats prepares the hormonal structure required for intercourse, as well as reproduction, and cats begin experiencing their first estrus cycle at maturity, as early as four months of age or as late as 10 months old, but the average is considered six months of age. A cat in heat can have a cycle lasting around four to seven weeks, while some cycles have a timespan as short as a day or two and as long as three weeks! A female cat is polyestrous, which means she can go into heat several times a year and attract male cats accordingly.Although it may seem as simple as many cycles that last a couple of days, your female cat goes through several stages, which of course, is good knowledge to have as a cat parent. When your female cat is in heat, in the first stage, she will go through a day or two of proestrus, during which she will show no physical changes but will attract male cats because of her pheromones, although she is unaware of the actual mating process. Afterward, for around a week or so, female cats enter the actual estrus cycle stage, during which she becomes aware of how to mate and continues to attract males. A female cat in heat is also accompanied by loud, rumbling vocalizations, raised tail and rear end, decreased appetite, more affectionate, and excessive rubbing around the house.When they mate, a hormone is released and ovulation is triggered, but to induce pregnancy, female cats are required to mate at least four to six times. If the cat does not become pregnant, she goes into interestrus, which is a sort of break before she goes into further heat cycles. During the mating season, female cats go through proestrus, estrus, and interestrus until pregnancy. Cats follow polygamous behavior the females may breed with more than one male and give birth to a litter of more than one father. Besides becoming pregnant, female cats go through the anestrus, which is a dormant period without any reproductive or hormonal activity. This is usually the time between each breeding season or litter.Is it normal for cats to bleed when in heat?Unlike female dogs, heat cycles in female cats do not involve menstruation or excessive bleeding, although occasional spotting may occur during the cycle. If you notice blood in the urine or heavy bleeding you may want to visit the vet.Since menstruation is not a regular part of their estrus cycle, it could mean several things. However, if you observe blood in the urine, the issue may be more linked to the urinary tract than the heat cycle and would require a vet visit for a vaginal region check-up. When a female cat bleeds in heat, it may also mean she has contracted a UTI, vaginitis, or typically, become pregnant. Sometimes, it may even mean that she has miscarried. Watch out for any sign of pain or discomfort and contact the vet if needed.What to do when your cat is in heat and bleeding?Oftentimes, when pet parents see blood during their cat’s heat cycle, what is seen is usually related to the light, blood-like spotting and does not call for any worries. Before worrying about the bleeding during the heat cycle, also called the estrus cycle, it is wiser to understand how to care for your cat to avoid any issues, or spaying is the best option if you don’t want to risk it.To begin with, your cat is more likely to be extra affectionate, even when she gets pregnant. So give your feline buddy some attention and affection to help her through the hormonal roller coaster. If she seems irritable, leave her to her devices, but if she wants to play, go ahead and find activities to keep her occupied. Ensure that the perimeter is secure because cats in heat tend to go gallivanting through their territory in search of a mate. This will also avoid from getting herself into sticky situations and you will be able to monitor her in case you’re worried about bleeding. Despite giving the necessary care or taking precautions, if your cat bleeds, you will have to visit the vet to get a medical perspective.When do cats stop going into heat?Under ideal circumstances, estrus cycles occur in a cat for the entirety of their lives, which means they are fertile throughout and can have kittens until they are spayed. However, no matter how healthy your old cat may be, constant birthing can put extra strain on her reproductive and overall health, which is why she must be spayed.A cat doesn’t go through menopause simply because they do go through menstruation in the first place. As long as the organs of the cat are fine and the pheromones are doing their job in her territory, she is bound to have kittens. The oldest cat, who is also quite famous for this fact, was Kitty, and she gave birth to just two kittens, but at a ripe age of 30 years old! Sometimes, a cat may stop giving birth, but this may be the reason for some underlying issue with her uterine or overall health.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for do cats bleed when in heat then why not take a look at why do cats like fish, or ragdoll facts?
Cats are among those animals that can breed almost all year round, starting from as early as February and late into December.
