How long are cats in heat cycle

About heat cycles in cats:

Heat, Oestrus, Estrus

All of the above terms are correct in describing female cats' periods of receptiveness to mating, but will be referred to as the more often-used "heat cycles." The breeding season in cats is practically year-round, running as early as February, and as late as December, but in the western hemisphere, March through September is generally regarded as the breeding season.

Rescue people dread "Kitten Season" because it means that in kill shelters, the new crop of kittens will eliminate any chances of adoption for older cats, including last year's kittens. If for no other reason, this alone is ample justification for the spaying and neutering of pet cats. Heat Cycles in Cats are referred to as "polyestrus," which means that they will go into heat cycles periodically during their fertile years. These heat cycles may start as early as the fourth or fifth month of a kitten's life, and will continue until she is either bred or spayed. Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or longer, and repeat every two to three weeks.

You can see then, how a female cat may almost always seem to be in heat. No one can say with any accuracy that heat cycles are painful to cats; however from the calling (loud yowling) and other symptoms they exhibit, it would appear that they are very uncomfortable. A kitten can have her first heat as early as 4 1/2 months, so don't fall for that old "wait until six months to spay" advice. And remember, that once a female cat has her first heat, it will happen again and again, until she either mates or is spayed.

• Heat, oestrus, and estrus all refer to heat cycles in cats.
• The breeding season in cats lasts almost year-round.
• Heat cycles can start as early as four or five months in a female kitten.
• Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or more
• Heat cycles in cats repeat every two to three weeks until the cat is spayed or becomes pregnant.
• Heat cycles may cause pain or discomfort in cats.

Non-spayed female dogs will go into "heat" or estrus usually twice a year. The age at which they start their cycles and the duration of the cycle varies greatly between the breeds of dogs and individual dogs. Learn more facts about canine estrus in this FAQ.

There are four stages to the canine estrus cycle:

• Proestrus: vaginal discharge, males attracted to females, females unwilling to mate. Length: 4-20 days.
  Estrus: swollen vulva, yellowish vaginal discharge, mating occurs during this phase. Length: 5-13 days.
  Metestrus (or Diestrus): period after estrus or mating. Length: 60-90 days. If pregnant, pregnancy lasts between 60-64 days in the dog.
  Anestrus: period of inactivity (sexual and hormonal) between estrus phases. Length: 2-3 months.

• The first estrus cycle usually occurs by age 6-12 months; for some small breeds, as early as 5 months, and for some large and giant breeds, the first cycle may not occur until 14 months of age or older.
• On average, dogs have two cycles a year.
• The estrus cycle lasts on average 12-21 days, but maybe be as short as a few days to four weeks. The estrus period length varies widely between breeds and individual dogs.
• The length of a cycle varies widely, even for dogs of the same breed. If in doubt, assume the longer end of the range for the cycle length.
• Bleeding occurs prior to a female being receptive to a male (allowing mounting by the male), but male dogs will be very attracted to the female in the proestrus stage.
• Dogs can get pregnant during their first heat cycle, but this is not advisable as a 6-month old dog is not yet fully grown/mature, and complications for the mother and the puppies are more likely.

If your female cat has not been spayed, when she reaches puberty she will have her first estrous cycle. What is the estrous cycle? It is also commonly known as a heat cycle when your cat has reached sexual maturity. The average length of time a female cat is in heat is approximately 4 to 7 days. However, it is not uncommon for a cat's heat cycle to last only 1 day, or even up to 3 weeks.

When your cat reaches the age of sexual maturity, they may begin to act differently—indicating they might be going through a heat cycle. Below, we’ll explore what to look for to determine if your cat is in heat and how you can help your cat throughout the process.  

What is a cat heat cycle?

A heat cycle takes place when a female cat is fertile and ready to mate with a male cat. This cycle begins between 5 and 10 months of age in felines. The heat cycle occurs when your feline’s body is hormonally ready to become pregnant. If you wish to prevent your cat from becoming pregnant, it is important to take her to the vet to get spayed when your vet deems it is safe. If not, you run the risk of your cat becoming pregnant.

How often are cats in heat?

Cats have multiple cycles during the breeding season. Your cat will go through the stages of heat—outlined below—and then the cycle will repeat itself every 2 to 3 weeks until the breeding season is over. 

Cats are seasonally polyestrous. This means that depending upon geographic and environmental factors—like temperature and daylight hours—your cat's cycle will last anywhere from spring to fall. However, cats that live in tropical regions or are strictly indoor cats can have cycles all year round. 

Signs your cat is in heat

While you might assume that cats’ cycles are similar to humans and the most obvious sign would be vaginal bleeding, you would be incorrect. In fact, vaginal bleeding from a cat in heat—or in general—should result in a trip to the veterinarian. Instead, you should be looking for the following signs that your cat is in heat:

• Unusually affectionate
• Marking territory by spraying surfaces with urine
• Mating call: loud vocalization
• Mating position: head down, rear quarters and tail raised
• Excessive grooming
• Wanting to escape to the outdoors
• Loss of appetite

5 stages of feline heat cycle

Your female feline will go through 5 phases during her heat cycle.

Stage 1: Proestrus

During this stage, your female cat will begin to attract unneutered males, but she will not be receptive to mating. This typically lasts a day or two. You will not notice any changes in behavior these few days. 

Stage 2: Estrus

In the estrus stage, your cat will begin to exhibit the behavioral changes mentioned above. During this stage, your cat will be receptive to mating with unneutered males.

Stage 3: Diestrus

If your feline mates during estrus, ovulation will be induced as hormone production from the act of mating is stimulated—triggering ovulation. When your cat has ovulated, it is now in diestrus. 

During ovulation, felines generally need to mate 4 to 6 times to become pregnant, and can have several mates. It is even possible for your cat to give birth to a litter of kittens with different fathers. This is known as superfecundation.

Stage 4: Interestrus

If pregnancy does not occur during diestrus, your cat will go into interestrus. This is the stage where her hormone level will drop and she will have no signs of heat. The interestrus stage lasts anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks. Then your cat will go into heat again. These stages continue throughout the breeding season or until your feline becomes pregnant during diestrus. 

Stage 5: Anestrus

The last stage during the heat cycle is anestrus. This stage is the absence of the heat cycle. It typically occurs when there are fewer daylight hours, like in the winter. Your cat will begin hormone production again when it is stimulated by light during longer daylight hours. 

How can I support my cat in heat?

When your cat is in heat, you will likely know it. The yowling and constant need for affection can be overwhelming. But your cat will need your help and support to ease through the stress of the breeding season.

Spaying

If you do not want your cat to become pregnant, you should consult your veterinarian or local Humane Society to inquire about options on spaying your cat. The surgery will prevent unwanted pregnancies and litters of kittens, helping control the overpopulation of cats. 

Can you spay a cat while in heat?

It’s possible to spay a cat during her heat cycle, but most vets would not recommend it. As Dr. Justine Lee explains, when a cat is in heat, there’s more vasculature (e.g., blood vessels and blood flow) to the ovaries and uterus. That results in a more expensive, longer surgery, as the tissue is more delicate. Only in emergency medical situations will vets spay a cat in heat.

Avoid male cats

If you have unneutered male cats in your home, now is the time to keep them separated. Your female cat will grow more excitable around males and mating can lead to pregnancy.

You should also ensure that your cat is safe inside, away from windows and doors so she does not try to escape. She will be searching for mates, and the isolation within your home will help keep her safe.

Comfort and stimulation

Your cat will likely need extra comfort, including extra petting and brushing. The attention can help ease the stress your feline is feeling. It’s also important to remember that some cats may prefer being alone, or even a mix of wanting to have attention and still needing places to escape. A cat tower is a great solution that offers comfort, lounging, exercise, stimulation, and stretching—all in one! It’s an ideal place for your cat to escape to, while also providing the stimulation that she requires. 

Catnip

Catnip can be a great resource to use, but only if it has a calming effect on your cat. Since each cat responds differently to catnip—either energetically or calmly—you should proceed with caution. If it generally calms your cat when not in heat, utilize catnip to help relax and quiet your cat. However, if your cat generally becomes energetic around catnip, it could make her even more stimulated. 

Heat pack or towel

Having a warm pack or towel for your cat to sit on can help keep her calm and still. You can also use a heating pad on low or warm towels to ease any discomfort. 

Can you stop your cat from going into heat mid-cycle?

Short of spaying your cat mid-cycle (which, again, vets do not recommend), you can't artificially stop your cat’s heat cycle. The best you can do is keep her indoors and away from unneutered male cats, so that mating will not occur.

Understanding your cat’s heat cycle

If your cat has not been spayed, you should continue to look out for the signs of the estrous cycle to help her through the process. Be sure to follow her cues to determine whether she needs more attention or more space. And be sure to have options for both calming environments and playful stimulation, like this rechargeable laser pointer.

If you do not want your cat to become pregnant, it is highly recommended that you spay your cat. Spaying cats is the most effective way to prevent cats from going into heat—and prevent pregnancies. Spaying is also healthier for your cat in the long run.

How often do cats go into heat in a year?

Heat cycles repeat every 2 to 3 weeks and typically start in January and last through the fall, or until the cat becomes pregnant or is spayed.

Is estrus painful for cats?

No one can accurately say if estrus is painful for cats. However, their symptoms lead us to believe that they are likely uncomfortable.

What triggers a cat to go into heat?

A cat goes into heat based on sexual maturity and the timing of the seasons. Longer daylight hours that are filled with sunlight trigger your feline’s body to begin the estrus cycle.

Photo by Dorothea OLDANI on Unsplash