Have you ever stopped to wonder how and when cat heat happens? To begin with, it is good to think that male and female cats have very different sex lives. While males are always available to mate, females need the heat period to accept the male's approach with this intention. As nature does not fail, the male only approaches the cat in heat if she emits some signalsas a specific meow or changes the position of the tail, for example.

But do you know what the symptoms of a cat in heat are? To help you understand these signs so you can take better care of her safety, the Paws of the House has put together a range of important information on the subject, from how to tell if your cat has gone into heat to how to ease your cat's heat.

How to know if your cat is in heat? Check out the main signs!

"How do I know if my cat is in heat?" This is probably one of the biggest questions of every first-time pet parent. But don't worry: if you think you have a cat in heat, the symptoms will not go unnoticed. To help you calculate more or less when it occurs, here's a tip: after the first heat, it repeats every 2 months or so.

It is only at this time that they accept the approach of the male to mate and, in some cases, may even run away from home. In this sense, it is very common for guardians to go through a situation that "my cat is gone" or something like that. Therefore, it is important for the owner to know how to identify some signs and, if necessary, increase security within the home. Know the main symptoms of cat heat:

• Strong and persistent meow;
• Rubbing up against everyone who comes near;
• They become more gentle;
• They attract more attention from the owners;
• They're rolling around;
• They stop in copulation position with the spine curved and the tail spread laterally.

Cat in heat: when does it first happen?

One of the ways to know that your cat is in heat is to pay attention to the age of the animal and observe possible behavioral or physical changes after the kitten reaches puberty, still in the first year. The first heat usually happens between the 8th and 10th month of life, but it can vary according to some factors:

• The female needs to reach a minimum weight;
• Living with a male or not;
• Exposure to sunlight;
• Short-haired breeds, such as the Siamese cat, often reach puberty earlier than longer-haired females, such as the Persian cat.

It is worth noting that, in certain cases, the first heat can happen earlier than expected - around 5 or 6 months of age, depending on the environment in which the animal lives.

Watch for signs of heat: cats undergo physical and behavioral changes

If you still have doubts about how to know if the cat is in heat, here are some tips: in terms of behavior, it is very common for the kitten to become more sly and naughty. That is, she will want affection all the time and will start to rub herself in various places, such as furniture, doors and even around your leg. The cat in heat also tends to roll over and / or crawl on the floor,emitting a typical groan.

In addition, some physical changes can be noticed during this period. Urination becomes more frequent, and the kitten often urinates outside the indicated place. The odor of urine is another point that draws attention, as it becomes stronger. In some cases, the cat may have a slight bleeding due to excessive licking of the genitals (but calm down, this does not mean that the cat in heat feels it).pain).

Cat in heat: symptoms involve a high-pitched, different meow than usual

One of the best ways to identify a cat in heat is simply by listening to the cat meow. It is a rather high-pitched, squeaky sound, sometimes with a rather melancholy tone that resembles crying. At this time, meowing becomes very frequent and intense, even in the case of quieter animals.

Some guardians may even wonder if a cat in heat feels pain because of this excessive vocalization. But don't worry: as much as the meows of a cat in heat are very shrill as if the animal is in pain, that's not exactly what happens. In fact, it is good to clarify another very common question, which is whether the cat has colic during heat. The answer is no, these animals do nothave a menstrual cycle like humans and therefore do not experience cramps during or after heat.

What are the phases of cat heat?

• Proestro: This is a "pre-echo" that lasts about 1 or 2 days. This is when the behavioral and physical changes of the cat in heat begin, although they are very subtle.

• Estro: This is the most obvious phase of oestrus and the kitten is fully ready to mate.

• Interestro: lasts approximately 6 days, and occurs when there is no fertilization of any kind.

• Diestro: lasts about 60 days in the pregnant female; and about 30 days when the cat in heat ovulates, but without becoming pregnant (which can cause a psychological pregnancy).

• Anestro: is the longest phase, lasting up to 90 days, which is when the animal does not come into heat and does not accept the approach of males.

In case of cat pregnancy, the duration of pregnancy is usually two months, between 63 and 65 days. Changes in the pet's body are easily noticed, and pregnancy can be confirmed with some medical tests, such as ultrasound.

How long does the cat's period in heat last?

Now that you know the answer to "how do I know if my cat is in heat", it's time to understand how long the fertile period of females lasts on average. To begin with, it is important to keep in mind that heat is a phase with different stages. Adding each of these stages together, cat heat can last between 5 and 20 days. The factor that most influences this variation in time is whether the animal has managed to be in heat.mating or not.

How to calm a cat in heat: here are some tips!

"Cat in heat: what to do to calm the animal?" is an inevitable question among cat owners on duty. As is known, the heat period can be very stressful for the cat, especially if she does not mate. Therefore, some tips to calm her down can help prevent her from running away from home or meowing excessively. Check out what to do when the cat is in heat:

• Castration of the animal: in addition to preventing heat, it prevents numerous diseases;
• Hot water bag or a heated towel can help a cat in heat to relax;
• Playing that will keep you entertained for a few hours;
• Flower and herbal remedies: consult your veterinarian before medicating your pet.

Understand the dangers of the contraceptive vaccine for cats in heat

When you notice your cat in heat, what should you do? Some people may think that the cat heat vaccine is a good alternative, but in fact it is totally contraindicated. This type of contraceptive method for cats can cause several side effects, such as tumors and infections in the uterus and breasts. In other words, it is a real danger to the health of our four-legged friendsIf the idea is to avoid a cat in heat, the ideal is to talk to a trusted veterinarian to understand what is the best way to solve the problem.

How to stop cat heat? Castration is the best solution to the problem

One of the best ways to alleviate cat heat is by neutering the animal. In addition to being a super effective way to prevent unplanned pregnancy - and, consequently, the abandonment of kittens - cat neutering is also an important measure to maintain feline health. It is able to prevent several serious diseases, such as tumors and breast cancer. In addition, feline behaviorchanges a lot after surgery: cats and kittens are much calmer and less territorial. Consult the veterinarian responsible for your pet so that he can guide you, okay?