When do cats start walking for the first time?

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Cute and affectionate kittens are welcome guests in almost any home. You can watch their games and behavior endlessly. But as soon as the cats grow up a little, the fairy tale gradually begins to become scary. To save yourself from unpleasant surprises, you need to know exactly at what age cats begin to walk.

It should be noted that in these animals, depending on their sex, maturation occurs at different times. Girls, as a rule, reach the age of readiness to go out earlier than boys. If the former can demand “romance” already at six to seven months, then the latter begin to be interested in the opposite sex only at eight to ten months.

It is impossible to confuse the moment when a cat begins to walk for the first time, since the animal’s behavior changes dramatically.

Yesterday's kitten, upon entering childbearing age, stops cuddling and becomes aggressive and angry. The animal may begin to throw itself at its owners, scratch itself, and strive to leave the house, going for a walk in search of adventure outside the door.

When can a cat start walking?

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Cute and affectionate kittens are welcome guests in almost any home. You can watch their games and behavior endlessly. But as soon as the cats grow up a little, the fairy tale gradually begins to become scary. To save yourself from unpleasant surprises, you need to know exactly at what age cats begin to walk.

It is impossible to confuse the moment when a cat begins to walk for the first time, since the animal’s behavior changes dramatically.

How long does a British cat go into heat?

A British cat can only be mated when she is in heat. However, the problem is that not everyone understands when the process began and how long it will last. It can be assumed that the first day is considered to be the one when the pet’s behavior changes dramatically. Most people wait for the cats to scream, not suspecting that the countdown must begin from the moment when the behavior of the four-legged animal changes.

She begins to fawn over her owner (which is usually uncharacteristic of British women), licking herself longer than usual. This does not last long - one, and sometimes two days. The next stage can make the owner nervous, because it lasts about a week and is characterized by the cat’s yelling, as well as all the other nuances that were described above. Afterwards everything ends. That is, in general, cats walk for about 7-10 days. The first time, this period is much shorter and amounts to no more than three to four days.

What determines the maturation of an animal?

It is worth noting that it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that a cat begins to walk at 8 months, since, like in humans, in cats this process occurs with individual characteristics, in which age is not the main indicator. It’s easier to focus on some general rules:

The age of maturation depends on the breed, some of them cause earlier or later onset of sexual heat;
This factor is also influenced by the structure of the skeleton; more fragile and graceful animals are earlier ready for reproduction;
The time of birth also influences puberty; a cat reaches sexual maturity from a winter or spring litter as early as the next season, while later-born animals may take a little longer to mature;
Cats kept in the most comfortable conditions are ready to give birth to offspring much earlier;
An animal that finds itself in an environment consisting mainly of adult animals will itself mature faster;
In many animals, the early search for satisfaction of their needs is explained by a common genetic predisposition.

In any case, when the age gets closer to a year, any animal will already begin to show signs indicating the onset of childbearing age.

Duration

What exactly is estrus? This is the period when the cat is ready to give birth, and at this time she is looking for a suitable partner. If this does not happen in the first days of the “walk,” such a languid state of the cat may drag on somewhat and take from several days to two weeks. Here is the answer to the question of how many days cats walk. It should be noted that an animal may not become pregnant during this entire period. The ability to breed lasts only a few days (about 2-4). If you need to find out how long a cat walks for the first time, the timing will be the same, and everything will depend on the animal itself.

Manifestations of physical maturity

Once they reach puberty, cats begin to behave much more aggressively than male cats. This is expressed in loud screams at night, damage to furniture and wallpaper, and marks throughout the habitat of an animal that has reached a dangerous age. During the period of estrus, the urine of an animal acquires a very pungent and unpleasant odor, it is almost impossible to get rid of it - these are very clear signs of the cat’s puberty. In addition, the beast constantly updates its marks.

The behavior of an animal depends quite strongly on the presence of competitors near it. The more aggressors around, the more nervous the cat began to behave. He hisses and grumbles threateningly, his games resemble hunting.

A loud voice is one way to show rivals who is boss in the house, especially if two animals are in a one-on-one duel.

It should be noted that in addition to being a threat to competitors, cat cries may not be a very good sign. This behavior may be a consequence of the formation of kidney stones in the pet, and not because it has reached a certain age. The sharp edges painfully wound the animal from the inside, causing it to literally scream in pain. That is why any pet’s complaints should be treated carefully and not confuse estrus with a serious problem.

How many days does a cat walk?

Most cats come into heat twice a year, however, in some felines it happens much more often. Sometimes once a month. The estrus period can range from three days to one to two weeks. However, the ability to mate lasts only two to four days.

If the cat already had kittens and fed them, then the cat's next heat will occur three to four weeks after stopping feeding. Often, cats come into heat in early spring, early autumn or June. In the first year of a cat's life and after the animal has reached the age of seven, cats do not go into heat regularly. If you are planning to have kittens, then you should know that you should not breed a cat every time she is in heat. This is very harmful to her body. At least a year must pass since the last pregnancy for the animal’s body to recover and become strong enough before the next pregnancy.

It’s not difficult to understand that a cat wants to go for a walk. First of all, this is noticeable by the behavior of your pet, as well as by the swelling of the animal’s genitals. The animal's habits change noticeably. The cat rubs against the corners of the furniture and apartment, purrs, meows loudly and invitingly, raises its tail to the top and crouches. Transparent discharge appears from the genitals. However, it is difficult to notice them, since the cat constantly licks them.

How to relieve symptoms of estrus

No cat owner, even the most patient, can like the fact that both day and night his pet, who has entered the breeding age, howls, bites and is overly active and aggressive. At such moments, the question arises of what to do with a cat whose antics can no longer be tolerated.

The easiest way to resolve the issue is to arrange a “date” for the tailed brawler with a suitable cat.

It should be taken into account that you need to choose the most suitable time for mating. The peak of sexual activity in animals whose age allows them to reproduce occurs between February and March. It is at this time that it is more advisable to have offspring, guided by the simplest logic. In the coming summer months there will be no problems with obtaining food for the babies, the cubs do not need to be protected from the cold, and by the first serious frost they will already have reached adulthood.

This path is suitable for owners of purebred animals and those whose cats, having entered adulthood, walk on their own and live in the courtyard of a private house. In a city apartment, a low-bred wild animal can hardly become a prominent and sought-after gentleman. In this case, it is necessary to consider other ways to resolve the issue.

Alternative ways to resolve the heat issue

Modern pharmacology can offer pet owners to discourage their animals from any desire to flirt with the opposite sex, preserving their reproductive function. In this case, it is proposed to use two types of drops:

Sedatives (in addition to ready-made pharmacy options, you can use folk methods in the form of chamomile or thyme decoctions);
Hormonal (they will calm a walking animal by adjusting the animal’s hormonal levels).

If the animal is not valuable as a breeder, it is better not to torture it and castrate the cat. Unlike people, animals do not grieve over the loss of the opportunity to bear offspring, so the pet will not receive any mental trauma, but only peace for itself and its owners.

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Cute kittens evoke affection among their owners. You want to admire them; it’s nice to play with the fluffy balls. However, babies grow quickly and become adults. The most striking stage in kittens growing up is puberty. Their behavior changes dramatically under the influence of sex hormones.

At what age do cats start walking? How can you tell if a female is in heat? How many days does a cat ask for a cat? How to calm your pet and reduce the duration of estrus? At what months can cats give birth?

How many kittens does a cat have?

The average female cat can give birth to up to six kittens at lambing. This amount is optimal for a cat and is calculated according to an unspoken rule (number of nipples minus two). However, such a figure is not accurate. The number of kittens in one litter can be either more or less than six. There are some factors that affect the number of offspring your cat will have.

The first is the age of the animal. If your cat is young and has not given birth before, she will often have one to four kittens in her first pregnancy. An experienced and mature cat can give birth to six to twelve pieces.
The second is the health status of the animal. If a cat’s body is weakened or does not receive adequate nutrition, then such a cat is not able to bear and give birth to healthy and numerous offspring. The number of kittens in such an animal often does not exceed three or four.
Third is heredity. If your cat was born in a multiple litter, then her chances of giving birth to numerous offspring increase significantly.

At what age does a cat ask for a cat for the first time?

At a certain age, the cat’s body begins to prepare for reproduction; females begin to go into heat. At this moment, follicles mature in the ovaries. The animal's hormonal background changes. The hormone estrogen is released in large quantities, as a result of which the blood supply to the genital organs increases and clear vaginal discharge appears.

Puberty of a cat

The scientific name for estrus in cats is estrus. On average, it begins at the age of 6–8 months. However, this process is individual and depends on many factors, so in some females the first estrus occurs at 4 months, while in others the reproductive system matures closer to 12 months.

If your one-year-old cat still hasn't come into heat, she should be seen by a veterinarian. Sometimes during estrus, the pet exhibits almost no changes in behavior characteristic of sexual heat. This condition is called “erased estrus.” In this case, you also need to consult a specialist, since such conditions may indicate health problems.

If a female begins to walk, this does not mean that she is ready to reproduce. The first estrus is a symptom of the physiological maturity of the cat. Actual sexual maturity in cats is formed only at 18 months.

What determines the timing of the first estrus?

At what age does a teenage cat begin to ask for a cat depends on the individual characteristics of the body and some external conditions. The following factors have the strongest influence on puberty:

Oriental cat

Breed. It has been found that females of some breeds reach sexual maturity at an earlier age than most domestic cats. An early onset of estrus is observed in Thai, Siamese, Burmese and Oriental cats, and St. Petersburg Sphynxes. Late maturation is often observed in females of the Persian breed, Neva Masquerade, and Maine Coons.
Body features. More graceful and graceful females with thin bones mature faster than their stocky and large relatives.
The time of year when the cat was born. In females that are born in winter or spring, estrus begins in spring or summer. In animals born in the summer or autumn months, maturation takes longer.
Living conditions. Pets living in an apartment mature more slowly than outdoor cats.
Features of temperament. Mobile active cats reach sexual maturity at an earlier date. In slow, sedentary, calm females, estrus begins later.
Heredity. The ability to reproduce and timing of maturation also depend on genetic predisposition.

Maine Coon cats

How often does a cat go for walks?

The duration of estrus in cats is variable and depends on many factors: breed, age, living conditions, diet, individual physiological characteristics, etc. Due to the hormonal background not yet fully formed, the first estrus is most often short-lived. Subsequent cycles occur over a longer period, taking an average of 5-7 days.

You can find out how often your cat will go for walks by carefully observing its behavior. To do this, it is recommended to keep a special diary in which you need to record all the results. In nulliparous individuals, estrus can occur quite frequently - once a month, sometimes even every two weeks. This is especially true for purebred cats that live exclusively in a home environment and do not roam outside. In stray yard animals, as well as elderly “retired women,” the cycle is usually tied to the time of year - spring and autumn. The first heat after childbirth can begin within 1-1.5 months.

How does estrus proceed?

Estrus is manifested by a whole complex of behavioral reactions. The most striking signal of its beginning is the calling cry of the female, with which she tries to attract the male. However, estrus is not limited to just the external manifestation of sexual heat. This is a complex process that takes place in several stages, which is controlled at the hormonal level.

Periods of the estrous cycle

The estrus process in cats is divided into four stages. Each of them lasts a certain time and has its own distinctive features:

Proestrus. This is the first stage, which lasts up to 4 days. Proestrus is characterized by restlessness. The pet rubs against interior items, becomes more affectionate, obsessively demands that the owner stroke it, and makes quiet sounds.
Estrus. The duration of this stage is about 10 days. Estrus is indicated by louder meows. The female actively seeks a male for mating; when stroking, she presses herself to the floor, tucks her hind legs and extends her tail. If it is necessary for a female to become pregnant, she is brought together with a cat at this time.
Metestrus. During this period, the cat's sex drive decreases. If fertilization has occurred, then she becomes indifferent to males, and sometimes even shows aggression towards them. The duration of metestrus is from 3 to 12 days.
Anestrus. The last stage of estrus. The sexual hunt ends, the pet's behavior becomes the same.

Signs of estrus

When a female walks, you can notice this by characteristic signs. They manifest themselves most clearly in the second stage of estrus. However, the beginning of the process of sexual hunting can also be determined by some changes:

the pet often visits the tray;
there is a change in mood, an affectionate cat may suddenly become aggressive;
appetite decreases and sometimes disappears completely;
vaginal discharge appears.

High levels of hormones affect the behavior of the female. During the active phase of estrus, the following symptoms can be observed:

Obsessive affection. The pet literally does not leave the owner, constantly rubs against his legs, and demands attention.
Mating positions. At any touch, the cat takes a pose indicating its readiness to mate. She bends and lifts her hindquarters, extending her tail.
Screams. Luring the cat, the female screams loudly. Screams during sexual hunting cannot be confused with anything.
The desire to get out of the house. Following the sexual instinct, the animal strives to go outside the apartment to find a partner.

Duration of estrus in cats

The active period of estrus usually lasts from 5 to 10 days. The duration of the process depends on age, breed, season, health and living conditions. The first heat may be faster. In adult cats, hormonal levels change, which is why estrus lasts longer.

If the owner carefully observes his pet, he can accurately determine how many days the estrus lasted. In the future, the duration will remain the same. This information is necessary for breeders who breed purebred animals.

Prolonged estrus may be a sign of ovarian disease, cyst formation or tumor. An ultrasound scan at a veterinary clinic will help clarify the diagnosis and identify the problem.

Heat frequency

The average frequency of estrus in cats is from 2 to 4 times a year. The frequency of ovulation is influenced by physiology, genetics and the presence of previous pregnancies. Typically, females who have given birth walk less often. They go into heat once every 3-4 months, sometimes once every six months. After childbirth, sexual desire resumes in about a month. Cats that have not given birth ask for a cat every month. With age, the frequency of estrus decreases, it occurs faster, and the symptoms become less pronounced.

Duration of estrus in different breeds

There are many features of estrus in different types of cats. It should be remembered that most animals are bred artificially using genetic engineering, which involves crossing different breeds.

In some animals, the first heat begins at 6–10 months, but the ability to mate comes to them a little later. Through numerous trials and errors, experienced owners of purebred animals realized that during the first estrus the cat is not yet ready to become a mother. Even if pregnancy occurs, in most cases it ends in difficult childbirth or the birth of dead kittens.

The main features of estrus in animals of different breeds:

1. Scottish fold
. The female's first estrus begins at the age of 10–12 months. The ideal mating period to increase your chances of getting pregnant is the second heat. The cat walks 3-4 times a year for 5-7 days. After mating - 2 times a year.
2. British
. It first begins to walk at the age of 10–12 months, usually in the spring. Subsequently, estrus in British females occurs twice a year (in spring and autumn) and lasts a long time - from 4 to 14 days. If the kitten has already given birth, then her next estrus will begin a month after the end of feeding the kittens.
3. Persian
. The first estrus in females begins at the age of 6 months. At this time, the cat is not yet ready for contact with the male due to the underdevelopment of the genital organs. Her estrus lasts from 3 days to one week, and the regularity depends on the individual characteristics of the body. If a Persian cat is never mated to a male cat, she will come into heat every 14 days.
4. Siamese
. Females of this breed walk from 5 to 7 days every month. As the female gets older, she asks for the cat less and less. The difference between this breed is that estrus is asymptomatic, so owners cannot always understand when the cat is ready to mate. This is especially true for animals that are overweight. Usually the first heat in Siamese cats occurs at the age of one and a half years.
5. Sphinx
. It should be remembered that these exotic cats become very irritable and uncontrollable during the period of heat. Estrus in sphinxes occurs from 1 year to 5-6 days with a frequency of 1 month.
6. Maine Coon
. In females of this breed, puberty occurs much later than others. On average, the first estrus in Maine Coons occurs between 10 months and a year.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that if during estrus the female does not become pregnant, then she will have a period of calm, the duration of which depends on the individual characteristics of the animal.

The reproductive cycle is a neurohumoral reflex process that occurs with the manifestation of a complex of physiological and morphological changes in the female genital organs. Sexual cycles appear with the advent of physiological maturity and continue with a certain frequency until old age.

One of the most noticeable phases of the reproductive cycle for owners is estrus.

Cat owners who still have small pets want to know at what age cats can walk in order to properly prepare for this process.

The article will answer the question “at what age does a cat ask for a cat?”, talk about the differences between physiological and actual sexual maturity, give recommendations for mating, and talk about the sterilization procedure.

What to do if a cat yells when it wants a cat?

A cat that wants a cat makes everyone in the house nervous. She screams so loudly that it is impossible to ignore her screams. Often the owners do not even manage to fall asleep. What to do in this case? There are several ways to solve the problem:

castration;
use of special drugs;
mating with a cat.

The choice of method depends on the breeder's plans. If the animal is not intended to reproduce, castration is the best solution. Otherwise, unwanted symptoms can be combated with sedatives or hormonal drugs, if mating is not planned during this period.

Sedatives for cats

The safest for cats' health are sedatives. They help reduce the female's arousal and reduce the intensity of estrus symptoms. To correct your pet’s behavior, the following medications are used:

"Cat Baiyun". Available in tablets and liquid form. It is used in cases where cats are stressed, as well as to suppress sexual heat.
"Fitex". A sedative in drops. The medicine is based on extracts of various plants that have an anti-stress effect.
Cat mint. The smell of this herb calms cats. It can be placed in places where the animal spends most of its time. Catnip is also available in spray form.
"Stop stress." A powerful sedative for cats. Available in tablets and drops. The medicine quickly suppresses sexual desire and reduces the cat's activity.

Hormonal drugs: pros and cons

To eliminate the symptoms of estrus, many breeders buy hormonal medications for cats. The most popular in this group are the following:

"Covinan";
"Sex Barrier";
"CounterSex Neo";
"Stop sex."

The drugs quickly suppress natural instincts, as they change the hormonal levels in the pets’ body, but they cannot be given for a long time. According to some veterinarians, as a result of abuse of these drugs, animals develop malignant tumors in the uterus, ovaries, and mammary glands. Some cats are diagnosed with pyometra after using hormonal medications.

Castration of a cat

During castration, a female's ovaries and uterus are removed. It is no longer possible to restore reproductive function after surgery. Such cats cannot become pregnant. However, if castration was carried out during the period of estrus, then sexual desire may persist for some time after the procedure. This is due to the action of hormones that remain in the blood.

Veterinarians recommend castrating cats before their first estrus. The surgery not only prevents cat behavior, but also prevents cancer of the reproductive organs. In addition, spayed females live longer than cats that give birth.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Modern materials allow you to apply sutures that do not need to be removed later. For 3–5 days, the pet must be carefully monitored, its jumping and movements must be controlled so that the seams do not come apart. When the animal recovers, its behavior will be the same. The cat will never suffer from hormonal surges again.

Puberty in a cat can come completely unexpectedly for its owners. At this stage, her behavior changes greatly, and accordingly, a special approach to the pet will be needed. Lovers of these cute and graceful animals should be prepared for problems of this kind in order to be able to help in the future.

The cat wants to go for a walk: what to do?

The easiest way to calm your pet is to have her spayed. After this procedure, the cat will be unrecognizable: it will become affectionate, obedient and calm. During her heat, she will not have unexpected “concerts” or mood swings. The cat will smell less, it will only go to the toilet in the potty and will not leave marks throughout the apartment and on things. Before you decide to sterilize your pet, choose a reliable clinic and veterinarian. If possible, study customer reviews and characteristics of the establishment.

If you do not want to resort to such drastic measures, you can use the following tips:

During heat, play with your cat as often as possible, because it is during this period that they have additional energy that urgently needs to be spent somewhere. You can buy your pet new toys: balls, sticks, plush and rubber animals. Give preference to games that require more activity from your cat.
Start giving your cat less food. During the “mating season” her appetite is already reduced, so do not overfeed the animal. But at the same time, you need to feed your pet regularly so that he does not starve.
It turns out that cats, just like people, calm down when they hear classical relaxing music. Therefore, when your pet starts to act up, turn on Bach, Chopin, Mozart, Glinka or someone else.
Pheromones and homeopathic remedies can help calm the cat. True, they do not work on every cat, but it’s still worth a try.
Sedatives give good results. You can buy a regular decoction at a pharmacy or special products for cats at a pet store. Effective drugs include “Cat-Bayun” and “Anti-Stress”. They act gently and are completely harmless, but they must be used strictly according to the instructions. You can also give your cat valerian.

There are also hormonal medications aimed specifically at calming a pet during estrus. These include “Sex Barrier”, “Contra-Sex”, “Stop-Intimate”, etc. But the harm of these drugs is not fully understood. Some owners, in order to calm the cat, give it Suprastin in the form of drops. But you need to give it strictly according to the instructions, otherwise you can seriously harm your pet.
To calm a cat down without mating, you can artificially induce ovulation in her. To do this, find her an actively astringent castrate, but this is not easy to do. You can also insert a stick with cotton wool at the end into your pet’s vagina (about 2.5 cm). Start by stroking the cat from behind, then rub her vulva and only then insert the cotton swab to the desired depth. If the procedure is successful, the cat will begin to meow and caress. It is recommended to repeat the procedure every 20 minutes for an hour, and then after 12 hours. This procedure is quite effective and safe.
You can also do a special massage. With one hand, press the cat by the withers, and with the other, apply pressure near the beginning of the tail. Do this massage for several days, and your pet will calm down. You can perform 3-4 massage sessions at a time.

It happens that even sterilized cats go for walks. There are certain reasons for this. Veterinarians say that after the procedure, some cats may still show behavioral signs of estrus, and hormonal levels may take up to a year to develop. In addition, during sterilization, not all ovaries could be removed, leaving small pieces in the pet. To check this, do an ultrasound. If necessary, the veterinarian will perform a second operation.

A wandering cat is a problem not only for the pet itself, but also for its owners. In order not to torment your pet and not listen to his complaints, you need to help the poor animal. To do this, use useful tips or simply contact a veterinary clinic to have your cat sterilized. Never ignore your pet's complaints, and if no method helps calm the cat, let it out for a walk.

Cats, like other mammals, begin puberty at a certain age. It just happens in its own way. Before taking a kitten into your home, you need to find out at what age cats begin to walk, how their behavior changes, and how male pets tolerate this period.

About the average age of cat maturation

For the first time, the physiological need for male attention arises at 6-9 months, but in many long-haired and large breeds, such as the Maine Coon, this process drags on for up to a year. And vice versa, short-haired and outbred animals born in the fall can begin to walk by spring; this is inherent in their nature.

Cats can carry, give birth and raise viable offspring without complications only at actual maturity. Therefore, you should not start mating with a cat before 1-1.5 years of age, as this can cause serious health problems.

Mr. Cat recommends: how to determine the onset of heat

The onset of puberty is marked by a combination of signs, including:

changes in behavior from affectionate to aggressive;
a shrill meow resembling a cry of pain;
frequent licking of the genitals;
increasing the frequency of trips to the toilet, marking the territory;
decreased appetite;
the desire to find a male in the house or outside it;
falling on the front paws and lifting the tail;
rolling on the floor, playfulness.

Before estrus, the cat begins to walk more, becomes gentle and demands affection.

If such symptoms are not detected until a year or later, the cause may be the so-called “erased estrus”, which is the basis for a trip to the veterinarian.

Duration of estrus

The length of a cat's cycle is determined individually for each individual. For the first time it can last 5-10 days, and sometimes reach 15-25 days and change as the hormonal balance changes. These indicators differ in animals of different breeds:

Fold and British cats mature closer to a year, estrus lasts up to a week and occurs 3-4 times a year in Scottish cats, and no more than 2 times in British cats;
in Persians, ovulation begins at six months of age, lasts 3-7 days and occurs quite often;
in Bengal and Thai cats, puberty is most often observed from 6-8 months, cyclically once every 1-3 months, for 5-8 days;
Siamese breeds and sphinxes walk 5-7 days every month, starting from a year;
bobtails mature at 8-10 months, and in cats with medium hair there are 1-4 annual cycles of 4-6 days, and in short-haired cats - 6-7 of 10 days.

How often do Scottish cats go into heat?

As Scottish cats age, their heat cycles become shorter and less frequent.
At the very beginning, on the contrary, they can be too private, up to 1-2 times a month. During puberty, hormones can affect your pet 1-4 times a year, but it happens more often. How much Scottish Fold and Straight-eared cats walk and the frequency of estrus depends on genetics, the presence of hormonal diseases, lifestyle and nutrition. Therefore, answering the question of how often Scottish cats come into heat, it is correct to say this: once every 3 months, if not bred, once every 5-6 months, if bred. But sometimes a cat that has given birth will exhibit sexual behavior again within 1-2 months after birth. All these are, of course, average figures.

There is a situation where unsatisfied females ask for a cat very often. The hormonal background accumulates - as a result, one continuous protracted estrus may begin. It is advisable to neuter such a pet if you do not have a nursery.

What to do

For the owner, there are the following ways to solve the problem of estrus in a pet:

Sterilize to protect against pregnancy forever. In this case, there is a risk of hormonal imbalance and suppuration of the sutures.
Use contraceptives. They will dull arousal, but there is a danger of harm to health from taking hormonal drugs.
Connect with a male. After the birth of kittens, the cat will become calmer and will walk less.
Distract from sensations during heat. Buy new toys, pay more attention.

If the owner is in doubt about what to do with the pet, it is worth contacting a veterinarian for advice. This will help avoid new health problems.

The main signs of a cat's heat

To prevent the pet from taking its owners by surprise, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the signs of estrus in advance. The owner will immediately notice changes in the pet’s behavior, and drastic ones at that.

A walking cat is prone to affection

During heat, the cat becomes restless and sleeps less. She becomes overly affectionate, rubbing herself against her owners or furniture. During this period, the owner will definitely hear a piercing meow, loud rumbling or purring. All this is accompanied by a raised or sideways tail and an arched back. In the last few days, the cat may begin to squat, roll on its back, or lift its butt. The cat walks differently.

Note! Estrus is divided into three periods - proestrus, estrus and metestrus. Each of them takes from 2 to 5 days. Behavior changes depending on the stage of estrus.

There is no need to be afraid of loss of appetite; this is a common symptom when a cat is walking. The most active ones may scratch the walls or attempt to escape from the house to the street. The animal will be ready for mating only on days 2-4, when the estrus period begins. Only at this stage will she let the cat near her. If fertilization has occurred, then during the metestrus stage all instincts will disappear: she will stop screaming and worrying.

Despite the fact that estrus is usually accompanied by bouts of affection and tenderness towards the owner, it is stressful for the animal, especially for the first time. A pet who is walking for the first time may show causeless aggression towards others. Her emotional state leaves much to be desired: anxiety and irritability affect her behavior. In some individuals, the state of tenderness and complaisance will periodically be replaced by attacks of anger throughout estrus.

What can you do to alleviate the symptoms of a cat's heat?

A cat's heat is a test not only for herself, but also for the owners, since during this period it causes them a lot of inconvenience. Sometimes the pet annoys the owner and household members so much that they are ready to do anything, for example, give her a hormonal drug. Such medications have dangerous side effects and can cause the development of cancer, so they should not be used without consulting a doctor. Their use is permissible during the first heat, provided that an operation to remove the genital organs will be performed in the near future.

At home, you can calm your pet using herbal-based sedatives - “Cat Bayun”, “Bach Drops”, “Fospasim” and others. Although they have a less pronounced effect than hormonal medications, they are much safer.

If your pet has gone on a spree, you should not shout at it, lock it up, or even use physical violence - this will not only not help, but will also harm it, and an already difficult condition will be worsened due to psychological trauma. The cat cannot be ignored - during the rutting period she really needs affection and care. When stroking, it is necessary to avoid touching the back, especially the lower part, as this increases sexual activity. You can distract your cat during heat with games. You can whet her interest by buying her a new toy.

You can get a break of a few hours by bathing the animal. This can only be done if the pet tolerates water treatments well, otherwise bathing can only worsen the situation by causing stress. Another useful tip is to allow your cat to rest as little as possible during the daytime - this will allow him to sleep peacefully at night.

For those owners who do not plan to breed a pet, veterinarians strongly recommend sterilizing the animal - empty heats lead to the development of diseases of the reproductive organs, including cancer. It is better to carry out the operation before the onset of the first heat, since after the activation of sexual instincts, the pet’s behavior changes, and it is not always possible to correct these changes. Removing the reproductive organs minimizes the risk of tumors in the mammary glands and increases the cat's life expectancy by 2-4 years.

Duration of heat

Each animal is individual, and only its owner can determine the duration of a particular cat’s walk. But even before the onset of the first heat, you need to have an idea of how long a cat walks on average.

It all depends on circumstances and genetics. The first estrus in a healthy individual usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. Animals with hormonal or hereditary imbalances can go on a walk for up to 14 days. Such a long period of change in behavior is quite exhausting for both the pet and its owner.

Outdoor cats walk more often

A cat that has already given birth will go on a spree again only 2.5-3 months after giving birth. This is provided that the birth was successful.

Stages of estrus in cats:

proestrus (preliminary stage). This is the time when the owners notice the first signs. Their pet’s appetite decreases or disappears altogether, and its behavior changes: it demands more attention, cuddles and purrs. At this stage, an increase in ovarian follicles occurs (the reason is the production of estrogen). Owners may notice increased frequency of urination and the appearance of colorless discharge. Proestrus lasts 2-3 days;
estrus (main stage). This is the best time to breed with a cat. During the estrus period, which lasts from 5 to 7 days, the cat is completely ready for mating and will allow a male cat to approach her without any problems. Depending on the physiological characteristics, the behavior and duration of estrus will change in one direction or another, but the need for increased attention will remain unchanged. At this stage, the pet will move on bent legs, crouch to the floor and meow loudly;
metestrus (final stage). If fertilization is successful, all signs of estrus will disappear 2-3 days after meeting the cat. At this time, she will no longer allow members of the opposite sex to approach her and will behave aggressively with them. It is during the period of metestrus that a false pregnancy can occur: the cat will gain weight and begin to prepare a den for kittens;
Anestrus is a time when a pet leads a quiet life. No heat.

Duration and frequency of estrus

Some individuals with hereditary or hormonal characteristics walk for 14 days, which greatly exhausts not only themselves, but also their owners.

A successfully mated female calms down 1-2 days after meeting the cat - she ovulates and fertilization occurs. In this case, she reacts aggressively to the cat immediately after mating is completed and does not allow him near her anymore.

The cat's first heat after giving birth will occur 2.5-3 months later if the birth was successful and she nursed the kittens for 1.5-2 months. If the kittens died or were immediately taken away for some reason, then the female walks for the first time after giving birth 2-3 weeks later.

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There are often cases when kittens are still suckling milk, but the mother is already walking and becomes pregnant again - this happens if the animal has free access to the street or constantly lives in the yard.

An important question that concerns many owners is how often do cats walk?

In the case of regular pregnancy and childbirth, the cat goes for walks 2-4 times a year, because she still needs time to bear and feed her offspring.

It is categorically not recommended to breed an animal every time it comes into heat if the owners value the health of the pet, because she needs to be given rest and time to recuperate - it is best to skip one or two heats.

A cat that does not have access to a male cat goes for walks every 2-3 months, but often this cycle is greatly shortened, and a new heat occurs 2-3 weeks after the previous one.

Possible problems

After a cat is in heat, a false pregnancy may occur. This sometimes happens if there has been contact with a cat or a pregnant female lives nearby. Then the pet begins to experience all the symptoms of pregnancy, with the only difference being that she does not have kittens in her belly. Gradually, this condition goes away on its own, but if it recurs regularly, it is worth taking the animal to the veterinarian.
Heat occurs too often. If pregnancy does not occur, this state of affairs will most likely lead to inflammatory processes in the uterus, mammary glands, or even a cancerous tumor.
Estrus has stopped or has been absent for a long time. There may be several reasons for this. The most obvious one is that the pet is expecting kittens. But there is a possibility of some pathologies that should be excluded by contacting a veterinarian.
Prolonged heat, which lasts more than 2-3 weeks, may also indicate that something is wrong with your health. These can be both hormonal disorders and disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries.

Frequency of cat walking

The frequency of estrus depends on many factors. If a cat gives birth regularly, her cycle will be 2-4 times a year. When she is not bred, estrus can repeat once every 2-3 months. Occasionally there are individuals that walk every 2-3 weeks.

Important! Experts categorically prohibit mating too often. It is not recommended at all during the first heat, and in the future at least a year should pass between births. Too frequent births will negatively affect the health of both the pet and its offspring. Domestic cats have different living conditions, so in this matter you should not focus on them, who give birth every season.

How many walks for the first time

When does a cat start walking for the first time? How long will this last? As a rule, the first heat occurs between 7 and 10 months. This often happens in the spring. The duration of the first heat will be an indicator of the average time of estrus throughout the cat's life. A healthy domestic cat walks for 4-7 days both the first and subsequent times.

You can't knit a cat too often

However, the duration and timing of the first heat depends on many factors. For example, outdoor cats tend to reach sexual maturity earlier than indoor cats. Their first estrus can occur at the age of 5-6 months. At the same age, a domestic cat can also go on a spree, provided that it is active, temperamental, and has a genetic predisposition to this.

Note! The onset of estrus is directly influenced by the cat’s housing conditions and nutrition.

At what age cats begin to walk is a purely individual question that requires a special approach. Each animal will have its own behavioral characteristics and duration of estrus.

Frequency depending on breed

Another important factor in the question of estrus is the breed. The key factor is usually the size of the representatives of a particular breed, which will determine the frequency and duration of estrus.

Representatives of large breeds, such as the Maine Coon, can go out for the first time at the age of 12 or even 16 months. This is due to their large size and is not a deviation from the norm. The time will come, and a big cat will begin to flow just like any other.

Important! Representatives of small breeds are often distinguished by early puberty. For them it can begin at four months. At this age, a cat is able to bear and give birth to kittens, but her body is not yet ready for this.

Representatives of such elegant breeds as the British Fold or Scottish cat exhibit particularly interesting behavior during the period of heat. They tend to neglect the entire female half of the house, and follow the heels of men. A British or Scottish man will greet men especially joyfully, constantly rubbing up against them, while completely ignoring women. This is a breed feature that has not yet found a scientific explanation.

Planned matings

Around this age, you need to decide whether you will use your pet for breeding. Very often people make mistakes with good intentions. Believing that a cat needs to become a mother at least once, they allow a meeting with a cat. Get ready for the fact that after this the cat will wreak havoc at home and look for any crack to escape into the street every time she goes into heat.

Animals lack parental affection; they have no need to raise and care for their offspring. The cat won't feel bad because she doesn't have kittens. On the contrary, indiscriminate mating on the street is fraught with sexually transmitted diseases, injuries and other problems. Add here complications during childbirth, possible cesarean section, and the risk of developing mammary cancer, which is higher in animals that give birth. Put it all together and you will understand that it is much easier and better for your pet (and for you) to sterilize it on time.

Knowing how many times a year a cat goes into heat, you can easily multiply the amount of discomfort caused and understand that sterilization is really a good solution. This operation cannot be performed on a kitten, because it may impair the development of the animal. After reaching six months of age, discuss this issue with your veterinarian. Usually the first heat lasts only two to three days and does not cause much trouble. The animal's sexual attraction is not yet very pronounced. If sterilization is performed at this age, then you don’t have to read any further. The problem ceases to exist for you.

Ways to calm your cat

The modern world is progressing, and people have come up with many ways to ease the period of estrus, both for themselves and for their pet. The most popular and accessible ones will be discussed in more detail in this section.

Drugs

When resorting to tablets, the owner must be aware of the risk he is putting his pet’s health at. Hormonal drugs are difficult to tolerate even by people, not to mention animals. But if you still decide to buy tablets, you should consult a veterinarian. He will help you choose the right drug, determine the quantity and dosage.