Owners of domestic cats know that during the period of heat, the behavior of their pet changes dramatically, and this can cause many problems both for the animal and for all family members. But those who bring a cat home for the first time and have no previous experience of communicating and caring for her, at the moment when she asks for a cat, may be seriously frightened and not know how to behave with the animal and how to help it.
The ideal option for those who get a cat not for breeding and resale of kittens is sterilization. This will not only help you avoid behavior problems, but will also reduce the risk of serious health problems for your cat.
How to understand that a cat is in estrus, and features of the first heat
Puberty occurs at 7-12 months. Its onset can be easily determined by the following signs:
- rolling on the floor;
- periodic raising of the rear part of the body followed by abduction of the tail;
- loud and prolonged meowing or intense purring;
- leaving odorous marks on vertical surfaces and actively rubbing against objects;
- loss of appetite;
- frequent licking of the perineum;
- swelling of the vulva and the appearance of clear discharge.
A cat's first "menstruation" is not suitable for mating. It is the shortest and less pronounced.
Features of the rut
For cats, the average age of onset of heat can range from 4 to 9 months. Typically, puberty is accompanied by a certain weight gain, which should correspond to about 80% of the weight of an adult - about 2 kg. There are also breeds with an earlier onset of sexual maturity, when estrus occurs at 5 months. These include Oriental cat varieties.
The optimal start for pregnancy is considered to be from 1.5 years of age; early fertilization does not lead to anything good - cats often experience difficult births with a high probability of death, miscarriages and developmental defects in kittens.
The onset of estrus is also often associated with the length of daylight hours. This determines sexual activity depending on the region. In temperate latitudes, the season begins from February - March and ends in November. In December and January, as a rule, there is no estrus.
Domestic cats have an irregular estrus cycle, as artificial lighting also affects sexual activity. This is especially true for those pets who lead a reclusive lifestyle and do not go outside for walks.
How often and how long does sexual intercourse last?
The average frequency of estrus in pets is once a quarter, and its duration is 5-7 days. Deviation of these values up or down is acceptable, but only in the absence of diseases of the reproductive system.
If heat occurs every 3 weeks or once every six months, and its duration exceeds 3 weeks or lasts less than 5 days, consult a veterinarian. Your pet may need to be examined.
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Females living outside are close to wild conditions. Therefore, they estrus occurs once every six months, and this is normal.
Insulation
Not the most effective way to calm a cat at home, but in some cases it really works. During heat, you need to “move” her into a separate room and provide her with maximum comfort. You can put a warm heating pad under the bed, place bowls of food and water nearby, and also try to avoid situations that could frighten or irritate the already emotionally unstable state of the pet.
If there is also a cat living in the house, the animals should be isolated from each other. To calm the instinct that is running wild, you should not let your cat go outside if it is accustomed to walking “free.” In this way, you can not only limit her communication with her relatives, but also avoid an unplanned pregnancy.
How to calm a cat when she's in heat
The animal’s condition is alleviated by 2 types of drugs: sedatives and hormonal ones. If the pet is involved in breeding, then such a need arises during the first heat, the onset of estrus too quickly after birth and in the absence of a suitable partner for a long time.
Medications and sedatives
This group includes products based on herbs and pheromones. They are not addictive and do not cause severe side effects. The only contraindication to their use is the presence of an allergy to the components included in the composition.
It is important to clarify that the main purpose of sedatives is to relieve nervous tension, that is, eliminate stress. They do not suppress sexual desire. Because of this, their effectiveness is much inferior to hormonal drugs.
Hormonal drugs and injections
Hormonal drugs have a direct effect on hormonal levels. Their use leads to a decrease in the level of estrogen - female sex hormones. Thus, the animal goes through only 2 stages of the sexual cycle: proestrus (the very first) and anestrus (the last), missing the middle one - in fact, the “hottest”. When the next cycle occurs, the drugs must be taken again.
“Hormonal injections have a slightly different effect. They affect frequency, delaying the arrival of the next estrus by 6-12 months.
Despite their effectiveness, hormonal drugs have many contraindications and side effects. The latter include pathologies of the uterus and ovaries, including cancerous tumors. It is also worth noting the quick addiction.
Due to the large number of shortcomings, it is much more humane to resort to sterilization. With its help, you can permanently suppress sexual desire and reduce the risk of developing cancer of the reproductive system in the future.
Pills
Calming pills are the most emergency way to calm the heat. In this case, the owner must understand the risk he is taking, because these are hormonal medications and, after taking them, there can be very bad consequences; tumors may begin to form in your pet.
When purchasing such products, seek help from a veterinarian because only an experienced specialist can help you choose the right medicine that will help calm and not harm your pet so much during estrus.
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There are cases when a cat during heat was calmed by classical music. For example, works by Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky. Such cases are quite rare and depend on the character of your pet. Calm music stimulates the cat's desire to sleep and this helps calm the pet's heat.
Sterilization: pros and cons
Many people are accustomed to using the term “sterilization” in relation to cats, thinking that only cats can be castrated. This opinion is erroneous, since these operations pursue different goals.
The purpose of sterilization is to exclude the possibility of conception (tubal ligation as an example), and the purpose of castration is to suppress sexual desire (by removing the genitals). That is, a mustachioed pet can and should also be neutered. Below we will use a more familiar term, but do not forget that in fact we are talking about castration.
The benefits of sterilization include:
- Preventing escapes. Whiskered pets often get lost, running out the door or jumping out the window in search of the cat.
- Guaranteed elimination of estrus and cat marks, as well as stabilization of behavior.
- No need to find a home for kittens. If you do not plan to engage in breeding, then an accidental pregnancy may take you by surprise due to the lack of regular buyers.
- Reducing the likelihood of developing diseases of the reproductive system (cancer, endometritis, pyometra, polycystic disease). When the reproductive organs are removed, there will simply be no place for these pathologies to develop.
- Safe normalization of hormonal levels. The operation has no side effects and does not have a negative impact on the body.
- Increased life expectancy by 5-10 years. Achieved through calm behavior (no constant stress) and protection from the diseases listed above.
There are much fewer disadvantages: the need for anesthesia and decreased activity. There is no need to be afraid of either one. Young animals tolerate anesthesia very easily, and the emerging tendency to obesity just needs to be controlled with low-calorie food and active games.
“ All about cat sterilization
Facilities
Warmth will help your cat calm down. The source of heat can be a heating pad that you place under her bed or a warm towel. You can cover it with a light blanket on top. This will help your pet relax and calm the urge to want a cat. You can also purchase a special hanging hammock that can be hung on the radiator. Cats love to sit at heights, she will definitely like this hammock, and she will always be close to a source of heat that will help calm the animal.
Alternatively, you can bathe your cat to calm it down. This procedure will temporarily distract and help relieve excitement during estrus. Each bath is a little stressful for a cat, and emotions after it will overshadow the craving for the cat. She will lick herself and, for a while, will simply be distracted from her needs.
Mating and its rules
The first mating is carried out no earlier than the third “menstruation”, that is, only after reaching physiological maturity. The frequency of all subsequent matings should be no more than 2 times a year, and after reaching 6-8 years the animal must be excluded from breeding. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing infertility, miscarriages and other complications.
In addition to age restrictions, it is important to follow certain safety rules. When looking for a partner, be sure to ask his owner for documents reflecting his state of health. To avoid accidental infection, both participants are pre-vaccinated and dewormed.
“ All about mating cats
Prohibited actions
Most online recommendations not only do not give the desired effect, but also pose a danger to the animal. Prohibited actions include the following:
- Using folk recipes. Valerian, popular among owners, is highly addictive among the cat family, and essential oils with a pungent odor can cause acute poisoning. Also, do not resort to recipes with iodine and soda. These substances lead to increased gas formation and vomiting.
- Cooling the genitals with ice water. At best, your pet will simply get scared, and at worst, it will develop inflammation.
- Frequent stroking. Try not to touch the area from the middle of the back to the base of the tail. After this, the cat crouches to the ground in anticipation of mating.
- Raising voices and physical punishment. Abuse will simply increase anxiety and rob your pet of your trust.
- Locking the animal in a dark room. The sun's rays do stimulate hormones, but a lack of them is harmful to physiological health and psyche.
- Taking sleeping pills. This is a very strong drug that is used to prepare for deep anesthesia. Due to the large number of contraindications and side effects, it can only be used as prescribed by a veterinarian.
- Imitation of sexual intercourse. Sticking thermometers, cotton swabs and other oblong objects into an animal is not only pointless, but also dangerous. The tool you use can cause infection or cause accidental injury.
- Mating with a neutered cat. Unlike the previous one, this method is not dangerous, but absolutely useless. If you do not want to pair your pet with a breed-class cat, then it is much easier and more reliable to simply sterilize her.
If your loved ones use any of the above, be sure to tell them about the possible consequences. In addition to such drastic solutions as sterilization, there are several other options that eliminate negative consequences.
What should you do to avoid using medications?
The option when the fluffy one is isolated in a room is controversial.
For a pet that is constantly indoors, such an exit will not bring significant inconvenience. In the absence of attention, she begins to behave more calmly. If a cat is used to constant walks outside, this is a rather stressful situation. Many owners try to help the cat when she wants a cat by involving her in outdoor games. Fluffy beauties are distracted from the problem and spend excess energy. Children take part in such games. The pleasure is mutual.
Don't discount hygiene factors. Cats, being naturally neat animals, during the period of heat become even more demanding of external conditions. Not cleaning the toilet on time can provoke irritation and aggression in pets. She can find a place for the toilet not in the usual place, but where she sees fit. To avoid creating additional problems, you should clean the tray more often.
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For breeders, the issue of estrus is resolved at a professional level. A cat of the same breed is selected, an acquaintance takes place, and after the allotted time, cute purebred babies are born.
