How to understand that a cat is asking for a cat, and how to calm it down?

When a cat begins to ask for a cat, the owner who has encountered this for the first time is very worried. After all, during sexual heat, the pet screams wildly and behaves inappropriately. Not every person is able to remain calm; many are looking for any ways to calm it down. Folk remedies, sedative pills and even hormonal drugs are used.

Let's find out which methods of suppressing the symptoms of estrus are safe for cats and why you should decide to sterilize.

At what age does a cat start walking?

Cats start yelling at different ages. In some animals, puberty occurs earlier, in others - later. This depends on many factors:

• breed affiliation;
• fatness;
• conditions of detention;
• pet's temperament;
• heredity.

The first time a cat begins to ask for a cat is when mature eggs are already being produced in her ovaries. In most cases, sexual heat begins between 6 and 10 months, but there are exceptions.

In any case, mating during the first few heats is not advisable. After all, for the body to fully form and strengthen, it needs more time.

It is extremely rare for cats to start asking for a cat at the age of 5 months. Such early maturation indicates the presence of health problems. In this case, it is advisable to show the animal to a veterinarian. You will also need to consult a specialist if your first heat starts after a year.

Diet correction

Since cats have a weak appetite during estrus, veterinarians recommend following a certain diet. It is better to feed the animal in fractional portions, but throughout the day. In the evening it is advisable to eat light food, and in the daytime you can limit yourself to a minimal amount of food. The main thing is not to overdo it with forced fasting, and if the cat itself asks for some treat, then satisfy all its desires. And one more important point - there should always be fresh and clean water in the drinking bowl.

Symptoms of estrus

It's impossible not to notice when a cat asks for a date with a cat. Signs by which you can determine that your pet has gone on a spree:

1. The cat screams and meows protractedly at the top of her voice. Some owners get scared - they think she is sick. In fact, this is a natural process. The female attracts potential suitors with a loud cry.
2. When a cat asks for a cat, she leaves marks in the house. It is unknown whether she does this on purpose or not. The fact is that during the hunting period a special mucous secretion is released from the vulva. In nature, its smell attracts cats.
3. The cat becomes very affectionate, gentle, constantly rubs against the owner’s legs and purrs. In rare cases, the pet behaves in the opposite way - it becomes irritable and aggressive.
4. The urge to urinate becomes more frequent.
5. When a cat asks for a cat, she takes a characteristic pose - arching her back and raising her butt. The tail is moved to the side. In this way, the female shows the male that she is ready for mating.
6. It is easy to understand that a cat wants a cat by its loss of appetite. The pet rarely approaches the food bowl and eats little. Some individuals generally lose interest in food, they even refuse their favorite treat.

You should not worry about the cat’s well-being during this period - when the heat ends, everything will return to normal. The behavior will become habitual, an appetite will appear, and the pet will stop behaving inappropriately.

How to calm a scared cat or kitten

Another reason for restless behavior is fear caused by fear or nervous tension. It is expressed by the following behavioral changes:

• prolonged licking of one part of the body;
• very loud purring, soothing with its vibrations;
• indifference to food or unusual gluttony;
• perversion of appetite (eating inedible objects);
• hiding in dark and inaccessible places;
• profuse drooling;
• loud meowing or hissing;
• involuntary urination;
• freezing in place or an emergency attempt to hide from sight.

A cat can be frightened by a change in familiar surroundings, the appearance of a new family member, the sound of thunder, a trip to the veterinarian and other ordinary situations. To calm down, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of fear or prove that it does not pose a real danger.

Be sure to take into account the condition of your pet. Some will need consolation in the form of affection from the owner, while others will prefer to rethink everything alone.

In the first case, behave as usual. A voice that is too insinuating and comforting can increase the animal’s fear. It is better to act according to the following algorithm:

1. Take a few steps back to give your cat more personal space. Don't try to pick her up.
2. Start a normal conversation in a gentle and quiet voice, sitting on the floor. Being a little taller will reduce your potential danger.
3. If the cat does not show aggression, approach and pet it. Otherwise, wait for her to take the initiative. Until this moment, you can hold out her favorite treat in your hand.

Particular attention should be paid to the environment. Isolate your pet from other animals and children by placing its sleeping area in the quietest and most protected area.

If you experience frequent attacks of fear, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian. In some situations, you cannot do without taking sedatives.

Duration and frequency of sexual heat

The length of the period during which cats ask for a cat differs from individual to individual. On average, estrus lasts 7-10 days.

The period of sexual hunting can be divided into several stages. Each of them has certain characteristics:

1. Proestrus. The cat begins to ask for a cat, but at the same time she is not yet ready for effective mating. Her estrogen levels increase. Sexual heat begins - the external genitalia increase slightly in size, and transparent discharge appears from the vulva. Behavior changes - the cat rubs against objects for a long time, requires more attention and affection. Appetite decreases. The duration of proestrus is 2-3 days.
2. Estrus. The cat is already ready for mating. If she has a date with a cat during this period, she is more likely to get pregnant. The pet feels increasing excitement, this is eloquently evidenced by her behavior - loud inviting cries, adoption of a characteristic pose for mating. The duration of estrus is 3-4 days, in some individuals it lasts longer.
3. Metestrus. The level of estrogen in the cat’s body decreases, and along with it, interest in representatives of the opposite sex disappears. Some females even feel irritated at the sight of a male. The cat no longer asks the cat, does not allow him to approach, drives him away with hiss.
4. Anestrus. At this stage, the hormonal levels stabilize and the cat calms down.

The frequency of the onset of estrus differs between domestic and wild animals. This process is influenced by the length of daylight hours, quality of nutrition, breed and other factors.

On average, cats ask for a male cat every 3-4 weeks, provided that mating has not occurred.

Boredom, loneliness

At night, pets get used to sleeping next to their owner; when separated, they do not fall asleep, ask to go to bed, and become active. During the day, an animal in an apartment may be openly bored, meowing from boredom, asking to be played with, dropping and scratching objects.

Solution

To prevent your pet from getting bored, create a corner for him to play and have fun. There you need to put a scratching post, hammocks, hang bells, balls, teasers. Toys need to be updated periodically; the animal gets used to them. The owners also keep fish in a closed aquarium and small parrots. It’s better to play with the cat with mice and radio-controlled cars yourself, and start training it.

The problem of loneliness can be solved by leaving the doors to the bedroom open and making a hole so that the cat can walk back and forth freely. If you need to wean your pet from sleeping with its owner, first make a bed, train it with mint, and then move it to the right place.

How long after giving birth does estrus occur?

The frequency of sexual estrus depends on whether pregnancy has occurred. If a cat has a date with a cat, then she bears the offspring for about 2 months, and then feeds them. Then the next estrus begins 30-50 days after lambing or 10-14 days after the end of lactation. In the wild, cats go into heat on average 2-3 times a year. If there was no mating, then the next time the estrus will begin in 3-4 weeks.

In rare cases, nursing cats ask for a male cat as early as 2 weeks after lambing. If mating does not occur during this period, the next estrus will begin again after 14-21 days.

If the date with the male takes place, then a new pregnancy will not occur, since the uterus has not yet had time to recover and the process of feeding the kittens is underway. But mating during the next heat is more likely to be effective.

Behavior problems

When cats ask for a date with a cat, household members have a hard time. The constant screaming makes it impossible to sleep at night. Some people can’t stand it and lock their pets in one of the rooms. Others wet the animal’s fur with water in the evenings. This allows you to gain an hour of silence while the cat licks its fur coat. But as soon as she dries up, she starts asking for the cat again. This behavior is exhausting and forces you to try different ways.

Is it possible to calm a cat at home?

Simply petting and calming a cat that asks for a cat is unlikely to work. You will have to be patient and wait until the heat ends.

Numerous “folk” tips on how to calm a pet usually turn out to be ineffective:

1. Pet your pet more often. Showing attention will only increase arousal.
2. Give sedatives. They will not help because the animal is not stressed. They are driven by the instinct of reproduction. Such medications only slightly dull the desire to mate.
3. Feed the cat with products containing pheromones like Feliway. During sexual hunting they are completely useless. Such drugs help to quickly adapt to a new place and to endure the trip more calmly, but they do not pacify natural instincts.

Calming medications for cats

Sometimes veterinarians recommend taking sedatives. Such medications help to dull arousal a little, but their main purpose is to achieve mental lability, eliminate aggression and anxiety.

List of drugs and method of use:

1. Cat Baiyun. A medicine based on herbs with a sedative effect - valerian roots, oregano, sweet clover, mint, motherwort, hop cones and others. As soon as the cat begins to ask for a cat, she is given 2 ml of medicine three times a day for 5-7 days.
2. Fitex drops. A sedative with herbal components – valerian, motherwort, hop extract. The medicine normalizes the functioning of the central nervous system, muffles the feeling of fear and aggression. If a cat wants a cat, or vice versa, then the pet is given 3-5 drops of the product in the morning, lunch and evening for several days.
3. Drops for cats Stop stress. The drug is available in the form of drops and tablets. The medicine contains aminophenylbutyric acid and extracts of valerian, catnip, hops and motherwort. This remedy helps reduce agitation and correct the animal's behavior in stressful situations. Directions for use: 1 drop per 1 kg of weight twice a day.

Sedatives should not be given to a cat for a long time. They are allowed to be used for no more than 10 days. And you should not expect that these medications will completely eliminate sexual arousal. They can only slightly smooth out the symptoms of estrus.

Artificial ovulation

Sometimes the safest and most effective way to calm a cat so that she does not ask for a cat is to artificially induce ovulation. This method is suitable if the pet cannot be given for mating right now for some reason. For example, if she is in her first heat or a worthy candidate for mating has not yet been found.

In some cases, veterinarians show owners how to simulate sexual intercourse at home, which will cause ovulation. To do this, you will need a small phallic-shaped object about 4-5 mm thick and 1.5-2 cm long. A cotton swab wrapped in a fingertip or something similar will do. The cat is held by the withers. When she is in the mating position, the object is gently inserted into her vagina.

It is recommended to repeat this procedure 3-4 times within 12 hours. After this, the pet should ovulate, which will provoke a false pregnancy.

The heat will stop, the cat will calm down, stop asking for the cat and will prepare for the appearance of kittens. Some females begin to arrange a place for birth. During a false pregnancy, hormonal changes occur, so milk may be released from the mammary glands.

Attention! The artificial ovulation technique cannot be used every time the cat asks for a cat. This can cause inflammation in the uterus.

What not to do

Some actions of owners can harm the cat. For example, you cannot lock an animal in a cellar or bathroom. Being alone will have a negative impact on your mental health.

It is also undesirable to let your cat outside unattended, because it could get hit by a car, contract a virus, or become a victim of aggressive dogs. In addition, uncontrolled walking during estrus can lead to mating with an outdoor cat.

You should not punish her, yell at her, or hit her. This will not help solve the problem, because the animal is at the mercy of instincts. The pet will still continue to scream and roll on the floor.

Folk remedies

Unlike medications, folk remedies do not differ in their duration of action, but still have their advantages. The most important of them is absolute safety for health. Alternatively, you can try the following methods to calm yourself down:

• Decoctions of herbs that have a sedative effect. For example, lemon balm, mint, caraway, chamomile. Prepare according to package instructions, cool until warm and strain. Drinking this helps relieve anxiety for a short time and improve sleep.
• Dissolve a small amount of soda in milk (at the tip of a knife) and pour into the drinking bowl.

• Take 1 tablet each of diphenhydramine and valerian, crush finely and mix with food. This will help calm the cat for about a day. An alternative is to simply give her a sealed bottle of valerian.
• Brush the cat's face with butter. The animal will have to lick itself for a long time and, as a result, there will be a temporary lull.

Interrupting estrus with hormonal drugs

Estrus can be prevented or interrupted with the help of hormonal medications. However, they should not be used often, as this will lead to health problems.

List of drugs to suppress sexual arousal in cats:

• Sex Barrier;
• EX-5;
• EX-5T;
• Four with a tail.

Hormonal drugs are designed to reduce the level of estrogen, which will reduce the manifestations of sexual desire. Essentially, taking such medications moves the animal from proestrus to anestrus.

Pros of taking hormonal drugs:

• the cat does not ask the cat, its behavior does not cause inconvenience to the owner;
• it is possible to skip 1-2 matings if the animal is used for breeding, but mating is not possible at the moment.

There are just as many disadvantages to taking hormonal medications. This needs to be understood when deciding whether to give them to your pet:

• such medications cannot be used frequently and for a long time;
• taking them disrupts hormonal levels, and this can lead to serious illnesses - the development of pathologies in the uterus and oncology.

Problems do not appear immediately after taking hormonal drugs. Most often they occur at the age of 3-4 years. If a cat develops endometritis or other diseases of the reproductive system, it will have to resort to castration.

If a castrated cat yells

More often than not, young, uncastrated/unsterilized animals cause concern to owners. The problem is resolved after a scheduled visit to the veterinarian. The best age for an animal to be sterilized is 1 year. If you do this later, the behavior may develop and the cat will continue to scream out of habit. But don't expect the screaming to stop right away. The animal may continue to scream for a week or two, as the hormonal levels need time to change.

If enough time has passed after castration or sterilization, and the cat still continues to give nightly concerts, the veterinarian may have performed the operation poorly. Sometimes part of the gonads remains, and they produce hormones that awaken the sexual instinct. If you suspect this state of affairs, you should contact a veterinary clinic.

Castration or sterilization is the optimal solution to the problem of a pet’s night cries