What is estrus in a cat - a description of the period of sexual activity in pets

When does puberty begin in cats?

The onset of puberty usually occurs at 6-8 months. At this point, the first heat is often observed. At the same time, there can be no question of any mating. Although, if you don’t have a good cat in mind yet, then it’s worth starting an active search. In order to bear and give birth to healthy offspring, the cat must become stronger and “formed”. This is possible no earlier than the animal is one to one and a half years old . Some owners rush, but in vain, because then dead kittens are born, and the cat begins to get very sick.

It is better to skip the first 4-5 heats in British cats and only after that think about offspring.

As for cats, their puberty period is 7-8 months. Although the male feline will also not be ready for fatherhood at this age. It is recommended to wait at least up to a year.

What an owner should do when a cat comes into heat for the first time

Pet owners who encounter heat for the first time usually do not know what to do in this case. You need to understand that this is physiology and there is no escape from it.

Experts highlight several tips that will be useful to cat owners:

• Mate with a cat. In this case, fertilization and further birth of kittens occurs. Therefore, a person must be prepared for such an outcome. In the first heat, mating is not recommended. The animal’s body is not yet ready to bear and feed offspring.
• Wait until the end of the heat and carry out sterilization. Surgical intervention by doctors should occur only 1.5-2 weeks after the end of estrus.
• Do not scold for non-standard behavior. It is impossible to scold an animal for actions that are unusual for it, and especially not to punish it. She cannot give up her nature and physiology on command and begin to obey.
• Distract and calm. To alleviate the pet's condition by distracting it with games and entertainment is considered the most preferable option.
• Reduce the amount of food. Since the cat’s appetite becomes noticeably less, it is better to reduce the amount of food given, but at the same time increase the number of feedings.
• To bathe. Giving your cat a warm bath with chamomile will relax the cat and allow it to go through heat faster. Especially if you then place it in a dimly lit room.
• Buy special medications. Veterinary pharmacies sell tablets and drops that relieve symptoms of estrus. They have a calming effect and will help you cope with an unpleasant period.

A good option is mating with an active cat that has undergone castration. In any case, before manipulation, it is better to consult a veterinarian.
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When to think about mating

Most owners of four-legged cats do not know when to breed a British cat. People are afraid of making mistakes, so they delay the process.

Characteristic signs of a cat are:

1. Loud and constant shouting. This is how the pet tries to call the cat to her.
2. Constantly rolling on the floor and licking your genitals.
3. A sharp change in mood - the animal can either be too affectionate, or, on the contrary, show unreasonable aggression.
4. While stroking, the pet arches and raises its tail. In this way she shows that she is ready to meet the cat.

For a cat, things are a little different:

1. Animals begin to actively mark all corners in the house. Attempts to scold the cat do not lead to anything good; he tries even more actively to show what he needs.
2. The cat rubs against sharp objects or those that interest him. Often people observe some kind of friction, body movements are directed towards the thing that the pet is interested in.
3. Pets change dramatically. Some people do not recognize cats as their four-legged companions.

Important! There is no need to try to calm or scold the animals at this moment. Instincts that are higher than everything “awaken” in them.

If the pet is already ready, then it can happen to someone; if offspring are not included in the plans of the owners, then it is more humane to perform sterilization so as not to torture either yourself or the pet.

When can a cat start walking?

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.

Mating cats basic rules for owners

Mating of British cats should be carried out based on several rules.

They are as follows:

• Mating usually takes place in the male's territory. The reason is that cats take much longer to get used to a new place. In addition, they first mark the territory, and only then begin to settle into the apartment. In practice, there were enough cases when a cat recorded the entire house and things didn’t go further than that.
• By sending your cat to a cat, you should make her stay much more comfortable. Having your own house, you must take it without fail. The same applies to the food bowl, water plate, as well as the food to which the pet is accustomed. If the cat is very picky, then you will also need to take a tray. With these items the animal will feel calm and protected, which will help it adapt better and faster.
• Before the trip, you need to cut your cat's nails so that it does not scratch the cat, and also vaccinate your pet. It wouldn’t hurt to “drive away” fleas and worms. When fulfilling all these points, it is recommended to hint about them to those owners to whom the cat will go. Otherwise, instead of the expected result, you may catch some disease or return home scratched.

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

How many days before vaccination should a cat be given anthelmintic?

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.

Sterilization

Today, sterilization is the safest and most humane way to make life easier for both yourself and your cat. This method is suitable for owners who do not plan to breed a cat for breeding purposes. Medicine has reached such heights that sterilization is no longer a dangerous operation. Another advantage is the increase in the life expectancy of the pet.

Important! It is best to carry out the operation before the first heat.

Cat after sterilization

By the time a cat's first heat begins, the owner must prepare. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, you need to familiarize yourself with all the information about estrus in cats. Animals live by obeying their instincts, and owners should not forget that they are responsible for those they have tamed.

How often do British cats come into heat?

A British cat's heat begins no earlier than 6 months. Breeders note that this can happen at 5 months, but only if there is also a male living in the house with the pet. Then the pets grow up much faster. This process is also influenced by the season of birth of the animal. Veterinarians say that those born in the spring begin to walk several months later than those born in the summer or autumn.

In addition, the animal's temperament can also affect estrus. It is not uncommon for the first rumblings to begin only at the age of one. And this is the norm. As for the frequency, this is all individual. About 20 years ago, spring was considered an active period, when nature woke up and animals “woke up” with it. Today, heat can occur at different times in different ways. In spring, the frequency is observed every 3 weeks, in summer – once every 2 months. A cat may ask to go for walks at least six times a year.

How long and often do cats walk?

Many owners are concerned about how much the cat walks and how often. It is difficult to give specific answers to these questions. Each representative of the cat family will have its own indicators. In addition, several factors influence the duration and frequency of estrus.

How many days a cat's heat lasts depends on:

• environmental conditions, season;
• conditions of detention;
• feeding characteristics;
• animal breeds;
• age of the cat;
• presence of contacts with cats;
• physiological characteristics of the pet’s body;
• health status.

True, there are averages. From 5 to 10 days - this is how long the estrus lasts for a cat living at home. But everything is individual. In rare cases, estrus can last up to 20 days. The first heat is most often short-lived and becomes longer over time. So, the number of days a cat walks for the first time does not mean that her estrus will continue to be of the same duration. The hormonal background has not yet fully formed.

It is recommended to observe how many days the cat is in heat, because sometimes it can be too long. And prolonged estrus is a pathology. Similar situations can occur with an ovarian tumor or cystic process. It is highly undesirable to start such diseases. Therefore, it is important to know how long a cat’s heat is normally. And in case of deviations, contact a veterinary clinic in a timely manner. The doctor will perform an ultrasound, take blood samples and, if necessary, prescribe a treatment regimen.

Sometimes it happens that the cat does not leak at all. This may be the cause of the development of some disease. Therefore, a visit to the veterinarian cannot be avoided. If the cat does not start walking, experienced breeders advise taking the following measures:

1. If there is another cat who is currently in heat, she should be placed with a pet who is not starting to walk. Often cats leak at the same time. And the second one may also leak.
2. If you have a cat, it is advisable to place it with a cat. The smell of a cat can cause hormonal changes in the pet's body, and the pet will begin to walk.
3. You can give your pet vitamins and homeopathic remedies. Naturally, on the recommendation of a veterinarian. This method is only suitable for healthy cats.

The question of how long a cat’s first heat lasts is clear. But how often does the animal walk? As for frequency, if the cat has already given birth, then, as a rule, estrus occurs once every few months. Sometimes the interval can reach a year. But if your pet has not given birth before, estrus may bother you more often. For example, monthly or even every 2 weeks. As for stray animals, as well as older individuals, their estrus usually occurs in the fall or spring.

The question of why a cat often walks is understandable. But what to do in this situation? The best option is to give the animal the opportunity to reproduce regularly. Thus, it is possible to achieve that the heat will occur once every six months. But it is worth noting that a cat’s first heat after giving birth may appear after just 1-1.5 months. If the owner does not plan to breed cats at all, it is worth contacting a veterinarian. The animal can be sterilized. Or the doctor can choose hormonal drugs.

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.

Signs

You can confidently determine the time when estrus begins using the following signs:

• Uterine loud disgusting meow, which can last the entire time of estrus. Moreover, it is possible that these sounds will be noticed not only by household members, but also by neighbors. However, it all starts quite harmlessly - with purring.
• Your gait will change. While this state lasts in the animal, the feeling is always created that it is in search of someone.
• The cat will begin to be near the owner more often, constantly demanding his attention. However, it is worth keeping in mind that a British pet will not suffer from constant mood. Therefore, one should not be surprised by either aggression and sullenness or affection from the pet during festivities.
• It is also worth preparing for the fact that while the amorous period lasts, the animal will often begin to rub its head against everything. Often on the floor, rolling there from one side to the other.
• The most unpleasant thing: as long as the heat lasts, the tendency to mark corners can last. Attracting a partner during this period is the most important thing for a pet, even if she was previously very well-mannered and litter-trained.

Selection of a partner

Not every cat will have a cat for a walk. Therefore, choosing a partner is an important point that should be given maximum attention. In addition, you need to pay attention to the color of the animal. If the owners are going to breed babies for sale, then they should look for a cat based on the shade so that they get what they want.

So, white British people cannot be mixed together, because the offspring may turn out to be deaf. When you want to breed a tabby, it is better that the partner is blue or black. At the same time, brown or chocolate shade is not an option at all. If the cat is light cream or black, then you can choose a cat of the same color.

When choosing a male, you should also pay attention to his health and appearance. Strong cats are the guarantee that babies will be born healthy and strong. When mating with a British cat for the first time, you need to choose an experienced animal. Otherwise, both she and he will start hissing at each other and fighting. If the cat is more courageous, then she may not even drive the male into a corner and not let him out until she is taken away. Therefore, special attention is paid to this nuance.

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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Mating cats: basic rules for owners

During mating, a number of simple rules should be followed. This is the only way to get the result you expected.

These rules are:

1. If the cat is already more than one and a half years old, the first signs of estrus have become noticeable, there is no need to wait any longer. It’s bad to bring animals in early, but you shouldn’t overexpose them either. A nulliparous pet may experience problems in the reproductive system. Some beauties cannot bear offspring, others' babies are stillborn, some have to undergo surgery to get kittens. In a word, it’s bad to start mating early, but there’s nothing good about mating too late.
2. After bringing the cat to the cat, you need to observe the animals for some time. Sometimes there is such strong aggression on the part of one that the four-legged animal is ready to kill if only it would be spared from the company of a stranger.
3. During mating, it is better not to be near the cats, because people can distract them from the process.
4. You should leave the cat with the cat for no more than 2-3 days. Firstly, after this time, males lose interest in females, and secondly, a large amount of “ovary” will lead to the fact that some kittens will be born premature and weak.

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.

How does mating work?

Having noticed that the cat has changed in behavior, you need to observe it for a couple more days, and then you can take it to the cat. This is usually done 3-4 days after the start of the party. It is better for the cat owner to prepare in advance the room where the animals will live for these couple of days. First, a cat is brought into the room, which must get used to it a little, and only after that can a male be introduced. If the male representative does not show interest in the lady, you should wait a little.

Some breeders recommend raising the cat's tail and holding the cat up to it so that he can smell the scent. If the cat is indifferent to its partner, there is no need to rush; perhaps it has not yet gotten used to it. There are times when animals begin to fight and hiss at each other. Having noticed active aggression, it is necessary to stop everything.

Inexperienced pets may not understand what to do and may grab incorrectly. If this is the case, then you can give the cat a little encouragement and help him (but inactively) in carrying out this process. The fact that everything went well is evidenced by the cat’s screaming, its rolling on the floor, as well as its active licking of its genitals. When a cat hides or hides in a corner, this is a sign that the male did not please her in some way. In this case, it is also not recommended to “insist” and it is better to take the pet home.

How to behave correctly during estrus

If you become the owner of a British cat, you are responsible for it. Therefore, it is worth knowing that during the period of heat, animals go crazy, and he needs help. Try to behave appropriately and not yell at your pet, much less hit. Because after such actions, the British cat may simply hate you.

During the period of heat, it’s already hard for a cat; she wants attention and love. Try to give it to her and do everything so that at this moment she forgets about her torment. Walk with the animal in a variety of outdoor games that will exhaust her . This will allow you to sleep peacefully at night.

If you do not want your British pet to have offspring at all, then sterilize. Thus, save your pet from suffering and yourself from unnecessary worries. And if not, then be patient and try to treat the cat like the woman you love. Believe me, your pet will appreciate it. Try to understand the animal and help it.

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Non-standard situations that may occur when mating cats: rules of conduct for owners

Sometimes not everything works out the way you want. Therefore, you need to be prepared for this, and also know what to do in such situations.

The rules are simple:

1. If the cat is smaller in size than the cat, which happens in some cases, then he will not be able to grab the female’s withers and then perform a love act. That is, there will seem to be an act, but there will be no contact of the genitals. In this case, a person can take the pet by the withers so that the cat grabs the skin below. This way the organs will be at the same level and the problem will go away.
2. When a cat does not let the cat near her either for the first time or during the next heat, this is a reason to contact the veterinarian. The doctor will insert a four-legged special probe into the vagina, which will solve the problem. Sometimes a special drug should be administered to “awaken” the cat’s instincts. However, this is up to the veterinarian to decide.
3. Some cats fall on their side during mating and it is difficult for the cat to start the process. There are people who try to force a cat onto a female and do everything themselves, but this is stressful for both animals. Breeders note that the partner will be able to penetrate the cat in this position, so it is better not to interfere.
4. When pets enter a new home, they often forget about the purpose of their visit, their character changes, and they become indifferent. In this case, it is better to wait a little. If the four-legged pet does not get used to it, then there is only one thing left to do - postpone mating until another time.

Important! Animals, like people, also have their own preferences. Therefore, if a cat is indifferent towards each other, there is no need to try to force them to “marry”. This could end badly.

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 people, 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.

Signs of pregnancy

Signs of pregnancy can be observed by the cat's behavior. Two weeks after mating, the animal becomes calmer and sleeps a lot. In addition, you may notice that the pet loses its appetite, sometimes it feels nauseous and vomits. From the third week, the nipples turn pink and enlarge. And after another week, the fluffy begins to eat a lot. An enlarged belly is observed in the fifth week. Considering that a cat is pregnant for about 65-67 days, you can monitor the animal’s behavior from the first day of mating. If after three weeks no changes have occurred, then you need to wait for another heat.

If everything worked out, kittens appear after two months. The next mating after birth can be planned no earlier than 7-8 months later.

How to understand that a cat has gone on a spree

You can tell that a cat is in heat by a number of characteristic signs:

1. The cat begins to insistently demand attention. She becomes very affectionate and even intrusive. But sometimes attacks of tenderness give way to aggression, and then even the calmest cat turns into a hissing and biting fury.
2. When stroking the pelvic area, the cat takes a characteristic pose. She arches her back and lifts her hindquarters up, her tail retracted and her front legs extended. This position is a sure sign that the cat is in heat and is ready to mate with a male cat.
3. The cat's behavior changes a lot. She begins to actively rub against any objects, including walls, furniture and even her owner’s feet. In this way, she spreads her own scent to attract males.
4. The most unpleasant of all the signs of heat in cats is the leaving of marks. The female turns her back to a vertical surface and, raising her tail, secretes a few drops of urine.
5. To attract males, a cat begins to scream loudly during estrus. Moreover, it does not calm down even at night, and this causes inconvenience not only to the owners, but also to the residents of neighboring apartments.
6. When a domestic cat goes into heat, her urge to escape increases, even if the animal has never been outside.
7. You can find out that the female has begun to estrus by a decreased or missing appetite. These days she eats less than usual or refuses food altogether.

Characteristic symptoms

Any pathological discharge from the genitals of an animal requires a visit to the doctor and finding out its cause.
It is impossible not to notice the signs of heat in a cat. If before this the animal was affectionate, kind, and flexible, then once the hunt begins, it is almost impossible to recognize it. From the first day, the pet has a clear, colorless and unpleasant odor discharge from the genitals. If the mucus is yellow-white, brown like menstruation, or bloody, this is a pathology and a reason to immediately visit a veterinarian.

Other signs by which you can understand that a cat is asking for a cat are:

• frequent urination;
• lack of appetite;
• constant concerts accompanied by heart-rending meows;
• excessive affection, especially towards a male owner;
• tail abduction;
• the desire to sneak out of the house to find a gentleman.