How often are female cats in heat

Typically, female cats will start to go into their estrus cycle or heat cycle by six months of age. Certain environmental factors like temperature and access to potential mates can cause it to happen sooner or later.  

Certain breeds—like Siamese cats—may go into heat as early as 4 months, while other breeds may not go into heat until around 10 months of age. Larger-sized cats may also take a bit longer to mature. Nonetheless, when a female cat grows to about 80 percent of her adult weight, puberty usually begins.  

When Is Mating Season for Cats?

A cat’s mating season relies on several different factors, including geographic location. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, the mating season for cats runs from March to September, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s from around September to March.  

Cats living indoors with regulated temperatures and lighting can potentially stay in heat year-round. That’s because—assuming a cat has not been spayed—the lighting and temperature of indoor environments mimics that of the natural triggers/settings for mating.  

Another contributing factor can be the presence of other cats, especially intact ones. Once the conditions are right, the reproductive cycle begins.  

Do Female Cats Get Periods?

Yes, cats have periods during their estrus cycle, but menstruation is different for cats than for humans. Unlike human females, cats do not shed the lining of their uterus and bleed it out.  

Instead, the womb-lining gets reabsorbed by the cat’s body. As a result, cats are unlikely to have more than a little light bleeding occur during this time, if at all. If you notice more than some light bleeding, call your veterinarian.  

How Long Does a Cat Stay in Heat? 

A cat can stay in heat anywhere from about a week to 10 days, with 15 to 21-day intervals in between. If a female cat finds a mate, however, her estrus period will last no more than four days. It’s normal for a cat to go into heat around two to four times per mating season, with peak activity taking place in the Northern Hemisphere from about February to October.  

How Do I Know My Cat Is In Heat?

There are many indicators that will tell you when a cat is in heat, including crying, unusual posturing and an intense focus on male cats that may result in your cat trying to escape your house when she sees one.  

Before your cat goes into estrus, there’s a lead-up called proestrus where your cat may show increased signs of affection. She may also rub her body—especially her hindquarters—against various objects and furniture as well as any other cats and even humans living in your home.  

Your cat may also vocalize and let loose a loud yowl intended to get the attention of male cats. They may also spray while in heat to mark their territory. If you don’t want kittens, it’s important to keep a close eye on your cat to prevent them from trying to escape to the outside to try to find a potential mate. 

Once in full heat, you may notice your cat walking with their tail pointed to one side and go into the mating stance, which includes lifting the hips skyward while putting their head down and kneeling with the front legs.  

How to Support Your Cat While in Heat

Going into heat can be an uncomfortable time for your cat. Cats don’t have the same bloating, cramping or other physical symptoms that human females do during their cycle, but that’s not to say they don’t experience some form of discomfort as well as irritability. To alleviate some of this discomfort, try the following:  

• Provide your cat with a covered heated pad to lay on 
• Try giving some catnip to calm them down 
• Play with your cat to help distract from discomfort 
• Give stress-relieving herbs or pheromones to help ease stress levels 

If you have specific questions or concerns about your cat, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Discover more insights about kittens and cats from our pet experts on our Pet Expertise page.  

Without being spayed, female cats will go into heat for several days every few weeks.

If you don't spay your new female kitten, she's going to go into heat—quite often, actually. 

So much so that when Margot Vahrenwald, DVM, was asked how often cats go into heat, she not-so-jokingly says, "forever."

How Long Does a Cat Stay in Heat?

If an indoor cat isn't spayed, she'll go into heat every two to three weeks, each cycle lasting about three to five days, says Vahrenwald, the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center in Denver, Colo.

The heat cycles will continue until your cat is either spayed, which Vahrenwald recommends, or she gets pregnant. The cycles will start around when your cat is four to five months old, which is why Vahrenwald says cat owners should get their cat spayed close to the six-month mark.

What Happens When Cats Go into Heat?

Heat cycles occur when a cat's body is hormonally ready and receptive to becoming pregnant. During the cycle, your cat may be more vocal in the evening if she smells potential mates outside and wants to go out to them. Vahrenwald says she might also be more willing to have her rear end petted and may even rub it on her owners.

Some cats who are in heat will urinate more often or spray it onto vertical obstacles. This is because their pee contains hormones and pheromones that actually help attract male cats. Feline dating habits are weird, but effective. You might even see unfamiliar male cats start appearing in your yard.

Outside of the strange bathroom habits and the presence of tomcats, Vahrenwald says it might be hard to tell if your cat is in heat.

"It's not super obvious," Vahrenwald says.

cat lying on back looking at camera

Credit: Guido Mieth / Getty

Do Cats Bleed While in Heat?

No, cats shouldn't bleed when in heat. If that, or anything else odd or worrisome happens, contact your veterinarian.

Vahrenwald says that unless you want kittens, you should keep your cat inside—away from potential mates—during her heat cycle. But her best recommendation is to spay your cat and avoid heat cycles all together.

Should You Spay Your Cat to Keep Her from Going into Heat?

If you want to avoid the extra cat pee appearing around your house (and outside the litter box), the inquisitive male cats looking for a mate, and the expense of an unplanned litter of kittens—yes, spaying your cat is a good idea. In addition to the issues that crop up around your house if your cat is not spayed, consider the implications on a larger scale. Overpopulation is already an issue, and the rapid ability at which cats are able to reproduce makes spaying your cat well worth the cost of the procedure.

Vahrenwald points out that unaltered cats can have up to three litters a year. That's a lot of cats, but it quickly leads to even more. Cats have no qualms about incest, so litters of kittens can result in even more kittens without spaying and neutering. According to the Spay and Neuter Action Project, two "unaltered" cats mating can end up with 400,000 descendants in six years—and that's why animal advocates point to TNR programs as a way to help reduce feral cat populations.

Cats who are not spayed "Really can create a population explosion," Vahrenwald says. Talk to your vet for more information about how and why spaying and neutering can help your cats live happier, healthier lives.

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