2006-07-10 10:07:32 · 16 answers · asked by ~*mandy*~ 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be "in heat" or "in season." Cats normally have their first estrous cycle between 5 and 10 months of age, with the average age around 6 months.
The female cat has 2-4 estrous periods every year, each lasting 15-22 days. If she is bred, estrus seldom lasts more than 4 days.
If successful mating does not occur, estrus may last for 7-10 days and recur at 15- to 21-day intervals. It is possible for an unmated female to cycle every 3-4 weeks indefinitely.
Cats also have an estrous period 1-6 weeks after giving birth, so a female may be nursing one litter while pregnant with another
2006-07-10 10:11:10 · answer #1 · answered by Kismet 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the world of breeding cats, the female cat is usually referred to as a "queen".
There is no set answer -- it will vary from queen to queen depending on a number of factors ranging from genetics to health and environment.
On average, a kitten will enter her first heat, and thus qualify as a queen, somewhere between her sixth and eight month. She will exhibit heat behaviour* from five to ten days, with breaks from three days to three weeks in between. This cycle will be more intense in the spring and summer than at any other time of year, but cats have, like hominins, moved toward year round breeding, and some show no seasonality at all.
*Heat behaviour includes lowering her front end and elevating her behind, with the tail switched off to the side, rolling on the ground, marking -- even spraying -- her territory for males to detect, and vocalisations that range from murmurs to yowls.
It is strongly recommended that you have your female spayed as soon as possible after her sixth month. The world has quite enough kittens already, and less than half will find good homes. And, even if your cat never goes outside, so the chance of kittens is minimal, it will save you, and your bewildered little girl, a lot of grief!
2006-07-10 17:11:14 · answer #2 · answered by ♫†☼☼♥Natasha♥☼☼†♫ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A week to 10-days. She will make it very noisy for you. She will also come into heat often in the Summer...tapering off in the winter.
Please, unless you are breeding purebred cats for sale, get your pet spayed. She will be a better, more loving kitty after. And NO, NO, NO, she does NOT need to have a litter before you get her spayed.
Everyone, Please, spay or neuter your pets!
2006-07-10 17:16:13 · answer #3 · answered by Suzette R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get her spayed and you won't have the problem any more. All cats should be spayed or neutered. If you don't she'll keep going for longer and longer times until she's continually in heat and she'll drive you NUTS. Also, unspayed female cats can be at risk for breast cancer and uterine infections that can kill them as they get older.
Get her to the vet and get her spayed.
2006-07-10 17:13:25 · answer #4 · answered by Nightlight 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't agree more with the people who advise to get your cat spayed or neutered!! I have volunteered for a local animal shelter a few times and it breaks my heart to see all the animals in cages (that are ALL at risk to be euthanized) just because irresponsible pet owners didn't have their parents fixed. It's so not fair to them. Please fix your cat. There are plenty of low-cost options out there if you need the financial help. Just search for low-cost spay/neuter programs in your area.
2006-07-10 17:47:16 · answer #5 · answered by mytib1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until you get her fixed. Do NOT let her have kittens. It is not best for a cat to have kittens before she is spayed. There are millions of unwanted cats in the world so go get her spayed. non spaying causes uterine and mammory cancer. The longer you wait the greater the chance of mammory cancer.
2006-07-10 17:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by Manny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a few days, but the go in heat every 6 weeks so watch out or your kitty cat could end up with zillions of kitties and you going nuts about it.
:-)
good luck.
you should let yr cat have one litter and then fix her.
2006-07-10 17:11:21 · answer #7 · answered by noteparece? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah.... Depending on how old your cat is it could take 1-3 weeks. Make sure it isn't around any other cats either. That makes it quicker, sometimes.
2006-07-10 18:05:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think it is only a week because my little boy has been making some funny noises and showing his little pink thing for some time now.... lol and i wish he'd stop it already- poor thing.. im ready to bring him to a friends house with a female cat so he can get his jollies off before i take him to get neutered!!!!
2006-07-10 17:11:32 · answer #9 · answered by Qgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard they can stay in heat until they're mated or fixed.
2006-07-10 17:11:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋