Is my Cat in Heat?

Female domestic cats go on heat when they are between five and seven months old. She may still look and act like a kitten, but she is reaching sexual maturity.

Girl kittens who usually have a sweet little mew may start meowing in a deep, piercing way. It can be quite loud, and sometimes a bit unnerving. Don't be concerned, she's not sick, she's on heat.

Your feline companion may become quite affectionate, demanding attention, purring and slinking up against your legs, furniture and doorways.

You may find your female cat sitting on doorsteps or driveways in a visible position, calling to male cats with a low, sharp meow as described before.

During estrus, many female cats will eat and drink more than they usually do.

A definite sign that she's in heat is infrequent, light bleeding from her genitals, although not all cats display this symptom of estrus. Many owners do not see their cats bleed, because she might start paying extra attention to this area when she is grooming.

She may also lie low on her chest and present her rear to you, by sticking her bottom and tail in the air, while kneading or treading with her back paws. It will look a bit like she's walking on the spot.

With some cats, it's pretty easy to know when they are in heat. Others you will need to keep a close eye on.

The loud, deep meow is the most common way for a kitten to let you know that she is ready to find a mate.

If you suspect that your cat is in heat, keep her indoors. I know it sounds mean, but if she gets out, she will find a mate and fall pregnant. Finding homes for a litter of kittens is difficult, and cats who breed at a young age are more likely to fall ill when they get older. Make sure that she has plenty to eat and drink while indoors. She'll probably be hungrier and thirstier than she usually is. Keep her kitty litter clean, and give her enough room to pace up and down if she needs to.

Make an appointment with your local vet to neuter her as soon as possible. The operation is quick and your cat will be sedated the entire time. She may feel a little woozy afterwards, but she won't suffer any pain. She'll need to visit the vet again 10-14 days later to have the stitches removed.

Estrus can be quite frustrating for both the cat and her owners, and will reoccur every few weeks if she doesn't get spayed.

If she's asking for extra attention while she's on heat, give her plenty of love and cuddles. She's not being naughty; she's just being a cat.