How often do cats go into heat?

Midnight meows. Rubbing up against furniture. An insatiable demand for snuggles. These are just a few of the behaviors you can expect from a cat in heat. These reproductive cycles tend to pop up every 2-3 weeks during a cat’s “breeding season” (more on that in a bit). Every cat is unique, so your feline friend’s experience may be different from others, but there are common signs to look out for. Read on to learn what determines how often a cat goes into heat, and ways you can help your favorite furball manage and prevent these episodes.

What does “in heat” mean for cats?

Referred to as an “estrous cycle” in the veterinary community, cats go into heat when they are at their most fertile. Unlike humans, who are fertile year-round, cats have what are known as “breeding seasons” where they most commonly experience these cycles.

These seasons are heavily influenced by daylight, which is why they usually begin around February when days start becoming longer and end around October when they’re shorter. Cats go into heat every 2-3 weeks during their breeding season, though some can go into heat outside of these months. This is especially common in tropical regions where there are consistently longer daylight hours.

Here are the stages of a cat’s heat cycle:

• Proestrus. In this initial phase, a cat’s hormone levels will increase to develop eggs.
• Estrus. This is the stage vets are referring to when they say “in heat.” It is when unspayed female cats are at their most sexually receptive. The estrus stage lasts 4-7 days on average.
• Interestrus and/or metestrus. If a cat is not bred during their estrus cycle, there will be a 2-3 week “interestrus” period until their next cycle. If a cat does mate during their estrus cycle, there is a 30-40 day “metestrus” period where eggs are released (and possibly fertilized for pregnancy).
• Anestrus. This is the time in between breeding seasons when a cat has reduced hormonal activity.

👉 Cats are considered “induced ovulators,” meaning they will only release eggs when they mate.

When do cats first go into heat?

The age when a cat experiences their first heat cycle varies based on their breed, weight, and the aforementioned daylight hours. For example, short-haired cats like Bengals and Siamese typically go into heat earlier than longhaired cats like Ragdolls and Maine Coons.

While the average age for a cat to first go into heat is between 6 and 9 months, some cats start as young as 3 months, and others as late as 18 months. Cats can become pregnant as soon as they have their first heat cycle.

👉 Male kittens are able to get female cats pregnant as young as 4 months old.

How can I tell if my cat is in heat?

If you’re unsure whether or not your feline friend is in the middle of a heat cycle, you can start by paying close attention to their body and behavioral cues. The more time you’ve had to get to know your cat, the easier it will be to tell when something is “off.” But when it comes to a kitten that’s new to you (and the world), this is, of course, a bit harder.

“The affection, restlessness, and positioning are the biggest signs. In the positioning bullet, you should change it to hind legs, and maybe describe it as like a downward dog (or cat) pose.” - Dr. Erica Irish

Here are the common signs that a cat is in heat:

• Vocalizing. When it comes to a cat in heat, it’s often more about hearing than seeing. Cats in the estrus stage of their cycle will engage in excessive, loud vocalizing as a mating call to attract male cats. Unfortunately, they aren’t always mindful of “after hours” when it comes to these yowls.
• Positioning. In addition to a mating call, cats in heat have a mating position. This is when a cat lifts up their hind legs and tail with their head low to the ground, like a downward dog pose (or, rather, downward cat).
• Rubbing. You may notice your cat rubbing against stuff when they’re in heat, like furniture, other pets, or even you. They also tend to roll around on the floor more.
• Affection. Even the most elusive of cats may be a bit more affectionate towards you when they’re mid-heat cycle. This could include lying on your chest, wrapping their tail around your ankles, or general clinginess.
• Grooming. A cat’s genitalia may become swollen while they’re in heat, causing them to self-groom more than usual.
• Restlessness. Cats have trouble settling down during heat cycles. Expect them to get up and move around frequently, including in the middle of the night.
• Marking territory. Much like dogs, cats may use their urine to communicate with other cats. While in heat, a cat may spray in or outside their litter box to let male cats know they’re fertile.
• Trying to get out. Indoor cats in heat may attempt to escape the home to find a mate. Be careful opening doors and windows during their cycles.

Some more severe symptoms of a feline heat cycle that require urgent veterinary care include:

• Loss of appetite. Cats usually eat less while they’re in heat, but cats that don’t eat at all should be brought to the vet right away to ensure they’re meeting their nutritional requirements and don’t have an underlying health issue.
• Gastrointestinal duress. The decrease in appetite can lead to gastric health problems like diarrhea and vomiting. Contact your vet if these symptoms persist so they can administer fluids and treat their upset stomach.
• Bleeding and discharge. Unlike humans and dogs, cats do not usually bleed when they’re in heat. Any blood or discharge in the ureteral area could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

More of a visual learner? Watch this video of what a cat in heat may act like:

How can I support my cat while they’re in heat?

We all want our kitty companions to be as comfortable as possible, so naturally you’re probably wondering if there’s anything you can do to help when your cat is in heat. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to ease the stress of a feline heat cycle:

Offer more attention

Your cat may appreciate a bit more TLC while they’re in the throes of a heat cycle. This could include more couch snuggles, some gentle grooming, and treats. That said, it’s important to know when your cat does and doesn’t want physical contact. Read our guide on how to properly pet a cat and the warning signs to back off.

Make a cozy, private space

On that note, some cats may just want to be left alone while they’re in heat. Providing a comfortable, sectioned-off area for your kitty to get some peace and quiet could be beneficial to them, like a cat tree or closet space with plenty of blankets.

Create a stress-free environment

Try to avoid stressing out your cat too much in their home environment while they’re in heat. Obviously you can’t avoid all stress factors, as you need to live your life. But small steps like cutting down on visitors or holding off a week or two on drilling in those new shelves can help your kitty through their cycle. You may also want to look into calming music for cats, like classical or jazz.

Increase exercise and playtime

Tuckering out your little fur ball with more indoor exercise and playtime could go a long way in easing their restlessness. Interactive toys with a “hunting” component can especially help satiate their prey drive and keep their mind off, erh, other drives. We recommend the Butterfly Cat Tracks from Frisco.

Invest in “calming” products

There’s no shortage of products on the market that are developed specifically for easing cat anxiety. The most popular is catnip, along with other herbal remedies like valerian root or lemon balm. Pheromone diffusers (like these from Feliway) are meant to mimic the chemical that mother cats produce to soothe their kittens. You can also talk to your vet about anxiety medications or prescription foods that contain tryptophan.

Clean out the litter box

As mentioned, cats may urinate more frequently when they’re in heat. If their litter box is dirty, they may look to other parts of the home to do their marking. Clean out the box frequently and make sure to train your cat from a young age to only pee in litter.

Don’t let them get out

If you like to walk your cat, it may be best to hold off while they’re in heat. The last thing you want is them running away in pursuit of a mate. Secure the home by closing all windows and doors and look into ways to block off escape routes.

How can I prevent my cat from going into heat?

Of course, the best treatment is prevention, so it’s important for cat owners to understand that there are ways to stop your feline pal from going into heat in the first place. The most common is spay surgery, but there are some non-surgical methods as well. Let’s take a look at both:

Spay surgery for cats

Spaying, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, involves surgically removing a female dog or cat’s ovaries and uterus to stop their heat cycle. Cats are typically spayed between 5 and 6 months old, though it depends on their size, breed, and other health factors.

“Some [vets] prefer to wait until pets are fully grown,” says veterinarian Dr. Erica Irish. “In shelter med, there's no guarantee that a kitty will ever see another vet in the future, so shelter vets will spay kittens as early as 8 to 12 weeks of age.”

Here are the benefits of spaying your cat as soon as your vet determines it is safe to do so:

• Avoiding pregnancy. If you don’t want your cat to get pregnant, spaying them will remove their ability to do so.
• Eliminating heat cycles. Spay surgery also prevents your cat from having heat cycles every 2-3 weeks for a majority of the year (or the entire year in some places). This means curbing unwanted behaviors like excessively vocalizing and marking.
• Managing health risks. Spaying your cat prevents them from contracting pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection. It also prevents feline ovarian and uterine cancers and reduces the risk of breast cancer.

👉 Neutering a male cat can also cut down on their excessive vocalizing in response to female cats in heat.

👉 Search Animal League’s SpayUSA Database to find low-cost spay and neuter clinics by zip code.

Non-surgical methods for cats

You can also take steps to disrupt the natural process of your cat going into heat via non-surgical methods. This includes:

• Contraceptive. Available in tablet or liquid form, Megestrol Acetate (MA) is an oral contraceptive that prevents female cats from having heat cycles and becoming pregnant.
• Hormone therapy. A relatively new study found that a single dose of a vector containing anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can prevent ovulation and pregnancy in female cats for up to two years.

If you’re unsure whether or not your favorite feline is in heat, it’s always a safe bet to check with your veterinarian, who can not only determine the cause of your cat’s behavior but advise you on how to best manage it. While being in heat can be distressing for cats, you can take comfort in knowing there are preventative steps and ways to manage their symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

How often do cats go into heat in a year?

Cats go into heat every 2-3 weeks during their breeding season. A breeding season typically lasts from February to October.

What triggers a cat to go into heat?

Cats go into heat during long periods of daylight. This typically means they experience heat cycles during the spring and summer months,  but it can be year-round for tropical climates with consistently longer daylight hours.

How can I get my hat out of heat?

There is no way to stop a cat from being in heat during their cycle. You can prevent them from going into heat altogether with spay surgery, or take steps to make your cat more comfortable while in heat by creating a cozy environment and using pheromone products.

Is being in heat painful for cats?

Being in heat should not be painful for cats, but it can make them very uncomfortable. If your cat is exhibiting signs of pain, contact a veterinarian immediately.