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How Long Do Cats Stay In Heat?
by James Glover
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How long will my cat stay in heat? (Danielle - Iowa)
If your female cat does not mate, she will go into oestrus as often as every two to three weeks, for several months each year, until she either mates or is spayed. Cats as young as 4 months old can go into the heat cycle, and they should be spayed as soon as possible unless they are pedigreed and you wish to breed from them. If spaying is not immediately possible then your vet may be able to give her hormones to stop the cycle. After all, the cycle is extremely uncomfortable for her, even if it does not inconvenience you. Your cat will be in heat for one or two days, but won't really come all the way out of it until you have her spayed.
Disclaimer: This service is meant to provide advice only and is not meant to replace an appointment with a registered veterinarian. Users should always seek a second opinion. Unfortunately we are only able to answer several questions per week so not everyone gets a published answer. And, unfortunately we can't answer by email.
Readers' Comments (Newest to Oldest)
California
Junior Member
Added on May 16th, 2009
I felt compelled to write and urge you all to spay and neuter as soon as possible. Money is a poor excuse not to as there are many resources to help if it is an issue for you. Call your local shelter for questions about how to get low-cost spaying. Sometimes this is extremely inexpensive and you would be saving your cat a lot of discomfort. I volunteer at a cat rescue and I've seen countless abandoned cats and kittens as the result of irresponsibility by pet owners everyday. PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER! Thank you.
I felt compelled to write and urge you all to spay and neuter as soon as possible. Money is a poor excuse not to as there are many resources to help if it is an issue for you. Call your local shelter for questions about how to get low-cost spaying. Sometimes this is extremely inexpensive and you would be saving your cat a lot of discomfort. I volunteer at a cat rescue and I've seen countless abandoned cats and kittens as the result of irresponsibility by pet owners everyday. PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER! Thank you.
Minnesota
Junior Member
Added on March 28th, 2009
We have had our cat for probably 5 months and it appears as if she has been in heat for quite a while (weeks)- the chirps are all the time but lately its getting to the point where even when we lock her in her room at night she chirp/moan/scream/yells all night long!! It is VERY frustrating and even though I dont have the money, I need to get her spayed! It really became bad (past two days) because now she has changed tactics and after religiously defactaing in her litter box she has gone on the floor three times, which apparently is a way for the cat to attract other mates and basically say "I am here!!!" She gets VERY loud too and not only does she stick her butt up in the air, she does it to humans (this heat stage really messes with their heads!!!)- does anyone know if you have to wait until they are out of their major heat cycle to get them spayed?
We have had our cat for probably 5 months and it appears as if she has been in heat for quite a while (weeks)- the chirps are all the time but lately its getting to the point where even when we lock her in her room at night she chirp/moan/scream/yells all night long!! It is VERY frustrating and even though I dont have the money, I need to get her spayed! It really became bad (past two days) because now she has changed tactics and after religiously defactaing in her litter box she has gone on the floor three times, which apparently is a way for the cat to attract other mates and basically say "I am here!!!" She gets VERY loud too and not only does she stick her butt up in the air, she does it to humans (this heat stage really messes with their heads!!!)- does anyone know if you have to wait until they are out of their major heat cycle to get them spayed?
Oregon
Junior Member
Added on March 19th, 2009
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I was going crazy not knowing much about this heat cycle as my cat is driving me nuts with her antics. It's been almost a week and she has not slowed the process, but I now know how many cats are in the neighborhood! Gees! Cats in heat are one of the most unpleasant things to watch, not very attractive I must say...Little hussy! Also, when cats do get pregnant how long until the litter comes?
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I was going crazy not knowing much about this heat cycle as my cat is driving me nuts with her antics. It's been almost a week and she has not slowed the process, but I now know how many cats are in the neighborhood! Gees! Cats in heat are one of the most unpleasant things to watch, not very attractive I must say...Little hussy! Also, when cats do get pregnant how long until the litter comes?
Pennsylvania
Junior Member
Added on March 7th, 2009
I dont believe that either. I think that a cat being in heat varies. Mine isn't fixed and sometimes she is in heat for a week or more.
Then can be fine for a few days and come back in heat within the same month. I have found that if we don't talk to her or touch her she doesn't seem to chirp as much.
I agree with the one person who said she isn't interested in the normal things. Mine isn't either. She will eat and drink but always has that butt in the air.
It's just every time we save enough money to get her fixed something comes up.
I dont believe that either. I think that a cat being in heat varies. Mine isn't fixed and sometimes she is in heat for a week or more.
Then can be fine for a few days and come back in heat within the same month. I have found that if we don't talk to her or touch her she doesn't seem to chirp as much.
I agree with the one person who said she isn't interested in the normal things. Mine isn't either. She will eat and drink but always has that butt in the air.
It's just every time we save enough money to get her fixed something comes up.
Pennsylvania
Junior Member
Added on March 6th, 2009
I have a 9mo old Birman cat who went into heat on Sat. This make it 6 days so far and going strong. She yells and yells and rolls and is uninterested in the playing she used to like. She also doesn't want her "treats" or even to be held like she does. I am waiting for this heat to end so that we can get her spayed.
I have a 9mo old Birman cat who went into heat on Sat. This make it 6 days so far and going strong. She yells and yells and rolls and is uninterested in the playing she used to like. She also doesn't want her "treats" or even to be held like she does. I am waiting for this heat to end so that we can get her spayed.
Georgia
Junior Member
Added on Feb 28th, 2009
Okay my question regards Cats in heat as well. How do I know when the first heat begins ?? Chirping ?? Please explain what chirping is , as I do not believe she has ever done that.
Also HOW LONG does the heat last ?? Thank you so much - I need to get her spayed very soon regardless and want to protect her up until.
Okay my question regards Cats in heat as well. How do I know when the first heat begins ?? Chirping ?? Please explain what chirping is , as I do not believe she has ever done that.
Also HOW LONG does the heat last ?? Thank you so much - I need to get her spayed very soon regardless and want to protect her up until.
Oregon
Junior Member
Added on Feb 15th, 2009
Yeah, our little kitty's in heat, and it's her first one. Yesterday she was outside all day, and we noticed this ugly big, never before seen, cat hanging around our backyard. At first, Stella's chirping was cute, but the more annoying thing is the mating stance. She keeps couching down and backing up into everything. Ugh...
Yeah, our little kitty's in heat, and it's her first one. Yesterday she was outside all day, and we noticed this ugly big, never before seen, cat hanging around our backyard. At first, Stella's chirping was cute, but the more annoying thing is the mating stance. She keeps couching down and backing up into everything. Ugh...
Michigan
Junior Member
Added on Jan 20th, 2009
My cat is 6 months old. She has been walking around chirping non-stop. Is this an indication that she is in heat . Its constant and driving me crazy. It was cute at first, now its annoying.
My cat is 6 months old. She has been walking around chirping non-stop. Is this an indication that she is in heat . Its constant and driving me crazy. It was cute at first, now its annoying.
Texas
Junior Member
Added on Jan 8th, 2009
My cat seems to be forever in heat...and she yowls very loudly ..every time driving me up a wall!!! But it seems to me that her heat lasts more than 2 or 3 days..it seems like over a week..is this possible?
My cat seems to be forever in heat...and she yowls very loudly ..every time driving me up a wall!!! But it seems to me that her heat lasts more than 2 or 3 days..it seems like over a week..is this possible?
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Hey Matthecat99. I thought it would be really expensive too to get my cat spayed but I found out that my local animal shelter will do the procedure for only 80 dollars. I know they are professional and do good work because I have two other pets that are from there and had the same procedure there. I think this is a small price to pay for not having to listen to chirping and scratching all night! Definitely something to look in to!