How long does the estrus take in cats. The cats' estrus is all about this important period in the life of your pets.

When a pet cat or doggie starts estrus, it affects the various moments of the life of the whole family. The animal becomes uneasy, gathers around itself whole flocks of partners of the opposite sex, who make noise, fight, do not give passage. Therefore very soon unfortunate owners are beginning to be keenly interested in the question of how long the heat last for cats or dogs.

What it is?

To begin with, it would be nice to understand what happens to an animal in general. All the owners in principle know that this condition is associated with reproduction. And it's important to imagine how long it takes to breed. The estrus is usually referred to as the special condition of a mature animal due to a change in the hormonal background for the possibility of conception.

Throughout the time, how much the cat has estrus, it will be pursued by all the neighboring seals. However, in fact, this process is divided into several phases. On the first (proestrus), which takes 1-2 days for cats, and for dogs - 6-7, the body prepares for changes. The animal behaves restlessly, nervous, but does not allow "boys" to join. Then comes the next stage, estrus. It is then that the "girl" becomes loving, flirting with the representatives of the opposite sex. This time is often called proper estrus.

How much the cat will continue to have estrus, depends on many factors. This breed, and age, and diet. Therefore, in some cats, this can be literally 1-2 days, and for others - all 21. The average duration is 5-7 days. Dogs also find it difficult to immediately name the duration of this period, but usually it is about 9 days. They knit animals accordingly for 3-5 or 4-6 days.

Then follows the stage of recovery of the body after estrus, which is called metestros. Here in dogs and cats there is a serious difference. It turns out that the time that the estrus in cats lasts is much less due to the recovery time. In cats, this is an average of 8 days, and in dogs - from 60 to 150 days. Such a long duration of the recovery phase makes possible the onset of a condition that in dogs is often a problem. Then comes sexual rest, which lasts for dogs about 3-4 months.

Features of estrus in cats

Thus, the estrus in cats usually lasts about three weeks (and the most acute period lasts just over a week). However, the owners are more interested in how often to expect the onset of this condition in the pet. In nature, cats usually walk a couple of times a year. However, domestication led to a change in sexual behavior. And it affected not only how long the heat last for cats, but also for breaks between estrus. It is common to see cat walking 3-4 times a year. But, if there is no conception, estrus can happen monthly, and even literally every 3 weeks. If the cat regularly knit and give birth, then it will walk less often - 2-3 times a year.


It is important and necessary to remember that during the estrus the animal experiences certain physical suffering. Bitch dogs even have bleeding. And even if all the time that the estrus in cats or dogs lasts, the owners can not cope with the pet, do not punish it. She is absolutely not to blame for behaving badly, this is all nature! And yet, today there are drugs that can help the animal to transfer estrus with the least loss. But their use can have serious consequences, so it's best to consult a veterinarian.

If the house is inhabited by an unkempt fluffy beauty, how long does the estrus in cats care about the owner and all household members. This period is characterized by restless and characteristic behavior of the animal under the influence of hormones. Its duration depends on many factors and factors.

Period and signs of puberty

Sexual maturation in most domestic cats occurs in the period from 6 to 10 months. The time of the onset of the first heat is dependent on a number of reasons.

Factors contributing to the onset of heat Justification
Breed Breeds characterized by large size, fluffy wool cover (Maine Coons, Persian and Siberian cats, bobtails and others) mature within 12-14 months
Hereditary factor Early puberty in parents is an important value for offspring
Season of birth Cats born in summer, ripen much faster than their relatives, born in winter or spring
Food A complete diet rich in vitamins, microelements promotes the onset of puberty in physiologically correct terms
Climate In a warm offensive, puberty occurs faster
Individual characteristics Age of sexual maturity for each individual is individual and depends on the development of the reproductive system, the hormonal status of the animal
Presence of other animals   When the content of several cats in the room, the estrus may begin earlier in the young individual

The sexual maturity of the animal indicates that the processes of formation and development of the reproductive system have been completed. The reproductive organs and the body as a whole are ready for the continuation of the genus.

How long the first heat in a cat lasts depends on the individual characteristics of the individual, the conditions of keeping and feeding. As a rule, the duration of the first estrus does not exceed 10 days. This period is characterized by a change in the behavior of the animal. Often the first heat is almost imperceptible. This is due to the small concentration of hormones in the young body. However, subsequent estrus can be characterized by a rapid manifestation and deliver a lot of inconvenience to others.

Once having tasted all the delights of the marital behavior of his pet, the owner thinks about how many times a year the cat is walking. If the animal does not represent a breeding value, it is advisable to resolve the issue of sterilization before the onset of the first heat. A timely operation not only eliminates the anxious sexual behavior of the animal, but also reduces the risk of developing numerous diseases of the reproductive system.

Features of sexual behavior

The mating season in cats is associated with a restless behavior of the animal under the influence of sex hormones. These manifestations are of the following character:

  • Loud screams. Petomich sometimes screams as if she has something hurts. Call meow - a way to attract a male.
  • Characteristic poses. During estrus, the cat falls on the front paws, lifting the pelvic area. When stroking, he takes his tail to the side.


  • Change in behavior. The animal becomes very affectionate, obtrusive, constantly, pieces of furniture.
  • Marking of territory, furniture, shoes.
  • Frequent urination. At the same time, the discharge acquires a rather sharp unpleasant odor.
  • Aspiration to leave the room. At the same time, even a cat, which never walked outside the apartment, aspires to go outside the premises.
  • Decreased appetite. The mating season is characterized by a sharp rejection of food, sometimes up to complete disregard for even the favorite dishes.

Some animals do not show violent symptoms during heat, their sexual hunting has a hidden nature. This phenomenon is observed in weakened, obese individuals, in the presence of diseases of internal organs and with a low temperament.

Duration and regularity of estrus

The duration of estrus in cats is very individual. The average period of estrus is 7 to 10 days. Some females are in the hunt only 3 - 4 days, other individuals are characterized by a prolonged duration of heat - up to 14 days. On how many days the cat is walking, many factors influence:

  • pedigree accessory;
  • heredity;
  • physiological development of the animal;
  • nutritional value;
  • season;
  • features of animal content;
  • temperament and age of the pitomi.

Sometimes the duration of estrus increases to 2 - 3 weeks, this is due to a violation of the hormonal background. In this case, a consultation of a veterinarian is necessary.

Owners of furry beauties are often interested in the question of how often cats have estrus. It is important to know and experienced breeders to plan the matings in the animal, and the owners of non-castrated cats. As a rule, in an individual that does not fit in with the cat, estrus occur frequently, practically one by one. This condition greatly exhausts the animal, brings him suffering and inconvenience. For the owner and household members, a pet who is constantly on the hunt poses a serious problem.


Many owners do not consider it necessary to expose their sterilization pythomist, they knit a cat at every estrus. Constantly giving birth to females come to the hunt 3 - 4 times a year. On average, a person who has been knitted has sexual intercourse every three months. Then when the estrus begins in cats after birth, it depends on how the process went - normally or there were complications. If after the lambing the animal quickly recovered, there were no inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs, the kittens fed mother milk up to 1.5-2 months, then the tincture usually begins in 2.5-3 months. In the event that the kittens were dead or died after birth, the cat can also take a walk and in 2 - 3 weeks after childbirth.

The interval between the estrus depends on the individual characteristics of each animal, as well as on a number of factors: the breed, the season, the conditions of detention, the state of health. Some animals come to the hunt almost 2 weeks after the end of estrus, others have estrus once a year. In such a situation, the pet should be shown to the veterinarian to make sure that deviations from the physiological norm are not caused by diseases of the reproductive and endocrine system.

Disorders of estrus in cats

Sometimes the owners are puzzled why the cat often walks. In most cases, this is due to the fact that the estrus is empty, the female does not fit with the cat. The animal is disturbed by the hormonal background, the pet begins to enter into sexual hunting almost immediately after the end of the last estrus.

Too frequent, as well as too rare heat may indicate health problems. The reasons for the violation of the interval between estrus, the increase in the duration of sexual hunting may be as follows:

  • Insufficient illumination. When keeping the animal in conditions of enclosed space, the seasonal nature of the manifestation of sexual hunting is disrupted.
  • Isolated content. Sometimes cats raised without contact with other members of the feline genus enter the sexual hunting phase very rarely.
  • Thyroid disease (). Insufficient level of hormones is a common reason why a cat does not walk.
  • Pathology of the organs of the reproductive system. Cats are often diagnosed with cystic processes, ovarian tumors. Such diseases lead to prolonged heat.
  • Absence of ovaries. The selected animal can be sterilized, so there is no estrus.

Eliminate endocrine diseases and pathology of the reproductive organs will help blood tests and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.


When you can take a cat with a cat

Sometimes the owners have a question, how to call the estrus in a cat. This problem occurs if the animal is rarely observed for estrus for some reason. or this period is hidden. In the event that the problem is not associated with any disease, you can resort to vitamin E. Dosage and scheme of application will prompt the veterinarian. You can use an innocuous folk method. To do this, the house where the cat lives, you need to bring a rag with cat marks or a filler from the cat's toilet. The smell of a male can activate sexual hunting.

A cat's estrus is a complex biological process, accompanied by a characteristic behavior of the animal. The duration and regularity of sexual hunting depends on many external and internal factors. The owner should have an idea of ​​the physiological features of the process, to know how the empty estrus influences the pitotomus, and when it is better to conduct the binding. Literacy in these matters will avoid many problems in keeping the animal and preserve the health of the pet.

A gentle, fluffy creature - a cat - a real symbol of home comfort. We choose a kitten to your liking: large or miniature, smooth-haired or fluffy - there are dozens of breeds of cats. They all look different. What unites them is that, having matured, cats invariably seek to free themselves in search of love. This is especially noticeable in spring. Cats during the estrus are not similar to themselves: they make guttural cries, loudly call the cat, take the characteristic poses for mating and ride on the floor.

It is necessary to understand that this behavior is natural for domestic pets during the period of sexual hunting and indicates the completion of the process of puberty in a young cat. Next, you will learn about what is the sexual maturation of cats, when the first step in the cat comes and how to make this period the most comfortable for you and your pet.

Sexual maturation: when the cats begin the first heat


The end of puberty in your pet says his restless behavior, which indicates that the cat started the first heat.

The estrus is the stage of the sexual cycle of cats, which is manifested by the positive reaction of the animal to cats.

Almost every owner is worried about the question when his cat starts the first heat. The time of the onset of the first heat in each cat is different. It depends on how it feeds and where the animal is kept; play a role of hereditary factors and breed.

Usually the signs of the first estrus young cats show at the age of 6 to 10 months. In this case, large breeds of cats, for example, Persian or Maine Coons, mature later than their more miniature brethren.

The onset of sexual maturity of the animal does not mean that you can take your cat to mating. The cat's organism in 6-10 months is not ready to bear and give birth to the kittens physiologically. The cat is fully ready for pregnancy and childbirth at the age of 16-20 months.

How long does the cat's sexual hunting last and what are its symptoms?


The length of the period when the cat tends to continue its genus is 5-7 days. If the cat does not become pregnant, the subsequent estrus occurs within a week or a month after the previous one. During the sexual hunt for a cat, you will notice the following changes in her behavior:

  • Loud call meow. A cat calling a cat can continue its "songs" that are not too pleasant for the human ear during the entire period of estrus. She will make purring uterine sounds day and night;
  • Hitting the front paws. When the cat is ready to continue the genus, it begins to take a pose for mating: to lower the front part of the body to the floor and lift the back, while withdrawing the tail to the side;
  • Marking of the territory. This behavior serves as another way to attract a male for mating. Cats are well aware of the smell of pheromones secreted by a cat with urine;
  • Excessively affectionate behavior. Wanting to draw attention to himself, a favorite during the heat, he follows the owner on his heels, rubbing against his feet. There are also manifestations of aggression;
  • The urge to run out into the street. Obeying the instinct of reproduction, the cat during the estrus will not miss the opportunity to jump out into the open door or the window to the street. This behavior does not depend on whether the cat walks down the street or is kept at home. Therefore, the pet must be closely monitored.
At the very beginning of the estrus period, the cat may be unusually affectionate or, on the contrary, very aggressive. She constantly controls the doors and windows to improve the moment and run out into the street. But the most obvious sign of the onset of sexual activity are the calls of the cat. Your pet becomes extremely "talkative", she purrs and howls at any time of the day.

In addition, the cat can eat less food, or even refuse it. Sexual organs of it increase, from them there are secretions that do not have color. An animal in this period, most often, leaves puddles wherever it pleases, and also "marks" furniture.

The cat's estrus lasts an average of ten days. In it, as a rule, four periods are distinguished.

The first stage lasts 3-4 days. During this time the animal's organism is prepared for mating. The behavior of the cat changes, it becomes restless and affectionate.

The next phase is characterized by the calls of a partner's cat. She rubs her head against the feet of people and furniture, rolls on the floor. If you touch her back, she takes a peculiar pose: raises the back of the trunk, heals the front paws, removes the tail. This behavior is observed if the male falls into the field of view of the animal.

In the case when pregnancy has not occurred, the estrus is gradually completed, and sexual rest comes. The cat returns to the usual rhythm of life.

How to calm a cat during heat?

First of all, it should be remembered that the period of estrus is given to a cat not easily, and it needs the attention of loving owners more than ever. Therefore, more stroking your pet, keep on your knees and hands.

Also, you should reduce the amount of food, because the appetite of the animal during sexual hunting decreases. It will be better to feed the cat often, but in small portions.

More play with your pet. In the period of estrus, the amount of energy in it is significantly increased. buy her new toys, get running and jumping around the house.

If the night screams of the animal are already on the nerves of all family members, you can try to lock the cat in a separate room or in the bathroom. It is necessary to leave there a container of water and a favorite couch.

Some masters reduce the anguish of the animal, giving it sedatives. This may be herbal tea, for example, chamomile, or preparations designed specifically for cats. This is the popular means of "Kot-Bayun", as well as "Stop-Stress" and "Fixx".

Of course, you can also use special hormonal drugs, for example, "Sex Barrier" or "Pilcan". But, before buying any remedy, consult a veterinarian. It is necessary to use such remedies extremely cautiously, because they are able to cause endometritis and ovarian cysts.

The period when the cats begin to heat, indicates the growing up of the animal, its willingness to mate and bear young. The mating of these animals occurs at a time when the female begins estrus. In an adult with strong health, leading a calm and measured lifestyle, estrus begins no earlier than 10-12 months of life. The first estrus in cats, which lead a more active lifestyle and have a special feature in the form of hormonal failures, can occur earlier than the indicated dates.

The period when the cats begin to heat, indicates the growing up of the animal, its willingness to mate and bear young

There are also exceptional cases when the estrus occurs in four-month-old babies. Despite the young age, the female becomes pregnant. It happens that in sufficiently adult cats, even at the age of 1.5-2 years, there was no estrus ever. The early onset of estrus in a kitten and its absence in a mature animal are deviations in the physiological development of the animal.



  The mating of these animals occurs at a time when the female begins oestrus

When the cat begins the first heat in the early periods and lasts up to 9-11 months, it is advisable not to use such an animal for breeding. There is a theory that such deviations can be transmitted at the genetic level. If a cat has a first estrus beginning before the established normal time, this is a significant deviation in the development of the animal. The long duration of estrus in a pet with abnormalities at a young age is called "empty". Such estrus has a detrimental effect on the health of the genital organs of the animal and can lead to purulent diseases of the uterus. Such diseases can end for a cat fatal in a short period of time, if the time does not turn to a specialist and do not perform surgical manipulation.


To avoid such problems, kittens with hormonal abnormalities perform early sterilization. All this is done also for the peace of the owners - not everyone is capable of indifferent attitude to the behavior of the animal during this period. In this state, the cat is restlessly behaving, screaming, issuing special desires. Such desires are for the cat, these are unpleasant sounds for the human ear, not allowing people to relax. The period of such manifestations takes several days.

The whole house in wool?

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A cat's estrus, what to do (video)

Duration of estrus

How long does the estrus last for a cat? The duration of estrus in a healthy animal is about a week. Not all days (and there are 6-8 of them) it will exhibit it for show. Most often, one day the cat is excessively affectionate and in its own way talkative. Approximately 4 days the female makes loud callsigns at night, thereby causing an uneasy and uncomfortable state of herself and the people around her. To avoid such situations, it is recommended that cats that are not intended for breeding should be sterilized before the start of the first heat.



  When the cat begins the first heat in the early stages and lasts up to 9-11 months, it is advisable not to use such an animal for breeding

In cats with full functionality of procreation, this period is from 5-9 months. If the pet has a pedigree, takes part in exhibitions, it is used for breeding, then the estrus in the prescribed time is a normal period of life. In order to get a healthy pedigree progeny of a valuable individual (if the whole pedigree is confirmed in the animal), it is necessary to select a pair for the birth of babies long before the signs of estrus appear.


The leak for the first time

According to the established rules of breeding thoroughbred cats, for the first time the possibility of pregnancy and the birth of kittens is permissible at the age of 1 year. By this time the animal's organism is fully formed and is ready to perform genital functions for bearing, giving birth and feeding offspring. From this it follows that copulation for the first time must pass after the animals reach the age of 10 months. In reality, this will depend on the cat individually: from her lifestyle and physiological characteristics. The estrus should sometimes begin at 7-8 months. But at this age the cat is not able to fully endure and produce offspring.


If, nevertheless, a pet with a pedigree, with high expectations, showed a symptom of an early estrus, it is necessary to intervene in these processes and influence them to preserve the health of the animal. It has already been mentioned above that "empty" estrus and early copulation are dangerous. Of course, the best outcome would be to exclude an animal with such physiological abnormalities from the breeding program. But if you are sure that this cat should be a link for obtaining offspring, it is necessary to resort to medications. Such substances can bring the hormonal background of the pet to the necessary state.



According to the established rules for breeding thoroughbred cats, for the first time the possibility of pregnancy and the birth of kittens is permissible at the age of 1 year

You should stop the focus on Ovariovit. This drug has a safe and effective effect on the health of the cat, being a homeopathic drug that is used in veterinary medicine. The components of the drug have a curative effect with hormonal failures in young cats. Ovariovit has a wide range of activities, affecting:

  1. Early heat.
  2. Too frequent estrus in adult cats.
  3. The absence of estrus in a cat, which by age has already matured for bearing offspring.


This drug works effectively to solve any of these problems, since the cause of their occurrence are hormonal failures. If the process of estrus started in the due time, but is repeated more often than necessary, then do not resort to additional means to normalize the condition of the cat, since the use of the Ovariovit preparation is directed to the fulfillment of these functions.

The duration of estrus is higher than normal and its absence

Within the established norm, estrus should last from 5 to 7 days. If the duration increases to 9-13 days, the cat enters the estrus state, which can not stop at all. This is a difficult situation - the drug Ovariovit in this situation is ineffective.


Some breeders are looking for a solution to what to do when the cat's natural heat lasts unnaturally. Others, on the contrary, use different methods to induce estrus in an animal. What can we do to achieve what we want? There are cases when the first estrus in a cat occurs at 8 months and does not repeat at an age suitable for pregnancy and gestation. If we talk about valuable pets, for example, about cats of Scottish breed, acquired by the breeder specifically for getting young, then the question of how to cause heat is important. There are many tricks and medications that help in most cases.


Let's consider some of the techniques:

  1. Cats have a feature at the genetic level - flowing at the same time. If there is another such pet in your house, keep them in one room.
  2. For these purposes, the cat can be used, since the cat's body can act on the smell of the male.
  3. In order to cause estrus, you can use special drugs and vitamins. Some of them: Kathozal, Ovariovit, Ovarium Compositum, Ortilin, Gamavit, Vitamin E.


Indications for the use of such drugs are limited. Medications can only be used if the cat has good health and does not have congenital or acquired diseases.

Cat's eye (video)

Symptoms of heat

Breeders that contain a young cat of valuable breed, in which the first heat is still to come, should be ready for this morally. It is also necessary to study the signs of the upcoming event. The condition preceding the heat can begin in a few days.


In this case, the pet can be noticed a sharp change of mood: the animal can ask for caresses and immediately capricious, travel around the housing as if in search of something, meow. When the estrus begins, it will pass in a special way. Allocations in a cat during estrus are one of the most obvious signs. Also, the accompanying symptom is that the female fits on the floor, purrs and closes her eyes.


If your cat is a valuable breed, but a thoroughbred male in this period is not found, it is necessary to protect the beloved from pregnancy. Such a display of the need for mating will last for a couple of days, after which the cat will start to make unpleasant sounds. On such a call unwanted neighbors or simply mongrel males can come. Do not let the pet during this period for walks. A pet during estrus will try to find a male for mating by any means. Watch your pet. How many days does the estrus last for a certain breed of cats? Pets of Scottish or British breed have more rare manifestations of estrus than Siamese and Persian cats. The period of pregnancy in these breeds also occurs with some peculiarities.

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