In contrast to dogs in heat or humans with menstrual cycles, cats do not bleed during estrus. If you notice that your cat is bleeding during its heat cycle, then this could be an indication that the cat has a problem that requires veterinary attention.
In general, if you notice that your cat is bleeding from her vulva, this is a sign that she might be facing a health issue. There are a variety of reasons that might explain why your cat is bleeding from her vulvae, such as cystitis, uterine infection, trauma, and tumors.
This article discusses some common questions a cat owner might have about her heat, as well as tips for how to keep your kitty safe and comfortable during these times.
Here are some other helpful articles about the same subject!
Do cats have periods and bleed?
There is no doubt that cats do go through a monthly cycle since they do, in fact, have “periods” that are quite distinct from human menstruation. Cats do not experience the estrus cycle from early spring to late fall as humans do.
Cats, on the other hand, are fertile throughout the year. You should be aware that if your cat is bleeding brown/reddish liquid, or if you notice blood when your cat pees: this is a sign that your cat has a pathology.
It is also at this time of the cycle when you might notice your kitty yelping and howl, along with some light bleeding, which is normally nothing to worry about. There is a high probability that you will notice spots of blood on the floor or in her bedding as a result.
You should contact your veterinarian right away if you are not familiar with your cat’s cycle and notice anything out of the ordinary as this could be an indication of another health issue.
There is no doubt that cats are known for their oddball antics, but during their cycle, their weird behavior will be amplified. According to Petful, cats in heat exhibit strange and unusual behavioral traits and acts as well.
They may roll on the floor, demand more attention, rub against you, or the furniture, spray urine, or try to sneak outside, in addition to making strange and unusual vocalizations.
Do cats leak blood when in heat?
During a cat’s heat cycle, they generally do not bleed. According to Dr. Jeff Werber of Werber Animal Clinic, when a cat is in heat, they usually don’t bleed and cat bleeding during estrus is not normal.
He notes that it can happen to certain cats, however. The article states that there should be no concern for cat owners if a cat bleeds during heat since it would be “a thin, light ooze” that owners should not worry about.
If a cat bleeds during heat, Dr. Werber says to have it checked out by a veterinarian if it persists or becomes more aggressive.
The veterinarian says that “it might be fine” but that “it’s rather typical for cats to be bleeding heavily.” A cat that is bleeding heavily could have an internal problem unrelated to its heat cycle.
At the age of puberty, cats experience their first estrus (reproductive) cycle. Cats are also known as heat animals owing to the heat cycle they undergo during their estrous period. Generally speaking, puberty, or the period of sexual maturity, is the first sign of sexual maturity in cats at about six months of age, but this can vary slightly depending on when the period begins.
The cat’s reproductive cycles occur during the oestrus season – a period when the cat undergoes the reproductive cycle during the warmer months of the year. It is not uncommon for cats to go through ‘heat cycles’ every 2-3 weeks during the oestrus season, but this can vary from cat to cat.
According to Animal Planet, cats are polyestrous breeders, which means that they enter heat multiple times throughout the year. It is not unusual for cats to repeat the heat cycle until they are fixed or become pregnant if they do not mate.
In addition to this, kitties that have all of their reproductive organs at the time of their heat cycle (which is a necessity for them in the first place to be able to go into heat) need a minimum of twelve hours of daylight for the process to be completed properly.
In the meantime, staying indoors doesn’t mean your cat is safe, for example. Cats in a safe environment with artificial light have constant hormonal activity instead of just half the time, according to Animal Planet.
When your cat is going through her heat cycle, she is at the mercy of her hormones, which are kicking into high gear during this time.
Heat Cycles in Cats
During their fertile years, cats experience heat cycles periodically, which means they are polyestrous.
The cat may start having these cycles as early as when he is four months of age or until either he is spayed or is bred. Several days to two weeks is the length of time cats go through heat cycles, which repeat every two to three weeks or so.
Consequently, it is easy to understand why a female cat almost always appears to be in heat at any given time. That is why many veterinarians recommend early spaying and neutering of female cats.
It is no secret that when a cat is in heat, there will be signs of it. Although it is hard to prove that heat cycles aren’t painful, the way she talks/howls (or howls loudly) makes her seem uncomfortable and lethargic.
It should be noted that female cats’ howling is designed specifically to attract the attention of their potential suitors. Whenever you recognize this fact, you will be at ease about the possibility of something being wrong, or “off”, with your pet.
What should I do if my cat is bleeding?
A bloody discharge of the vaginal area during the heat of the day could be a sign that there is something going on internally, such as ovarian or follicular cysts. It’s prudent to have a veterinarian examine the vaginal canal and surrounding area so as to rule out any problems with the uterus.
Dr. Werber says there could be a problem with the uterine tract as well. A cat may have any number of conditions including vaginitis, urinary tract infections, or the possibility of miscarrying a child if she is pregnant.
In some cases, such as those associated with urinary infections, it may also be painful for the cat, in which case a visit to the veterinarian is advised to relieve their discomfort.
A veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible if you observe this type of bleeding in your cat. The fact is that some of the diseases that can cause bleeding while urinating can be lethal; if they are not treated soon enough. As a result, it is important to act immediately.
Please keep in mind also that this is never a good idea to self-medicate your cat and you should never ignore it if your cat is in pain or demonstrates symptoms of illness.
Not planning to breed from your cat, spayed is an option
Spaying your cat is a good idea if you aren’t planning on breeding her. Spaying your cat will:
- Reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy
- Behaviors associated with sex should be reduced
- FIV and leukemia can be reduced
- Reduces roaming
After their ovaries and uterus are removed, they will no longer have the urge to reproduce, so they will no longer be in heat. As part of this, there are a number of symptoms that occur during high temperatures, such as bleeding, meowing, and of course low crawling.
Do female cats have periods after being spayed?
Spaying a cat refers to removing the ovaries and uterus after the female cat has been weaned. As a result, there is no chance for the cat to become pregnant.
There are many cat owners who decide to spay their female cats to avoid the difficulties that come with owning a female cat that has not been spayed. Felines that have not been spayed will often go through periods of “heat.”.
A cat can have a period following a spaying procedure, even though this is pretty rare. Be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian. It will be up to him or her to determine if that’s really the case.
There is a strong possibility that it will be the case, which means that the cat will have to undergo surgery again so that they can find that tissue, remove it, and prevent her from going into heat again.
It is a period of time when a female cat is ready and willing to reproduce when it is hot. Cats have different heat periods and their length varies, but the average is six days.
In the case of an unspayed cat not mating during those days, it may come out of the heat and then resume the cycle after a few days. This means that a period may last up to six weeks if they don’t mate during that period. Female cats do not have periods the same way female humans do.
Cat bleeding from the vagina: cat miscarriage
During the course of the pregnancy, if your cat is bleeding from the vulva, it may indicate that she is suffering from a miscarriage. It is important to know that the risk levels will vary depending on the stage of pregnancy your cat is in:
- I believe she might be experiencing this as a result of one of the kittens had died during the first trimester of pregnancy. Most cats simply absorb the tissue of the fetus in this stage which is still poorly formed, at which point the fetus will soon be born. Because of this, it is unlikely that complications will arise.
- There is a strong probability that the mother and the rest of the kittens are at risk during this stage of the pregnancy. Abortions can take place spontaneously during this phase. They are usually caused by trauma or a serious infection within the uterus.
The veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible in both of these cases. Only an expert will know how to evaluate the situation and how to treat it appropriately. Typically, a veterinarian will request either an ultrasound or an x-ray in order to assess whether or not a cat is pregnant.
Conclusion
There are surprises around every corner when you own a cat. The female cat goes through periods of heat when she is willing and able to reproduce. When a cat is in heat, it shows lots of symptoms, including meowing, crawling, bleeding, and more. It is important to note that bleeding in a cat differs from bleeding in a female human being.
