Do female cats have periods?
If you’re wondering whether or not female cats go through menstrual cycles, here’s what you need to know! There is a simple answer to this question, which is that they do have period cycles, but you may not notice these cycles… Female cats’ monthly cycles are also known generally as their “heat cycle.” They also exhibit some differences, including that their menstruation cycle tends to occur during the Spring and Summer seasons.
Here are some other helpful articles about the same subject!
Cats and Periods: The Science Behind It
Although female cats have periods, they go through estrus in the same manner as humans go through menstrual cycles. When these three things happen, it is more often called the cat going “in heat.” This is the time when a female cat is most likely to become pregnant. It’s important to notice that the cat’s menstrual cycle is called an estrus cycle instead of a menstrual cycle, and it occurs during her heat cycle.
As young as four months of age, the female cat will begin to have her first estrus cycle. On average, it takes her seven to ten days to complete the cycle. An estrus cycle is experienced by female cats several times during the course of the year. The cat will go into heat again if she doesn’t become pregnant during this period. Felines will repeat this cycle until they become pregnant or are spayed.
Estrus Cycle – What is it?
Proestrus refers to the first day of an estrus cycle in a female cat during which the whole female cat becomes receptive to mates. Between three and ten days is typically the duration of this phase. It is during this phase that female cats become a very vocal, attempt to escape their homes, fight with other cats, and attempt to attract males.
In the second phase of the estrus cycle, when a cat is in Estrus, it can mate. Female cats are fertile for only a few days during their estrus cycle, which makes them available to mate. Females leave a scent when they roll on the ground and rub against objects, so this is the time for them to be rubbing themselves against things to attract males.
A male remains fertile during estrus for about 4 days. This is followed by a woman’s diestrus phase, during which the female doesn’t have a fertile period and does not accept mates. The duration of diestrus can range from 9 to 14 days.
Do my cats bleed during the estrus cycle?
Cats usually experience this when they have been mated with more than one male during their estrus cycle. Some pets may experience mild bleeding after mating with several different males on occasion without resulting in serious health issues.
There is a possibility of uterine infection and vaginal inflammation. Injuries sustained in another fight may also contribute to the problem. It is important for a veterinarian to treat minor injuries before allowing them to heal on their own so they don’t become infected or become so severe that they need surgical treatment.
In order to determine whether there are other causes of bleeding during the heat cycle, you should see your veterinarian. During proestrus or estrus, check her neck for swollen glands and prostatic urethra discharge, as well as her overall appearance.
In general, healthy cats won’t experience heavy bleeding during estrus, and the cat may need sedation, anesthesia, or surgery to repair any damage that may have occurred during estrus. There can be a variety of reasons for vaginal bleeding; however, the most common are spay/spay trauma, polyps or tumors in the vaginal area, birth defects, and infections of the uterus, which could result in future infertility issues if left untreated.
Although your cat has not bred yet, if she has recently given birth, it is possible for her to bleed vaginally. This is a reaction to the trauma the kittens went through when they were pushed out, and nothing to be worried about.
You can also schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet vaccinated each year. Whenever you do this, you will prevent potential outbreaks of potentially deadly contagious diseases such as the spread of infectious agents from body fluids during estruses such as panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, or calicivirus which might infect the unborn kitten in addition to the mother!
The signs your female cat is in heat
It is important to look for signs of ‘heat’ behavior in your cat when deciding whether or not he is ready to breed. Some of the signs of a cat experiencing heat include:
- It is common for female cats to make howling and yelping noises during this period in order to attract a mate; this is a strategy used in the wild. As soon as someone comes near her, your cat yowls loudly at high volume.
- It is also possible for her to turn onto her back, holding her tail up in an attempt to attract the male cat.
- In addition to urinating more frequently, your female cat may have a tendency to stop eating her food.
- It is also likely that a cat during her period will look more affectionate, such as rubbing against your legs or rolling around a lot on the ground.
- The cat on her period may spray urine around to attract her mate or even attempt to sneak out of the house when she needs to get outside to find one.
As your cat’s receptivity to mating changes with the season and the time of year, she may not be in heat for the same length of time every time. Additionally, if you happen to have another female cat in the house at the same time as yours is in oestrus, you will have even more variability.
How To Prevent Cat Periods
There is, of course, a good chance that your best option will be to have your cat surgically sterilized (ovariohysterectomy or spaying) if you are not a breeder. During the spay procedure, your cat will be under general anesthesia while the ovaries and uterus of the cat will be removed by your veterinarian.
In spite of the fact that cats can have a tough time with the heat cycle, there are numerous benefits to spaying your pet. If your cat is spayed, the chance of developing diseases such as ovarian, uterine and mammary cancer increases drastically. Cats are prone to these diseases because of their genetic makeup.
In the case that you live with a cat who hasn’t undergone a spay surgery yet, you can try providing extra toys with which she can play vigorously during her period or you can even use catnip as a soothing agent for your cat.
In this day and age, most vets recommend spaying your female cat. It is recommended by CatTime that kittens that undergo surgery opt for this soft recovery collar instead of the “cone of shame.”
Make sure you ask whether your cat is spayed when you first adopt it. During your pet’s wellness appointment, speak with your vet if you’re unsure. A good time to talk with your vet is also during this time, as they can tell you how to stop your cat’s cycle.
There may be a little bit of a challenge to understand when dealing with your cat during her estrus cycle. However, being educated about this and continuing to take care of your cat in the best way possible is a good beginning.
