Q&A for How to Calm a Cat in Heat

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Is it painful for my cat when she's in heat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

No, she is not in pain although it is entirely normal for her to cry out and yowl as if in discomfort. This is just her way of attracting male attention.

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Question

How long does heat in cats last?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This is very variable. A cat can 'call' anywhere between one to seven days. If she doesn't mate she can come into heat again a couple of weeks later. Thus the full cycle takes on average around three weeks.

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Question

What age do cats generally have their first heat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Cats usually have their first heat at about 5 ½ to 6 months of age. However, this depends on the weather and how easy food is for the cat to come by. For example, in spring, a well fed cat may come into heat as young as 5 months old.

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Question

How long should you keep a female cat isolated?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Keep your cat isolated for the duration of her heat, which lasts about three to five days. Make sure that she is no longer in heat before allowing her to mix with other cats again. You may even want to wait for a full week after her heat begins to be sure that it is over.

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Question

How long is a cat in heat for the first time?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The actual heat lasts around 2 - 3 days, but some females do stay in heat longer, up to about 5 days. The heat cycle is around 21 - 28 days in total, so you can expect to her to repeat heat every 3 - 4 weeks.

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Question

Can a cat be spayed when she is in heat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes. Most vets are happy to spay a female cat when she is in heat. (This is different from dogs, however. It's best to wait until a female dog is out of heat, because of the large blood supply to the womb.)

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