Cats in Season: How to Tell if Your Cat is in Heat
Female cats can come into season – also known as being in heat – from as young as 4 months old. This is when they become fertile and able to conceive. Unless spayed, cats will continue to have regular heat cycles each year, typically between February and October. Each cycle can last around 2–3 weeks, and cats may experience several cycles within this period.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the breeding season usually runs from spring through to late autumn. This is linked to longer daylight hours, which stimulate reproductive hormones. However, cats that live indoors with artificial lighting or in warmer climates may cycle all year round.
Common Behaviours of Cats in Heat
When a cat is in heat, their behaviour can change noticeably. You may see signs such as:
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Becoming unusually affectionate
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Increased vocalisation or calling to males
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Restlessness or agitation
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Poor appetite
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Frequent urination, sometimes outside of the litter tray
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Playful movements such as raising and moving their tail, often described as “flirting”
Unlike dogs, cats in season do not bleed, and while they may seem unsettled, the process is not painful for them.
Managing a Cat in Season
If you do not want your cat to become pregnant, the best way to manage a cat in season (without spaying) is to keep them indoors and away from male cats. Beyond this, they don’t require special care, but you may wish to provide extra stimulation to ease restlessness. Interactive play, puzzle feeders, and treat toys can all help to keep them occupied.
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Preventing Heat Cycles: The Benefits of Spaying
The only way to prevent heat cycles is to have your cat spayed. Spaying not only stops the cycles and prevents unwanted pregnancies, but it also offers significant health benefits. The procedure involves removing the ovaries (and sometimes the womb), preventing hormonal cycling and the risk of pregnancy.
Benefits of spaying include:
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Eliminating the risk of ovarian disease
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Reducing the risk of mammary cancer
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Preventing womb infections such as pyometra
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Stopping pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy)
Unless your cat is part of a breeding programme, there is no reason they cannot be spayed (or neutered, in the case of males).
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Cats In Season FAQs
How Long Are Cats in Heat?
If a female cat is not spayed, she will typically come into heat multiple times each year, most often between February and October. Each cycle usually lasts around 2–3 weeks.
When Do Cats Come Into Season?
Female cats, also called queens, can enter their first heat as early as four months old, though it’s more common around six months of age. The timing can vary depending on breed, weight, and the time of year.
How Many Days Does a Cat Stay in Heat?
A heat cycle usually lasts between 3 and 14 days, with the average being about a week. If the cat does not become pregnant, she may return to heat shortly after.
Can You Spay a Cat While in Heat?
Yes – cats can be spayed at any stage of their heat cycle. Spaying is the only permanent way to prevent heat cycles and offers important health benefits.
Do Male Cats Go Into Heat?
No – male cats do not have heat cycles like females. Once sexually mature, they can mate at any time.
