by Jane Allyson

Created on: July 24, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

If your cat has not come into heat yet and you are worried that you will not notice when she does, then don't. She will make it perfectly clear when it happens, in fact you will find it hard NOT to notice! A cat comes in heat when she sexually matures which is usually on average, at about six months, although in some cats it can begin from four months onwards.

Before you actually notice the signs in your own animal, you may want to take a look out of the window to count how many of the yowling male cats that have honed in on the vicinity of your home. They are all after one thing and it would be extremely advisable for you not to allow your cat out at any time during this stage!

Signs to keep an eye out for:

Your cat is more loving than usual and rubs up against furniture, the backs of your legs more than she normally does.

- Rolls around the floor.

- Carries her tail to one side

- She becomes more vocal than usual (Known as Calling)

- Your cat assumes a position with her front quarters on the ground and her bottom pointing in the air.

- Your cat's hind legs may 'tread'

- Your cat licks her vulva area frequently (if other symptoms are not present it may be prudent to take your cat to the vets if she is doing this more than is normal for her as this could indicate a urinary infection.

- If you pat your cat on her back near her tail your cat will raise her bottom in the air.

- Will make a concentrated effort to get out of the door at every opportunity she gets.

- She may 'spray' onto vertical surfaces that gives off a very strong scent.

Although the above indications are not always confined to times of heat cycles, they can be used if you notice that the behavior is particularly unusual for your pet.

Your cat may exhibit this behavior for between 7 to 10 days, and the cycle continues every two to three weeks.

Knowing what to do with your cat when she is in heat is difficult. Not only can it personally drive you crazy, these cycles can be painful and uncomfortable and likely driving the cat mad too, and if this is the case, then the best option would be to have her spayed.

This will eliminate all these behaviors and will help guard her against other feline diseases such as mammary cancer, reproductive tract tumors, pyrometra, and genetic diseases.

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