Female cats will go into “heat” or estrus seasonally in the spring and fall. To prevent this your cat should be spayed. Cat can go into heat several times during the season if not breed. Heat cycle is also referred to as Estrus, this is actually the stage of a heat cycle. Estrus stage of a heat cycle begins when the queen allows the male to mount and breed. In cats, mating behavior is required to induce ovulating. Cats heat cycles are seasonal, normally mid-January to August. If this seasonal cycle is interrupted by early pregnancy or illness it will alter the cycle pattern. What do you call a unspayed cat? Female cats that are of reproductive age are called queens. Ironically males are called studs not kings. How long is the feline heat cycle in cats? There are five stages to the feline estrus cycle. They are proestrus, estrus, interestus, metestrus and antrus.
1. Proestrus stage of heat cycle
Rare to see any signs at this stage of the heat cycle besides the males are attracted to the female cat but unwilling to mate. Lasts about 1 – 2 days. Dont be surprised if you female is temperamental at this stage.
2. Estrus stage of heat cycle
Female cat is now accepting of male stud. Signs of estrus are swollen vulva and bloody discharge. Cats will be very loud and vocal during estrus. They may elevate the hindquarters for better breeding position. If not breed during this stage the female will probably recycle within several days. Signs of estrus are Frequent vocalization or moaning, restlessness, frequent urination, rolling around, rubbing the body against objects
3. Interestus stage of heat cycle
Technically this is not the third step of a cycle its actually the period between estrus cycle when a female is not bred during estrus. 2 – 3 weeks normally.
4. Mestestrus stage of heat cycle
After estrus if the female cat is pregnant she will carry on average length of 60 – 64 days.
5. Anestrus stage of heat cycle
This stage is when a cat is not bred. 2 -3 months.