How many days does a cat walk and how often?

What is estrus

The period during which the behavior of an animal changes dramatically is called estrus, or estrus. At this moment, the process of ovulation begins in the eggs, and conception becomes real.
The following signs signal the beginning of the cat's walking period:

There are sudden changes in mood. The cat can be overly affectionate, and a few minutes later aggressive;
The pet meows loudly, calling for a male;
Transparent discharge appears, the cat licks itself more often;
Goes to the toilet more;
Appetite decreases, some cats may refuse food altogether;
Due to the reproductive instinct, many cats strive to get out of the room, so during the period of heat it is important to close all doors and windows;
Gait changes appear. The cat bends its front paws and lifts its tail high.

The listed signs during estrus can be observed individually or in combination.

Behavior of a cat during estrus

You can determine the period of puberty in a pet by its behavior. The following changes will indicate that the cat has gone on a spree:

habitual behavior changes sharply, she may become overly loving or, conversely, show atypical aggression;
during estrus, she exhibits a natural sexual attraction, she urgently needs a cat, so she can meow loudly under the door for days, expressing a request to be let out into the street to find a groom for mating;
due to physiological changes in the body, frequent urination is observed;
during the period of estrus, discharge occurs from the animal’s genitals, so the cat quite often licks its intimate area;
during the period of estrus, appetite decreases, the cat may completely refuse to eat;
some representatives of the feline family, on the contrary, absorb food in large quantities, showing an insatiable appetite;
the pet begins to actively mark the territory, which is very unpleasant for the owner;
You can understand the onset of estrus by characteristic changes in gait: you can see the bend of the body on the front legs and the elevation of the back with the tail raised high;
During estrus, the genitals of cats swell slightly, but it is not always possible to independently determine these changes; only an experienced veterinarian will be able to make the correct conclusion.

When cats start walking

The main question that worries cat breeders is at what age does a pet go into heat for the first time?

Several factors influence when a cat matures:

Breed;
Finding a male nearby;
Dimensions of the animal;
Cat color;
Season.

On average, a cat begins to go into heat for the first time at 6-8 months . However, the process is quite individual and may not start for longer. The start of estrus before one year is considered the norm.

If your pet does not go into heat before the age of 1 year, this is a deviation and you should immediately seek the help of a veterinarian.

The phenomenon known as “erased estrus” is common. In this case, the process of sexual interest is almost not manifested. Most often occurs in unhealthy cats.

Memo for the owner

As the animal enters sexual maturity, we have new concerns. You need to know not only how long the cat’s first heat lasts, but also about the physiological characteristics of your pet. In particular, that it is forbidden to bring a cat to a young cat. Individuals no younger than one year old are allowed to reproduce. Early labor can be too difficult and even cause the death of the mother.

If mating has taken place, consult your veterinarian. You can carry out sterilization and solve the problem with this and subsequent offspring. If the cat is valuable for breeding, then the pregnancy must be monitored using an ultrasound, and it is advisable to invite a veterinarian to the birth (in case of complications).

Stages of estrus in cats

There are 4 stages of estrus in cats, each of which is characterized by specific behavior. It should be remembered that it is advisable to match a cat with a male at the second stage, that is, 5-7 days from the start of estrus.

Proestrus . The initial stage, characterized by restless behavior of the animal (it begins to rub against furniture, bend its front paws). Duration is up to 3 days.
Estrus . Actually the estrus itself, which can last up to 10 days. During this period, all signs of estrus appear, sexual hunting occurs and the search for a male for fertilization occurs.
Interestrus . At this stage, there is a decrease in sexual activity, especially if mating has occurred. The cat has a neutral attitude towards cats, perhaps even with aggression. In some cases, a false pregnancy may occur due to the physiological characteristics of the female.
Anestrus . The final stage, when the instincts fade and the cat returns to its previous life.

Duration of heat

How long does a cat bear kittens: examples by time and for the first time

Each animal is individual, and only its owner can determine the duration of a particular cat’s walk. But even before the onset of the first heat, you need to have an idea of how long a cat walks on average.

It all depends on circumstances and genetics. The first estrus in a healthy individual usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. Animals with hormonal or hereditary imbalances can go on a walk for up to 14 days. Such a long period of change in behavior is quite exhausting for both the pet and its owner.

Outdoor cats walk more often

A cat that has already given birth will go on a spree again only 2.5-3 months after giving birth. This is provided that the birth was successful.

Stages of estrus in cats:

proestrus (preliminary stage). This is the time when the owners notice the first signs. Their pet’s appetite decreases or disappears altogether, and its behavior changes: it demands more attention, cuddles and purrs. At this stage, an increase in ovarian follicles occurs (the reason is the production of estrogen). Owners may notice increased frequency of urination and the appearance of colorless discharge. Proestrus lasts 2-3 days;
estrus (main stage). This is the best time to breed with a cat. During the estrus period, which lasts from 5 to 7 days, the cat is completely ready for mating and will allow a male cat to approach her without any problems. Depending on the physiological characteristics, the behavior and duration of estrus will change in one direction or another, but the need for increased attention will remain unchanged. At this stage, the pet will move on bent legs, crouch to the floor and meow loudly;
metestrus (final stage). If fertilization is successful, all signs of estrus will disappear 2-3 days after meeting the cat. At this time, she will no longer allow members of the opposite sex to approach her and will behave aggressively with them. It is during the period of metestrus that a false pregnancy can occur: the cat will gain weight and begin to prepare a den for kittens;
Anestrus is a time when a pet leads a quiet life. No heat.

How many days does a cat walk?

One of the main questions that arises for cat owners is how long do they walk? There is no clear answer to this question, since many factors influence the duration of estrus .

The duration of the period depends on:

Age;
Time spent without a cat;
Living conditions;
Environment, weather, time of year;
Nutritional features;
The physical condition of the cat;
The nature of the pet's body.

In pets, estrus most often lasts from 5 to 10 days. The first estrus may be short-lived . With age, the duration increases, as the pet’s hormonal background forms and changes. In different breeds, a duration of up to 20 days can be observed.

Estrus requires constant monitoring by the breeder. You need to know how long your pet normally goes into heat.

If deviations occur and the heat lasts too long, this may indicate the presence of an ovarian cyst or tumor. A visit to the veterinarian is required to undergo an ultrasound examination.

The main signs of a cat's heat

To prevent the pet from taking its owners by surprise, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the signs of estrus in advance. The owner will immediately notice changes in the pet’s behavior, and drastic ones at that.

A walking cat is prone to affection

During heat, the cat becomes restless and sleeps less. She becomes overly affectionate, rubbing herself against her owners or furniture. During this period, the owner will definitely hear a piercing meow, loud rumbling or purring. All this is accompanied by a raised or sideways tail and an arched back. In the last few days, the cat may begin to squat, roll on its back, or lift its butt. The cat walks differently.

Note! Estrus is divided into three periods - proestrus, estrus and metestrus. Each of them takes from 2 to 5 days

Behavior changes depending on the stage of estrus.

There is no need to be afraid of loss of appetite; this is a common symptom when a cat is walking. The most active ones may scratch the walls or attempt to escape from the house to the street. The animal will be ready for mating only on days 2-4, when the estrus period begins. Only at this stage will she let the cat near her. If fertilization has occurred, then during the metestrus stage all instincts will disappear: she will stop screaming and worrying.

Despite the fact that estrus is usually accompanied by bouts of affection and tenderness towards the owner, it is stressful for the animal, especially for the first time. A pet who is walking for the first time may show causeless aggression towards others. Her emotional state leaves much to be desired: anxiety and irritability affect her behavior. In some individuals, the state of tenderness and complaisance will periodically be replaced by attacks of anger throughout estrus.

How many times a year does a cat walk?

The frequency of estrus depends on whether the cat has given birth or not. As a rule, cats after giving birth go for walks once every two months, and sometimes once a year. It is impossible to give a definite answer to the question of how long after giving birth the estrus will begin. As a rule, this happens after a month, but it all depends on the specific breed and the nature of the birth.

If the cat has not given birth, estrus occurs quite often - once every two weeks or month. If the owner wants to reduce the frequency of festivities, you can allow the animal to reproduce, or contact a veterinarian to prescribe hormonal medications.

Duration of estrus in different cat breeds

The duration of estrus directly depends on the breed of the pet.
British women are known for the rarest periods of festivities. The first heat occurs at the age of 7 months. Over time, the regularity of ovulation and its duration are disrupted;

Scottish women are famous for their early puberty - at 5 months. The duration of estrus is up to 6 days, the frequency is several times a year.

Puberty of cats

Sexual activity in cats is activated from about 5-6 months of life. This figure is approximate. For example, short-haired pets begin to go into heat earlier than representatives of long-haired breeds.

How many days does a cat walk: on average 5-10 days. Sometimes this process can take a long time. It all depends on genetic characteristics, diet and even climatic conditions in the region of residence.

Estrus in cats occurs infrequently, approximately twice a year. For most cats, this process begins at the end of the winter season or the beginning of the spring months.

During estrus, natural pregnancy can occur. It is better for a purebred pet to find an appropriate pair for mating. This will allow you to get purebred offspring, and at the same time, reduce the risk of infection of the cat, which often happens during sexual intercourse with an unfamiliar street cat.

What to do if your cat doesn't walk

One of the deviations is the absence of estrus in a mature cat. Besides a visit to the veterinarian, there are several ways to help your pet:

If there is a pet in the neighborhood who is in heat, he needs to be housed. As a rule, cats leak at the same time.
If there is a cat nearby, it is also advisable to bring the animals closer together. If there is a male, the maturation of the egg will occur faster.
If the cat is healthy, you can give vitamins and homeopathic remedies.

How often does this happen

In wild, yard cats, estrus occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn. In apartment, domesticated animals, malfunctions may occur. A cat that has given birth will estrus once every few months; in a cat that has not given birth, estrus may occur every 2 weeks. Estrus after childbirth appears 1.5-2 months later. In this case, everything is individual. The background is restored faster, the duration of estrus is normalized if the cat gives birth safely. If the owner does not plan to breed kittens, you need to contact specialists. To stop estrus, the cat is sterilized or given hormonal medications.

Deciding your future fate

If the cat is not sterilized and not satisfied over and over again, its hormonal levels will accumulate and sooner or later lead to a real explosion. The heats will come one after another at short intervals, sometimes just a couple of weeks, and then they will respond with terrible diseases - inflammation and cancerous tumors. This process can be accelerated by taking hormonal pills or injections, which do not solve the problem, but only interrupt the estrus, after which the next one comes even faster.

Yes, there are cats that live for 20 years - non-sterile and virgins. They flow as expected: several times a year and without any problems. And they take hormonal pills. And they are healthy almost until death, but they die, as they say, of old age. There are such examples, but these are exceptions. In most cases, the situation develops differently, as described above.

Hence the conclusion: either the cat must walk all the time and bring kittens, or she must be sterilized. To some, such a solution may seem inhumane, but, in fact, the cat will not suffer from an inferiority complex due to the fact that it cannot become a mother. But endless empty heats are physiological and emotional stress that causes severe suffering.

Author of the article Ekaterina Yugosh

– editor of the “Murkotiki” website, a journalist with a felinological education (a felinologist is a specialist who studies cats). She received her felinological education according to the WCF (World Cat Federation) system. She raises a Scottish Straight cat and a Highland Fold cat, as well as a Miniature Schnauzer dog. Her areas of in-depth interests include zoodietology and zoopsychology.

The period when cats begin to estrus indicates the maturation of the animal, its readiness to copulate and bear cubs. Mating of these animals occurs at the time when the female begins to estrus. In a maturing individual with good health, leading a calm and measured lifestyle, estrus begins no earlier than 10-12 months of life. The first heat in cats that lead a more active lifestyle and have a peculiarity in the form of hormonal imbalances may occur earlier than the specified dates.

The period when cats begin to heat indicates the maturation of the animal, its readiness to copulate and bear cubs

There are also exceptional cases when estrus occurs in four-month-old babies. Despite her young age, the female becomes pregnant. It happens that quite old cats, even at the age of 1.5-2 years, have never had estrus. The early onset of estrus in a kitten and its absence in a mature animal are deviations in the physiological development of the animal.

Mating of these animals occurs at the time when the female begins to estrus

When a cat's first heat begins early and lasts up to 9-11 months, it is advisable not to use such an animal for breeding. There is a theory that such deviations can be transmitted at the genetic level. If a cat's first heat begins earlier than the established normal period, this is a significant deviation in the development of the animal. A long duration of estrus in a pet with abnormalities at a young age is called “empty.” Such estruses have a detrimental effect on the health of the animal’s genital organs and can lead to purulent diseases of the uterus. Such diseases can result in death for a cat in a short period of time if you do not consult a specialist in time and do not perform surgical procedures.

To avoid such problems, kittens with hormonal abnormalities undergo early sterilization. All this is also done for the peace of mind of the owners - not every person is able to be indifferent to the behavior of the animal during this period. In this state, the cat behaves restlessly, screams, and makes special urges. Such urges are intended for a cat; these are sounds that are unpleasant to human hearing and do not allow others to relax. The period of such manifestations takes several days.