Quick answer: A cat’s heat lasts about 7 days, though anything from 1 to 21 days can happen. If she does not mate, she usually goes out of heat for about a week and then comes back into heat, so the cycle repeats about every three weeks during breeding season. Most cats have their first heat at about six months old.
What does a cat in heat look like?
Heat in cats is mostly about behavior. Unlike dogs in heat, cats do not usually bleed. Common signs include:
- Loud, repeated yowling or “calling”
- Rolling on the floor and rubbing against people and furniture
- Raising her rear end and treading with her back feet when stroked
- Being extra affectionate or restless
- Peeing more often, or spraying on walls
- Trying hard to get outside
How long does a cat stay in heat?
Cats stay in heat for about 7 days on average, with a normal range of 1 to 21 days. In the UK, people often ask how long cats stay in season, which means the same thing. If she does not mate, she usually goes out of heat for about 7 days (2 to 19 days) before the next one starts.
How often do cats go into heat?
About every three weeks during the breeding season, until she mates or is spayed. A full cycle can run from one to six weeks.
Cats are seasonal breeders driven by daylight. In the Northern Hemisphere, the season runs from about January to late fall. Indoor cats under electric light, and cats in the tropics, may cycle all year.
When do cats go into heat for the first time?
Most have their first heat at about six months old. Timing depends partly on daylight, so a kitten born in late summer may start a little earlier or later than one born in spring.
Do cats bleed when in heat?
Usually not. Bleeding is not a normal part of a cat’s heat. If you see blood from your cat’s vulva or in her urine, call your vet.
How do cats get pregnant?
Cats are induced ovulators. They release eggs only after mating. Most need several matings, often three or four within a day, to ovulate. That is why a short encounter can still lead to a pregnancy, and why kittens in one litter can have different fathers.
Once she ovulates and conceives, her heats stop. A pregnancy lasts about 65 days. Use our cat pregnancy calculator to find the due date.
How do you relieve a cat in heat?
These steps help most cats in heat settle down:
- Keep her inside. Close windows and doors, and watch for escape attempts.
- Keep males away. Even a brief meeting can lead to kittens.
- Play and comfort. Short play sessions, gentle brushing and a warm, quiet bed can help her settle.
- Clean marked spots with an enzyme cleaner so she is not drawn back to them.
- Talk to your vet about spaying. It is the only lasting way to stop heat cycles.
Is it painful for a cat to be in heat?
Heat itself is not thought to be painful, but it is stressful. The constant calling and restlessness are hard on her and on you. If she seems to be in pain, stops eating or strains to pee, see your vet.
Not sure if she has already mated? See how to tell if your cat is pregnant. The details above follow the estrus cycle guidance for cats from a veterinary hospital group.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of a cat going into heat?
Usually extra affection and rubbing, then loud calling. Many cats also start rolling on the floor and raising their rear when you stroke their back.
How long will a female cat be in heat if not mated?
About a week each time, but the heats keep coming back every few weeks through the season until she mates or is spayed.
Can a cat get pregnant on her first heat?
Yes. A cat can conceive as soon as she has her first heat, often at about six months old.
Can a spayed cat go into heat?
No. A fully spayed cat does not cycle. Heat signs after spaying can mean some ovary tissue was left behind, so see your vet.
Do male cats go into heat?
No. Males do not cycle, but an intact male can mate at any time and may roam, spray or fight when he senses a female in heat.
Why is my cat in heat in winter?
Indoor lighting can trick her body into acting as if it is breeding season. Many indoor cats cycle all year.