You will remember your cat’s wailing and persistent demands for attention if she’s already been through a heat. If your cat does not mate, her behavior will be a frustrating and unpleasant experience for both of you. If your cat can reproduce, you should expect two litters of kittens per year!
Unless you intend to breed, spaying your cat is the best cat care you can give her. It will be less stressful for both her and you.
What is Meant by The Term Cat in Heat?
Every three to four weeks, an unspayed female cat will go into heat. It indicates that the cat is ready to mate. The Male cats usually respond to the howls, screeches, writhing, and attempts to attract or flee.
It is hard to calm the cat down, and more importantly, it’s simply a temporary solution. Regardless of how uncomfortable it is for owners, this is normal behavior for a cat in heat. If it’s becoming too hard to bear, look for a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.
Methods to take care of a Cat in Heat.
Cats in heat create a lot of discomfort and trouble. Cats get treated by two methods explained below!
Method One: Spaying
1. Spay Your Cat
Spaying a cat removes her ovaries, which stops her from going into heat. It keeps the cat from getting pregnant and lowers her chances of contracting some cancers and other disorders.
- Look for low-cost spay services if you can not afford the surgery. It helps and minimizes the number of stray cats. Many clinics offer this procedure at a discounted rate.
- Look up your location in the USDA’s online databases.
- Even after the procedure, there’s a potential that the remaining ovarian tissue will cause the cat to become pregnant. Consult a veterinarian if this happens.
2. Be Patient
Before you spay, think about waiting till the heat is gone. A veterinarian can spay your cat at any point during its hormonal cycle, even when she is on the verge of giving birth. However, blood loss is a possibility at that time. The surgery is possible, but seek assistance from a competent veterinarian.
3. You May Use Hormonal Spray!
Do you want to end a cat’s heat pattern? The chemicals prostaglandin and oestrogen can exist. However, this medication has unpleasant side effects, including uterine infection and tumors.
Because of the dangers, only do this if spaying is not a possibility. Always get advice from a vet, who will need to prescribe hormones and teach how to use them correctly
Method 2: Calming the Cat
1. Confirm If Your Cat is in Heat
Check to see if the behavior your cat is displaying is her being in heat rather than being sick. In the heat, an unspayed cat will be noisy, restless, brush against people and things. It will roll around on the floor. If you touch her lower back, she will raise her pelvis and tilt her tail to one side in response.
- Spring and late summer are the most common times for cats to reproduce. During this time of year, she will most likely go into heat.
- Determine whether your cat is in heat or unwell. Do you see the cat agitated but not rubbing herself against everything or lifting its tail to the side? That is a good sign. If she has an injury or is in pain, take her to the veterinarian to determine the cause.
2. Keep Her Away From Male Cats
While in heat, your cat will get considerably more anxious in the company of males. Close all windows and doors, including pet flaps, and deny her access to the outside. Keep her away from all-male cats to keep her calm (and prevent her from being pregnant). Isolation will also keep her secure!
If she detects a male outside, she may attempt to flee.
- If you live with a male cat, locate a friend or hire a cat sitter to take him in for a few weeks. If the two cats remain in the area together, they will almost likely mate.
- Cover the window with drapes or a piece of cardboard if male cats may get seen through it.
3. Provide a Warm Surface For Your Cat to Sit on!
Although success is not assured, some people find that placing a heat pack or a warm, damp towel on the cat’s lap keeps her calm and still. Microwavable heat packs may be the most convenient alternative because they get reheated if the cat becomes agitated again. An electric heat pad or blanket is another option.
4. Only Use Catnip If It Relaxes Your cat
Cats react to catnip in a variety of ways. When given catnip, some cats feel calm and relaxed, while others become agitated and aggressive. Avoid this strategy if you don’t know how your cat reacts to catnip. It has the potential to exacerbate the problem.
- It is simply a short-term solution, but it might buy you an hour or two of calm.
5. Examine The Efficacy of Herbal Therapies
Many herbal cures for cats are available on the market. Some cat owners claim to have had success, but no single solution works for all cats. Furthermore, none of these products may work for your cat. Purchase a collection of small samples and experiment with a variety of treatments.
If you find a product that works for your cat, stock it up!
- Stick to the directions on the labeling. They might suggest adding the remedy to the cat’s water, rubbing a few drops into its fur, or using it as an air freshener.
- Do not utilize goods designed for people, as they are likely to contain larger dosages.
6. You May Use Feliway in Your Home
Feliway is a cat pheromone that has a relaxing and soothing effect on cats. However, it takes a few weeks of exposure to begin calming cats down, so it’s not a quick treatment. If you know your cat hasn’t got neutered, you should consider using the Feliway diffuser during the breeding season (spring). As a result, when she goes into heat, the Feliway will already be in her system.
7. Maintain the Cleanliness of Her Litter Box
When cats are in heat they often scent marks with urine to attract males. You can encourage her to use her litter box instead of scent marking your house by keeping it clean at all times. If she still leaves a fragrance mark, cleans and deodorizes the area right away. Leaving a stench of urine behind will encourage her to do it again.
- Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning products. The smell of ammonia that exists in urine will urge the cat to return to that location.
Bottom Line
Taking care of your cat when she’s in heat is a lot of work. People nowadays prefer spaying, but many still use conventional methods such as comforting the cat or forcing it to sit on a warm cloth. You may use Feliway as suggested above!
The essay makes sure to give you information on how to deal with a cat in heat.
We recommend checking out the best multivitamins for cats!