Estrus in cats is a difficult period not only for the pet itself, but also for the whole family. Estrus lasts about two weeks, twice a year. If your cat's reproductive period is expressed only in excessive affection and gentle purrs, this is a rare case and you are incredibly lucky.
Typically, estrus in cats is accompanied by impulsive behavior, endless round-the-clock noise, damaged wallpaper and sofas, and an unpleasant odor. When patience runs out, the question becomes acute of how to stop the pet and return life to its previous calm course. So, a cat wants a cat, what should the owner do?
Signs that a cat is wandering
A cat in heat causes a lot of trouble to its owners.
The average duration of a cat's heat is 5-7 days. There are also temperamental individuals that can walk for 10-14 days every month. The first time a cat begins to ask for a male cat is at the age of 6 months, but this is too early for mating.
The characteristic symptoms of estrus are immediately noticeable:
- friction of the pet against objects - often, for a long time;
- loud screams with inviting notes, often at night;
- more affectionate behavior with the owner and others;
- refusal of food (the cat may not even eat its favorite treats);
- frequent urination, especially if there is a cat nearby;
- when stroking the tail area, the animal protrudes its back part, twitches its tail, and bends its paws;
- clear fluid is discharged from the vagina.
Symptoms may vary between individuals. There are animals that walk almost unnoticed, and the owner finds out about the heat after pregnancy. But more often the first signs are pronounced.
How to calm a cat: effective medications
What pills will help?
Tablets for cats during estrus are sedative and hormonal. Both should be prescribed by a veterinarian, having previously examined the meowing patient. If the animal does not suffer much from hormonal imbalance, the doctor may prescribe a sedative drug “Stop-stress”, which has a mild sedative property. If, during a walk, cats show aggression, yell and do not find a place for themselves, a drug is prescribed that blocks the production of sex hormones. Veterinarians often prescribe Antisex anti-estrus pills for cats, but their frequent use is contraindicated because such drugs lead to hormonal imbalance, which will require long-term treatment to restore.
Preparations in the form of drops
With the help of Fospasim, the pet's condition will quickly return to normal.
Like pills, there are sedative and hormonal. If estrus has begun, but the animal is only slightly restless, the doctor will advise giving the homeopathic remedy “Fospasim”, which relieves nervous tension and normalizes behavior. “Bach Drops” are also often used for calming. The medicine is suitable not only for cats, but also for cats. When walking, the product helps relieve nervous tension in restless and screaming animals, making them less excited and aggressive.
Hormonal drops for cats during estrus should only be used under the supervision of a physician. The following are considered popular:
- "Stop-Intimate";
- "Gestrenol".
Antisex injections
Some owners prefer to take hormonal injections to suppress their cat's heat. However, such an injection is considered the most dangerous for the health of a pet. The fact is that regular, artificial suppression of sexual desire leads to severe hormonal imbalance. As a result, diseases of the reproductive organs that are dangerous to the life and health of the cat develop, requiring complex and long-term treatment.
With the help of such a drug it is possible to suppress sexual estrus in the female.
But if the owner is not afraid of such complications, and it is important for him to stop the cat’s restlessness and meowing, doctors prescribe the following drugs in the form of injections:
- "Depo-Provera";
- "Covinan";
- "Stop-intimate";
- "Sex barrier";
- "Conra-sex."
Folk remedies
Owners who love their cats and care about their health prefer to use safe folk remedies to suppress sexual heat, which, just as well as medications, help alleviate the condition of the pet and silence it. At home, any of the following procedures will distract your cat from suffering:
Water treatments will help calm the animal somewhat.
- Bathing. If you wash your cat throughout the entire period of estrus, she will lick herself after each procedure. This will help temporarily eliminate loud sounds, so the owners can relax a little.
- Active games. In order for your cat to meow less and stop worrying, experts advise keeping her busy with active, long play. This distracts the animal and it temporarily forgets about the problem.
- Darkness. In a darkened room, animals are less excited and do not scream as much.
- Attention. To make a cat yell and worry less, you need to pay more attention to it, talk to it, and stroke its head. Massage is considered effective for stopping estrus, in which certain points on the animal’s body are pressed. It is important to ensure that your pet is not in pain during the procedure.
- Cat mint. You can temporarily eliminate the unpleasant sound and calm the cat a little if you give it a little mint. The product is absolutely safe, so it is often used for calming.
- New toy. A bright mouse, a puzzle with balls, a cat play set - all these entertainments distract your pet for a while. Having played enough during the day, the animal will fall asleep at night and will disturb its owners less.
- Taking infusions based on soothing herbs. Instead of water, you can give your cat chamomile or linden infusion. It’s easy to prepare: brew 1 tbsp in 1 cup of boiling water. l. dried herbs, leave for 15 minutes.
Calm a cat at home
Experienced owners offer the following options for solving the problem of sexual hunting:
- lock the animal in a separate room (but this is not always suitable; often the cat experiences even more stress);
- during the period of activity, put the animal under water (preferably warm) for several minutes;
- distract your pet by playing: during the period of sexual activity, the cat experiences an excess of energy, which in nature it spends on searching for the cat and mating.
These methods help if one or two heats need to be missed, and in the future the cat is going to be mated with a male.
Advice! If the offspring are not needed at all, then it is better to sterilize the animal, since long and constant abstinence negatively affects the overall health of the animal. The cat develops suppuration in the uterus, and pathologies of the reproductive system may develop.
Folk remedies
Herbal therapy is considered gentle and quite effective.
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To calm a walking pet, people use:
- lemon balm;
- chamomile;
- mint;
- motherwort.
A decoction of these herbs, individually or as a complex, is given to the animal twice a day. These methods are considered the safest because they do not contain hormones. Hence the short duration of the impact.
Attention! If herbs are used too often, the animal becomes lethargic and apathetic.
Veterinary methods
If the offspring are not needed at all, then it is better to sterilize the animal.
If the animal is active and folk remedies do not help, veterinary drugs are used. They can act in different ways: change the animal’s hormonal levels, or simply have a calming effect.
The form of release of such medications is very diverse: tablets, injections, suspensions, decoctions and even drops. Many veterinary drugs have side effects, especially when taken chronically.
Before use, you must carefully read the instructions and consult your doctor.
Sedatives and medications
To calm a pet during estrus, veterinary medicine offers various medications.
The most popular means are:
- Kot Bayun is a water infusion of soothing herbs. Available in drops in bottles of 10-16 ml. The product is safe, has a calming and analgesic effect.
- Fospasim is a homeopathic medicine in drops. Helps your pet survive stress. It is used not only for calming while searching for a cat, but also when moving, before exhibitions and for easily excitable animals.
- Stop-intim is a hormonal drug that is recommended for use if you do not plan to get offspring from your cat.
- Stop-stress - effective drops of domestic production. Contains calming plant extracts & phenibut. The daily dose is 1 drop per 1 kg of weight. Divide into 2 doses.
Hormonal medications provide high-quality results, but if the strict dosage is not followed, they are harmful to the pet’s health.
Modern medicine for animals
Usually, from the beginning of a cat’s hormonal activity, owners buy special medications for it that suppress the effect of hormones. These products are sold in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies. But you should not abuse such drugs, since they also have a list of contraindications. Experts do not recommend using them too often, only a few times a year.
The traditional way to combat the signs of estrus are sedative tablets, which contain homeopathic ingredients or hormonal preparations. They help best during the active stage. A veterinarian can prescribe specific tablets in accordance with the breed or other characteristics of the cat.
How often does heat occur?
After giving birth, some pets ask for a cat within a month and a half.
The first heat in cats occurs at the age of 6-7 months.
If the cat has already been in heat, then she walks once every three months. But an animal that didn’t have a cat walks more often. After giving birth, some pets ask for a cat within a month and a half.
Be sure to read:
Estrus in cats: how long does it last and how often does it happen, at what age, how to recognize it, how the process proceeds
How to determine the onset of estrus?
The process of “spring” in a cat is divided into three periods:
- proestrus;
- estrus;
- metestrus.
The beginning of estrus is proestrus. This period lasts 4 days. Already at this time, the cat’s genitals secrete a clear liquid, the cat is not yet accepting the cat, but external signs of hunting are present.
The first symptom of approaching heat is increased tenderness towards the owner and others.
How long does heat last?
Duration is on average 7 days. The older the animal, the longer the hunting period lasts.
Ways to suppress estrus in cats:
It is very dangerous and extremely undesirable to use progesterone-containing drugs that suppress estrus in cats, various cones, stop intimates and others. They are certainly very effective, but lead to serious hormonal imbalances and complications, for example, pyometra - purulent inflammation of the uterus.
Ovariohysterectomy surgery for a cat.
Herbal and non-hormonal preparations, such as “Cat Bayun” and others, are usually almost ineffective...
Calming non-hormonal drugs for cats.
Throwing slippers at a cat and other punishments of a cat are generally useless, because she sincerely does not understand that she is being scolded... Instinct is something that is stronger than good character and upbringing.
To sterilize or not?
Sterilizing a cat is a cardinal method of solving a problem.
Sterilizing a cat is a cardinal method of solving a problem. Before you decide to have surgery, you need to think it over carefully. Doctors recommend that the procedure be carried out as early as possible for the health of the pet. A cat at a young age tolerates anesthesia more easily.
But the owner must remember that the operation changes the pet’s body irrevocably. This means that if you want to get offspring, there will be no opportunity for this.
At the same time, long-term abstinence for a cat is severe stress, which, in addition to nervous disorders, also leads to diseases of the reproductive organs. An unsterilized cat often suffers from ovarian cysts, purulent inflammation of the uterus, hormonal disorders, and tumors of the mammary glands.
Professional veterinary specialists agree that if you do not want to produce offspring from a cat in the future, then it is better to sterilize your pet . This will relieve the animal from stress during the hunting period, and will bring relief to the owner.
Pros and cons of sterilization
Compared to other methods of controlling feline sexual activity, neutering has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of sterilization:
- Solving the problem once and for all. This is actually a disadvantage too, since at one moment the owner may regret that the animal is not able to become pregnant.
- Efficiency 100%. Drops and tablets, even hormonal ones, may not work. It's very individual. The operation will give the desired result, without a doubt.
- The operation is safe. It is performed through a small incision on the side of the torso.
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At what age is it better to adopt a kitten: when is it possible, why can’t it be taken early, what are the dangers
But the operation also has disadvantages:
- It takes time to recover. This is an abdominal operation that is performed under general anesthesia. After it, the cat may feel unwell for some time and be lethargic. The animal should not be fed for several hours before surgery.
- The operation costs money. Some owners find it cheaper to purchase drops or tablets once a month.
- Inability to obtain desired offspring in the future.
- Irreversible changes in the cat's body. Hormonal changes can cause your pet to become lethargic, less mobile, and have a tendency to gain weight. By organizing proper nutrition, the risks of disease are significantly reduced.
If your pet is fed prepared specialized food, then after sterilization you should purchase food for sterilized cats.
How to understand that a cat wants a cat
Signs of a natural call are quite easy to identify. The cat begins to show too much affection towards members of the household, scream a lot, and stand in the appropriate position, indicating its readiness to mate. This period begins not only in early spring, as many might think. This can happen either in the middle of a cold winter or at the end of a hot summer.
Cat
Since animals are driven by instinct, a noticeable deterioration or excessive improvement in the environment in which they find themselves can be a signal that it is time to reproduce.
Important! Scolding, beating, or mocking animals is strictly prohibited. It is worth understanding that a pet is driven not by a desire to receive pleasure, but by instincts that they cannot control, much less stop.
Domestic cats suffer from this much more, because long-term abstinence can lead to illness. That is why, if the owners have no desire to nurse kittens in the future, it is advisable to remove the reproductive system at a young age. In 90% of cases, the pet lives a long and healthy life. But as experience shows, sometimes force majeure occurs, and this procedure does not prevent the cat from ceasing to desire the cat. To save yourself from unnecessary problems and inconveniences, it is suggested that you study the following information on what to do if your cat screams.
At what age do people start asking for the first time?
The average age of puberty depends on the conditions and breed. Speaking of statistics, a cat begins to crave for the first time at 6-8 months. In rare cases, estrus may be late and come at 12 months. It all depends on her physical and emotional health. If the nutrition is correct and the environment is positive, the cat may begin to require reproduction at 5 months. Especially when it comes to small breeds.
What owners need to know:
- estrus is not affected by weather, climate and other nuances associated with the conditions of the region;
- as soon as the body gets stronger and all body indicators return to normal, instincts will give a signal that the cat is ready to mate.
It is impossible to predict the first heat, but a trip to the veterinarian can significantly ease the situation. For example, many are immediately recommended to have their appendages removed.
Like a cat asks a cat
A cat's personality can change dramatically. Not everyone becomes affectionate and kind during this period. There are other indicators that can explain your pet's strange behavior. What you should pay attention to first:
- loss of appetite. This indicator can mislead the owners, because it also indicates the presence of other problems;
- The cat rubs against its legs and meows a lot. Of course, this may be a signal that the pet is bored or is simply trying to attract attention. During heat, the animal is too affectionate and “talkative.” If before it was impossible to get the pet out from under the sofa, then when it “want”, it is impossible to drive it away from your hands;
- increased interest and love for men. Whatever one may say, cats sense gender differences among their owners. If at a certain period the pet became more interested in the strong representative of the house, then she goes through a period of maturation;
- house marks – even the most trained cat will place small marks around the apartment. It is useless to scold and punish for this. It is useless to fight against instincts with a simple word and beating;
- began to go to the toilet more often - the excited hormonal system affects urination, so if the cat began to visit the litter box more often, there is a high probability that she has begun a period of growing up. This fact is relevant if other indicators are additionally present. It may also be a kidney disease;
- the cat bends over and shows unusual poses - the most clear and visible sign that the cat wants a cat.
All these indicators will help you understand in a timely manner what strange phenomena are happening to your beloved pet. You can't just ignore it. This position will lead to damage to property and mental disorder of the animal.
Cat and cat
How many times a year does a cat ask for a cat?
When it comes to the frequency of estrus, even the best veterinarian in the city cannot give an accurate answer. It all depends on the breed and the health of the pet. Larger representatives of cats flow 2 times a year. Small cats - 3-4 times.
For those who are engaged in breeding or just want to plunge into this field, you need to know a few facts:
- You cannot breed a cat under 1 year of age. Despite the fact that she is instinctively ready for mating, the pet’s pelvis is not yet fully developed due to “greenhouse keeping”;
- using untested home methods is extremely dangerous. Many people recommend feeding bromine to their pets or giving them catnip. All these methods in 90% of cases negatively affect the condition of the animal, which leads to death or loss of control over them.
What is estrus
Estrus is a natural physiological process that is characterized by constant sexual arousal in the female. This period occurs when the animal’s body is fully prepared for the process of reproduction and the production of offspring.
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The period of puberty in these animals is from 5 to 1 month. This depends on the level of health of the pet, its weight, quality of nutrition, breed and individual characteristics, as well as heredity.
An important aspect of the onset of estrus is the presence of a mature cat nearby. If there is a male nearby, then the pussy wants intimacy more often and more intensely.