How often does a female cat go into heat, and how long does it last?

Usually, a female cat will go into heat multiple times a year, lasting about 7-10 days each time. However, domesticated and wild female cats differ in that their heat cycles are not as regular or predictable as those of wild cats. Therefore, the timing of a female cat's heat and the duration of each heat vary among individual cats. The heat cycle is also closely related to the duration of daylight. If breeding is not considered, it is recommended to have the female cat spayed during a non-heat period to help prevent reproductive system diseases.

Time when a female cat starts going into heat

A female cat will start showing signs of heat around 6 months of age, indicating that it has reached sexual maturity but has not yet reached physical maturity. Therefore, it is not recommended to breed at this stage. If breeding is forced, it can easily lead to complications such as dystocia in the female cat. It is advised to breed the cat after it reaches physical maturity at 1.5 years old.

Frequency of female cat's heat

Female cats are induced to go into heat, and their heat usually lasts 7-10 days. Mating does not significantly shorten the heat cycle. Some non-pedigree female cats can have heat cycles lasting about 3 weeks, while some show no regular pattern. For pedigree female cats, the range of heat cycle duration can vary greatly, with long-haired cats possibly having only 1-2 heat cycles per year.

Season of female cat's heat

Female cats are seasonal breeders, typically going into heat in both spring and autumn. During their heat, cats can become irritable, their external genitalia swell, and they may howl at night. They may also wander off or even leave home. Therefore, owners should ensure that windows and doors are securely closed to prevent the cat from jumping off balconies or running away due to the urge to mate.

Note: Spaying a female cat during her heat period is absolutely forbidden. Because the spaying process requires opening the abdominal cavity to remove the uterus and ovaries, if the cat is in heat, it may experience extensive bleeding due to血管扩张, increasing the risk of surgery. Therefore, if breeding is not the goal, it is recommended to have the female cat spayed during a non-heat period. Before the surgery, a biochemical examination is needed to assess the cat's physical condition. Additionally, the cat should be fasting and deprived of water to prevent aspiration during the operation.