When a cat begins to ask for a cat, the owner who has encountered this for the first time is very worried. After all, during sexual heat, the pet screams wildly and behaves inappropriately. Not every person is able to remain calm; many are looking for any ways to calm it down. Folk remedies, sedative pills and even hormonal drugs are used.
Let's find out which methods of suppressing the symptoms of estrus are safe for cats and why you should decide to sterilize.
At what age does a cat start walking?
Cats start yelling at different ages. In some animals, puberty occurs earlier, in others - later. This depends on many factors:
- breed affiliation;
- fatness;
- conditions of detention;
- pet's temperament;
- heredity.
The first time a cat begins to ask for a cat is when mature eggs are already being produced in her ovaries. In most cases, sexual heat begins between 6 and 10 months, but there are exceptions.
In any case, mating during the first few heats is not advisable. After all, for the body to fully form and strengthen, it needs more time.
It is extremely rare for cats to start asking for a cat at the age of 5 months. Such early maturation indicates the presence of health problems. In this case, it is advisable to show the animal to a veterinarian. You will also need to consult a specialist if your first heat starts after a year.
Precautions when letting a kitten outside
Some veterinarians do not recommend releasing a kitten unless it is spayed. In fact, an uncastrated man runs the risk of running away and never returning if he senses an aroused pussy in the neighborhood... Watch: How Long Can a Cat Run Away?
A period of 6 to 7 months is recommended. sterilize a woman and from 5 months what can we do to castrate a male kitten .
On the other hand, if your kitten gets lost, he will need to be identified. Therefore, in order for the kitten to go outside on its own, it will need to be stitched. I also recommend putting a collar on him with your contact information (see shock collar recommended ).
Finally, when the kitten begins to go outside, it is recommended to treat it for parasites (see my article Natural Flea Control ).
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Symptoms of estrus
It's impossible not to notice when a cat asks for a date with a cat. Signs by which you can determine that your pet has gone on a spree:
- The cat screams and meows protractedly at the top of her voice. Some owners get scared - they think she is sick. In fact, this is a natural process. The female attracts potential suitors with a loud cry.
- When a cat asks for a cat, she leaves marks in the house. It is unknown whether she does this on purpose or not. The fact is that during the hunting period a special mucous secretion is released from the vulva. In nature, its smell attracts cats.
- The cat becomes very affectionate, gentle, constantly rubs against the owner’s legs and purrs. In rare cases, the pet behaves in the opposite way - it becomes irritable and aggressive.
- The urge to urinate becomes more frequent.
- When a cat asks for a cat, she takes a characteristic pose - arching her back and raising her butt. The tail is moved to the side. In this way, the female shows the male that she is ready for mating.
- It is easy to understand that a cat wants a cat by its loss of appetite. The pet rarely approaches the food bowl and eats little. Some individuals generally lose interest in food, they even refuse their favorite treat.
You should not worry about the cat’s well-being during this period - when the heat ends, everything will return to normal. The behavior will become habitual, an appetite will appear, and the pet will stop behaving inappropriately.
Adorable pictures prove that cats are cats, no matter how big they are
When you see big cats acting like house cats, you will want one as a pet. Look how many similarities there are between carnivores and their tiny domesticated cousins!
If you want to see a white tiger play with a giant ball, your wish will be granted.
Felines sit in boxes out of an instinctive desire to hide from predators. But the jaguar is a predator, so why should it sit in a cardboard box?
The answer is simple: he wants a cozy place to sleep. A cardboard box is a luxury for the jaguars at the zoo.
Like domestic cats, tigers spend about 16-20 hours sleeping and lying in the shade every day. Don't wake the tiger on his cardboard bed!
This could very well be the lion's throne, at least until the female returns with food.
This is the only ball that can withstand the sharp fangs of a tiger. Isn't Zabu an adorable big cat?
This lion seems to want to play with the photographer. How can you say no to those kitten eyes? If you can handle about 270kg of fur and claws, then you know what to do next.
Some cats will do anything to get their food. A white tiger named Mohan stands like a man to get his share of milk. Standing, he is as tall as the worker!
Cats stand to appear larger. Domestic cats try to ward off predators while standing. Big cats like Mohan most likely want to feel like they are on an equal footing with their guardian.
Amazing photo of a zookeeper giving a lion a paw massage. And he trusts the 250 kg lion so much that he is also ready to brush the mane and wash the lion.
The zookeeper has built this relationship over many years, and most people can't massage a lion that easily. Look how happy the big kitten is!
Duration and frequency of sexual heat
The length of the period during which cats ask for a cat differs from individual to individual. On average, estrus lasts 7-10 days.
The period of sexual hunting can be divided into several stages. Each of them has certain characteristics:
- Proestrus. The cat begins to ask for a cat, but at the same time she is not yet ready for effective mating. Her estrogen levels increase. Sexual heat begins - the external genitalia increase slightly in size, and transparent discharge appears from the vulva. Behavior changes - the cat rubs against objects for a long time, requires more attention and affection. Appetite decreases. The duration of proestrus is 2-3 days.
- Estrus. The cat is already ready for mating. If she has a date with a cat during this period, she is more likely to get pregnant. The pet feels increasing excitement, this is eloquently evidenced by her behavior - loud inviting cries, adoption of a characteristic pose for mating. The duration of estrus is 3-4 days, in some individuals it lasts longer.
- Metestrus. The level of estrogen in the cat’s body decreases, and along with it, interest in representatives of the opposite sex disappears. Some females even feel irritated at the sight of a male. The cat no longer asks the cat, does not allow him to approach, drives him away with hiss.
- Anestrus. At this stage, the hormonal levels stabilize and the cat calms down.
The frequency of the onset of estrus differs between domestic and wild animals. This process is influenced by the length of daylight hours, quality of nutrition, breed and other factors.
On average, cats ask for a male cat every 3-4 weeks, provided that mating has not occurred.
How long after giving birth does estrus occur?
The frequency of sexual estrus depends on whether pregnancy has occurred. If a cat has a date with a cat, then she bears the offspring for about 2 months, and then feeds them. Then the next estrus begins 30-50 days after lambing or 10-14 days after the end of lactation. In the wild, cats go into heat on average 2-3 times a year. If there was no mating, then the next time the estrus will begin in 3-4 weeks.
In rare cases, nursing cats ask for a male cat as early as 2 weeks after lambing. If mating does not occur during this period, the next estrus will begin again after 14-21 days.
If the date with the male takes place, then a new pregnancy will not occur, since the uterus has not yet had time to recover and the process of feeding the kittens is underway. But mating during the next heat is more likely to be effective.
Behavior problems
When cats ask for a date with a cat, household members have a hard time. The constant screaming makes it impossible to sleep at night. Some people can’t stand it and lock their pets in one of the rooms. Others wet the animal’s fur with water in the evenings. This allows you to gain an hour of silence while the cat licks its fur coat. But as soon as she dries up, she starts asking for the cat again. This behavior is exhausting and forces you to try different ways.
Is it possible to calm a cat at home?
Simply petting and calming a cat that asks for a cat is unlikely to work. You will have to be patient and wait until the heat ends.
Numerous “folk” tips on how to calm a pet usually turn out to be ineffective:
- Pet your pet more often. Showing attention will only increase arousal.
- Give sedatives. They will not help because the animal is not stressed. They are driven by the instinct of reproduction. Such medications only slightly dull the desire to mate.
- Feed the cat with products containing pheromones like Feliway. During sexual hunting they are completely useless. Such drugs help to quickly adapt to a new place and to endure the trip more calmly, but they do not pacify natural instincts.
Calming medications for cats
Sometimes veterinarians recommend taking sedatives. Such medications help to dull arousal a little, but their main purpose is to achieve mental lability, eliminate aggression and anxiety.
List of drugs and method of use:
- Cat Baiyun. A medicine based on herbs with a sedative effect - valerian roots, oregano, sweet clover, mint, motherwort, hop cones and others. As soon as the cat begins to ask for a cat, she is given 2 ml of medicine three times a day for 5-7 days.
- Fitex drops. A sedative with herbal components – valerian, motherwort, hop extract. The medicine normalizes the functioning of the central nervous system, muffles the feeling of fear and aggression. If a cat wants a cat, or vice versa, then the pet is given 3-5 drops of the product in the morning, lunch and evening for several days.
- Drops for cats Stop stress. The drug is available in the form of drops and tablets. The medicine contains aminophenylbutyric acid and extracts of valerian, catnip, hops and motherwort. This remedy helps reduce agitation and correct the animal's behavior in stressful situations. Directions for use: 1 drop per 1 kg of weight twice a day.
Sedatives should not be given to a cat for a long time. They are allowed to be used for no more than 10 days. And you should not expect that these medications will completely eliminate sexual arousal. They can only slightly smooth out the symptoms of estrus.
Artificial ovulation
Sometimes the safest and most effective way to calm a cat so that she does not ask for a cat is to artificially induce ovulation. This method is suitable if the pet cannot be given for mating right now for some reason. For example, if she is in her first heat or a worthy candidate for mating has not yet been found.
In some cases, veterinarians show owners how to simulate sexual intercourse at home, which will cause ovulation. To do this, you will need a small phallic-shaped object about 4-5 mm thick and 1.5-2 cm long. A cotton swab wrapped in a fingertip or something similar will do. The cat is held by the withers. When she is in the mating position, the object is gently inserted into her vagina.
It is recommended to repeat this procedure 3-4 times within 12 hours. After this, the pet should ovulate, which will provoke a false pregnancy.
The heat will stop, the cat will calm down, stop asking for the cat and will prepare for the appearance of kittens. Some females begin to arrange a place for birth. During a false pregnancy, hormonal changes occur, so milk may be released from the mammary glands.
Attention! The artificial ovulation technique cannot be used every time the cat asks for a cat. This can cause inflammation in the uterus.
What not to do
Some actions of owners can harm the cat. For example, you cannot lock an animal in a cellar or bathroom. Being alone will have a negative impact on your mental health.
It is also undesirable to let your cat outside unattended, because it could get hit by a car, contract a virus, or become a victim of aggressive dogs. In addition, uncontrolled walking during estrus can lead to mating with an outdoor cat.
You should not punish her, yell at her, or hit her. This will not help solve the problem, because the animal is at the mercy of instincts. The pet will still continue to scream and roll on the floor.
How does a cat perceive its owner?
How does a cat perceive its owner?
. Many cats live in our apartments from childhood, if not from birth. And they seem to like it. They perceive our apartment as their lair. Everything here is familiar, safe, warm and cozy. There is no need to think about food, the owner goes hunting himself, butchers and serves it himself. Sometimes you can afford to steal a tasty morsel from the owner’s plate. The main thing is to grab the prey and quickly hide. Otherwise, life with the owner is reminiscent of a cat’s childhood, close to its mother.
Of course, sometimes you have to share the territory even with a dog, but still, it is much safer than being on the street without the protection of the owner.
All cats eventually become similar to their owners, even in appearance. The more you love your cat, the more similarities there are between you.
If the cat is happy and trusts its owner, then it lies on his chest, purrs and slightly releases its claws. This is how kittens instinctively stimulate their mother's milk production. At the very climax of pleasure, cats may even lightly suck on your ear or fingertips.
Cats enjoy playing with their owner. For kittens, games serve as training, but for an adult cat they simply provide entertainment and exercise. In addition, cats are so playful that they can jump until exhaustion and run after a bow on a string, a sunbeam, or a laser beam.
An adult domestic cat no longer regards its owner as a parent. For her, a person is a protector, provider and helper. Some cats become so accustomed to their owner that they even refuse to eat when separated. You should take this into account if you need to leave.
When my daughter, mother and I moved to a new apartment, we left our cat to the new owners (my brother). Before that, we lived together, and they really liked the cat. And although we came to visit them every day, and stroked and played with our cat for a long time, he still withered away before our eyes. He lost weight, barely ate and no longer wanted to play.
For some reason, the cat loved me more than anyone else, but we didn’t notice it before. For the sake of the cat's health, we somehow came to a common agreement that the cat should live with me. In gratitude for your understanding, my favorite one slept with me and never left my side for the remaining 15 years.
A domestic cat is not always and not everyone is allowed to stroke itself. This is a very important sign. As a child, only the mother stroked (licked) the kitten. Then only the owner was allowed to do this. There are such jealous cats that not only do they not allow strangers to pet them, but they can also bite and scratch anyone who approaches their owner.
A good owner for a cat is not just a protector, friend and provider, it is for her a kind of deity who is always nearby and will never leave her in trouble. So try to behave towards cats like a deity or at least like a human being. The absence of the owner frightens the cat, even if she doesn’t show it in any way.
You can't punish a cat! Any punishment causes fear and mistrust in her. Cats do not know how to connect cause and effect. That is why they cannot be taught what they do not understand and fear.
Interrupting estrus with hormonal drugs
Estrus can be prevented or interrupted with the help of hormonal medications. However, they should not be used often, as this will lead to health problems.
List of drugs to suppress sexual arousal in cats:
- Sex Barrier;
- EX-5;
- EX-5T;
- Four with a tail.
Hormonal drugs are designed to reduce the level of estrogen, which will reduce the manifestations of sexual desire. Essentially, taking such medications moves the animal from proestrus to anestrus.
Pros of taking hormonal drugs:
- the cat does not ask the cat, its behavior does not cause inconvenience to the owner;
- it is possible to skip 1-2 matings if the animal is used for breeding, but mating is not possible at the moment.
There are just as many disadvantages to taking hormonal medications. This needs to be understood when deciding whether to give them to your pet:
- such medications cannot be used frequently and for a long time;
- taking them disrupts hormonal levels, and this can lead to serious illnesses - the development of pathologies in the uterus and oncology.
Problems do not appear immediately after taking hormonal drugs. Most often they occur at the age of 3-4 years. If a cat develops endometritis or other diseases of the reproductive system, it will have to resort to castration.
Risks of taking a kitten outside too early
The environment outside the home can be dangerous for an underage kitten. Indeed, if your kitten is not ready to go outside, leaving him outside poses many risks:
After all, outside the home, a kitten can become infected with many diseases. However, if kittens receive antibodies from breast milk at birth, they will disappear after 6 weeks. And a 2-month-old kitten is therefore very fragile and vulnerable.
Therefore, it is recommended not to release the kitten until the last revaccination. at about 3 months of age .
Sterilization
To get rid of your pet’s meticulous screams forever, it is recommended to carry out a sterilization procedure. This method is suitable only for those who do not want to breed cats.
Veterinarians now recommend neutering rather than a simple tubal ligation. This is an abdominal operation to remove the uterus and ovaries. It is done under general anesthesia.
The appropriate age for surgery is when cats start begging for the first time. That is, approximately 6-7 months. It is advisable to have the operation done before the first heat.
Pros and cons of castration:
pros | Minuses |
The lifespan of a cat increases by 1.5-2 years | Since the operation is performed under general anesthesia, there is a possibility of complications. |
The cat does not yell, behaves calmly, does not cause inconvenience to the owner | |
There is no need to look for partners for mating and think about where to put the kittens | |
The pet's risk of developing mammary gland cancer, ovarian and uterine pathologies is reduced |
The case for castration also holds true for males. In addition to the fact that cats start screaming when they ask for a cat, they leave marks in the apartment with a pungent musky odor. Rather than endure this, it is better to have surgery and forget about sleepless nights. Today this is the most effective way to solve the problem.