Feline estrus is a natural process that does not require owner control. However, if the cat is "walking" for the first time, attention should be paid to the animal - for this you need to know the signs of estrus in order to prevent possible problems.
Signs of heat
The first estrus of cats consists of three periods, which are difficult for an inexperienced owner to recognize. The first stage is preparatory and includes the appearance of clear secretions, decreased appetite, slight swelling of the mucous membranes of the genitals and increased excitability. The cat begins to caress people, often meow, purr and scratch furniture, however, when trying to mate, she categorically rejects the cat.
In a healthy cat, discharge should be clear and uniform, while foul-smelling or colored discharge is cause for concern.
At the second stage, the level of feline hormones reaches a peak and cats begin to actively demand mating, heart-rending meows, rolling on the floor and wriggling. When stroking an animal on the back, it protrudes the back and raises its tail. If mating does not take place, the cat suffers from psychological and physical torment, since the instinct was not realized.
The third stage is ovulation and mating, after which the cat loses interest in the cat and ignores the chase. If mating has not occurred, heat will begin again after a while. With the onset of ovulation and the absence of fertilization, the cat may fall into a state of the so-called false pregnancy. If the cat becomes pregnant, the resting phase begins, which usually occurs during the winter period.
First heat rules
Cycle length and frequency of estrus vary from cat to cat, but many factors can affect them. For example, the features of physiology, inherited, breed, diet, conditions of detention and even the length of daylight hours. Slender and naturally light cats experience estrus much more often - like the animals next to which the cat lives.
If the owner does not plan to breed kittens or there are certain medical indications, it is advisable to spay the cat so as not to torment the animal.
Typically, the first heat cycle lasts from 2 to 3 weeks, and the interval between them can vary from several days to six months. Prolonged, infrequent or absent estrus may indicate the likelihood of having a disease. Cats that give birth once every 18 months experience estrus less often than cats that have mated or given birth at least once.
