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Being in Heat in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 05/22/2017Updated: 01/12/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Being in Heat?
When a cat seems to be always in estrus, or heat, it may be related to a few conditions. However, many cat owners believe their cat is always in heat even though that may not be the case. When a cat is in heat, it seems like a very long time. Once a cat goes into heat, the cat will continue to remain in heat for about one week, or up to 10 days, until she becomes pregnant. This cycle will repeat every 14 to 21 days. If the amount of light in the day begins to decrease in the fall, the cat typically will come out of heat. For cats that don’t seem to take a “break” after the heat period of 7 to 10 days, they may be experiencing what is known as persistent estrus. This could be a sign of a health condition and should be examined by a veterinarian. Reasons for persistent estrus could be two things, as follows:
- Ovarian cysts
- Ovarian cancer
Why Being in Heat Occurs in Cats
A continuous secretion of estrogen is what causes persistent estrus. This can be caused by two different conditions. Persistent estrus in cats occurs because of:
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluid or substance that can form within the ovary or on the ovary. There are several types of ovarian cysts, and most are benign. A cat with cysts that are causing issues will typically undergo surgery.
Ovarian Tumor
An ovarian tumor secretes more estrogen than normal. A common tumor of the ovary is the granulosa cell tumor. Malignant tumors should be removed as there is risk of metastasis.
What to do if your Cat is Being in Heat
If your cat is in heat consistently, make an appointment with your veterinarian. He will perform a complete examination, including laboratory testing such as urinalysis, blood work, and biochemistry profile. This will give the veterinarian much needed information about the cat’s organ functionality and will check for various conditions.
Your veterinarian will also ask you questions about your cat’s heat cycle. He will want to know the precise age of the cat, if your cat has given birth to a litter, and whether your cat has had a false pregnancy. The veterinarian will want you to describe in detail your cat’s behaviors when in heat.
Once the laboratory results have come in, your veterinarian will take a close look at what could be going on with your cat. He may want to check for any ovarian abnormalities by performing specific tests such as radiography and an ultrasound. These tests will take a closer look at the ovaries and determine if your cat may possibly have a tumor or a cyst, both of which could cause persistent estrus.
If your cat has a cyst on her ovary or has a tumor, your veterinarian will explain to you in detail the treatment plan. He may also recommend, once treatment is complete, that you spay your cat in order to prevent her going into heat and thus, removing her chances of becoming pregnant.
Prevention of Being in Heat
The only way to prevent your cat from going into heat is to have her spayed. Although it may be difficult to prevent an ovarian tumor or cyst, keeping your cat’s regular veterinary checkups is crucial. During these visits, your veterinarian will perform a complete examination on your cat, and if your cat is showing symptoms of any pain from an ovarian tumor or cyst, such as abdominal pain, even if your cat going into heat repeatedly is not an issue, your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the condition early.
As soon as you notice your cat continues to go into heat, it will be very important to make an appointment with your medical professional. Catching a tumor early, especially a cancerous tumor, can cause your cat to have a much better prognosis. Finding an ovarian cyst in the early stages can prevent the cyst from rupturing, which can cause more health problems.
Cost of Being in Heat
If your cat has an ovarian cyst, the cost of treatment can be approximately $750.If your cat has a tumor on the ovaries, it may cost $100 for a biopsy, and more for the removal, depending on the size and location of the ovarian cyst. Having your cat spayed early in life can cost signifiantly less.
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Being in Heat Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cat
One Year
113 found this helpful
113 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heat
So we want to get my cat fixed, but literally every time we have a guest over, she goes into heat. I understand how irrational and just not true that sounds, but I'm serious. No matter how long it's been since her last heat, even if only a few days, she will immediately go into heat the following day after a guest comes over. This is making it pretty impossible to get her fixed since we never know when she will or won't be in heat. Should we just get her fixed anyway? I saw online you shouldn't do it when they're in heat.
July 11, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
113 Recommendations
Hello,
You can fix your cat while they are in heat. I help a cat rescue and have successfully spayed many cats while they were in heat. Cats do seem to come into heat at odd times making it very hard for you to schedule surgery for your cat.
July 11, 2020
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Calico
17 months
37 found this helpful
37 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
In Heat
Is something wrong with my cat it seems like she's been in heat for months she keeps meowing and moaning loudly day and night I can't get her spayed tell sept
July 8, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
37 Recommendations
Hello,
So sorry to hear about your cat. Most cats will go in and out of heat until they are spayed. It would be best to see try to get her spayed sooner to decrease these signs that you are seeing.
July 8, 2020
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Callico
Cali
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Moaning
Meowing. Loudly
Growling While Cleaning Herself
I have a cat that has been in heat for like 2 months straight is she ok. And it seems like this happened when we got a new puppy that is not nutered. Our cat keeps moaning and meowing is there anything wrong with her? Also seeing that I got a new puppy that has not been fixed can that bother our cats cycle.
Sept. 2, 2018
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Ocicat
Mika
3 Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heat
My cat has been in heat for about two months it comes and goes but it’s lasted longer than usual. I see her lose some weight in the past before but she doesn’t seem to gain any. I feed her every day she drinks her water. Is there anything abnormal about this.
Aug. 29, 2018
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Siamese
Jelly
1 Year
11 found this helpful
11 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
Mouth Lump
Itching
Scratching
Fur Loss
Hello my cat is allergic to flees and she scratch uncontrollably when bitten to the point of fur lost and bleeding. What should I do to help the allergies go away. Because I know in humans, over time allergies are able to be neutralized or made to go away.
July 27, 2018
11 Recommendations
It is important to ensure that Jelly is treated regularly with an effective flea & tick prevention medication (not over the counter stuff) and for the environment in the home to be treated against fleas to reduce the risk of further flea bites. Generally in cats the reactions to flea bites increases over time so this is why it is important to reduce the risk of bites; with good management there should be little risk. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 28, 2018
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Tuxedo
Precious
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Is it normal for a cat to be in heat longer than 7 days?! Because she acts normal and then after the end she acts like she never finished. 'Cause what I know is that when a cat is in heat they stop yowling an their heat cycle ends. She does her normal yowl most of the time and then at the end,sometimes she yowls even harder like there's something seriously wrong with her. She doesn't go towards the window nor near the door, even when I open it, she just sits there and she nears the hallway like I need to give her attention or respond to her. There's no male around, and we brought in a male because of what happened to him ( he's not there anymore) and she runs off and don't want to be touched by him but we don't force things on cats. So I want to know exactly the truth of what is going on, and knw why she asked being in heat when she's not supposed to be in heat sometimes.
The rest of her heat cycle is normal and goes in heat the normal season sometimes.
American Shorthair
Monbebe
13 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heat
Okay, I have three 13-month-old kittens right now (I've had them since they were five weeks, they were dropped off at my doorstep one night, and I've taken them to the vet twice to get all their vaccinations and registered) and one of my girls, Monbebe, has been going into heat since she was about six months. Her sister Bindi has been going into heat as well but the problem is Bindi has a regular heat cycle while Bebe (Monbebe) only comes out of heat for three days before going right back. She just yowls all night and day while rubbing herself on everything. One night she yowled so much that when she woke me the next day, she sounded like when she first meowed at me, hoarse. I am extremely worried that something bad is going on with her. Should I take Bebe to the vet once again and see if there is something that can be done?
Feline
Shadi
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lack Of Appetite
Kinda the opposite of 'always in heat' My 10 yo hasn't had a heat in a year and a half, I took her her to a vet and they said she seems perfectly healthy but encouraged me to get her fixed anyway 'shocker, $400 free money'.... getting really frustrated with all the mixed info... Kinda like human docs, they all have 'different opinions' about everything... (Ok, the question parameters are ambiguous there is no real list of symptoms {it doesn't accept lack of heats}; breed: feline is only accepted {didn't accept cat or Siamese} condition severity 0 as far as I can tell; she is still energetic, affectionate/playful and very social... just suddenly no heats)
Devon Rex
Pinks
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Yowling, Rolling, Rubbing
Cat is constantly in heat. She will be 2 years old in July 2019. She has a singleton litter 2 months ago and the kitten did not survive. She was not spayed and is now going into constant heat since this litter. Every week she has a ‘break’ of about 6 days before signs starts up again. We do have an unfixed male in the house as we own a cattery. He is kept separate from the females. Is it possible that my other female going into heat is causing her to cycle more often? I’ve made an appointment with the vet for a check up. Hoping it’s not anything serious.
Calico
Kairi and syndra
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loud Meowing, Heat,
I have 2 cats that take turns going into heat. Since mid December I've always had a cat in heat.so in total it's been almost 15 weeks between the 2 of them. I'm working on getting them spayed but I dont have the extra funds to do it while they are in heat.
