How many days does a cat walk and how often does this happen?

How many days does a cat walk and how often does this happen - this question is often asked with great panic in the voice by new owners of grown-up cats and female cats who haven’t thought much about what will happen longer when the fluffy kitten grows up.
First, let's understand the concepts and separate walks from festivities. Cats can walk all year round, because at this moment the animal hunts, basks in the sun, explores the territory and simply behaves naturally.

Cats from private homes or those accustomed to harnesses especially love this. The cat usually spends the day in such promenades, coming periodically to eat, bring in the caught mouse and sleep in the house in its usual place.

When does he start walking for the first time?

A cat begins to ask for a cat when its body is fully formed and its hormonal levels have normalized. It is impossible to say exactly at what point the female will complete puberty. The process is individual and depends on external and internal factors. In most cases, the first heat begins at the age of 6-8 months. In some breeds, a period of 1 year is normal. You need to know about such features in advance, since in other cases such a delay is a pathology and requires examination by a specialist and examination.

Factors influencing the onset of estrus:

• he is hormonal;
• nutrition;
• Lifestyle;
• the presence of a cat nearby;
• breed;
• coat color;
• season;
• conditions of detention;
• general health.

Sometimes the first estrus passes without any noticeable manifestations, so the owner simply does not notice it. In this case, they talk about erased estrus, which is typical for weakened, sick, hormonally disturbed animals. And also with a sedentary lifestyle and low temperament.

To speed up the process, it is recommended to do the following:

• Add a cat . From the smell of a male, sex hormones begin to be rapidly produced in the female’s body, and estrus occurs.
• Place another cat who is in estrus. Very often, animals that are in the same room leak at the same time. Again, the pheromones that float in the air are to blame, forcing the body to work in the right direction.
• Strengthen the body with vitamins and homeopathic remedies. The drugs are sold in veterinary pharmacies; the course is started after consultation with a specialist.

If owners are interested in getting healthy offspring, it is recommended to observe how estrus occurs, how long it lasts, and how the cat behaves. In the future, these observations will be useful for effective mating.

Veterinary methods

Modern science suggests not to injure the mustache and not rack your brains with the question of where to give the kittens. There are several ways to calm a cat that is asking for a cat. These are drugs that reduce hormone levels and have a calming effect on the animal. More radical measures are resorted to when such methods to calm the animal do not have the desired effect.

Medications for solving the problem of estrus in pets include:

• Herbal infusions (“Cat Bayun”);
• Drops (“Anti Stress”);
• Suspensions;
• Pills;
• Various injections (“Covinan”).

Before you decide on the choice of product, you should consider that they all have side effects on the animal’s body. Making decisions on this issue on your own is dangerous for the health of your pet.

How many days does it take to walk for the first time?

If a cat has started her first heat, this does not mean that her body is fully formed; everything should proceed like in all healthy females. The duration depends on the same internal and external factors, and especially on hormonal levels. Usually the first time a cat walks for 5 days. The normal duration in adult females is 5-10 days. If estrus lasts about 20 days, you need to show the cat to the veterinarian. This situation may mean a hormonal imbalance, the presence of a cyst, or diseases of the reproductive system. In rare cases, estrus for 20 days is considered normal.

What to do if the cat does not leak

The absence of heat does not necessarily indicate the presence of any health problems. In such cases, it is necessary to create the appropriate conditions for the female to awaken the body. For example:

• Place another cat in a state of “wanting” on your home territory. Looking at such a picture, the animal will try to repeat the habits, which will provoke the onset of ovulation.
• Arrange a meeting with the cat, which will most likely give rise to the necessary hormonal changes, and as a result, the beginning of estrus.

• Taking vitamin complexes and medications that help normalize hormonal levels. However, it is worth remembering that the selection of such funds should be carried out by a veterinarian, based on the physical condition, age, breed of the animal and other parameters.

How often does this happen

In wild, yard cats, estrus occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn. In apartment, domesticated animals, malfunctions may occur. A cat that has given birth will estrus once every few months; in a cat that has not given birth, estrus may occur every 2 weeks. Estrus after childbirth appears 1.5-2 months later. In this case, everything is individual. The background is restored faster, the duration of estrus is normalized if the cat gives birth safely. If the owner does not plan to breed kittens, you need to contact specialists. To stop estrus, the cat is sterilized or given hormonal medications.

Signs of heat

You can determine that a cat is walking by the animal’s behavior.

1. Becomes affectionate, rubs, caresses, or displays excessive aggression and irritability.
2. Meows loudly and invitingly. The animal makes these sounds all day long in the hope of attracting a cat.
3. There is frequent urination. The cat goes to the litter box even at night, and also begins to mark its territory.
4. The appearance of transparent mucous discharge from the genitals. The cat licks itself often and for a long time.
5. Decreased appetite. The cat becomes indifferent to food. Eats little by little or refuses treats altogether. This behavior continues for the first few days or is present throughout the entire estrus period.
6. The gait and body position change. The front legs are bent halfway and the back of the body is raised. The cat's tail is to the side or raised upward.

Some signs may be absent, but in general, changes in your pet’s behavior can be noticed. If a cat wants to go for a walk, she demonstrates this in every possible way.

What not to do

Help your cat get through the heat period calmly

During the cat's heat period, do not pour water on it. This method will not calm her down, but on the contrary, will become additional stress. She may be very frightened and angry for a long time, but she will not stop being nervous. Do not punish your cat for mischief and loud meowing. She is not trying to annoy you and is unable to control herself.

Locking an animal in a dark room is a bad method because it will not solve the problem. No matter how often your pet walks, think about making this period comfortable for her. Remember, you are responsible for the one you tamed.

How to calm an animal

If the owner does not mate, there are several options for behavior:

Sterilization

A surgical intervention that results in the removal of the ovaries and uterus. After this, the cat becomes infertile. The procedure should be carried out at the age of 6 months before the first estrus. If the operation is performed on an adult female, the estrus will continue, although the female will not be able to become pregnant. The benefits and harms of sterilization are assessed in two ways. Side effects of the procedure include obesity, dysfunction of various organs, and hormonal imbalance. Since surgical intervention is carried out under local anesthesia, a weak body may not be able to withstand it, and death is possible.

You may be interested in: How long does estrus last in cats?

Hormonal drugs

The method is advisable to use if you plan to breed offspring in the future. The drugs control estrus for a certain period of time, usually six months. The action is aimed at reducing libido by correcting hormones. Available in the form of drops, tablets, and injection solutions. The most common option is drops that can be added to food or placed in the nose. A veterinarian should be involved in selecting suitable medications and determining the dosage. The most commonly prescribed medications are Sex Barrier, Gestrenol, and Covinan. There are also side effects and contraindications.

There is no point in raising or scolding a cat during heat. Her psyche is already disturbed at the moment. The correct model of behavior is to be patient and choose effective methods of pacifying sexual activity.

Pros and cons of sterilization

The positive aspects of such an operation include:

• solving the problem of estrus once and for all;
• 100% result.
• Comfortable conditions for the operation.

Problems that may accompany surgery include:

• Financial costs of the operation;
• Irreversible changes occur in the animal's body;
• If you want to have a kitten, this will no longer be possible.

For many people, the cost of sterilizing an animal is significant. Therefore, despite all the reliability, not all owners of mustaches resort to this method.

© shutterstock

After surgery, the furry cat’s body stops producing hormones. The character of the animal changes. The cat becomes lazy, sleeps and eats a lot. The playful animal turns into a slow-moving pet sloth. The sedentary lifestyle that the pet begins to lead turns it into a cat that has gained a lot of weight. Metabolism is disrupted. Obesity, liver and heart problems appear as concomitant diseases.

What to do during sexual activity

When a cat goes into heat, one of the right options is to give her a mating male for a few days. The beloved becomes pregnant, and her desire to “see” the cat will disappear. The body will begin new hormonal changes. If there is no desire to mate a cat, it is scary to give special tablets; you need to be patient. Inappropriate behavior will be observed for 10 days, after which the animal will return to normal. However, allowing this condition to occur constantly is dangerous for the female’s health. If a cat walks without a cat, a false pregnancy often develops.

If you plan to have offspring, you need to wait until 3 heats have passed without giving any pills. The animal's behavior will need to be tolerated. When the hormonal levels are completely stabilized, you can begin mating with the cat. During the first days you need to find a male and let him approach the cat. If mating occurs, estrus will stop after a couple of days. During pregnancy and nursing kittens there is no estrus. But if the female loses her cubs, a new estrus begins in the first month.

If the first signs of estrus are noticed, you should not immediately feed the animal hormonal pills. Rash actions can cause irreparable harm to health. Drugs should be prescribed by a qualified specialist after examining the animal. You also need to remember that during the period of heat, you cannot shout at the cat, kick it, much less beat it. The animal does not control itself, is unable to obey or fulfill the owner’s request, but a feeling of guilt appears, which will further aggravate the situation.

Frequency of cat walking

How long do pregnant cats walk for the first time?

The frequency of estrus depends on many factors. If a cat gives birth regularly, her cycle will be 2-4 times a year. When she is not bred, estrus can repeat once every 2-3 months. Occasionally there are individuals that walk every 2-3 weeks.

Important! Experts categorically prohibit mating too often. It is not recommended at all during the first heat, and in the future at least a year should pass between births. Too frequent births will negatively affect the health of both the pet and its offspring. Domestic cats have different living conditions, so in this matter you should not focus on them, who give birth every season.

How many walks for the first time

When does a cat start walking for the first time? How long will this last? As a rule, the first heat occurs between 7 and 10 months. This often happens in the spring. The duration of the first heat will be an indicator of the average time of estrus throughout the cat's life. A healthy domestic cat walks for 4-7 days both the first and subsequent times.

You can't knit a cat too often

However, the duration and timing of the first heat depends on many factors. For example, outdoor cats tend to reach sexual maturity earlier than indoor cats. Their first estrus can occur at the age of 5-6 months. At the same age, a domestic cat can also go on a spree, provided that it is active, temperamental, and has a genetic predisposition to this.

Note! The onset of estrus is directly influenced by the cat’s housing conditions and nutrition.

At what age cats begin to walk is a purely individual question that requires a special approach. Each animal will have its own behavioral characteristics and duration of estrus.

Frequency depending on breed

Another important factor in the question of estrus is the breed. The key factor is usually the size of the representatives of a particular breed, which will determine the frequency and duration of estrus.

Representatives of large breeds, such as the Maine Coon, can go out for the first time at the age of 12 or even 16 months. This is due to their large size and is not a deviation from the norm. The time will come, and a big cat will begin to flow just like any other.

Important! Representatives of small breeds are often distinguished by early puberty. For them it can begin at four months. At this age, a cat is able to bear and give birth to kittens, but her body is not yet ready for this.

Representatives of such elegant breeds as the British Fold or Scottish cat exhibit particularly interesting behavior during the period of heat. They tend to neglect the entire female half of the house, and follow the heels of men. A British or Scottish man will greet men especially joyfully, constantly rubbing up against them, while completely ignoring women. This is a breed feature that has not yet found a scientific explanation.

How to recognize a false pregnancy

The pathology develops against the background of hormonal imbalance, in which, without fertilization of the egg, all signs of pregnancy appear, not only internal, but also external. Theoretically, false or imaginary pregnancy can develop in any breed of cat; Sphynxes and Cornish Rexes are at particular risk. The pathological condition lasts about 2 months. It goes away on its own or requires the help of a qualified specialist.

Causes:

• sexual contact with a sterile, neutered cat;
• diseases of the genital organs, especially cysts, fibroids, endometritis;
• diseases of the thyroid gland, endocrine system;
• diabetes;
• severe stress, lack of affection from the owner;
• irritation of the vagina by artificial means, often by taking a smear;
• direct proximity to pregnant females;
• hormonal imbalance.

A false pregnancy can occur if you keep a cat in an apartment, constantly ignore her estrus, and do nothing to improve the female’s condition.

Signs:

• change in mood, character, behavior pattern;
• frequent meowing, chasing the owner;
• preparing a future place for “birth”;
• the animal is almost constantly in a state of half-asleep;
• the presence of causeless anxiety or indifference to everything that happens;
• enlargement of the abdomen, mammary glands;
• the appearance of colostrum;
• increased appetite at first, apathy for food after a few days;
• diarrhea, vomiting;
• increase in body temperature;
• mucous discharge.

With clear manifestations of a false pregnancy, it is impossible to distinguish it from a real one. The symptoms are identical, even down to the physiological changes. If there was contact with a full-fledged cat, only a specialist can determine the presence of kittens inside. You can go to the vet 15 days after mating or as soon as signs of pregnancy appear in a cat that has not been out for a walk.

Treatment

It is wrong to ignore the condition of the female. False pregnancy does not always go away on its own without leaving a trace. Internal organs and systems are involved in the pathological process, and the psyche suffers. Lack of proper attention from the owner leads to the formation of mastitis, neoplasms, and inflammation of the uterus. The treatment is complex and includes the following steps:

1. fluid restriction;
2. exclusion of dairy products from the diet;
3. reducing the amount of protein - meat, fish, eggs;
4. administration of sedatives - Nutri-Vet, Kot Bayun, Fitex, Felifriend;
5. use of a drug that stops lactation - Galastop;
6. symptomatic treatment - taking anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, massages for the development of mastitis;
7. increased attention from the owner.

False pregnancy in cats is a fairly rare phenomenon, typical for dogs. But there are cases when a pathological condition appears after each heat in the absence of a cat.

Estrus in cats is a natural, complex process. If the owner is not ready to make an effort, tinker with the animal, and take the necessary measures, it is better to get a male.

Stages of estrus in cats

There are 4 stages of estrus in cats, each of which is characterized by specific behavior. It should be remembered that it is advisable to match a cat with a male at the second stage, that is, 5-7 days from the start of estrus.

1. Proestrus . The initial stage, characterized by restless behavior of the animal (it begins to rub against furniture, bend its front paws). Duration is up to 3 days.
2. Estrus . Actually the estrus itself, which can last up to 10 days. During this period, all signs of estrus appear, sexual hunting occurs and the search for a male for fertilization occurs.
3. Interestrus . At this stage, there is a decrease in sexual activity, especially if mating has occurred. The cat has a neutral attitude towards cats, perhaps even with aggression. In some cases, a false pregnancy may occur due to the physiological characteristics of the female.
4. Anestrus . The final stage, when the instincts fade and the cat returns to its previous life.