Spring is around the corner and kitty love is already in the air. Mating season for cats is starting earlier and earlier each year, catching many cat parents unprepared. Learn what happens during mating season for cats and why it's so important to get your cat spayed before they become another "kitten season" statistic.

When Does Cat Mating Season Start?

Cats only go into heat in the early spring through summer to help ensure their kittens are born in warm, survivable conditions.
In most of the northern hemisphere, mating season for cats starts in February and ends by September. However, as the global climate changes and summers become longer in many regions, mating seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer, extending into the early winter.
In warm climates, mating season can last throughout the year. What's more, cats that live indoors do not experience a change of seasons and may go into heat even when it's cold outside.

When Do Cats Go Into Heat?

Each year during mating season, cats go through about two to three heat cycles. On average, a cat will be in heat for about seven to ten days at a time.
When a cat is in heat, she'll be receptive to males and seek attention. She may yowl, rub up against people, other cats, and furniture, and she may assume the "mating position" with her hindquarters in the air. Unlike dogs, cats do not bleed from their vulva when they are in heat.
If the cat does not become pregnant, she'll go out of the heat for about two to three weeks, then go into the heat again, repeating the cycle until the end of the mating season. If the cat does become pregnant, she'll give birth about 65 days after mating, and can go into heat again as soon as two weeks postpartum.

Caring For Your Cat During Mating Season

During mating season, especially when your cat shows signs of being in heat, she will be more inclined to roam and look for a mate. You should not let your cat outdoors, and if she's indoors only, take special care that she does not escape. Nearby male cats can detect the scent of a female in heat from up to 12 miles away, and may show up in hopes of entering your home.
If you have a female cat in heat that shares your home with a male cat, make sure to keep them separated during mating season. Some neutered males may still have the urge to mate with a female cat in heat, and while they will be unable to cause a pregnancy, their mating attempts can be stressful for your female cat. Keep in mind, too, that cats can and will mate even if they are biologically related.
Unspayed cats are susceptible to a serious, life-threatening uterine infection, called pyometra, about two to four weeks after their heat cycle. Watch out for symptoms like lethargy, fever, yellowish-green discharge, and a swollen abdomen, which indicate your cat is in need of emergency care.

When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Cat?

Both male and female cats are capable of reproducing as early as four months of age, when they're still very much kittens themselves.
Whether your cat is free-roaming or spends all of their time indoors, they will need to be spayed or neutered to ensure that they do not have an unwanted litter. An intact cat that lives indoors will be highly motivated to escape in search of a mate, especially during mating season.
Kittens can be spayed or neutered as early as six weeks of age. Cats can be spayed while in heat, after having a litter, and even while pregnant.
Cat rescues and shelters are overrun with unwanted litters in the spring and summer. Caring for a pregnant, laboring, and nursing a cat can become costly and puts your cat at risk for health complications.
It's best to spay your cat as soon as possible to prevent not only unwanted litters, but also numerous life-threatening health issues like mammary cancer and pyometra. There's no need to wait until kitten season - schedule your cat's spay today to keep her happy, healthy, and litter-free.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.