Female cats do not have menstrual periods and bleed like humans and some primates. Owners may not notice a change in their cat's behavior, until they have achieved sufficient hormone-producing power. The general recommendation on when to spay and neuter cats is to “Fix Felines by Five”—in other words, by 5 months of age. The surgical procedure not only eliminates her frustrating heat cycle discomfort, it also helps curb your area's kitty population issue -- nice! An estimated 5 million to 8 million animals are euthanized in shelters across this country every year. monitoring_string = "44e5bb901650ec61e9e0af1ff1bef5fe". Although these days, most vets advise spaying your female cat. Like any surgery, your cat will need some extra care as she recovers after her spay. Here’s what you need to know about female cats and periods. Once it has been determined that a pet has an ovarian remnant, surgery should be performed to locate and remove it. SAGE Publications, doi:10.1177/1098612x15572035. 2, 2015, pp. When a cat is spayed and the owner starts to notice signs of heat, the first thought may be that the surgeon left something behind, but that is usually not the case. Do Cats Have Periods – An undamaged cat that is still on its abundant years will on a regular basis enter into its warmth cycle. While a cat in heat technically means that the cat is ready for mating, it’s not advised to breed a kitten or allow her to get pregnant during her first heat. And if you have a female dog, that includes getting ready for your dog’s “periods” — or more accurately, her estrus cycles. However, there are some exceptions to this. Getting your cat spayed is one of the most important things you can do for her, but it’s normal to have a lot of questions about the procedure. Cats don't have periods at all. Your veterinarian will help determine the right treatment plan for your cat. Female cats can go into their first heat cycle as young as 4 months of age, but typically around 5-6 months of age. Unspayed cats and dogs will have a period – or more correctly – come into heat. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. 77-84. Clinical Findings, Diagnostics And Outcome In 33 Cats With Adrenal Neoplasia (2002–2013). Just like people, the lining of the uterus does develop in preparation for pregnancy; however, it is not shed in the way the uterine lining of females does. This is because the sudden drop in progesterone levels that happen after removing the active ovaries mimics the drop in progesterone that accompanies giving birth to kittens. Many cat owners wonder if they will see sexual behavior in their cats after a spay or neuter surgery. If they are spayed, those signs should not be present. Topical estrogen-containing creams are available for human use and unfortunately may end up on the user's hands or arms, where a cat can lick them off. Cats in heat will exhibit signs that can be quite annoying for owners. Cat Vital Signs: What Is Considered Normal? This cycle will continue until either the female feline becomes pregnant or is spayed. Female kitties may have a little longer recovery period. Dr. Tarantino is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. You can have your kitten neutered or spayed as early as 6 weeks of age and the kitten weighs at least 2.2 lbs. Neutering of female cats can be … For cats younger than 4 months old, withhold food should be withheld starting about four hours before the spay surgery. Here are some of the common signs you may see in a cat who is going through estrus: If you live with a cat who hasn’t had the spay surgery yet, you can try helping her through her period by providing extra toys that she can play vigorously with, or even using catnip as a way to soothe her. Female cats get periods, but while humans experience menstrual cycles, felines go through estrus. Cats can and do live healthy lives outdoors. Journal Of Feline Medicine And Surgery, vol 18, no. Adrenal tumors can produce hormones. Unfortunately, these can be difficult to remove, but exploratory surgery should help differentiate between this and an ovarian remnant. Cats are polyestrous breeders, explains Animal Planet, which means they go into heat multiple times a year. (Picture Credit: Евгений Харитонов/Getty Images). This is typically earlier than dogs. As you now know, female cats do not get periods as female humans do, some would say, that they’ve got it worse due to the extreme events that felines have to go through when they are in heat. Unlike dogs, the female cat in heat does not have a vaginal discharge. How Many Litters Can a Cat Birth in One Year? By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, Here Are 6 Ways to Tell If Your Female Cat Is in Heat. If a cat that has been spayed is exhibiting signs of being in heat, this could be an indication there are active estrogen hormones in her system. © 2020 All rights reserved. cats do not bleed when they come into season like a dog does, so if you are seeing bleeding in your girl - especially a female that has been spayed, you need to have her checked by your vet. Most cat parents tend to recognize unusual behaviors in cats going through their heat cycle, rather than vaginal bleeding. So the best way to avoid the serious repercussions of female hormones is to speak with your veterinarian if you notice your spayed cat is experiencing signs of heat. Aside from cat population control, most owners opt to have their female cats spayed by their local veterinarian. Categories Cute cat Images. If the female does not become pregnant, she will continue to go through the estrous cycle until she either becomes pregnant or is spayed. This is a process more commonly referred to as a cat going “in heat,” and this is the time when a female cat can become pregnant. She is still acting as if she is in heat. Sexual activity in sterilized cats … Veterinary surgeons often focus their attention on keeping the kitten warm. Vaginal discharge and a distended abdomen may also be noted, in an otherwise healthy spayed cat. No. A female cat will experience an estrus cycle a number of times each year. A spayed cat or dog has had it’s Uterus and Ovaries removed. The estrus cycle is also known as the heat period.During your queens estrus cycle (i.e. I had my cat spayed 3 months ago when she was 6 months old and unfortunately had gotten pregnant. Spaying (neutering) a female cat involves the removal of both ovaries and the entire reproductive tract down to the level of the cervix. She may urinate or spray in the house in an attempt to let local tomcats know she is receptive to mating. There is absolutely no way a spayed cat or dog will go into heat. A spayed cat cannot contract life-threatening infections like pyometra. Signs of heat will then be more apparent. Long term exposure to female hormones can cause mammary cancer. If you live with a cat who hasn’t had the spay surgery yet, you can try helping her through her period by providing extra toys that she can play vigorously with, or … Dogs don’t menstruate in the same way human females do. Occasionally spaying a cat in heat leads to dramatic mammary gland development in the recovery period. After surgery, some cats may be groggy under the influence of anesthesia, but many others are relatively alert, especially male cats and young kittens. The outdoors is the community cat’s natural home. This reproductive process, called estrus but more commonly referred to as being in "heat," is what a cat undergoes in a monthly cycle when she isn't spayed. Spaying your cat is a standard part of health care, but it’s still surgery, which can make you worry. Even though cats don't exactly menstruate, you can prevent your kitty from experiencing her own feline version of it ever again by getting her spayed. Pyometra. That means no excessive running, jumping, or playing. Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the cornerstones of pet ownership in the United States. She also has a tendency to stick her rear in the air and wiggle her back end when she is petted. If she appears to be bleeding from her vulva, then she is … Can cats remain sexually active after they have been spayed or neutered? Estrus is the period during the heat cycle when a female is receptive to mating with a male, and can become pregnant during this time. Hormones can be harmful. It is much healthier to do get a spayed cat before this. Once you remove the uterus and ovaries a cat will stop having cycles. In female dogs, at the onset of heat, the vulva becomes quite swollen and will bleed. Cats in heat will exhibit signs that can be quite annoying for owners. Understanding cat spay recovery time and the signs for which to watch can help you to monitor your cat. First of all, while a tiny amount of blood spotting might occur while your cat is going through her period, if you notice significant amounts of blood, please contact your veterinarian immediately. If the cat doesn’t become pregnant during that time, she will go into heat again later on. To attract a potential mate, a pet cat would call and discharge an unique fragrance. Tell us all about it in the comments below! Are Cats Still Sexually Active After Spay-Neutering? In many cases, the original spay surgery was performed months or even years before. Some females possess accessory ovarian tissue separate from the main ovary and this tissue becomes active only after the main ovaries are removed. Some cats actually grow ovarian tissue down the length of their ovarian ligament, which is cut during the spay surgery but not fully removed because it is not visible to the naked eye. Spaying. Cats are polyestrous, which means heat cycles happen periodically during their fertile years. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. During her period, a female cat will likely make a series of, A cat going through her period might also appear to be, In some cases, a female cat on her period will. They will work with you to determine what is causing the behavior change and identify the best way to treat them. I do have a male that is still not neutered and she allows him to mount. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. In some cases, a female cat on her period will spray urine around or even attempt to sneak outside in a bid to find a mate. This can be hard to do if we’re talking about a … Many organizations are working to decrease that number by opening low-cost spay/neuter clinics that will prevent more litters of cats that need homes. If you notice any signs of heat in your spayed cat, please speak with your veterinarian. In general, each cycle lasts around seven to ten days. There is a commonly-believed myth that females must have their first heat cycle or even a litter of kittens before being spayed. Occasionally, a cat who has been spayed will come back into season (heat) weeks to months (even up to 5 years later) after it has been desexed. If such tissue remains functional and continues to secrete hormones, estrus behavior will continue. Why earlier in cats? Cat Neutering or Spaying Aftercare Keep Cats Calm The first thing veterinarians will explain is that cats should be kept quiet during the spay or neuter recovery time. Clinical Findings, Diagnostics And Outcome In 33 Cats With Adrenal Neoplasia (2002–2013). What were the signs, and what did you do to help her? Cats older than 4 months old should not eat overnight before surgery. Female cats will undergo their first estrous, or heat cycle, when they reach puberty. The best way to avoid a cat's access is for owners to use gloves during application and to make sure to wash hands and to keep the area of skin containing the hormone, away from them. Has your female cat ever had her period? Constantly. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Do female cats have periods bleed during a menstrual cycle estrus symptoms after spaying in cats petmd do female cats menstruate pets what to expect when your cat is in heat. Daniel, Gideon et al. No! Bleeding can be caused by a urinary tract infection or by parasites, so getting an … However, some female cats continue to exhibit the behavioral and/or physical signs pertaining to estrus even after such a surgery, and are found to have some ovarian tissue that had not been removed during surgery and was left behind. In addition, neutering your cat will usually curb roaming behavior which puts your cat at an increased risk for becoming lost, involved in an accident, or injured due to fights with other animals. Here, we will discuss the signs of heat in cats, causes of heat signs in a spayed cat, and why treatment is important if your cat is in heat after a spay. After a cat is spayed, a small stump of uterine tissue inside the abdomen where the tract has been tied off may remain. Some feel that female cats will become more friendly and sociable if they are allowed to have a litter of kittens before being spayed. 6 Ways to Tell If Your Female Cat Is in Heat. No. The main reason why this procedure is carried out is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. ASPCA statistics place the U.S. pet cat population at anywhere between 74 and 96 million – and there may be as many as 70 million strays fending for themselves. NO. by David F. Kramer. If this question is being asked-because an owner sees blood from the back end of their ‘Spayed’ or ‘Neutered’ dog or cat- Take Heed! How Soon Can a Cat Go Into Heat After Giving Birth? She seeks him out when they are seperated and yowls, meows and chirps for … Also, if even a small piece of uterus persists after being spayed, chronic infection can ensue. How long do cats have periods? These secondary bits of the ovary are growing during this time. If a stump pyometra is suspected, exploratory surgery may be necessary to remove it. Safety From Other Pets Keep your feline indoors for a few days, allowing adequate time for … Non-spayed female cats can start going into heat, or estrus, as early as four months of age. Her signs are typically behavioral in nature. The more common signs an owner may notice is that she becomes unusually affectionate and quite vocal. VCA Animal Hospitals, 2020. Female cats (often referred to as queens) don’t menstruate, but they do have period cycles. Cats have a different reproductive cycle to us. In this situation, signs of heat are constant, they don't cycle as with ovarian tissue. Cats have thrived outdoors, without human intervention, for thousands of years. They don't ovulate on a set schedule, instead they release an egg when mated, which is why there can be mulitple fathers in 1 litter. For more information on cats in heat and what you can do if your female kitty is in her heat cycle, read CatTime’s advice here! Cattime is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. Even if a cat is not spayed, cats do not bleed when they are in heat the way dogs do. CatTime recommends this soft recovery collar for kitties who go through surgery as an alternative to the “cone of shame.” Check it out to support our content! Cats are polyestrus pets therefore pet cat moms and dads would frequently see the pet showing up signs of being in warm. A female cat can start having their estrus cycle when she’s as young as four months old. The short answer is no, probably not. Puberty can occur as early as four months, but the typical age is somewhere between six and nine months of age. Some veterinarians will recommend removing food at midnight, others recommend 9 p.m., and others will advise you to restrict food whenever you go to bed. These cycles may start as early as four-months-old and will continue until a cat is either bred or spayed. Many have probably heard that you should let the cat have her first litter first before cat neutering, but this is a myth. When to spay a cat and when to neuter a cat. It is not normal for cats to have a "period" at any time in their lives. Have you ever found yourself wondering whether female cats have periods, just like humans? Do spayed female dogs have discharge? Reasons for Neutering or Spaying a Kitten. Your email address will not be published. Here’s an overview of what a cat spay is, what the recovery process looks like and why you should book an appointment to get it done. As long as there are no female hormones available, the stump will be inactive and cannot develop a pyometra, an infection of the uterus. If hormones are circulating, a pyometra can develop in the stump and clinical signs of heat may be observed. The outdoor cats that we bring into our spay/neuter clinics generally have good body condition–meaning they are not underweight–and can live many years. Luckily the job that comes after the operation isn’t that difficult when you have a neutered cat. American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2020. Dr. Monica Tarantino is a small animal veterinarian based in the Charlotte, NC area with five years of general practitioner experience. Pyometra is a severe uterine … Ovarian Remnant Syndrome In Cats. Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media LLC, and its owned and operated websites may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Estrus is the period during the heat cycle when a female is receptive to mating with a male, and can become pregnant during this time. Why Spaying is Important. A female cat exposed to these creams can potentially manifest signs of heat but will not show a predictable hormone cycle. Dogs cycle anywhere from every 4 months to once every 12 -16 months. Keeping an eye on a neutered cat. Barnette, Catherine. Furthermore, if an ovary touches the abdominal wall, cells are able to attach and vascularize creating a new, smaller ovary. If the female does not become pregnant, she will continue to go through the estrous cycle until she either becomes pregnant or is spayed. However, there are a few conditions where that may not be the case. Even if a cat is not spayed, cats do not bleed when they are in heat the way dogs do. And since the procedure is quick, they can warm the young cat a lot sooner than they can with an older cat. Once you remove the uterus and ovaries a cat will stop having cycles. Read our, The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Well, the short answer is yes, female cats do have periods, but there are some key differences between a feline period and a human period. They are seasonal maters and induced ovulators. A cat’s first heat usually occurs during puberty, which is between six and ten months for a kitten.. 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