Remedy for a Cat in Heat

If your cat is in heat, she is probably driving you crazy. She is ready to mate, and wants to let the world know it. Luckily there are a couple effective ways to put an end to the madness, and bring some peace to your cat. Unfortunately, unless you are willing to spay your cat or put her on hormone therapy, there may not be much that will help.

  1. Heat Cycles

    • A cat can begin going into heat cycles at approximately six months of age. It usually occurs in the spring and fall, and can occur multiple times during those seasons. A cat may be in heat for as many as three weeks at a time. It is a sign that the cat is fertile and ready for mating. Your cat may experience vaginal bleeding and genital swelling. She may need to urinate more frequently, and may become more vocal and want more attention. She may also raise her hind end and tail in the air in order to get into a mating stance.

    Remedies

    • The best remedy for a cat in heat is to spay her. This will eliminate her heat cycle and she will no longer be fertile. Spaying has additional health benefits, too, such as lowering or eliminating the risks of certain cancers and infections. Unfortunately, spaying a cat that is in heat can be problematic, so if your cat is already in heat and you would like to have it spayed right away, you will probably have to wait until her heat cycle is over.

      If you plan on using your cat for breeding purposes, talk to your vet to see if hormone medications or injections are a good remedy for your cat. They can be used to stop your cat's heat cycle until you are ready for her to be bred.

      Spaying, hormonal treatments, and mating are the only truly effective methods to stopping your cat's heat cycle. However, there are ways to calm your cat, though their level of success will vary depending on your cat and how intense her urge to mate is. Give your cat extra attention. Spend extra time brushing her and petting her. Encourage her to play, which can be a distraction for the discomfort she is in during her heat cycle. Get her some new toys and play with her in order to keep her body and mind busy.