The Behavioral Problems of Female Cats in Heat

If you do not spay your female cat, you not only invite the possibility of ending up with a litter of kittens, but you also open your cat to behavioral problems. Many of these problems go away once your cat has been spayed, but until then, you may find yourself dealing with some undesirable behavior from your cat.

  1. Noise

    • When your female cat is in heat, she will emit a loud noise that is different than any other noise she would make at any other time. This noise is a loud crying sound that is her way of letting male cats know that she is in heat and is ready to mate. However, this cry is not let out occasionally. When she is in heat, she will keep uttering this cry until a male comes and mates with her. If you keep her cooped up in your home and do not allow her access to a male, she will not stop until she is no longer in heat.

    Escape

    • Despite your best efforts to keep your female cat inside while she is in heat, your cat will try in earnest to get outside. She will wait by the door for anyone to open it to go in or out. It is important to be careful when entering or exiting your home during this time. The urge to mate is so strong she will bolt out if she is given the chance. This puts her at risk for getting lost or getting hit by a car.

    Spraying

    • While some cats have issues with spraying even after they have been spayed, a female cat in heat is more likely to spray. She may still use her litter box regularly, but she will also spray vertical surfaces to let male cats know that she is in heat. This is another method the female cat uses to attract a mate. Not all cats will do this, but if yours does, the only way to stop it is to have her spayed.

    Male Cat Attraction

    • Even if you keep your female cat indoors while she is in heat to avoid pregnancy, you are likely to still notice an increase in the number of male cats around your home. These cats will hear your female cat's call regardless of being confined to the home and will hang around until the cries stop. Male cats are also known to respond to the cry of a female cat in heat with a cry of their own. This means your home is likely to be surrounded by numerous cats emitting this wailing cry for days.