6 Ways to Tell If Your Female Cat Is in Heat

Franny Syufy is a cat expert with over two decades of experience writing about feline anatomy and medical conditions. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers’ Association, won the prestigious PurinaOne Health Award for her writing. Franny has also authored two books on cat care.

Updated on 11/22/21
Reviewed by

Dr. Lauren Smith, DVM, is a highly regarded small animal veterinarian and writer with over a decade of experience focusing on urgent care for pets and five years of experience writing veterinary content. She founded The Vetitude, a website for veterinary professionals. Dr. Smith is part of The Spruce Pets’ Veterinary Review Board.

Unspayed female cats will eventually reach a fertile period in life, referred to as "being in heat," which extends well into old age. Hormonal changes that prepare cats for breeding—a process called estrus or oestrus—begins around six to ten months of age.

Since cats are efficient reproducers, their estrus, or heat cycle, can occur every 14 to 21 days, at which point she can successfully mate with one or more healthy suitors. Since there’s is no easy way to measure a cat’s hormone levels at home, changes in her behavior can be an indicative sign that she, indeed, is in heat.

What Does It Mean When a Cat Is in Heat?

A cat is in heat when the cat is fertile and ready to mate.

Display of Affection

Your female cat may become unusually affectionate.   She may sidle and rub her hindquarters against furniture, stuffed toys, other cats, and maybe even you. You can distinguish this behavior from pure restlessness (a sign she may be in pain and need to see the vet) by the way she lifts her tail or even occasionally assumes the mating position.

Excessive Grooming

She may spend excessive time licking her genital area, even though there is no blood present. In fact, contrary to popular belief, a cat in heat should not bleed. Unlike humans, cats do not shed the lining of their uterus during their cycle. However, genital licking can also be a symptom of a urinary tract disorder, which can be serious if not treated promptly. If your cat exhibits only this behavior without any of the other signs of heat, a trip to the vet is in order.

Mating Call and Position

Your queen will vocalize loudly. This "calling" may go on for several days unless she mates. She will then assume the mating position: head down, forelegs bent, rear quarters raised to expose the perineum, and tail raised and held to the side of the body. This posture is called lordosis.   And when she assumes it, her rear legs will tread rhythmically as if walking in place.

Marking Her Territory

A cat in heat, similar to a male cat, may spray vertical surfaces with urine. To do so, she will back up to her surface of choice, raise her quivering tail, and may even perform the rhythmic treading described above. To the untrained eye, this looks like a sign of distress. Don’t be alarmed, as this is normal behavior for a cat in heat (although a nuisance to you if you value your furniture).

Loss of Appetite

Your cat may exhibit a noticeable decrease in appetite.   Frankly, her mind is on other things. Pure instinct shifts her bodily need towards reproducing, rather than feeding herself. But monitor her appetite, as this behavior should last no more than two weeks. Something else may be off if she doesn’t return to her normal eating pattern after that time,

Need to Escape

When in heat, instinct—again—drives your cat to pounce towards the door when it opens. Outside is where potential suitors lie and her need to attract and mate with them becomes apparent. During this time, it is not unlikely for an indoor cat to run away for more than one day and up to a week, or more. Make sure to seal all escape routes and watch her carefully. You may even want to distract her with play to divert her mind from the task at hand.

Pregnancy Prevention

The reality is that unless you are a professional breeder of pedigreed cats, you should avoid letting your cat mate. Our country has a major pet population problem, so spaying and neutering are highly recommended to the average cat owner. Most vets suggest spaying your female cat no later than six months of age. And a cat already in heat can still be spayed, despite a mild increase in cost. Plus, spaying your cat will not only cease the uncomfortable heat cycles, but it can also prevent future medical problems related to reproductive organs.

If spaying your cat seems like an expensive blow to your budget, some vets offer low-cost spay options subsidized by community organizations. Or, call your local animal welfare group and ask if they provide coupons for low-cost spays at regional vets. Your veterinarian can advise you on the most affordable options in your area—some that cost little more than your monthly cat food allowance.

If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. 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.

Article Sources

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Little, Susan E. Female Reproduction. The Cat, 2012, pp. 1195-1227. Elsevier, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-0660-4.00040-5
2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Cornell University College Of Veterinary Medicine, 2023
3. Spaying And Neutering. Cornell University College Of Veterinary Medicine, 2023