If you’ve ever owned a kitten, I’m sure you’ve been faced with the question of whether or not to spay/neuter them. And, if you’re like me, you may have even had a kitten go into their first heat before you’ve been able to schedule the procedure (so much fun!). Spaying/neutering your kitten has a myriad of health benefits, not to mention the headaches it will save you from caring for a kitten in heat. Believe me, you won’t want to go through that more than once, and your kitty doesn’t want to either! Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of spaying/neutering, signs that your kitten may be in heat, and the best time to have them fixed.
What Does It Mean for a Kitten to Go Into Heat?
When a kitten goes into heat for the first time, they are essentially reaching puberty, or sexual maturity. In females, this reproductive cycle, which is a time of increased fertility and sexual responsiveness, is called estrus. The age that female cats will experience their first estrus cycle can vary greatly, with some kittens going into heat as early as 4 months old (like my kitten Hazel) and others not reaching sexual maturity until 10 months old. The estrus cycle will last on average 14-21 days. Female cats, particularly indoor cats, can continue to go into heat year-round until they are fixed, whereas outdoor cats will typically have a seasonal cycle, mainly going into heat in the warmer months.
Male cats (or tomcats) on the other hand, do not technically go into heat like females do, but they will still display certain behaviors once they reach sexual maturity that indicate they are ready to mate. Male cats reach sexual maturity around 4-6 months, but this can vary. Once they do, they are essentially permanently ready to mate, which differs from their female counterparts who go in and out of heat cycles.
Signs That Your Kitten Is in Heat
If your kitten is in heat, chances are you already know it. It’s pretty unmistakable… and you probably won’t be getting much sleep. Below I’ve included some of the most common signs you will notice, both in female cats that are actively in heat and in male cats that have reached sexual maturity.
- Increased affection – Usually the first sign you will notice when your kitten is in heat is they will be a lot more affectionate than usual. They will rub up against you more, purr a lot more often, and want lots of snuggles. This was how I knew something was up with my kitty Hazel. While she is normally affectionate, she was never THAT affectionate.
- Agitation – You will also notice your kitty becoming more restless. They won’t be able to sit still very long, they may pace back and forth, and they might have a shorter temper than usual.
- Increased vocalization – Your kitty will let you KNOW they are in heat, and they won’t let you forget it. Expect yowling like you’ve never heard before, in both males and females.
- Escape attempts – Make sure you watch behind you whenever you leave the house, because your kitty will suddenly become the best escape artist you’ve ever seen in an attempt to find a mate.
- Sticking butt in the air – This needs no explanation… if you find yourself in a situation where your female kitten is suddenly ahem “presenting” herself to you, you know you’re in trouble.
- Urine marking – Female cats in heat will often pee in corners of the house or along perimeters in an attempt to attract tomcats in the area. Male cats, on the other hand, mark their territory in aggression to keep other males from competing with them for a mate.
- Decreased appetite – When kittens are in heat, the last thing on their mind is their food, so be prepared to see a fuller bowl than usual.
Why Should You Spay/Neuter Your Kitten?
If you are grappling with the decision about whether or not to have your kitten spayed (females) or neutered (males), whether it be from uncertainty about surgical risks/complications or trepidation about changes in behavior, you may find that the benefits far outweigh the risks. Below are some advantages to having your fur baby fixed.
- Your cat will have improved health and longevity after being fixed. In females, for example, the risk of infection and/or mammary cancer is greatly reduced when they are spayed. In males, they have a lower chance of contracting contagious diseases, such as FIV, from bite wounds due to fighting.
- You will be helping to prevent overpopulation which reduces the number of kittens on the streets without loving homes.
- Your cat will have a more relaxed demeanor and not display unwanted behaviors such as urine marking and aggression.
- There is a much lower chance that your cat will attempt to escape your home.
- Most importantly, your kitty will be much happier, as going into heat can be particularly stressful for female cats.
The Best Time to Have Your Kitten Spayed/Neutered
The best time to spay or neuter a cat is still widely debated in the veterinary community. Some vets will recommend waiting until kittens are 6 months old, and others will fix cats as early as 2 months old as long as they meet the weight requirement. Spaying/neutering earlier can help prevent unwanted pregnancies thus helping to control the population and reducing homeless cats. However, the argument for waiting until a kitten is at least 6 months old is that this gives enough time for their bones and jones to develop fully before hormone levels change after the procedure. There are also vets that would like a cat to be fixed before their first heat to reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy, as well as help avoid the kitten developing bad habits such as urine marking that can be hard to undo after they are spayed/neutered.
Ultimately, you’ll want to discuss with your vet about the best time to have your kitty fixed, as not all situations are the same. For instance, I had to wait until my kitten Hazel was 7 months old to have her spayed and had already gone into heat twice, as we had to address other health issues first before it was safe for her to undergo anesthesia. While it may not have been a super fun experience, it was in her best interest to wait. If you end up in a similar situation where you are unable to have your kitty fixed before they go into their first heat for any reason, there are some things you can do to help your kitty (and keep your sanity!). Read this article for some helpful tips for caring for your kitten in heat.
In Conclusion
Spaying/neutering your kitten has many advantages, perhaps the most important being a healthy and happy cat. While it is often in everyone’s best interest to have your cat fixed, there are some considerations to make regarding timing as well as discussing any possible health issues or risks with your veterinarian. We all want what’s best for our babies at the end of the day.
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