How to Calm a Cat in Heat? – The Most Effective Method

Written by

Amy Sawy

Veterinarian. DVM

FACT-CHECKED BY

Joseph M. Plummer

Veterinarian, DVM, MVZ

how to calm a cat in heat

Around the age of four to ten months, cats begin their heat cycle. They can and will behave abnormally at various periods throughout the year. Each heat cycle might last anywhere between seven and ten days.

It may be a difficult time for both you and your cat when your cat is in heat! Your pet can bring you a little trouble like howling, screeching, attempts to run away, and other things that irritate you. In such situations, you may wonder how to calm a cat in heat.

Fortunately, there are a few different methods for calming a cat in heat.

Tips to Calm a Cat in Heat

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What You Need

You should have the following items to follow our tips.

  • Window blinds/drapes
  • Pet camera (optional)
  • Warm pad or hot water bottle
  • House cleaning tools
  • Metal comb (to brush cat fur)
  • Soft towel
  •  Pheromone diffuser
  • Cat toys and herbs

1. Allow cats isolation

You’ll have to keep your cat away from other cats. Other cats can quickly detect when a cat is in heat. Your furball will notice any unfamiliar feline prowling your yard and will likely make every effort to attract the other animal.

Cut off all ties to the outside world. Skip the walks if you’re one of those pet moms that take their kitties on walks. Put blinds or drapes on your windows, so your cat doesn’t see any potential partners waiting outside.

If you cannot isolate your cat in its current environment, consider moving it to a friend’s home for a few days. You may acquire a pet camera and play recordings of your voice to your pet throughout the separation period.

2. Provide a warm place for your cat to sit

While your cat is in heat, providing her with a warm and comfortable spot to sit might make her feel more at ease and relaxed. To give her something to cuddle, place a self-warming or electric heat pad inside her bed. In a pinch, a hot water bottle or microwaveable heat pad can suffice.

3. Clean Up The House

Both female and male cats are known for peeing, spraying, and scent marking the house. To get rid of any odors, thoroughly clean your home or flat.

Also, clean the litter box. The cat will not relax if you leave any smell imprints in your home. Furthermore, it will be enticed to continue marking the area if there are remaining odors.

Even if you have a litter box that cleans itself, you should empty it of any waste.

4. Keep her safe from masculine attention

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When your cat is in heat, she will start looking for a suitable partner. It’s impossible to fight the impulse. When the desire to reproduce strikes, cats are brilliant escape artists. As a result, extreme caution must be exercised while allowing your cat to interact with a male cat.

Kittens are becoming increasingly difficult to place as cat overpopulation reaches pandemic proportions. As a result, you must take all necessary precautions to prevent an oops-breeding from occurring. Check this post to know when kitten season is coming so you can be proactive in your cat’s breeding.

5. Pay special care to your kitty

While your cat is in heat, give her extra attention to help her relax. Spend time with her in a meaningful way. Permit her to have a seat in your lap. Brushing her gently is beneficial to both her coat and her disposition. Make space for her on the sofa or the arm of your favorite chair, close to you.

Keep a soft towel or blanket in your pet feline’s favorite location and on the furniture to soothe her and entice her to stay close by, as well as to keep your furniture free of estrus cycle discharge.

6. Use a pheromone diffuser to help the cat relax

Various diffusers on the market emit synthetic cat pheromones into the air, such as Feliway. These are great to use since they help to quiet a cat in heat.

Because they take a few weeks to start functioning, you should buy one in the spring when your cat’s mating season begins and leave it plugged in for the duration.

7. Play with or purchase her toys

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When a cat is in her heat cycle, she is more likely to be aggressive and stressed. While you won’t eliminate these symptoms, you can control them by providing additional outlets for their hostility. During your cat’s heat cycle, exercise and fun are wonderful diversions. An exhausted cat will sleep more soundly after a fling with a laser dot.

Purchase new toys for her, such as a cat tree, a ball, a plush mouse, and so on, to help wear her out. You may encourage your cat to play by giving her catnip, which will cause the cat to experience a variety of cat-pleasing effects.

Your cat will be entertained by interactive toys such as a feather strung from a twig. A scratching post may also help your cat relax during her heat cycle when she is more agitated than usual. Playing with your cat while putting toys out for them to play with on their own is a good idea to calm down a cat in heat.

8. Make use of herbal remedies

This is another cat in heat remedy. Catnip and soothing treats are all effective ways to help your cat relax. You’ll be the best judge of if catnip affects your cat since some don’t seem to care! Others will experience a rush of energy before gradually calming down.

Catnip-filled toys or loose catnip strewed somewhere for your cat to locate are both effective options. You can contact your veterinarian first to receive the all-clear before adding any herbal therapy.

9. Spay your cat

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Last but not least, talk to your doctor about having your female cat spayed. This will get a cat out of heat and eliminate the possibility of her becoming pregnant by mistake.

Many doctors would suggest that unless you intend to put your female cat in an official breeding program, you should have her spayed as soon as she is old enough.

What Are the Signs of a Cat in Heat

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There are a few symptoms to look for to determine whether or not your cat is in heat.

  • Caterwauling or wailing. One of the most evident indicators of being in heat is caterwauling. When cats are in agony, they may also do this. The wailing functions as a mating call in this case.
  • Increased affection. Another sign is your cat wrapping her tail around your legs or purring against you. She might also be rubbing herself against things to leave a fragrance trail.
  • Excessive grooming. You may notice your cat licking herself more than usual, especially in her crotch area. This is because female cat genitals may swell and become unpleasant during this period.
  • A need to flee. She is in desperate need of a partner, and she wants one fast! Your cat may try dashing out of open doors in the hopes of mating with a tomcat.

How Are the Cat Heat Cycles

Female cats go through three to four weeks of heat cycles during their optimal mating season, which is often late spring or summer. A female cat’s heat cycle usually signals that she is ready to breed.

When a cat goes through a heat cycle, it goes through several stages. She will be more concerned about repelling interested male parties at certain stages, while in others, she will be quite romantic and seeking a suitable partner by all means necessary.

Regardless, all stages are loud and can be extremely stressful for your cat, family, and neighbors.

It’s essential to note, though, that your cat’s behavior is completely typical. While wailing, shrieking, and efforts to flee are annoying to you as the owner, they are unavoidable when you live with an intact cat. But don’t worry, there will have solutions to stop a cat in heat from annoying you.

Final thought

Hopefully, the suggestions above will assist you in determining how to calm a cat in heat. Remember to be calm and patient while your cat’s behavior changes. It will be advantageous to your cat.

By following the above tips, you’ll be able to avoid future heat cycles and unwanted pregnancies. We wish you success in taking care of your cat.

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