When a cat is in heat, owners experience sudden changes in the behavior of the animal. Constant meowing all day and all night is the most common one, and this causes discomfort both for you and your pet.
But how to stop a cat in heat from meowing? Use a variety of distractions, such as giving felines extra attention, making them comfortable, giving more playtime, and offering herbal remedies. The other best approach is to spay them, ultimately avoiding issues caused by heat cycles.
Table of Contents
5 Ways to Quiet a Cat in Heat
First, you must understand that when your feline friend is in heat, the behavior change is normal. A female cat meowing a lot suddenly is often more affectionate towards you or other people. It can also become restless.
However, when a cat meow so much, it becomes disruptive. You may have found yourself blasting loud music or placing your cat in another room to drown out the noise. But there are proven ways to address this issue.
1. Give natural remedies
Catnip is the most common remedy to calm a cat down. The herb has mint properties that soothe felines, and they react to it by zoning out and rolling around. Unfortunately, in most cases, the effects last only 10 minutes.
This is why you should come up with other ways to shut up a cat in heat. These may include diffusing scents. Lavender and frankincense are proven to be soothing smells. You can light up scented candles at home or use a diffuser for the essential oils.
2. Secure house to prevent escape
A cat constantly meowing means that it is ready to mate. Felines start to experience heat cycles as early as five months old. When they create such a loud noise, they are calling out to tomcats.
The heat creates a strong desire for your cat to go out of the house to mate. But if you are the type to not allow this to happen yet, then it is best to secure your house.
Lock the gates and block any possible openings that your cat can fit in. When felines are inside the house, make sure to keep them distracted so they won’t go looking for exits. Distractions include giving them extra attention, playtime, and new toys or treats.
3. Be affectionate
A cat yowling is accompanied by constant rubbing of the animal’s body against you. Your pet is being extra loving, and you should reciprocate this. Keep petting felines, caressing their bodies, or rubbing their belly.
Keep in mind that showing them extra love should be done at specific times. This means your routine should not change. Otherwise, your cat may sense this and become stressed. The last thing you want is to add to their anxiety and discomfort.
When you bond with your cat, make her comfortable as well. If she doesn’t have a bed, it is best to buy one. After all, felines are uncomfortable and distressed during heat cycles.
Arrange their beds such that there are soft blankets to keep them warm. Place their favorite toys beside them or any familiar object with their scent. You may opt to add heating pads to increase warmth as well.
4. Clean the litter box
Cats are territorial animals. That’s why they like to leave their scents on different areas of the home, sometimes by spraying.
Encourage them to use their litter box instead. Do this by keeping it and the area around it clean, making sure to disinfect the rest of the house as well.
While this may be a time-consuming task, it is necessary so your cat will spray on the unmarked territory–in this case, the litter box. You must also understand that moving within unsanitary places is an additional stressor for the cat.
5. Simulate mating for a cat in heat
Once a female cat won’t stop meowing, it means there is a strong desire to mate with a tomcat. If you don’t want to breed her, consider tricking your pet into thinking it has mated by using a Q-Tip.
However, make this method your last resort. Erroneous executions can lead to internal bleeding. This is why you have to be really careful and gentle.
To prepare, you need
- Pair of clean gloves
- Q-Tip
- You can use Vaseline for this.
- Boiling water
Steps to follow
- Step 1: Once the materials are ready, don the gloves and sanitize the Q-Tip. Do this by boiling water and pouring it into a cup. Submerge the buds for two minutes.
Be careful not to soak the Q-tip for a longer time. Otherwise, the cotton part may unwind from the stem and you will no longer be able to use it.
- Step 2:When the Q-Tip cools down, lubricate it. You only need a small amount of Vaseline, enough to cover the bud.
- Step 3:Afterward, get your cat into a comfortable position. You can place the animal on her bed or a table with blankets. This is crucial as cats won’t be able to get in the mood if you don’t create a calming environment.
- Step 4:Once your pet has settled, start stroking its body until it gets into a mating position. This should come easily as the feline is already under the effects of the heat cycle–its main desire or goal in mind is to mate.
- Step 5:Then, slowly ease the Q-Tip into the cat’s vagina. You can rotate or push and pull out the Q-Tip to imitate a tomcat mating its female counterpart.
Repeat these movements for a minute or two. Remember to be gentle as any aggressive movement can hurt your cat or disrupt the simulation. Later, when your cat howls, it signifies that they now think they have mated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to stop a cat’s heat cycle?
You may have asked, “how do I get my cat to stop meowing?” The best way is to stop the heat cycle from happening. Do this by getting your pet spayed by the veterinarian.
The process involves making an incision below the female cat’s belly button. The reproductive system—uterus and ovaries—are then removed.
Be extra gentle with your cat after spaying. Although the incision has been sewn up, your feline’s reproductive organs were still taken out. Any sudden or harsh movements can hurt them.
Monitor the stitched area for any possible infection. As much as possible, keep your cats indoors as well to avoid exposure to outside elements while they heal.
Furthermore, check this guide to find out the cost to spay a cat and other important points to know about spaying a cat.
Will my cat’s meowing stop after mating?
Yes. Once your female cat is mated, either it gets pregnant, or it loses the strong desire to mate again. Also, here are some physical and mental signs to know if your cat is pregnant.
Can my male cat be meowing because of going into heat?
Male cats don’t go into heat. Their yowling may be caused by the desire to mate and reproduce. This happens when they can detect a female in heat nearby.
The meowing is not as aggressive as a female cat’s behavior. However, the sounds can still be disruptive.
To stop a male cat in heat from meowing, have him neutered. This procedure involves removing the testes of a tomcat and should be done by a vet.
Can you spay a cat in heat?
Ideally, you should avoid having your pet spayed during their heat cycle. As there is increased blood in their reproductive system, veterinarians have to be attentive and careful while making incisions. Otherwise, they may cause excessive bleeding to your pet.
If you do want to push through with the spaying, consult the veterinarian first. They will discuss the pros and cons of the procedure. Most of all, they will advise you of the best time to have it done.
Heat cycles don’t completely stop if the cat doesn’t mate. A new cycle can start again after a few days or even weeks. This is why the time window of having the surgery done is essential to consider.
Conclusion
There are several approaches to how to stop a cat in heat from meowing. You can always choose the option that works best for you and your cat.
Above all, be patient. After all, your pet is going through an uncomfortable period. The loud meowing and yowling are no reasons to be irritable towards your companion. Keep in mind to always be understanding and caring.
I am Amy Sawy, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduate from the University of Kansas. y husband, Dr. Plummer, and I own a veterinary clinic in Phillipsburg, Kansas. In addition to my professional background, I am a devoted pet owner myself, with a household that includes dogs, rodents, and most notably, cats – a total of five felines in my home.
In 2020, I joined an organization as a professional writer, leveraging my experience and collaborating with my team to deliver the most valuable information for your cat’s care.
