How to Understand Sexual Maturity in Female Cats

It surprises many people to learn that female cats can reach sexual maturity by five or six months of age.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. The sign that your cat has reached sexual maturity is that she will go through her first heat cycle. The first heat cycle of a female cat usually lasts about four days. During this time you will probably notice that your female cat is more vocal, and she may try to seduce you to touch her often. She may moan, crouch low on the ground and even roll around.
2. Female cats that are in heat may urinate or defecate in places other than the litter box.
3. You may notice a decrease in your cat’s appetite as she becomes sexually mature.
4. A female cat that is not spayed or allowed to mate will go through heat cycle after heat cycle. This will cause her to have a lot of pent up sexual energy which can make her uncomfortable. Some female cats will bite or scratch themselves when they are in heat as a way of externalizing what is going on inside of them. They may also become more outwardly aggressive, especially if they feel threatened. Your cat’s actions may start to become something that you cannot cope with in your home. On the other hand, female cats that are spayed tend to be more affectionate. Cats that are spayed are emotionally and physically comfortable with themselves and will lavish all of their energy toward their owners.
5. If you decide to have your cat spayed you will probably notice a decrease in her energy levels, especially if she is an indoor cat. This is because her hormone levels are lower than they were before surgery. Your cat will probably be content to relax all day but it is important that you play with her often. This will ensure that she is getting the exercise she needs. You may also notice that your spayed cat packs on a few extra pounds. Spayed cats do not need as much food as a cat that is not spayed. If you notice your cat is packing on the pounds, start to decrease her daily food intake.
6. If you decide to not have your female cat spayed and you do not take the necessary measures to ensure that she does not mate, you should be prepared to deal with the responsibilities that come along with a pregnant cat. This not only includes making sure she gets the veterinary care she needs, but also being prepared to cope and deal with the kittens that she will be having.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless you are planning on breeding your female cat you should have her spayed. If you do not, she will have recurrent heats. This can cause her (and you) much stress. In addition, allowing your female cat to go unspayed can put your cat at higher risk for physical problems later such as cystic ovaries, uterus infections, breast tumors and hormone problems.
• Unless you have reasons for wanting your cat to have kittens you should truly think about whether it is a wise decision. There are countless numbers of kittens and cats in shelters and on the streets that need homes. Do not let your cat contribute to these numbers. A female cat that is unspayed can have up to three litters in one year and up to six kittens a litter. Over a five year period ,your female cat and her kittens can contribute 20,000 cats to society. Allowing your cat to have kittens can be a very nice experience for you and your cat if it is done responsibly and with love and planning.