How do you know when a female cat is in heat???

[Nurse_Jamie]

My kitten is approaching 6 months old and yesterday she was acting really funny. She was meowing like crazy and rubbing up against my leg and following me....running all over the house, jumping in the window looking out and meowing loudly. I didn't know what her deal was - usually she is pretty mellow. And then I thought about her being in heat. I don't know what age kittens start that, but 6 months sounds about right...I just really don't know. I checked out her "parts" and they didnt look swollen or anything.

Do you guys think she might be starting to go into heat? At what age is normal for that to start? When they do start, how often do they go into heat? Will her behavior change? Will her 'parts' change?

I don't know anything about it. I will eventually get her spayed, but I didn't want to do it too young.

How will I be able to tell when she is in heat? What should I look for?

Thanks in advance.

[Tina B and crew]

Sounds like she is in heat. You should schedule a vet visit soon to have her spayed...6 months is plenty old enough...they often go into heat at 5 months. I'd recommend having her spayed before she goes into heat again...so within the next few weeks.

[candylilacs]

I figure once you start thinking,"Maybe she's in heat," she mostly likely is.

I mean, it's a very different behavior and at six months, that's the median age it happens.

My kitten was/is four months when she started rolling on the floor and chirping (something she never does) and flirting with my neutered male cat. And she just looooovvveddd to be petted. Much more than usual.

And she liked looking out the windows, too, for prospective boyfriends.

c.

[Nurse_Jamie]

WEll, I mean, she just did it for a few minutes yesterday. She hasn't acted that way at all today, she has just been laying around and being lazy today. I am confused now.

Do they by any chance smell different? Usually she smells really good....like my laundry detergent (from laying on warm clean towels)...and today she smells more like an animal. But maybe it's just my imagination. But does that have anything to do with it??

I just don't know what to look for. It will be a while before I can get her spayed. When they do go in heat...how many days does it usually last??

[candylilacs]

Many veterinarians will spay cats while she's in heat. Simply tell them that you think she is. If your vet asks you to wait a few days, then do it.

At nearly six months, it's time for her to be spayed anyway.

c.

[MA]

Yep it's time to get her spayed for sure. Just tell the vet you believe she is in heat and he will know what to do.

[Denise29]

and today she smells more like an animal.

LOL

Ummm...she is an animal!!!

To answer your question, I don't think that being in heat would affect the way your cat smells. Maybe she didn't go in the laundry basket today?