kittens going in to heat

mia more

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i got my very first kitten in october. her name is mia and the lady i got her from said she was born near the end of september, which would make her very close to six months old.

she has always been a very vocal cat, but lately she's been mewoing very loudly for no apparent reason. we have an appointment to have her spayed next friday... could she be going into heat? if she does go into heat before next friday (the 16th), will we have to wait until she is through the heat cycle?

i'm so worried that we waited too long, but teh vet said they don't fix kittens under five months, and by the time we made the appointment, the earliest we could get her in was the 16th!

will she be in pain? do you think i'm over-reacting?
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by mia more

i got my very first kitten in october. her name is mia and the lady i got her from said she was born near the end of september, which would make her very close to six months old.

she has always been a very vocal cat, but lately she's been mewoing very loudly for no apparent reason. we have an appointment to have her spayed next friday... could she be going into heat? if she does go into heat before next friday (the 16th), will we have to wait until she is through the heat cycle?

i'm so worried that we waited too long, but teh vet said they don't fix kittens under five months, and by the time we made the appointment, the earliest we could get her in was the 16th!

will she be in pain? do you think i'm over-reacting?
Mia...welcome to TCS. It does sound like she could be going into heat. Please keep a close eye on your girl and make sure she cannot get outdoors. As for whether your vet can still spay her...I would call them. Many vets will spay a cat in heat, but they may charge a little more. I would go ahead with the procedure if your vet says that he/she is ok with spaying her.

Katie
 

goldenkitty45

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More then likely she IS coming into heat or already there - so be extremely careful and keep her well away from any access to outside! I'd almost lock her up in a room until you get her in the vet to be spayed.
 

nellers

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Penelope went into heat over her first Christmas - and the vet wanted her to have "calmed down" before they did the procedure but I'm not sure why. At any rate, 10 days later she got spayed, at 5 months, and she was fine. So they can get spayed post-heat.

But she didn't just meow when in heat, she rubbed her little butt on everything!! And she often drug the back two legs and her belly about the floor. Are you seeing that too? Just keep her inside and hopefully she will calm down!
 

msktty89

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My one cat, Roarie, is about 7 or 8 months by now. She has always been "chirpy" (it's not barking or meowing, it is actual chirping) when she wants food I have or to be petted... It's not uncommon for her to walk in the bedroom, looking at me and chirping as if asking, "May I come up on the bed with you?" Lately she's been cleaning a lot more and being a little more friendly, also rubbing on things more (marking them?)... Does this mean she's going into heat? I would think that it's about time, but she is a VERY odd cat, so I can't honestly say I know for sure.

By the way, welcome Mia More. I'm new, too. ;-)
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by MsKtty89

My one cat, Roarie, is about 7 or 8 months by now. She has always been "chirpy" (it's not barking or meowing, it is actual chirping) when she wants food I have or to be petted... It's not uncommon for her to walk in the bedroom, looking at me and chirping as if asking, "May I come up on the bed with you?" Lately she's been cleaning a lot more and being a little more friendly, also rubbing on things more (marking them?)... Does this mean she's going into heat? I would think that it's about time, but she is a VERY odd cat, so I can't honestly say I know for sure.

By the way, welcome Mia More. I'm new, too. ;-)
Welcome to TCS. Some cats do not show outward signs of heat (also known as having silent heats) however they can still become pregnant. Since your cat is definately at an age where she can be spayed, I would really recommend you set up a spay appt. with your vet. The longer that she is intact, the greater her chances of developing certain cancers or developing pyometra.

Katie
 

msktty89

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Thanks, Katie.


My boyfriend and I have been discussing the possibility of her having kittens. I remember a long time ago (we're talking years here) a neighbor of mine had a Boxer dog and she had puppies, but it was at a young age. I remember my mom saying she was too young for puppies, even though she was physically mature.

Is this also true for cats? I told my boyfriend I'd love for Roarie to be able to have kittens, she be a good mum, but I think she's still a bit young since this is her first cycle. Makes me think of me at 11 1/2, I wouldn't have been ready then (nor am I now). I guess it's hard to think of my baby having babies.

Anyway, just was wondering. Sorry to stealthe thread from Mia More! ^__^'
 

gayef

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Originally Posted by MsKtty89

My boyfriend and I have been discussing the possibility of her having kittens. I remember a long time ago (we're talking years here) a neighbor of mine had a Boxer dog and she had puppies, but it was at a young age. I remember my mom saying she was too young for puppies, even though she was physically mature.

Is this also true for cats? I told my boyfriend I'd love for Roarie to be able to have kittens, she be a good mum, but I think she's still a bit young since this is her first cycle. Makes me think of me at 11 1/2, I wouldn't have been ready then (nor am I now). I guess it's hard to think of my baby having babies.

Anyway, just was wondering. Sorry to stealthe thread from Mia More! ^__^'
If you are interested in raising a litter of kittens, instead of allowing your little girl to become pregnant, why not consider fostering a pregnant stray from your local rescue or shelter? You would still be able to have all the joys of watching the kittens from birth to going to their new homes and not be adding to the pet overpopulation crisis.

Please have your girl spayed as soon as your vet is comfortable doing the procedure.
 

msktty89

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I did not know you could foster pregnant strays. I'll discuss it with my boyfriend.


I feel bad for Roarie, though... She keeps presenting to our young male (a month or two younger than her), but he's fixed and isn't that bright, so he just thinks she wants to play. :p
 

goldenkitty45

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How soon was the young male neutered? If less then 30 days ago, he can get her pregnant. You really don't want her to have kittens. They won't miss being a mother and you are just adding to the problem of too many kittens in the shelter. Most people (with mixed breeds) who allow their cats to breed do NOT require the new owners to spay/neuter - so that's a big problem.

If you want a healthy, happy cat, spay her!
 

msktty89

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We've had the young male, 1337 ("LEET"), for about three weeks and we got him from an animal shelter, he's about 5 or 6 months old. So I would think he's fixed for longer the time you mentioned. Roarie I planned to get fixed, my dad is the one paying for it (he just got his own cat neutered), so I'm just waiting for him to fund it.
It didn't cross my mind to let her breed until my boyfriend mentioned it, but I told him earlier today I don't want to risk her getting hurt anyway, so we decided against it.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by MsKtty89

We've had the young male, 1337 ("LEET"), for about three weeks and we got him from an animal shelter, he's about 5 or 6 months old. So I would think he's fixed for longer the time you mentioned. Roarie I planned to get fixed, my dad is the one paying for it (he just got his own cat neutered), so I'm just waiting for him to fund it.
It didn't cross my mind to let her breed until my boyfriend mentioned it, but I told him earlier today I don't want to risk her getting hurt anyway, so we decided against it.
I would go ahead and get her fixed and get in touch with a rescue group or shelter regarding fostering a pregnant cat. You would be saving a life and you would know that the shelter or rescue group was responsible for placing the kittens into good homes.

Katie
 
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