Help, I think my cat is in heat.

All of these smiley faces should be banned because everyone misses the point. It doesn't matter whether you use them or not.

I am quite sure the lady got some help, but the truth is, once the cat is in heat, there is no easy solution, especially if you live in an apartment, and your neighbors are complaining about the yowling cat and then call the police on you. I'm trying to be reasonable on this matter, but what would you do in a situation like this? I was careful to mention warm shower, not cold shower. How many times have you let your cats out in the rain, and they got really wet?

I am afraid your solution just does not make sense. Getting a cat wet will not stop the underlying drive of being in heat. It will not stop the arching of the back, the yowling and the insistence to go outside. The only thing to successfully stop a cat from going into heat is to spay the cat as soon as possible. That is the bottom line here. Even cats in rain will continue to go into heat as it is nature that drives them.

There are those who feel that neutering is a form of cruelty in some areas of the population so you have to be careful what you judge as cruelty.

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4.2 MILLION animals were euthanized last year...I would call that cruel. Most of those were cats that were once "loved" kittens and dogs that were once "loved" puppies. I think it is cruel for anyone to allow their dog or cat to risk getting health issues by not being fixed.

Katie

I have not seen any recognized cat experts on this thread. Saskia, I implore you to read all of our posts but don't take them as the Gospel. Weigh each bit of advice before you act. If it were me, I would wait until Polly completes the heat cycle and then have her spayed. It is too risky during the heat cycle, and the vet will tell you so. The heat cycle will only last for a week. Let's hope you don't live in an apartment where your neighbors will be annoyed. You will be fine. Good liuck and God bless.

Wow, Caspar, you sure know how to inflict suffering and death on sentient animals, and make inaccurate rationalizations for it.

Firstly, people should quit waiting until 6 months to spay/neuter. It can be done as early as 6 weeks, although some males don't descend until the 7th or 8th week, and then neutering can be done when it happens. There are no increased risks involved, and it's actually easier on the animal to have it done at 8 weeks rather than 6 months.

Secondly, really, that wasn't a very nice joke, even if it was a joke. While humor is subjective, from what I'm seeing, you're being inconsistent--were you serious or were you not?

Thirdly, I was NOT kidding when I said early sterilization is better for longterm health. If someone else had the choice of increasing or decreasing your cancer risks, and they chose to increase your risks, you'd probably be unhappy with the decision, particularly if it were for a trivial, selfish reason. Give your cats a little consideration--they don't want cancer any more than you do.

Fourthly, preferring STDs over a (very low from a decent rescue) risk of ringworm or something...no offense, but I don't think you should be permitted to have anyone dependent on you. Any decent organization will monitor health for as long as the animals are with them, and make sure to have them vaccinated appropriately and tested for disease before adopting them out. Having any old tom make Cammy sick is a good idea compared to that?

Fifthly, cats aren't just toys or tools for you to manufacture at will without regard for the consequences. You can go "hey, I want some more Pokemon dolls, I think I'll make some or pay someone to make them for me" all you want, but what gives you the right to do the same thing with cats? YOU wanted more cats, so you force the cats to make more FOR YOU, regardless of the harm it may inflict on them? Don't tell me that isn't selfish. Look at this list, and think of the ones that apply to cats and your situation: http://www.pbrc.net/breeding2.html

Sixthly, I'm sure the four cats that were put down in shelters because you wouldn't take them in are quite convinced by your nonsensical excuses. Every home that a bred kitten takes up is one that a homeless cat dies for. Taking in a few strays does NOT justify unnecessarily killing others. If someone murdered a person they had a disagreement with, then told the court "But there were FIVE people who made me angry and I did NOT kill them, so I have more than enough credit to kill ONE person, geez" I think no reasonable person would agree with them.

Seventhly, spay/neuter is not wrong in any way, unless inflicted on an animal in such poor health that anesthesia is risky, or deliberately done late! Not only does it save lives, would you like to see a list of conditions that s/n prevents or reduces the risk of? Here are some very uncruel things: testicular cancer, prostate cancer, prostate enlargement, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine infections, hypothyroidism, other endocrine dysfunction, breast cancer, prostatic disease, hernias, perianal tumors... As for the downsides, an extremely safe and minor surgery (stitches not even necessary for males), resulting in perhaps benefitting from one day of quiet. Which holds more weight?

Eighthly, going outside is extremely dangerous. Sure, in rural areas, there's a decreased (not zero) risk of car accidents and bunchers and such, but the risks of trouble with wild animals (fights, disease) also increase. Then you have poisonous plants, weather extremes, the possibility of getting lost, etc etc. With just a little effort on your part, you can keep indoor cats just as healthy, happy, and stimulated as outdoor ones.

Please take the time to think about my points objectively, instead of continuing to blindly believe that everything you do is just all sunshine and flowers.

In addition, I'd like to add that while recent figures are usually around 4 million animals euthanized in a year, this is a huge improvement over, say, a decade ago, due to aggressive spay/neuter campaigns. Before, the figures ranged from 8 - 20 million a year, with an estimated additional 5 million a year dying on the streets... This is around the time our wonderful, responsible friend here brought another four cats into the world.

I think most people can do quite well without your advice. People can consult a veterinarian, or two or three or more, if they want someone to talk to, and they can research the subject themselves and weigh the evidence if any doubt.

Saskia, as most people who rescue will tell you spaying a cat in heat does entail some risk. BUT your vet is the one who will make the call as to whether or not he or she will spay during a heat cyle. Mine will, and he charges an extra $20.00 for it. His stance is though there is risk, there is also risk in letting a cat in heat outside to be mated and possibly pick up an infection or worse, or become pregnant and have the kittens and the litter become a problem due to other factors. For these reasons, when I get a pregnant stray in if she is young, I take her in after she gets trapped and I get her spayed as well aborting the litter. It is a sad fact of reality and something I learned to do the hard way.

If you don't get your female spayed when she is heat make sure you do not let her get outside, and trust me she is going to try.

I too had my first female cat and was very worried. I got her from a mistake litter,from a owner who was very desperate to get rid of the kittens. I asked and asked. I got her spayed,and volia! She was happy and healthy,just like I hoped. It first i was scared that the spaying would be alot of surgery,and she would be in pain,or would have to stay at the hospital. But she came home in a few hours,and indeed,she was alittle wosey from the procedure,but was back to noral after being by herself in her own persoanl room for the night.

Weatherlight, thank you for the novel. I'm sure it will be a best seller some day, but as I said before there are really no recognized cat experts here. We only can quote from our own experiences of owning cats. I have seen my cats do some amazing things and definitely thought the heat cycle to be one of the funniest moments for Cammy, especially when she propositioned the dog. He sniffed her, and in dog language, "Yep, you're in season, little girl, but you're not my type". It was hilarious. She is the only one we ever let go through that cycle but only for the purpose of breeding. She produced 4 beautiful kittens. The miracle of birth is God's way of giving us more love.

I have seen soooo many gorgeous cats killed....by gas chamber, by needle...for no good reason. For me, God is the surgeon who performs the spay and neuter to reduce the overpopulation.

Katie

Dear Caspar, it does not take recognition as an "expert" to learn about overpopulation, spay/neuter, outdoor risks, pregnancy and birth risks, or any other scientifically validated and accepted FACT. There is a reason how I can know the side effects of naproxen without experiencing all of them firsthand. You should try learning from the work, research, and lives of others, as well. It's very useful.

Or are you really saying that it's IMPOSSIBLE for shelters to euthanize cats? Are you saying that it's not a FACT that cats get STDs? Do you truly believe that all the studies done on the effects of spay and neuter are LYING? No matter how much you fantasize, the problems of reality still exist.

I'm glad you find your cat's distress and frustration pleasurable, but while I don't have anything personal against sadists, they should not act on their harmful desires.

I suppose you enjoy the "miracle" of death just as much.

No recognized cat experts here? I beg to differ! We have multiple vet techs and a couple of veterinarians on the board, and the board is owned by a behaviorist. Don't assume there are no experts just because you read responses that don't agree with you. Our experts are very quiet about their credentials unless asked.

And I fail to see the humor in a cat that is unbearably uncomfortable because of being in heat.

Ok since the original poster's question has been answered and then some, this thread is deteriorating into a level it does not need to be in. Therefore, it is now closed.

This is a pro-active spay and neuter community of cat lovers. All of us who have spent quality time here will tell anyone who cares to listen how important spay and neuter is, and try to stop as much backyard breeding as we can.

While many people, especially newer members, may not be familiar with other members of The Cat Site given that we use board names and not our personal names, it is difficult to have no idea whether or not someone here is or is not a recognized cat "expert." In fact, Veterinarians, very experienced rescuers, geneticists, PhDs, teachers/University Professors of animal-related or population related topics, very recognized authors of cat behavior, health & other cat related books, and other Professionals in cat-specific or animal related fields are members of The Cat Site and participate in its forums.

However, if anyone would like to read information and research about early age spay-neuter, the health and behavior of benefits of spaying and neutering, and/or the pet overpopulation problem by recognized institutions and known experts, feel free to click on any of the appropriate links provided in my signature line to take you to your area of interest. The facts are:

1) that it is safer and healthier for your pet to be spayed and neutered as early as possible.

2) that 7 weeks is a safe age at which to have your cat spayed or neutered (Winn Feline Foundation Study on Early Age Spay/Neuter)

3) there is a serious pet overpopulation problem in most countries including the United States, and unless you are a knowledgable breeder breeding to protect specific genetic characteristics, it is simply irresponsible to let your cat produce a litter of kittens. There are plenty of animals available as companions or "mousers."

Again, please visit any of the links in my signature line for further education.