How old..

do cats come into heat? My cats are now 8-9 months old and they have yet to come in heat...is this nornal?

Did you get your cats as kittens? And where from?

Kittens reach sexual maturity at 4-6 months of age.

Only the female cat goes in a heat cycle during which she can become more affectionate, rolls on the floor and calls out. You cannot mistake a call from a female cat on heat. It's loud and it continues as she tries to attract a tom cat.

The male cat doesn't go into a heat cycle. Though he will respond to the call and/or scent of a female cat on heat.

I strongly urge you to take both of your cats to see a vet to determine whether they have already been spayed or neutered as soon as possible. And if you do not already do so, keep them indoors until you know that they have been neutered or spayed.

There are too many kittens and cats without homes.

I got my cats from a woman that I met at a gas station. They haven't been spayed (they're both females). They were only 2 months old when I got them. They always stay indoors.

It really is best to get them spayed as soon as possible, not to mention a check up as well.

Yeah, I know. And they're both going to get spayed...I'm just curious to why they haven't came in heat yet.

Only a vet check up will be able to tell you that for sure.

Originally Posted by a_loveless_gem

Kittens reach sexual maturity at 4-6 months of age.

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really that young...omg...can they really carry a litter at such a young age..i had no idea

Originally Posted by Nebula11

really that young...omg...can they really carry a litter at such a young age..i had no idea

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Me neither. It's hard to imagine Dakota, who weighs like 6 lbs and is 7 months old, carrying a litter of kittens.

I took a litter of kittens I was raising in to be spayed at 5 months. The vet called to tell me one of the females was pregnant. Knowing that the only father was a brother, I told the vet to abort the kittens and he did. I was amazed, they had been closely watched and isolated inside the cat room, but obviously we didn't watch them 24/7

Originally Posted by hissy

I took a litter of kittens I was raising in to be spayed at 5 months. The vet called to tell me one of the females was pregnant. Knowing that the only father was a brother, I told the vet to abort the kittens and he did. I was amazed, they had been closely watched and isolated inside the cat room, but obviously we didn't watch them 24/7

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that is amazing.....and cat abortions...i didnt know those exsisted either....wow i am dumbfounded

Originally Posted by buckeye23

Me neither. It's hard to imagine Dakota, who weighs like 6 lbs and is 7 months old, carrying a litter of kittens.

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I know huh....i was looking at my 7 month old mabby, and the idea of her carrying kittens baffled me...shes so tiny

Call your vet
So glad you are going to spay them!!!

BTW Tango came into heat at 5 1/2 months!

mine first came into heat at 9months, it depends on their breed and their size. mines small and long haired thats why it took her so long. unless theyve had a silent heat already and you havent noticed.

Originally Posted by maverick_kitten

mine first came into heat at 9months, it depends on their breed and their size. mines small and long haired thats why it took her so long. unless theyve had a silent heat already and you havent noticed.

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Abbie and Freija were feral littermates I inherited when their mother brought them to my porch to help feed at 9 weeks old. I eventually got them inside just before winter and at 3 1/2 months Freija came into loud and obnoxious heat! I couldn't afford to get them spayed until they were 5 months old - I had been saving up for the cost - and I only got through the next 6 weeks with ear plugs. Abbie never showed signs of being in heat, but when I took them in to be spayed, the vet told me that both Abbie and Freija were sexually mature and in heat. Abbie just had silent heats - bless her little heart! :-).

Your two may be late developers or they may be having silent heats. Time of year also is a consideration as some kittens may not show their first 'apparent' heat cycle until Spring and a better weather environment. I have read that first heat will normally appear between 4 to 9 months but has been as late as 14 or 15 months under certain circumstances - and as early as 3.

Kathryn

Reason why I say four months is that I have read documents and books that say it and also because my female cat Esper came to heat at four months, and loudly.

I know that when a cat comes in heat that they'll be very vocal and more affectionate...but can you just look to see if they're in heat? I've noticed Hoshi sleeping on top of me at night (she's never done this before until about a week ago).

It's an odd consideration, but are you or do you have any males in the house? I've only seen a cat in heat like once, but our kitty didn't have too many signs of heat- a little yawling, but mostly she suddenly turned into my dad's best friend!(the only other male in the house being my pre-teen brother).

Just saying they may be in heat, be he quiet type, especially lacking any nearby testosterone.

Given the situation and the age of the cats, I can only strongly suggest that you take your cats to your vet as soon as possible.