New cat doing strange things

I just got my first cat from the shelter the other day. Her name is Gidget and she is one year old brownish black tabby. I didn't notice in the shelter but later that day when I brought her home and again later the next day that she has been doing some weird things. She always wants her face stcrachted and if I don't do it she will walk around the room finding things to do it on. The other thing she is doing is holding her bum way in the air and marching her back feet. The is usally accompanied by a low throaty meow and her tail between her legs.

I have been told this may be because she is in heat. I also wonder if her nipples are a little tender or something. According to her medical records she still had milk in her mamnary glands a week ago.

Here are some videos if you want to see what she is doing.

Scratching 1, Scratching 2, Legs 1, Legs 2

If anyone could share some insight into this that would be great!

The first two videos appear that she is marking her territory, and that is totally normal. Both of my boys do this with almost everything soft we bring home.

You said that she may be in heat, has she been spayed yet? If she's in heat that could explain what is going on in the last two videos.

Thats what i was thinking when i watched them. My two rub their faces all over things especially people to put their mark on them.

Are you taking her to be spayed soon?.

Rear in the air treading feet and acting super extra lovey dovey and extra marking behavior are definitely signs of heat. It varies per cat as to how long they are in.

She hasn't been spayed yet. The shelter is going to mail me a voucher to get that done. I plan on getting that out of the way as soon as possible.

That does bring up another question though. Being as she did have kittins. (I am assuming this being as she had milk in her mamnary glands) Is there a certian amount of time you have to wait before getting this done?

Usually people spay their moms when the kittens are weaned so she is fine.

One word of warning thought. Dont spay when she is in heat.
Bigger risk for complications.

Not true Stefan - at least not if a good vet does it, it's done quite a lot, but you should talk to her/him first and get an idea if he's well respected in the area.

Thanks for all the replys! I went and talked to the vet today and they agree that she is just in heat. The also said that they prefer to spay them when they are not in heat but told me that it can be very unpredictable when that will be.

Originally Posted by Larke

Not true Stefan - at least not if a good vet does it, it's done quite a lot, but you should talk to her/him first and get an idea if he's well respected in the area.

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Yes and no. Its correct a good vet CAN do this, especielly if forewarned.

But why take the risk if it isnt dirty necessary??

If it is difficult to aim the inbetween, you can use the pill so you are sure no heat is coming.


You are perhaps thinking about neutering when already with kittens in belly? Yes, here is true: a no problem for a good vet, if forewarned.

Im sure of this, i did read a british veterinarian book which described all the greasy details in extenso. They gave advice if you cant do otherwise, let her out and meet some nice tomcat. Take her to vet afterwards. Much easier to neuter making abortion than do surgery when she in heat...

my vet charges an extra $25 if in heat and extra $45 if pregnant so i figured there must be more risk either way. ( i have no idea tho im only guessing )

Originally Posted by jaycee

my vet charges an extra $25 if in heat and extra $45 if pregnant so i figured there must be more risk either way. ( i have no idea tho im only guessing )

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The pregnancy bigger than heat probably because of ethical reasons. He dont want people to take it lightly. I understand him.

Dire necessity one thing, but non-thinking or bad ethics something something different.

Originally Posted by Larke

Not true Stefan - at least not if a good vet does it, it's done quite a lot, but you should talk to her/him first and get an idea if he's well respected in the area.

Click to expand...

I know my vet doesn't like to spay when their in heat because she said their internal organs are more fragile and can fall apart in your hands making the procedure a lot more difficult.