Do Cats Go Through Menopause?

Spaying and neutering is a very important and recommended procedure for the health of cats. On the other hand, some cat owners may not want to spay or neuter their cats. Unspayed female cats experience a cycle called the estrus cycle. This occurs in a very different way from the menstrual cycle in women.

The estrus cycle in female cats begins very early. Cats are polyestrous animals and enter estrus every two to three weeks if pregnancy does not occur during the mating season. Another important difference in the estrus cycle in cats is that it lasts a lifetime. In short, cats do not experience a change like menopause, and fertility continues throughout life. The oldest cat to give birth on record is a cat named Kitty, who gave birth to two kittens at the age of 30.

Estrus Period in Cats

The signs of estrus in cats are quite noticeable. If there is no male cat in the house, a female cat in estrus will meow louder, especially in front of doors and windows. This is done to attract male cats to mate. Scent marking is also observed in cats in estrus. By releasing small amounts of very strong-smelling urine, she signals to male cats in the vicinity that she is ready to mate.

Female cats ready to mate also exhibit other behaviors. They roll around on the floor and constantly lick their genitals. However, this should not be confused with symptoms of urinary tract infections and blockages, which can cause very serious problems in cats. If your cat licks its genitals outside of its heat cycle, has difficulty defecating, and shows other symptoms, it should be taken to a veterinarian for examination immediately. Since pregnancy does not occur in unspayed cats, mating is recommended because this process will repeat frequently.

Mating Season

Matting in cats can last almost all year round. In the Northern Hemisphere, the period between March and September is considered the mating season. Anestrus, or periods without an estrus cycle, typically occurs between October and December, when daylight hours are shorter.

The estrus period for mating varies from a few days to two weeks. If pregnancy does not occur during estrus, the cat will enter estrus again within 2-3 weeks. In some cases, even if female cats mate and become pregnant, they may still want to mate again. Also, there is no discrimination in mating among cats. Mother or father cats can mate with their own kittens that have been born previously and reached adulthood. To prevent unwanted pregnancies, it is very important to keep female cats physically away from male cats during pregnancy.

The Importance of Neutering in Cats

If female cats are not neutered, they can give birth to approximately 20 kittens in a year. If your environment is not suitable for caring for a large number of kittens, you should neuter your cat to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

On the other hand, the only benefit of sterilization is not just controlling the kitten population. According to research, sterilized female cats live longer than unspayed females. Sterilization reduces the risk of developing uterine infections, breast cancer, or other cancerous tumors by up to 90%. To ensure your cat lives a longer and healthier life, you must have it sterilized. Sterilizing female cats before their first heat cycle is considered the best protection against potential diseases. It is recommended to sterilize a cat before approximately 5 months of age. A female cat marking her scent is an indication that she may be pregnant. If you haven't sterilized your cat yet, you can have it done during her heat cycle. You can decide on the most appropriate sterilization time for your cat by consulting with a veterinarian.

There is a misconception that cats gain excessive weight after sterilization. Neutering is a procedure that causes many changes in a cat's body. This includes metabolic changes. To ensure that a neutered cat maintains its ideal weight and lives a healthy life, neutered cat food should be preferred. This ensures that all the cat's nutritional needs are met completely while also preventing excessive weight gain.