Cats do not go through menopause. Unlike humans, cats have an estrus (heat) cycle rather than a menstrual cycle, and they continue to go into heat and can become pregnant throughout their lives, even in old age. While an older cat's heat cycles may become less frequent, they do not experience a complete cessation of fertility comparable to human menopause.
Key Points on Cats and Menopause
- Cats have an estrus cycle, not a menstrual cycle.
- Female cats go into heat every 2-3 weeks when not spayed, year-round.
- Cats can continue reproducing well into their senior years.
- Aging may reduce the frequency of heat cycles but does not stop them entirely.
- A complete stop of cycling could indicate health issues requiring veterinary attention.
Thus, female cats do not undergo menopause like humans do; their reproductive system functions differently, allowing fertility to persist for much of their lives.
