do cats have periods

Cats do not have periods like humans do. Instead, female cats go through a reproductive cycle called estrus or "heat," which is different from the menstrual cycle. During this cycle, cats do not shed their uterine lining with bleeding like humans; rather, they may exhibit behavioral changes and some light spotting, but significant bleeding is not typical and should be checked by a vet. Cats are seasonally polyestrous, meaning they can go into heat multiple times during the breeding season, usually from early spring to late fall, and sometimes year-round indoors or in warmer climates. Their heat cycles include phases such as proestrus, estrus (heat), and interestrus or diestrus, with the estrus phase showing behavioral signs like vocalizing, increased affection, and restlessness.