Cats typically go into heat multiple times during their breeding season, which usually occurs in warmer months with longer daylight hours. They are seasonally polyestrous, meaning they can have several heat cycles in a season, often every 2 to 3 weeks
. Frequency and Duration:
- Cats can go into heat as often as every 2 to 3 weeks during their active breeding season, which generally spans from around February or March through October or November in the Northern Hemisphere
- Each heat cycle (estrus) usually lasts about 7 days on average but can range from 3 to 14 days
- If the cat does not mate, there is a short period (interestrus) of about 1 to 3 weeks before the next heat begins
- Indoor cats or those living in tropical climates may cycle year-round due to consistent lighting and temperature conditions
First Heat:
- Cats generally have their first heat between 4 to 12 months of age, often around 5 to 9 months, depending on breed, weight, and environment
In summary, an unspayed female cat can go into heat roughly every 2 to 3 weeks during her breeding season, with each heat lasting about a week, continuing this pattern for several months annually unless she mates or is spayed
