Female cats typically go into heat every two to three weeks during their active breeding season, which can last from early spring through late fall (roughly February to October in the Northern Hemisphere)
. Each heat cycle, or estrus, usually lasts about 7 days on average but can range from 1 to 21 days depending on the individual cat
. Cats are seasonally polyestrous, meaning they have multiple heat cycles during the breeding season. The frequency and timing of these cycles are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and the length of daylight hours. Indoor cats or those in tropical climates may cycle year-round due to consistent lighting and temperature conditions
. If a female cat does not mate during estrus, she will typically go out of heat for a short period (interestrus) lasting about a week before the next cycle begins
. Thus, during the breeding season, an unspayed female cat can experience about 12 or more heat cycles per year, averaging one every 2 to 3 weeks
. In summary:
- Heat cycles occur every 2 to 3 weeks during breeding season (about 9 months per year)
- Each heat lasts roughly 7 days on average, but can range from 1 to 21 days
- Indoor cats or those in warm climates may cycle year-round
- The breeding season is typically from late winter/early spring to late fall in temperate regions
This frequent cycling explains why female cats can become pregnant multiple times a year if not spayed.
