Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 7: Cat Growth & Development › Sexual Maturity in Cats ›

Sexual Maturity in Cats

In general, males reach sexual maturity at 10 to 14 months; females at 7 to 12 months. Unaltered females typically go into heat (estrus) three or more times a year. During this period the female is receptive to the advances of males and capable of breeding. She may signal her readiness with loud, insistent calling, though some females do not call at all. Instead, they may simply become more friendly and solicit more attention from their owners. Keep the female confined or under close observation during these times, because she will attract every intact male in the area. Do not leave the female alone in such semi-secure spots as screened porches; this often isn't enough to stop a determined male.

Male cats have no "cycle." They can breed year-round and will act whenever they encounter a receptive female. Male sexual maturity will also manifest itself in constant roaming and in the marking of territory with urine. (See Spaying and Neutering.)

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Chapter 7: Cat Growth & Development

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One of my female cat is in heat right now....I know I may need to send her right away to be sprayed or is it neutered.

purred by Erica Lewis on Feb 22, 2009 AT 10:11 am PST
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Okay, a simple question: We got Caesar and Cielo neutured/spayed in January and they were born in August. That would make them 6 month at the time of being fixed, does this mean that Cielo is safe from ovarian cancer?

purred by Hayley Sullivan on Oct 1, 2009 AT 7:16 am PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!