The mating season of cats varies based on the region where they live, but some commonalities are the same no matter where the cat lives. In general, the mating season of cats lasts from late fall to early spring, but there can be some variation from year to year depending on various environmental factors. If you know when your cat’s mating season will occur, and you want to do something about it, keep reading to learn more about what you can expect to see when your cat goes into heat.
What is cat mating season?
The season of mating for cats is when new kittens are born. A cat’s mating season depends on many factors, such as location and age. Cats can be pregnant throughout much of the year, but there are times when conception rates are higher than others. Learn about what you can expect to see during your cat’s mating season here.
When does cat mating season occur
Because cats are induced ovulators, you may see female cats in heat year-round (although it’s less common). While you may associate the mating season with spring and summer, your cat could get pregnant any time of year. Even if they mate once or twice, they can become pregnant. Once a cat has gone into heat and is receptive to mating, her cycle will continue until she mates or becomes pregnant. This can make estimating conception very difficult unless a veterinarian can run tests on your cat. There is no official mating season for felines because female cats don’t go into estrus cycles; when it comes to fertilization, it happens when it happens!
Cat mating tips
If you’re wondering what cat mating season looks like, here are some tips. Cat mating is almost entirely out of your control, but there are certain things you can do to ensure your cat mates with a kitten rather than another adult cat. While most people tend to think about neutering and spaying as options for preventing cats from reproducing, cats can mate without those treatments. Because of that and because these surgeries carry risks, research suggests that simply keeping your cat indoors is often an effective way of preventing unwanted kittens from being born—and if you have indoor-only cats and one does escape, she won’t end up in someone else’s home or get hit by a car on her way back home.
How can I encourage my cat to mate?
Understanding cat mating season and how to encourage your cat to mate is easier than you might think. Cats are free-roaming animals, which means they don’t have a fixed mating season—however, it can be helpful to remember that some cats breed during warmer weather. If you’re an owner of one of these pets, you should know what signs a female is in heat and how to increase your chances of getting kittens! To start things off right, we’ll explain how cat mating season looks like.
What are the Signs of Mating in Cats?
If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if your cat has mated, here are the signs of mating in cats to look out for.
The Signs
The first sign is a constant low-level meow. Cats do not purr when they are stressed or upset but rather happy. A constant meow indicates that your cat is trying to tell you something, and it could signify that they want attention from you. Another warning sign is erratic behavior and sometimes biting, which is usually connected to mating season. When a male cat wants a female, he will often bite at her rump, tail, and back legs as part of his courting behavior, so if your cat starts doing this thing,s it’s likely an indication that she’s going into mating season. In addition, some cats become very protective over their territory, which can also indicate signs of mating.
Male Cat Mate Attraction Tips
To entice a female cat, male cats have specific mating season tactics they will rely on to attract her. One tactic they’ll use is marking their Territory with Urine, which creates a scent trail that lets her know he’s nearby. Once she’s interested, he’ll try to get close to her by sitting or lying right next to her and offering vocalizations as well. If she lets him get closer, he’ll begin grooming and petting her as a way of showing affection. He may also show his interest by extending his claws out and walking on tiptoe around her so he can maintain some distance while still getting close enough for intimacy.
Female Cat Mate Attraction Tips
Attracting a female cat to mate with can be challenging for even some male cats. Female cats, called queens, are kept inside and don’t get out much. However, there are specific steps you can take to attract her attention (of course, we’re talking about mating here!). Listed below is a shortlist of how to attract a female cat.
24 Strange Behaviors of Cats in The Mating Season
Do you ever wonder why your cat does the things he does? Some cat behaviors can seem strange, from biting to kneading, but many of them are instinctual and stem from their primal need to reproduce. Here are 24 strange behaviors of cats in the mating season that might help you better understand your feline friend.
These behaviors are shared among all cats and can manifest in male and female cats; however, they’re more commonly seen in male cats than female cats.
1) They Roll Around
You’ve seen it before—your pet cat gets up on its back legs and begins to rotate. This is normal for cats; they help spread their scent around and mark their territory. You might also notice them kneading or pulling at things with their paws. They’re probably not being obsessive-compulsive, but a scientific study found that cats tend to show more affection during mating season (who knew?) Your cat may also roll around as a way to get closer to you—after all, pheromones are powerful! So if they seem more friendly than usual, don’t be alarmed. It just means your cat wants you close by while they go about doing what cats do best: procreation!
2) They’re Excited
The male feline’s testosterone levels increase at least five times more than usual, and his heart rate speeds up from 60 to 180 beats per minute. It is bizarre since most cats are already highly active, high-energy pets. The only way to honestly tell if your cat is excited? He’ll spray everywhere! But even if you don’t see him urinating on furniture or walls, you can probably guess that he is because he will be trying to mount things left and right—even you! Don’t worry, though; your kitty won’t ejaculate until he has sex with a female cat (if he does).
3) They Yowl (Meow) Frequently
Before cats began living with humans, they yowled (meowed) to signal danger or share their presence with other cats. Today, they continue that yowling tradition when they want to get your attention—or in anticipation of a big family event. For example, you’ll often hear them meowing for hours before it’s time for you to leave for work. This has nothing to do with how much attention you give them and everything to do with their strong ties to humans as providers and protectors. As long as someone is home, their job is done!
4) They Spray Urine
A standard behavior among cats, urine spraying, is usually a territorial display. But be careful: male cats are notorious for spraying female humans interested in. The smell can take quite some time to dissipate! If you want to reduce or eliminate your cat’s urge to spray, provide them with more high-off places—cat trees and scratching posts work well. Ensure your cat doesn’t have an empty litter box that she associates with her waste product; if she does, you may need to clean it more frequently than usual.
5) They’re Aggressive Toward Other Cats
If you’ve ever seen a catfight over territory or a female cat (and if you live with multiple cats, it’s guaranteed), then you know how aggressive cats can be during mating season. What might surprise you is that two unrelated male cats will likely fight with each other over territory even when there are no females around, just because they can. So your sweet little kitty might be at risk for injury during mating season. There’s not much to do to prevent fighting except letting your cat out less often and supervise him as he goes outside. But don’t worry: Your male cat will return to his usual friendly self once the mating season is over!
6) They Spray Things That Smell Familiar (Their Owner?)
When cats are spayed or neutered, they often stop marking their Territory with Urine. However, sometimes they will re-mark areas to which they have been exposed recently. This usually happens when a cat encounters a familiar smell (such as its owner’s shampoo). It’s essential not to get angry with your cat if he marks things you consider valuable. After all, it would help if you didn’t blame him for communicating how he feels. Likely, he isn’t trying to be malicious—he wants to tell you that his scent belongs there and yours doesn’t! Remember: The best way to deal with male cat spraying is prevention.
7) They Hiss at Each Other
If you think two cats can’t get along, you should see them during mating season. Hissing and growling are among their more obvious displays, which sometimes turn violent if a particular male cat can’t find a female to mate with. The smell emitted by females draws males into fight mode; they can pick up on chemical messages that say I’m ready to mate now. Fights can erupt when they try to get at that special lady, but it might also be caused by testosterone overload—the male cat will do just about anything it takes to reproduce.
8) Sometimes They Play Roughly
As with other canines, cats are physically affectionate during mating season. They’ll wrestle with each other, swat and bite at each other, or even walk around carrying their favorite playtoy. Other times they’re physically aggressive to protect their territory when they feel threatened. This behavior stems from an instinctual need to guard against rival males invading their area and mating with their harem. And because of territorial instincts, a male cat will continue to approach a female that is not accepting him until she eventually gives in. Sometimes they spray Urine: Also stemming from territorial instincts and sexual competition between rivals (i.e., other male cats), male cats have scent glands that produce a chemical called pheromones, which influence female cats’ cycles and arousal.
9) Licking
Do you know why cats lick? A cat’s tongue is covered with lots of tiny, backward-facing barbs. Kittens first use their tongue to help them, groom, starting at their mother’s nipple and working outward. As adults, they continue to use their tongues to groom themselves, rubbing up against objects and other animals to redistribute natural oils from glands near their skin onto all parts of their body (kind of like how we run a comb through our hair). To Mark Territory or something else that catches their interest, cats may also use tongue like a paintbrush by painting a scent onto an object or another animal.
10) Drooling
You’re probably familiar with your cat’s habit of drooling while they’re eating—but they may also do it when they see you or their mate. This type of salivation display is what cats use to express interest and shows that they’re ready to mate.
11) Singing
Your cat probably doesn’t care much for Ol’ MacDonald, but that doesn’t mean she won’t try to serenade you with a new melody. While some felines don’t mind singing out loud, most purr or chirp at pitches humans can’t hear—but they are listening to them. The sound frequency is between 25 kHz and 40 kHz, which falls within our normal hearing range (20 Hz-20 kHz). (What?! You didn’t know humans were considered normal?) Scientists aren’t sure why cats do it, but several theories exist. One is that they’re trying to mimic other cats’ mating calls or use the notes to coordinate attacks on prey.
12) Whining
Male cats who want to mate will start whining, which is a cat’s way of saying, Come hither. This can go on for hours or days at a time—so if you’ve got your hands full with other things (or other pets), you might not even realize that Kitty is trying to attract a lady friend. However, if your cat’s been making noise for more than an hour straight, it might be time to get him checked out by a vet. There could be something else going on with his health that he’s trying to tell you about. Of course, sometimes cats whine because they’re bored or hungry, and they don’t know any better.
13) Growling
Intense, rumbling growls can be heard when cats come face to face with one another during mating season. Some cats will walk with their mouths slightly open and bare their teeth as they approach each other. This is their way of warning others to get out of their way or prepare for an attack. While these sounds may seem intimidating, they’re typically not a sign that your cat is angry or frustrated, but rather that he’s announcing his presence to another cat. These growls are often heard at night as it’s a standard time for cats to mate. At times when you see your cat make strange sounds or doing things he wouldn’t normally do, like walking into walls, don’t worry—he’s probably just looking for a mate!
14) Sniffing
Sniffing is another strange behavior that cats exhibit when preparing to mate. This can be an unsettling sight to behold, especially when you come across your cat sniffing something they shouldn’t be sniffing. Most likely, your cat is going through their olfactory checklist—sniffing out if there are any other animals around and if it is safe for them to continue with their plan for a bit of meow time. To ensure complete safety, it might be a good idea to put their scent on everything that could pose as competition during mating season—this way, even if someone else has been there before them, they can rest assured that everything smells like them!
15) Yowling
A cat’s most potent weapon is its ability to yowl, hiss, and roar. During mating season, these vocalizations are at their peak. Whether your feline friend is howling at a bird outside or a laser pointer inside (sometimes both), these unearthly sounds can make you—and your ears—go insane. If you have roommates, they might think they’re sharing space with a crazy cat lady rather than a small furry animal.
16) Anxious Behavior
Cats are creatures of habit and routine. One minute, everything is fine. The next, your cat is hiding behind furniture, peeing on your floor, or just not being his usual self. During mating season (for both males and females), there are several strange behaviors you may see from him
17) Meowing
While most cats can’t stand to be with their owner for more than five minutes, it seems that cats want to hang out with their owners during mating season. They sometimes desire to socialize and spend time alone with their humans. That said, if you aren’t careful, your cat may meow constantly. The reason for them doing so is unclear, but one theory is that it alludes to a plaintive mating call, another that it wants affection from its owner. Another is that it simply wants attention from its human companion. Whatever the reason, maybe you need to keep your eyes peeled on these strange behaviors of cats during the mating season because once they make up their mind about something, there’s no turning back.
18) Marking territory
As strange as it sounds, one behavior that cats are known for is urinating on various objects, particularly those that are personal to humans. Why do they do it? Male cats spray these areas with Urine during mating season (usually springtime). In doing so, they leave their scent around to let other male cats know that they’re there and ready to mate. The general rule is: If you’ve got a cat who sprays, chances are he’s an indoor cat or has few opportunities to meet female felines outside. Spraying usually starts when males reach sexual maturity at about six months and continue until they mate.
19) Weird Ticks
Males will display a behavior called flehmen, which is characteristic of cats. When showing flehmen, they pull back their lips and extend their tongue, exposing an area just under their mouth that allows them to sample pheromones from Urine or glands associated with female cats in heat. This ability allows them to determine if she is ready for mating. It’s used not only for the mating season but also as a communication tool between males and females familiar with each other.
20) Disrupted Sleep Cycle
It’s normal for felines to be extra frisky during mating season, but some behaviors are even more extreme than others. For example, cats experiencing high levels of sexual arousal will often sleep less and wake up with uncharacteristic hunger pangs. It may seem funny at first—even cute—but a disruption to your cat’s regular schedule can lead to health problems down the road. If you notice your furry friend acting abnormally or consuming an unusual amount of food during mating season, pay a visit to your veterinarian for an exam immediately. Your cat could have a severe condition that warrants immediate treatment.
21) Spraying Urine
When a female cat enters her heat cycle, her body releases estrogen and progesterone hormones. As part of their mating ritual, male cats start spraying Urine to mark their territory and attract females. Both male and female cats will typically spray in corners near beds or on window sills, but they will also spray outside. If you catch your cat urinating on a new surface—including your bed or clothing—it could be a sign that he’s ready to mate.
22) Acting Seductive
If your cat is being particularly seductive or attention-seeking during mating season, it might be time to take her to get spayed. Once she’s gone through heat and experienced sexual intercourse, there will be no going back. The hormones that have been released will make it impossible for her to live without a male counterpart. Besides, bringing unwanted litter into your home would be not only inconvenient but also cause undue stress on you and your cat—and who wants that?
23) Wearing Ears Backward
Just like people, cats have dating rituals and rules that have been passed down for generations. However, when it comes to courtship, these rules can get a little bit tricky. Case in point: You’ll often notice your cat wearing his ears backward during mating season. Believe it or not, a back-facing ear is a form of flirting! Males have larger erections when their ears point backward toward their tails, and many experts believe that positioning encourages mating.
24) Aggression
To woo a feline lover, felines will show aggression. This can take several forms, from chasing, fighting, and growling. Aggression is most commonly seen when one male challenges another for female affection. It is very unusual for females to engage in aggressive behaviors during mating season; however, it does happen occasionally. A cat will typically display aggressive behavior if another cat sees the competition entering its territory. Felines are highly territorial animals, and they do not welcome other cats into their territories if they see them as rivals. If a cat smells a stranger on their property, there could be an issue if their owner isn’t home or paying attention to them at that moment.
How to Introduce a Male Cat To Female Cat
In general, the process of introducing two opposite-sex cats is pretty much the same as introducing two cats of the same sex. The only difference is that you should never try to get pregnant during the introduction process.
It’s hard to tell whether they are getting along or not, but some signs can help us determine that they are doing well together. For example, they might be eating, drinking, and playing together. Also, cats often groom each other when they are in good moods, meaning they feel comfortable with each other. To make sure that this is true.