4 facts about cats’ menstruation 🩸, you need to know as a cat mom\dad (must know)

Like other mammals, cats have a cyclical reproductive system that includes hormonal changes and the potential for menstruation. Cats do not menstruate in the same manner that women do, but they do go through a reproductive cycle known as estrus, or “heat.”

Let’s investigate this issue further and get more information about cats’ reproductive systems.

Female cats go through a phase in their reproductive cycle called estrus, commonly referred to as the “feline heat cycle,” where they become sexually active and capable of reproducing. Contrary to humans, who go through their menstrual cycle every month, cats go through estrus cycles that can vary in length and frequency based on factors including breed, age, and environmental circumstances. As a cat mom\dad, keep in mind that all cats are of the same specie, not the same breed. So, take notice of your cat behaving differently than your neighbor’s cat.

Female cats alter physically and behaviorally during estrus, showing that they are ready to mate. Hormonal swings, especially the increase and fall of estrogen levels, are the cause of these modifications. The usual behaviors of a cat in heat include increased cuddling and rubbing against things, rolling on the ground, increased vocalization (which might be a reason your cat meows more often than she\he used to), adopting the “lordosis” position, and increased urine marking.

The fact that cats are induced ovulatory, is one of the prominent characteristics of feline reproduction. Thus, ovulation — the release of eggs from the ovaries — occurs in reaction to sexual activity. Cats must be stimulated by mating in order to begin ovulation, unlike humans and certain other animals that do it routinely. The physical act of mating causes a female cat to release luteinizing hormone, which increases ovulation.

Several behaviors and physiological reactions are involved in the cat mating process. Typically, male cats, also known as toms, are drawn to the pheromones that female cats generate while they are in heat. When they want to indicate their area, they could seem restless, vocalize more, or spray. The aforementioned behaviors are those shown by a female cat to indicate her availability for mating.

Mating often happens after a male cat notices a female in heat. When mating, the male cat climbs the female from behind and grabs her by the neck with his jaws. The female assumes the “lordosis posture,” in which she lowers her front end and lifts her hindquarters. Copulation lasts only a few seconds but can happen several times during a single mating session.

After a fruitful mating attempt, the male deposits his sperm into the female’s reproductive system. After that, the sperm moves on to the fallopian tubes, where it may fertilize the eggs. You should know that cats have a special reproductive adaption called “sperm storage.” since her reproductive system, the female may fertilize her eggs with sperm from several mating since the sperm can survive for days or even weeks.

The eggs will embed in the uterine wall if fertilization takes place, and pregnancy will begin. If fertilization fails, the cat’s reproductive cycle will restart, and she will go through another estrus stage.

Cats do not exhibit observable menstrual bleeding during estrus, unlike certain humans and other animals. The shape and operation of the feline reproductive system are just two of the reasons why there isn’t any obvious bleeding. While cats may discharge sometimes while in estrus, it is usually very little and may go missing. One explanation for why some humans refer to the feline reproductive cycle as “heat” rather than menstruation is because of this.

It’s crucial to keep an eye on your cat’s reproductive health and behavior when she’s in estrus. If you don’t want to breed your unspayed female cat, you could think about getting her fixed. By removing the uterus and ovaries, spaying, also known as an ovariohysterectomy, prevents female cats from going into heat. In addition to preventing unwanted births, spaying has a number of health advantages, including lowering the risk of some reproductive malignancies and preventing behavioral problems. In my personal opinion, I don’t recommend spaying your cat unless health-related, instead, cat them a partner.