What Your Cat’s Raised Hindquarters Means
A female cat lifting her rear and swishing her tail is a classic sign that she’s in heat, or estrus. The behavior alone isn’t proof, but when paired with other clues it points to a reproductive cycle.
Heat in unspayed cats usually starts between six and nine months of age. After the first cycle, a cat will return to heat roughly every 21 days, or every two to three weeks during longer daylight periods. The cycle can continue year-round depending on climate.
Other common signs include loud, intense vocalizing, rolling on the floor more often, increased affection and attention-seeking, spraying urine to attract mates, and scratching at doors or windows to try to escape indoors.
Spaying removes the ovaries and uterus, stopping the reproductive cycle permanently. It also prevents unwanted litters, lowers the risk of uterine infections and mammary cancer, and reduces the chances of a cat escaping, fighting or being hit by a car. Veterinary advice is to spay or neuter most cats by six months.
Key takeaways
- A raised hindquarters is a hallmark of a cat in heat.
- Heat cycles begin at six to nine months and recur every 21 days.
- Spaying stops the cycle and offers several health benefits.
- Other heat behaviors include loud vocalizing, increased affection, spraying, and door scratching.
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Originally reported by Catster. Read the full article.
Cover photo by Ivett M via Pexels.
