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Cats/Heat - pregnancy
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Question
QUESTION: Hi Ali, thank you for all your advice and info on the fur shedding and food supplement. I had another question I wanted to ask. You my ragdoll cat.. she always wants to brush the side of her face against my hand or my books, also she keeps keeps rolling as soon as I come next to her and wants me to rub her stomach back etc. What could this mean? Do you think that is a sign of heat as she is not neutered? Kind regards, Rihad Ahmed
ANSWER: Rihad,
Simply brushing her head against you and your posessions is a scent marking behavior - it's a way of showing affection in the cat world. If she is rolling around, creeping across the floor with her belly low and her bottom in the air and she's being quite vocal then she's likely in heat. If you don't intend to breed her you should have her spayed because that will provide her with many health and behavioral benefits and offer her a longer life span.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi, my ragdoll cat has turned 6 years old recently, so I'm thinking that she doesn't need to be spayed because I have been told my friends that ragdolls stop coming in heat after that age. Is this true, if not, when will she stop going on heat and can't become pregnant anymore? Thank you
Rihad,
As far as I know your cat will continue having heat cycles until she is somewhat older, possibly for the rest of her life. As long as your cat is having heat cycles she can become pregnant if she is allowed access to an intact male cat. I would strongly advise that you have your girl spayed if you don't intend to breed her because otherwise she will be at a much higher risk of developing cancers of the reproductive system and mammary glands as well as a potentially fatal infection of the womb called pyometra from the repeated exposure to sex hormones without pregnancy.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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