You are here:

Cats/6mth lass into heat?

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/5/2009


Question
Hi,

We adopted 2 cats from a rescue centre about 2/5 wks ago.  A 6mth ex-feral lass neutured whilst at centre, and a 2yr tom done prob over 6mths ago - time unknown.

They are getting know each other , and are learning eachothers boundaries eg Tiger is showing his dominance over Lilly, but her laying onto her belly.  However in the last day, its been this and a bit more.  He is now chasing her afterwards.

Lilly is a small enough lass that i can still pick her up in 1 hand, and Tiger i had to check whether i could pick him up - i can but only just.

Is this her going into her first reproductive cycle, as she is quite surprised at his behaviour.  

They are still kept within the house, as they both need their 2nd vacs, so they hv got at least 7-10 days still to be kept inside.  

If this is the case, what can I do to help, recongise this is the situ etc?  Lilly does have places in the house where she can hide from his 'attentions.

Thanks
Marie

Answer
Marie,

If Lilly is spayed, it is very unlikely that she is coming into season.  It sounds to me more like play than mating behavior.  As cats get to know each other better, games of chase are common place and usually are a good sign (even if they end in a "fight").

If she does seem to be coming into seasonm, you can have her hormone levels checked by the vet adn get an idea whether or not she was spayed properly.

Best regards... Norm.  

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.