When does puberty begin?
This is the stage in the life of your purring pet when it reaches sexual maturity. Sex hormones begin to be formed, and this process starts approximately from the third to the fifth month of your kitten’s life.
In females, estrogen is formed, which controls the female reproductive system. Another important hormone is progesterone. It prepares the uterus for the fertilized egg, maintains pregnancy and promotes the development of mammary glands for future lactation. Most likely, your female cat will go into heat for the first time between the sixth and twelfth month.
In males, testosterone appears, which is responsible for the development of the male reproductive system. Most cats reach sexual maturity between five and seven months.
Of course, these periods depend on many other factors such as breed, lifestyle and the body of the kitten itself. In general, you can assume that your purring pet goes through puberty in about six months. Some breeds reach sexual maturity earlier, such as Siamese, Abyssinian cats and Burmese.
In long-haired cats, it is more typical for sexual maturity to occur later. You can expect this from a Maine Coon or a Norwegian Forest Cat.
Signs that your cat is in heat
You may be experiencing déjà vu from your own puberty, as cats also experience changes in behavior and mood. Of course, puberty in your purring friend is much shorter and milder, compared to humans.
What can you expect from your cat during this period?
• Mood swings and tail movement
Your pet’s tail can often signal that they are in heat. At these times, it will be raised upwards, combined with rubbing against furniture or you.
Also, don’t be surprised if you are playing with your purring pet and he suddenly starts hissing and acting aggressively with his toy. Don’t worry, this is simply due to a change in his mood. Just like humans, cats going through puberty can go from one emotional state to another in seconds.
• Scratching furniture
Although cats generally scratch or sharpen their claws, during this period they may show interest in your new sofa, which they have been indifferent to until now. The reasons could be related to the fact that your purring friend wants to leave his mark, to make it clear that this is his territory.
Possible solutions are either to trim your cat’s nails or to provide her with more scratching posts. It is best to scatter them around your home so that your temperamental pet has a place to sharpen its claws at any time and not choose the sofa.
• Aggression towards you
As incredibly cute as they are, cats are predators. Although they have long been domesticated by humans and are wonderful pets, wild nature runs strongly in their veins.
During a period in which your pet grows and enters puberty, there is a risk of showing unusual aggression. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be directed at you and your limbs. The ankles or fingers are the most affected.
To avoid incurring additional wounds and problems, provide toys. Every time your cat heads for a toy and not you – reward it with a treat or catnip. This way, the animal will know that if it bites a toy, it will get a treat.
• Marking
When it reaches sexual maturity, your purring companion will start looking for sexual partners. At this point, male cats start marking various places with urine. It contains scents, and has two functions – it attracts potential females and deters competitors.
The problem here is that in domestic cats, marking happens on your furniture. To avoid this inconvenience altogether, it is best to neuter your pet. If possible, this is done either before he starts marking or at the beginning of puberty.
• Female cats go into heat
Both males and females start looking for mating partners the moment they reach sexual maturity. To impress males, females roll on the floor, meow, rub themselves everywhere and look for every opportunity to cuddle.
Since your house cat can’t find a mate nearby, she can become very attached to you at this point. This period varies between 10-14 days, and can sometimes be quite difficult for both the kitten and the owners.
There’s no mistaking the meowing of a female cat in heat. The problem is that they become extremely loud, can annoyingly follow you around the apartment, and literally won’t leave you alone. Although rare, they may urinate around your home to spread pheromones. Like the males, for females it is recommended to be neutered even before the first signs of heat appear.
• High self-esteem
Your cat is growing not only in size, but also in self-esteem. You will notice this when your cat starts to show inclinations towards higher cabinets, trees (if he goes outside) and jumps higher and higher without feeling afraid. The reason for these new heights is that he needs to impress the female, so showing off is certainly the key to winning her heart.
Cats are very sensitive animals by nature. The moment they reach sexual maturity, they start to behave strangely. Marking, purring, mood swings are typical signs of puberty.
Illustrative Photo by Marko Blazevic: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cute-gray-kitten-standing-on-a-wooden-flooring-774731/
