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Have you ever noticed your cuddly kitty acting a little…different? Is he spraying furniture with a not-so-pleasant smell? Maybe he’s yowling like a banshee at night. If you have an unneutered tomcat, these signs could indicate that your four-legged champ has matured sexually, but are these signs that a male cat is in heat? Don’t worry; we’re here to explain all the weird and wonderful ways your cat might show he’s ready to rumble (in the romantic sense, of course!).
Like us, cats go through a puberty stage. It’s when their bodies start changing and producing hormones that make them interested in mating. In male cats, the size of their testicles grows, and they release testosterone, a hormone that urges them to look for a mate.
Sexual maturity happens between seven and nine months old for male cats, but this depends on the breed. Some show signs as early as four months, while others reach sexual maturity when they’re ten months to a year old. If your feline companion’s age is within this range and he has been acting strange lately, visiting your vet is a good idea.
To answer this question, let’s determine whether male cats go into heat. The truth is, only female felines experience the heat or estrous cycle. Male cats may exhibit strange behaviors once they reach sexual maturity. Some people only call it the “in heat” phase to describe these behaviors; however, it’s not an estrous cycle but a natural response to estrus in intact females.
Cats—whether male or female—are susceptible to pheromones. They also have the vomeronasal organ, which smells these biochemical signals. Felines can learn many things about the other cat’s gender, age, reproductive status, and mood through these biochemical messages.
Male cats can tell if a female feline is in heat by sniffing her cheek glands or the pheromones in her urine. The female cat need not be present, either. Tomcats can smell where the female has peed hours or days ago and may show mating behaviors, even if the intact female feline isn’t around.
Most male animals exhibit unique behaviors when they meet their female counterparts who want to mate. For example, male giraffes and peacocks will show their dancing skills to woo females nearby. Meanwhile, other creatures perform a mating call. So, how can you tell that your tomcat is hunting for a mate? Here are the signs to watch out for:
Don’t be alarmed when your furry friend starts yowling in the wee hours. Chances are, he’s doing it to attract female cats nearby. In-heat female kitties may react to these loud vocalizations. It’s like a dating call but for felines.
Furniture, beware! Tomcats mark their territory with their pee, especially when feeling hormonal. This pungent spray contains chemicals called pheromones that tell female cats he’s just around the corner, looking for love.
Roaming is a popular tomcat behavior. When a male cat picks up on an in-heat female’s pheromones, he becomes obsessed with trying to escape and find where the scent is coming from. He’ll travel long distances until he finds the in-heat female cat.
Roaming can be dangerous. Your cat could get lost, hit by a car, or get picked up while on the quest for love. Indoor cats without outdoor access may show their urge to roam by pacing, scratching the window or the door, or sneaking out.
Not only is your feline buddy looking for love, but he’s also trying to win his mating rights. An in-heat female cat gets much attention and attraction from males, and these tomcats act aggressively toward each other. They hiss, growl, and attack any male cat or, sometimes, other pets and even humans when a female is around. Thus, your tomcat may come home injured, with bite marks or lacerations after these altercations.
It may seem a little surprising, but mounting is one of those apparent signs that a male cat is in heat. Unneutered cats will try to hump on anything and everything in sight—be it a pillow or even your leg! You may find it hilarious, but it’s not something to encourage.
Now that you know the signs that a male cat is in heat, you may wonder if there’s a way to turn down the volume on your kitty’s love life. There is, actually, and it’s called neutering. It’s the counterpart of spaying. If spaying removes the ovaries of female cats, neutering removes your male cat’s testicles. Once the testicles are removed through surgery, your cat will contribute to cat population control—not to mention won’t show signs of any behavior we’ve discussed above.
Neutering your tomcat is your responsibility and decision. If you neuter your cat, you will keep him safe and sound indoors, reducing his urge to roam around and look for a mate. Neutering also has health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Despite these benefits, misconceptions about neutering, like making your cat lazy or overweight, are floating around. These aren’t true, as a cat’s diet and exercise can control its weight, and its personality typically remains the same.
Maybe you’re not quite ready to neuter your whiskered companion yet. That’s okay! There are some things you can do to manage his behavior temporarily. Here are a few tips:
If your cat is unneutered, you should always keep him inside. If you let your cat roam freely, he’s prone to dangers like cars, fights, and diseases and may contribute to the pet population problem.
Sometimes, a fun toy is all it takes to get his mind off that gorgeous Persian across the street. Catnip toys, cat teaser wands, and tall cat trees are enough to channel his mating behavior and stimulate his mind.
Making loud noises can curb your cat’s yowling or territorial behaviors, at least in the meantime. Clap your hands if your ferocious mouser is being too loud or picking fights with your other household pets. This distraction technique can give you a few minutes of peace but is not a permanent solution.
Spraying can still happen. Be sure to clean all areas thoroughly that he sprayed on with an enzyme cleaner to remove the scent and discourage further marking.
Remember, neutering is the best option if you want a permanent solution. But these tips will help you manage your cat until you’re ready to make that big decision.
Unlike females, male cats don’t have an estrous or “heat” cycle. However, they show indicative behaviors of sexual maturity and readiness to mate when they detect an in-heat female around.
Male cats typically reach sexual maturity between seven and nine months old. However, it varies by breed or personal development.
Watch out for these unusual behaviors:
Roaming is risky, not only for female cats but also for males. If you allow your male cat to roam free outside without your supervision, he might become lost, collide with a car, or engage in conflict with other cats or animals. He could even get lost on his journey to finding a mate.
Neutering helps eliminate or reduce unwanted mating behaviors (like spraying and yowling), decreases the chances of roaming, getting lost, and injured, lowers cancer risks, and helps prevent unwanted cat pregnancies.
No! Neutering doesn’t and shouldn’t affect your cat’s personality. Weight gain is related to a cat’s diet and activity, not neutering.
To control your unneutered cat’s mating behavior, you can keep him indoors, provide distractions like toys and mind-stimulating games, make loud noises to disrupt cat fights, and clean areas where he has sprayed thoroughly to discourage territorial remarking.
Recognizing the signs that a male cat is in heat is critical for responsible cat ownership. By knowing these mating signals and behaviors and taking appropriate actions, you can ensure your tomcat’s well-being and have a peaceful environment at home. Remember, neutering can prevent unwanted behaviors, control the cat population, and prolong his life. If your feline buddy shows any of the signs we mentioned, talk to your vet about neutering—it’s the perfect solution!
