You never expected to have “the talk” with your feline friends. The birds and the bees were supposed to be fascinating prey, not a subject for serious discussions. But one day, you find yourself listening to yowling and assuming it’s a catfight, only to discover that your cats are actually mating. That loud yowl is the sound of the female in heat.
However, kittens are not in your plans right now, and pregnancy can be risky for a mother cat. You need to put a stop to this mating behavior. But how can you curb the intense desire of two cats to breed with each other?
Before you let the constant yowling drive you crazy, try these tips to calm your cats’ sex drives and discourage their urge to mate.
Spaying and Neutering: The Ultimate Prevention
Let’s start with the most effective solution – having your cats desexed. Spaying your female cat and neutering your male cat will cease the flow of sex hormones that trigger heat in females and make males insatiable. This procedure not only eliminates their ability to reproduce but also decreases the risk of health complications and diseases like cancer. Desexing is the only guaranteed way to stop mating behaviors in your cats.
If Desexing is Not an Option, Isolate
If you’re not able or willing to desex your cats right away, your best bet is to physically separate them. Although it’s easier said than done, desperate cats will go to great lengths to mate.
Isolating Female Cats
Female cats can only get pregnant while they’re in heat, so they don’t need to be quarantined all the time. However, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of heat and isolate her as soon as they appear. When your cat enters heat, she becomes more affectionate and hungrier for touch. Incessant yowling becomes her way of calling out to other cats, signaling her desire to mate. You may also notice her rubbing herself against furniture or spraying walls with pheromone-laden urine.
When you notice these signs, move your female cat to a separate room where she can’t get out and where your male cat can’t get in. Provide her with everything she needs, including food, water, toys, and a litter box. Be prepared for her to act out due to sexual frustration, exhibiting behaviors like improper urination or incessant vocalizations.
Isolating Male Cats
Male cats don’t go into heat, but when they detect the pheromones of a female cat in heat, their behavior may change drastically. Depending on your cats’ personalities, you may prefer to quarantine your male cat when your female is in heat. Watch the female carefully for signs and move the male to his own room as soon as you see them. However, keep in mind that isolating the male might lead to frustration, causing him to spray or behave aggressively. To soothe him, you can flood the room with calming feline pheromones.
Postpone the Problem: Delay Estrus
If you don’t want to spay your female cat but want to avoid kittens and the ordeal of feline estrus, there are ways to delay her heat for a few months.
Delaying Heat with Hormonal Injections
Your vet can administer a hormonal injection, known as Delvosteron, to suppress the estrus cycle in your female cat. The injection contains a hormone derived from progesterone, effectively acting as birth control for felines. It prevents heat for around five months, during which your cat cannot get pregnant or exhibit signs of heat. However, be vigilant as the medication can wear off early, putting her at risk of pregnancy.
Delaying Heat by Mating with Vasectomized Males
Another option is allowing your female cat to mate with a vasectomized male. While neutering involves removing the testicles, a vasectomy allows the male to keep his sex drive intact while rendering him unable to release sperm. Mating with a vasectomized male will trigger your female cat’s ovulation without fertilization, tricking her body into thinking she is pregnant. This state will last for weeks or months, during which she will refuse the advances of your male cat, making it possible for them to coexist without breeding. As with the Delvosteron injection, you must be attentive to returning signs of heat and make decisions accordingly.
Bonus: Silence the Mating Calls
Perhaps it’s not the mating itself but the unbearable sound of the mating calls that bothers you. Unfortunately, yowling is an unavoidable aspect of being in heat, and no amount of scolding or isolation will prevent it. If you don’t want to spay your cat, your only options to silence the calls are delaying her estrus with hormonal injections or allowing her to mate with a vasectomized male. These methods “trick” your cat’s body into thinking she’s pregnant, preventing not only mating but also the other symptoms of heat, including the mating call.
Conclusion
Controlling cat mating behavior can be challenging, but with the right approach, it’s possible to curb their instincts and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Spaying and neutering are the most reliable methods, ensuring your cats won’t reproduce and reducing the risk of health complications. If desexing is not immediately feasible, isolating the cats or delaying estrus with hormonal injections or mating with vasectomized males can provide temporary relief. Remember, it’s important to make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of your furry friends while considering your own lifestyle and circumstances.