How Long Does the Estrous Cycle Last?
One entire heat or estrous cycle, which consists of estrus and diestrus together, lasts roughly from 18 to 24 days. Estrus itself, the phase in which cats act a little crazy and are receptive to being mated, lasts approximately four to 10 days. If not mated or spayed, a female cat will continually cycle into and out of estrus during the entire breeding season. This is not especially good for a cat’s health, as the physical demands of estrus can be quite upsetting. It’s not so good for your sanity, either! Induced Ovulators Like rabbits, cats are induced ovulators. Although they go into heat they do not actually ovulate, or release eggs from the ovary, unless they have sex. Once mating occurs, eggs are released, and fertilization takes place approximately 24 hours later. If the mating is unsuccessful, the female will not cycle back into estrus for 36 days (a period called pseudopregnancy). In fact, some veterinarians and breeders will purposely induce pseudopregnancy in order to delay t
