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Original poster

Female kitten - is this normal?

19 replies

SarahAndQuack · 06/02/2022 23:34

One of our female kittens is showing all the signs of being in heat. She's one of two - the rescue thought they were about 9/10 weeks when we got them, but the vet thought one of them was about 8 weeks and the other might be a bit older. If the vet is right, the older one is about 12 weeks. Is it normal for them to reach maturity this soon? And is there anything we should do beyond the normal? Obviously we will get them both spayed as soon as they're big enough, and we're keeping them in.

OP posts:

Pancakeorcrepe · 07/02/2022 06:59

Yes this is normal - you need to get them spayed soonest.

Pancakeorcrepe · 07/02/2022 07:02

If they were found as stray or neglected, they could well be physically smaller and look younger than they actually are. Speak to your vet - I work for an animal charity and kittens are spayed at around 9 weeks old or when they reach 900 grams. Recovery is much easier and faster at that age. Good luck.

SanFranBear · 07/02/2022 07:30

They can go into heat at a very young age although three months does seem particularly young. Thankfully, sounds like both your kittens are girls so other than the discomfort, you won't be running any risks. Sounds like they'll be neutered ASAP anyway and am surprised the rescue didn't already have that planned but if its a smaller setup, it's not unusual.

P.s it'll be a lot easier for people to give advice if you post a picture of your lovely new girl... and her sister - purely for academic reasons of course

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IsThisAkissingBook · 07/02/2022 07:33

Some vets won't agree to early spay but phone around, because she will be determined to get out.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 07/02/2022 07:58

Yes - entirely possible. Please get them spayed ASAP.

You may need to ring round as some vets have the stupid rule of not neutering until they're six months.

Original poster

SarahAndQuack · 07/02/2022 09:16

Thanks all! That's really useful. Yes, it's a small shelter and they've been very busy lately. They usually ask owners to arrange to spay kittens, which seems perfectly fair as it'd be expensive for them.

OP posts:

Original poster

SarahAndQuack · 07/02/2022 09:18

Hope this works for a picture!

OP posts:

Pancakeorcrepe · 07/02/2022 09:19

Aaaaaaw they are gorgeous bundles of velvet love 🖤

Original poster

SarahAndQuack · 07/02/2022 09:21

Thank you! Of course I think they are gorgeous.

OP posts:

ifonly4 · 07/02/2022 09:23

I don't know the answer to your questions, but just wanted to say they are beautiful girls.

Original poster

SarahAndQuack · 07/02/2022 09:26

Thank you!

They are so lovely. They've obviously been hand-reared and they are incredibly sweet and friendly. They're both curled up beside me asleep at the moment.

OP posts:

OddestSock · 07/02/2022 09:29

Beautiful kittens 😍

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 07/02/2022 09:37

They are gorgeous 🥰

We have three black voids and they are the best!

Original poster

SarahAndQuack · 07/02/2022 09:42

Arent't they, @fairylightsandwaxmelts! Part of the reason we chose them was the rescue says black cats are less likely to be taken.

The older girl is currently making hopeful yowling sounds while her sister just looks very, very confused.

OP posts:

ColourHex · 07/02/2022 10:40

aw we have two voids as well :)

Just to say one of mine is a female and has always been extremely vocal - you could easily mistake some of her noise as being in heat (she was spayed at 4ish months)

Cherrysoup · 07/02/2022 12:28

@SarahAndQuack

Arent't they, *@fairylightsandwaxmelts*! Part of the reason we chose them was the rescue says black cats are less likely to be taken.

The older girl is currently making hopeful yowling sounds while her sister just looks very, very confused.

I don’t understand that, I’d love a black cat.

CatServant2020 · 07/02/2022 14:46

First of all thank you for the picture, what a pair of cuties

Kittens can go in to heat normally from 4 months of age so it's possible with being rescues they are under weight for thier age and possibly a few weeks older than thought.

As a previous poster has said kittens can be neutered from about 8 weeks of age and around 1000g and they recover quicker at this age but not all vets will offer this. Neutering is important as not only does it prevent unwanted pregnancies but also has health benefits long term for both male and female cats). (I've added this paragraph not for the OP but just so the information is out there if someone looks at the primal post)

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 07/02/2022 15:17

One of ours (the boy) is really vocal @SarahAndQuack - and he's definitely not in heat

He will come into the room and scream at you until you tell him to come for a cuddle, then he runs over and jumps at you, purring like a maniac lol.

SanFranBear · 07/02/2022 22:00

Well, they are utterly stunning! There really is something very special about pure black cats 🐈‍⬛

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