American Curl Cat

　　There are many breeds of cats, and the age of first heat varies among them. Foreign breeds like the Thai cat generally have their first heat at around 5 months or earlier, while most others occur at about 7 months. Male cats mature sexually later than females, usually between 7 to 12 months. Some may take up to 2 years to mature.

　　Female cats go into heat 3 to 4 times a year. Especially in spring, they typically go into heat every 3 to 4 weeks and may repeat the cycle multiple times. The duration of heat varies depending on the breed, generally lasting between 3 to 15 days.

　　Mating activity in cats usually peaks in spring, declines during summer, and although autumn is also a heat season, it is not as intense as spring. Usually, no heat occurs between October and December. Signs of a female cat in heat include a temperament milder than usual, decreased appetite, more frequent urination, enjoying petting from owners, and rubbing their abdomen closely against the ground. Male cats are more sensitive during mating season, disliking the owner approaching, having decreased appetite, and urinating in unpredictable places. At this time, males can hear the calls of females or smell their scent from a great distance. Once a female in heat is found, males will roam around, yowl, and spray urine to stimulate mating. This phenomenon is often seen or heard on spring nights and is commonly called "noisy cats."