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Why Do Cats Scream While Mating? Vet-Approved Feline Reproduction

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Maja Platisa

In-House Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Cats are unique little creatures that we love and adore. They tend to have some very peculiar behaviors in many aspects of their existence. It’s beneficial to understand feline behavior, especially if you share your life with cats. One awkward question that comes up is, why do cats scream when mating?

Not only are cats vocal during the actual act of mating, but females can also be vocal throughout the entire process of being in heat. Cats scream while mating due to the specific anatomy of the male cat’s penis, causing discomfort to female cats. Mating is what induces ovulation in cats, and the intense and often loud vocalizations are a way to attract the mate in the first place. We’ll investigate the courtship and mating of cats to best answer the question.

Heat Cycle

In a female cat, the ovaries do not release any eggs until mating has taken place, known as mating-induced ovulation. You will notice that when a female cat comes into heat, they tend to be very affectionate and vocal, they will do a lot of grooming and rolling around during this time. This is due to an influx of hormones and is an indicator that she is ready to ovulate and is trying to attract a male to complete the process and become pregnant.

Not all females make the loud vocalization when in heat, but most do. Females can begin heat cycles as young as 4 months of age. Breeding season for cats is generally from January to late fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and a female can typically go into heat every 2 to 3 weeks until she is either spayed or becomes pregnant.

Two cats playing in the field
Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay

Mating

When a male cat finds the female cat in heat through scent and vocalizations, the mating process will begin. The reason why there is so much screaming during the mating process is that male cats have a barbed penis, also called penile spines, that is very painful for the female to endure.

The male reproductive organs are barbed to stimulate the female to ovulate, and though it is not so pleasant, it’s necessary for reproduction. Males will often bite the females on the neck in order to hold them down so that the mating will be successful. Otherwise, females may try to leave due to the pain of the experience, but the barbed penile spines also prevent this to a point. Males may vocalize if the female resists and tries to attack them afterwards. 

After mating is complete, which is typically under a minute, the female tends to act aggressively toward the male, likely due to the discomfort she endured. The male will typically leave the female alone until she settles down, and he may attempt to mate her again.

Once the male has left, the female will go back and forth between grooming herself, rolling around, and may vocalize again. Most females will mate at least three to four times over a 1- to 2-day span and may mate with several suitors over this period. It is not uncommon for a litter of kittens to be fathered by different males.

Spaying and Neutering Cats

It is very important to note that spaying and neutering your cats is an important responsibility of a cat owner. There is currently a crisis when it comes to the homelessness of domesticated pets around the world. In the United States alone, 920,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each year, 530,000 of those being cats.

Neutering your cat will prevent many unwanted pregnancies and kittens. There are simply not enough homes for the number of cats in this country. Not only does spaying and neutering help with the overflow of shelter pets, but it also has medical, behavioral, and financial benefits.

two neighbouring cats hissing at each other
Image Credit: Astrid Gast, Shutterstock

Medical Benefits

  • A female cat has a better chance to live a much longer and healthier life if spayed before her first heat cycle. Having her spayed will help prevent breast tumors, infectious diseases, injuries from cat fights, uterine infections that will seriously impact the health and welfare of your cat, or even road traffic accidents due to less or no roaming.
  • Neutering a male cat will help to prevent urine spraying and other male-typical behavior while reducing their need for roaming if they are allowed outdoors. This way, the risk of them contracting infectious disease through fighting with other cats or being hit by a car is reduced, prolonging their life and improving their health.

Behavioral Benefits

  • An intact male cat will want to roam in search of females. He may even resort to escape attempts. If he is free to roam, he is at great risk of injury or even death in traffic or by fighting with other male cats. A neutered male will not have the desire to roam in search of females.
  • Intact male cats are very likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over your house. It’s best to neuter them as soon as possible to avoid this behavior, as in some cases, it can continue after being neutered.
  • By spaying a female cat, she will not go into heat. As discussed, females can have varying behavior while in heat, which lasts on average around 7 days, although it can be anywhere from 1 to 21 days, and it can repeat every few days to 3 weeks unless spayed or pregnant. By having them spayed, you will avoid the vocalizations, changes in behavior, and spraying of urine during heat.

Financial Benefits

  • Having your cats either spayed or neutered will help avoid costs of care for any litter produced by intact animals.
  • Spaying and neutering will also help owners avoid the cost of medical expenses related to the health issues that can result from allowing your cat(s) to remain intact and contract infectious diseases and injuries during roaming in the heat period.

hepper-single-cat-paw-divider-e1614923017121When Can I Spay/Neuter My Cat?

It is typically considered appropriate to spay or neuter kittens at the age of 4 to 6 months, depending on their size, health, and individual circumstances. It’s important to avoid urine spraying from males marking their territory and heat cycles in females, which each typically start around 4 to 5 months of age, but may be later depending on the breed size and climate.

It is best to speak directly with your veterinarian about the process and ensure the surgery is completed promptly to prevent unwanted pregnancies and any associated behavioral and medical issues you can face with unaltered animals.

Adopting straight from a rescue or shelter is a wonderful option that will ensure your new cat is spayed or neutered before coming home.

Conclusion

We now know that the reason cats scream during mating is due to the barbed reproductive organs of the male causing physical discomfort for the female. Occasionally, the males will reciprocate with vocalizations in response to any aggression they may experience from the female cat during mating, but also in order to attract the female in the first place.

It’s vital to have your cats spayed or neutered unless you are a reputable breeder. It will not only save the female from the pain of breeding but has many other health benefits. We all must do what we can to prevent homeless pet populations and mass euthanasia of abandoned and unwanted animals.

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Featured Image Credit: christels, Pixabay

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